After being briefly teased earlier this year, a new Pokémon TCG set titled Pokémon Card 151 was revealed during the 2023 Champion’s League tournament in Japan. As the name suggests, this set, which will launch in June later this year, is focused on the first generation of Pokémon. This includes updated versions of the Kanto starters, Pikachu and even a new version of Mew EX.
One of the most exciting reveals was that, for the first time in 20 years, the full Abra line will be available as an evolution line. While Alakazam has made several appearances over the years, most recently as a Radiant Pokémon in Silver Tempest, Abra and Kadabra have been absent from the TCG for 2 decades. Kadabra, in particular, hasn’t been in print since 2003’s Skyridge set.
Abra Line Returns to the TCG
The full line will make its long-awaited reappearance as part of the Pokémon 151 set, including Alakazam as an EX card. This set, while focusing on Pokémon of the past, will take on the format of the recently released Scarlet and Violet set. These heralded the return of EX Pokémon among other alterations to the TCG formula.
This prolonged absence of the Abra line stems from an old lawsuit filed by Uri Geller. Geller sued the Pokémon Company back in 2000. This was due to the supposed likeness shared between Kadabra and Geller, with particular focus on Kadabra’s Japanese name, “Yungerer” (ユンゲラー). Geller dropped the lawsuit in 2020 and he has since made several public comments about his remorse regarding the situation.
Pokémon Cards 151 will release exclusively in Japan in June 2023. Like with most Japanese sets, some of the cards will likely make their way to future English Pokémon TCG sets and releases.
Other 151 Cards
SOURCE: Pokémon Cards 151 Reveal
