Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt & White Flare - Top 10 Most Beautiful Cards

Greetings, Pokémon community! Now that Black Bolt & White Flare are out, let's see the prettiest cards from both of these sets!

10 - Zoroark (White Flare Set - Illustration Art - 143/086)

Let's start with this card, which was illustrated by Iwamoto05. This artist also created Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex DRI 231 - we mentioned how beautiful this card is in our article about the prettiest cards from Destined Rivals.

Though they have just started working for the Pokémon Company, they have been standing out.

This Zoroark is quite interesting because of its background: behind it, we can see a sort of aquatic ripple that slowly turns dark, right to left. The left side is a sort of mirage, while the reflection of the water on the right is crystal clear. Overall, this artwork is a great representation of how this Pokémon creates illusions and transforms itself constantly.

9 - Krokorok (Black Bolt Set - Illustration Rare - 136/086)

This card was illustrated by Tonji Matsuno, another artist who just begun working for the Pokémon Company. They have worked on 18 cards so far.

Their signature move is the way they depict Pokémon in their natural habitats, as if they were in "National Geographic" documentaries. Sharpedo sv3 47 and Frogadier sv3 57 are great examples of that.

This Krokorok is shown in the desert, where it usually lives hiding under the sand. It stands out for the lighting, that is, the sunlight and hexagonal particles masterfully created by Matsuno.

8 - Excadrill ex (Black Bolt Set - Secret Illustration Art - 168/086)

This card was illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita and speaks for itself.

The artwork depicts the rock tunnels Excadrill creates and uses to travel through a cone-like perspective that guides our eyes. The texture of the rocks is incredibly detailed in grainy shades of grey, blue, and brown - Arita's signature touch!

7 - Lampent (White Flare Set - Illustration Art - 102/086)

This card was illustrated by Ligton, who also created Umbreon V BRS TG22 from Sword & Shield: Brilliant Stars. They have created over 18 cards so far.

What makes this card stand out from the others is the architecture in the background. It resembles Art Nouveau architecture, which often uses chandeliers as decorative elements. The angle highlights the structural arcs in the setting and shows many Lampent flying above. It is a sophisticated composition.

6 - Hydreigon ex (White Flare Set - Secret Illustration Art - 169/086)

This card was illustrated by Takumi Wada, who began to work for the Pokémon Company in the Sword & Shield era after they stood out at a Grand Prix. They also created concept art for other famous game titles, like Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild in The Legend of Zelda franchise.

This Hydreigon ex is similar to Akira Egawa's Hydreigon ex SSP 240. It shows the Pokémon in a chaotic setting, full of heavy clouds, lightning, and darkness, so it's a great representation of the violent nature of this Pokémon. It also translates its chaotic essence, described in Pokédex entries, very accurately.

5 - Bisharp (Black Bolt Set - Illustration Rare - 143/086)

This artwork was created by toriyufu, who has only created 10 physical Pokémon cards and 3 Pokémon Pocket cards so far.

It shows two Bisharp dueling, a clear reference to how this Pokémon evolves into Kingambit. To evolve, they need to beat three other Bisharps with the item "Leader's Crest". In this artwork, other Pawniard watch as the two Bisharp duel, which is very accurate considering the lore surrounding this Pokémon.

4 - Haxorus (Black Bolt Set - Illustration Rare - 147/086)

This card was created by akagi, who also created the striking Greninja ex sv6 214, Palafin sv4pt5 225, and Kingdra ex PR-SV 131.

akagi is known for their vibrant style. In this card, they highlighted Haxorus' mandible axe, which shines like a metal disc. The setting behind it includes train tracks and is quite complex: notice how the natural light from the ceiling contrasts with the blueish tone of the cave shadows.

3 - Zekrom ex (Black Bolt Set - Secret Illustration Art - 166/086)

This artwork was created by danciao, who also only began working for The Pokémon Company recently. They have created concept art for Duel Masters, the online Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and Fate/Grand Order, from the Fate franchise.

What most stands out about this card is the heavy atmosphere of the scene. The cloudy sky, often found in danciao artworks, makes this composition even more dramatic. Electricity surrounds Zekrom, which stands proudly in a clearly outlined "Y," separating the shadows by its side and the ground below. It is a striking and symmetrical artwork.

2 - Kyurem ex (Black Bolt Set - Secret Illustration Art - 165/086)

This card was illustrated by chibi, who began working for The Pokémon Company in the X & Y era with Azelf PR-XY XY142.

It is quite impressive, technically speaking. The perspective from below, the crystals closest to us, the viewers, which are blurry, representing how the human eye sees close objects, and the still Kyurem, like an ice statue, show how ancient and forgotten by time it is. Frozen stalactites in its body sort of camouflage it with the background.

1 - Reshiram ex (White Flare Set - Secret Illustration Art - 166/086)

This artwork was created by Kawaguchi Yoohei (or kawayoo), who is known for their Sun & Moon Pikachu & Zekrom-GX PR-SM SM168.

They have worked for The Pokémon Company since the Diamond & Pearl era, and have created over 200 for the TCG. This includes several promo arts for the Heart Gold & Soul Silver era.

In this card, Reshiram is splendid, surrouded by rosy flames that resemble cherry blossoms - perhaps a reference to Reshiram LTR RC22. This exotic setting, a mix of elements and colors, is a strong, singular visual identity for kawayoo.

Do you agree with our picks? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!