With thousands of cards in the Pokemon TCG, it’s no surprise the illustrators have found ways to get creative when it comes to depicting the various Pokemon across the series, placing them in different scenarios. There are a few cards that tell a story about the Pokemon they feature, whether that be more in-depth stories that span multiple cards or singular cards that show something just as meaningful.
These cards give you a glimpse into the Pokemon world, showing the everyday happenings you might not see elsewhere in the series. See how Pokemon interact with each other without humans and how deep Pokemon and trainer bonds can go.
Updated on September 14, 2023 by Casey Foot: Pokemon cards can offer unique perspectives into the Pokemon world, depicting the various ways trainers interact with their Pokemon. With a new card set, there are more cards with connecting art that tell stories in a visual way.
18 Ralts (Scarlet & Violet #211) / Kirlia (Scarlet & Violet #212) / Gardevoir ex (Scarlet & Violet #245)
Jiro Sasumo’s collection of full art cards based on the Ralts evolution line depicts the inseparable bond between a Pokemon and its trainer. The first card shows a woman moving into a new home with her Ralts and her husband; the second shows the woman sitting with her baby and Kirlia; and the last card shows the couple, older, with Gardevoir holding balls of yarn as the woman knits.
Each card fills with more color and details as the Pokemon evolves, showing how the family has created a life together. The small details in these cards are what make them so special - for example, the baby wears a hood that resembles Ralts, and the photographs on the wall show different events in their lives.
17 Fuecoco (Paldea Evolved #201) / Crocalor (Paldea Evolved #202) / Skeledirge ex (Paldea Evolved #258)
Kantaro’s series of full art cards on the Fuecoco evolution line focus on mundane life with a Pokemon. Fuecoco sits in a shopping cart munching on an apple; Crocalor tries to help pack the bag with food but makes a mess; and Skeledirge uses its strength to help its trainer carry the groceries.
The cards show the different personalities of each evolution stage, with the Skeledirge card depicting how the Pokemon has matured since its first and second evolutions. Kantaro’s vibrant art style helps to add depth and liveliness to the scenes, creating an inviting atmosphere.
16 Riolu (Scarlet & Violet #215)
If you’ve ever owned a pet and caught them doing something they weren’t supposed to, you’re definitely familiar with Riolu’s expression on this card by Nelnal. It’s almost as if you’ve walked in on Riolu having just destroyed your living room while training itself.
Nelnal uses environmental storytelling in this card - a vase has been knocked over, the sofa is ripped, and the cushions are strewn across the floor. You can just imagine that Riolu used this card’s move, Reckless Charge, to cause this amount of destruction.
15 Chespin (BREAKthrough #9) / Snorlax (BREAKthrough #118)
Illustrated by Kouki Saitou, these two Pokemon cards show an unfortunate interaction between Chespin and Snorlax. Saitou’s Chespin card shows the Pokemon climbing along a tree branch to collect the ripe berries growing on the tree’s vines. A sleeping Snorlax can be seen lying on the ground below, unaware that Chespin is above it.
Unfortunately, Chespin appears to have disturbed Snorlax’s sleep. In the second card, Snorlax has awoken suddenly, disturbing the tree behind it and causing Chespin to plummet to the ground alongside the berries it was trying to pick. Luckily, Chespin’s thick shell allows it to take “even a direct hit from a truck” with ease, according to its Pokedex entries, so falling wouldn’t injure it.
14 Cosmog (Celebrations #013) / Cosmoem (Celebrations #014) / Lunala (Celebrations #015)
This Pokemon card set by kirisAki shows the unbreakable bond between Pokemon and trainer – it tells the story of Lillie’s relationship with Cosmog, nicknamed Nebby, as it develops. In the first illustration, Lillie uses a Poke Doll to soothe Nebby as it wails uncontrollably and encourages it to go back inside the bag.
At this point, Lillie and Nebby haven’t yet warmed up to each other; however, in the Cosmoem card, kirisAki depicts how they’ve grown closer, as Nebby sleeps contently alongside Lillie. The final card, Lunala, shows how Lillie and her Pokemon partner have grown as they both look toward the sunrise. Not only is Nebby fully evolved, but Lillie stands with confidence too.
13 Arrokuda (Vivid Voltage #041) / Cramorant (Vivid Voltage #040)
Arrokuda are Cramorant’s prey in the Pokemon universe, with Cramorant swallowing the fish Pokemon in its Gulping Form. Hitoshi Ariga and Sanosuke Sakuma showed this predator-prey relationship succinctly through these two cards.
Arrokuda swims aimlessly, unaware of the danger it’s in, as Cramorant dives into the water from above, determined to catch its prey. The second card shows Arrokuda’s terrible fate, as it has been swallowed whole by Cramorant, who is trying its best to gulp it down. Not only does the art of these two cards link, but you can also play Cramorant and Arrokuda cards together, thanks to Cramorant’s Continuous Gulp Missile move.
12 Hypno (BREAKpoint #51) / Clefairy (BREAKpoint #81)
Hypno and Clefairy couldn’t be further apart in terms of aesthetic, which is demonstrated in this pair of cards by Tomokazu Komiya. In the Hypno card, Komiya splits the environment in two – the side with Hypno’s pendulum has a darker color scheme and what appears to be black particles, as well as lightning striking in heavy rain. The side with Clefairy is brighter, with lush green grass, sparkles, and a rainbow in the sky.
Unfortunately, in the second card, it’s shown that Clefairy encountered Hypno and was hypnotized – it has swirling eyes and seems disoriented. Clefairy runs away from Hypno, who watches it creepily in the background. Komiya’s distinctive art style helps to elevate the story depicted through the cards, as the shadows and creative use of colors emulate what it would be like to be hypnotized.
11 Plusle (Dark Explorers #39) / Minun (Dark Explorers #40)
This Pokemon card set by Naoki Saito shows Plusle and Minun posing beside and on top of an airplane. Unlike other Pokemon cards that tell a story, these cards show the same moment from different perspectives. Plusle jumps in the air and winks while Minum crosses its arms – you can see the opposite Pokemon in the background of each card.
It seems as though Plusle and Minun are striking a pose together as if they’re part of a photoshoot. Perhaps Plusle and Minun are there to cheer for the airplanes as they land and take off.
10 Light Toxtricity (Sword & Shield Promos #SWSH137)
The Light Toxtricity card, illustrated by Naoyo Kimura, pays homage to Toxitricity’s musical talent. It shows an Amped Form Toxtricity playing music for a group of Oddish; the card states that, instead of using a guitar to create its melodies, Toxtricity “claw[s] at the protrusions on its chest.”
The story depicted in this card is one of a concert under the moonlight, as the Oddish dance along to the tunes with big smiles on their faces. It’s a quaint scene, showing how Toxtricity uses its musical abilities to entertain other Pokemon outside of using it within battles.
9 Mimikyu V (Brilliant Stars #TG16)
This card emits the Ghost and Fairy-type Pokemon, Mimikyu’s, ghoulish energy. Mimikyu watches something on an old-fashioned TV, absorbed with whatever is on the screen and helping itself to the popcorn strewn all over the floor. Perhaps Mimikyu knocked over the popcorn after getting frightened by what it was watching.
You can’t see what Mimikyu is watching on the TV, but judging from Acerola’s horrified face as she walks through the door, you can safely assume it’s terrifying. This card reveals the behind-the-scenes of life with Acerola and Mimikyu – apparently, they have wildly different tastes in movies.
8 Charmeleon (Legendary Treasures #18) / Swablu (Legendary Treasures #103)
These Pokemon cards show the unlucky interaction between a Charmeleon and a Swablu. In the Charmeleon card, Charmeleon is bending down to inspect some fallen berries on the ground. But they accidentally singe Swablu’s cotton wings with the fire on its tail.
The Swablu card shows the results of this unfortunate event as an irate Swablu flies away from the panicking Charmeleon. Sadly, it seems like a friendship between Charmeleon and Swablu isn’t in the cards this time around, as Swablu leaves the scene steaming with anger.
7 Scorbunny #SWSH071 / Grookey #SWSH070 / Sobble #SWSH073 (Sword & Shield Promos)
Sobble gets the short end of the stick in this set of Pokemon cards. In the Scorbunny card, Scorbunny chances upon a pile of berries, which Grookey notices but Sobble is unaware of. Grookey takes the opportunity to grab some berries for themself in the Grookey Card, and Sobble finally sees what’s happening.
Sadly, by the time Sobble goes over to get some berries, they’ve already been taken by Scorbunny and Grookey, leading it to burst into tears. This card set tells a simple story that perfectly demonstrates the dynamic of the starters of Pokemon Sword & Shield.
6 Natu (Legendary Treasures #55) / Bouffalant (Legendary Treasures #107)
These Pokemon cards portray the unlikely friendship between two Natu and a Bouffalant. In the Natu card, two Natu huddle together against the harsh and icy elements, shivering from the cold. Bouffalant proves to be their savior as it comes across the freezing Natu, letting them cuddle in the fur on its head to stay warm.
The illustrations by Sanosuke Sakuma do a great job of conveying a sweet story between two species of Pokemon who rarely interact. Bouffalant’s fur has another use besides absorbing damage – it’s the perfect bed for Natu to curl up in, too.
5 Meowth (Roaring Skies #67) / Inkay (Roaring Skies #41)
These Pokemon cards show that Inkay isn’t quite as innocent as it first appears. In the Meowth card, Meowth dances in joy as it finds a ripe fruit, unbeknownst to the fact that Inkay seethes with jealousy in the background.
Meowth’s joy doesn’t last long, though, as in the Inkay card, Inkay speeds off with the coveted berry clutched in its tentacles, leaving behind a crying Meowth that now sports a black eye. Inkay isn’t a Dark type for nothing, as it even has a smirk on its face as it makes off with the stolen fruit.
4 Trubbish #67 / Phione #36 / Empoleon #35 (Legendary Treasures)
Illustrated by Kawayoo, this group of Pokemon cards depicts the unlikely journey of a Trubbish getting to swim in the ocean. The Trubbish card appears to show a Trubbish being left at the dump by a garbage truck to live among the rubbish. In the Phione card, Trubbish is startled by a Phione swimming in the ocean nearby, who waves at Trubbish from the water.
With the help of Empoleon, Trubbish is able to join its newfound friend, Phione, in the water, as shown on the final card. Trubbish displays a look of awe as it rides on Empoleon’s back, as Phione watches on happily. These cards show Trubbish achieving something that many of its species can’t with the help of its friends.
3 Cubone (Breakthrough #77)
Cubone has one of the saddest backstories in the Pokemon series and is known for being an orphan. Many of its Pokedex entries say that it wears its mother’s skull, crying because it will never see her again. This Cubone card builds on the Pokemon’s devastating story.
In the card’s illustration, a lonely Cubone sits surrounded by families enjoying their time at a theme park. The card highlights Cubone’s sorrows, positioning it directly next to a mother and her child. The lone Cubone has nothing to do but hug its bone to its chest, yearning for its own mother.
2 Charmander #RC3 / Charmeleon #RC4 / Charizard #RC5 (Generations)
The bond between a trainer and their partner Pokemon remains one of the strongest forces in the Pokemon world. These three cards demonstrate this strong relationship across a number of years. The first card depicts a scene from the boy’s childhood, where Charmander steals his glasses, accompanied by text from the boy’s perspective, wondering if they can ever become good friends.
The next card shows the boy as a young teenager, sitting in a tree reading with his Charmeleon. The text on this card implies that they’ve worked through their differences and are close friends. The final card showcases the unbreakable bond they’ve developed. The boy, now a young adult, is on a snowy mountain, adventuring alongside Charizard and enduring the climate together; as the card says, “No matter what happens, if we stick together, we can get past it.”
1 Tepig #25 / Pignite #26 / Emboar #27 (Legendary Treasures)
This Pokemon card set shows a family alongside their Pokemon over the years. The Tepig card shows a young boy being gifted a Tepig from his mother and father, excited to receive what is most likely his first Pokemon. The Pignite card builds on the family’s story, as the boy is now a teenager and has a younger sister.
The Emboar card depicts the boy as an adult, posing for a photograph with his wife and child, as well as his parents and sister. A cute detail on this card is how excited the child is to sit beside Emboar, just like their father was excited to receive Tepig all those years ago.