{"id":250670,"date":"2024-05-02T17:34:38","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T09:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=250670"},"modified":"2024-05-02T17:44:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-02T09:44:46","slug":"the-story-of-pokemon-card-151-sv2a-how-an-epic-pokemon-tcg-set-came-to-be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/2024\/05\/02\/the-story-of-pokemon-card-151-sv2a-how-an-epic-pokemon-tcg-set-came-to-be\/","title":{"rendered":"The Story of Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a]: How An Epic Pok\u00e9mon TCG Set Came to Be"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, the overwhelming success of Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] might seem to be an instance in which Creatures Inc. captured \u201clightning in a bottle\u201d. However, in reality, years of planning went into making this remarkable Pok\u00e9mon TCG set a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Gen 8 Era<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our story begins back in 2019, when the eighth generation of Pok\u00e9mon kicked off with the launch of main-series video games Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s eighth generation, both the video games and anime were loaded with shout-outs to the first generation. In Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield, the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics were introduced. Both turned a Pok\u00e9mon giant and greatly increased all of that Pok\u00e9mon\u2019s stats; however, Gigantamax was only accessible to a select few Pok\u00e9mon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of all the Pok\u00e9mon that could Gigantamax, a whopping 12 of them were Gen 1 \u2018mons. Many Gen 1 Pok\u00e9mon also received regional variants for the Galar region where Sword and Shield were based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gen 8 also saw the end of the Pok\u00e9mon anime\u2019s original run, culminating in Ash\u2019s iconic showdown against Leon, the most skilled Trainer of the Galar region, with the world championship on the line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly before the climactic finish, Ash\u2019s Pikachu had a mental flashback showing the other five of Ash\u2019s first six Pok\u00e9mon\u2014and that gave Pikachu the fortitude to defeat Leon\u2019s Charizard, clinch the championship, and send off the series on a high note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By this point, it was clear that a pattern was emerging. The powers that be were adding more and more Gen 1 references into the franchise as a whole\u2014largely to appeal to older fans\u2019 senses of nostalgia. Thus, the question then came about: \u201cwhat about the TCG?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the Pok\u00e9mon TCG\u2019s eighth generation, while cards depicting Gigantamaxed and Galarian versions of first-generation Pok\u00e9mon were released, there was never a specific release of any sort intended to spotlight Gen 1 Pok\u00e9mon in general and bring them into the present day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, at this point the wheels were definitely in motion\u2014it was obvious that at some point, Creatures Inc. would be planning a tribute to Gen 1 in some way. This was especially so with the 25th anniversary of the Pok\u00e9mon TCG to arrive in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the story takes an unexpected turn. Keep in mind that Gen 8 lasted from 2019 to 2022. What do we think about when we think of those years?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Pandemic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s right\u2014Covid-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the pandemic caused hardships to so many all over the world, one group of people to whom that certainly didn\u2019t apply was the folks at Creatures Inc. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While everyone was holed up at home due to lockdown restrictions, many used the opportunity to take up or revisit collecting and\/or playing Pok\u00e9mon TCG. Demand for Pok\u00e9mon TCG cards and sets soared over the duration of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On multiple occasions over the pandemic\u2019s peak, demand exceeded supply to the extent that The Pok\u00e9mon Company and Creatures Inc. sometimes weren\u2019t able to produce cards in sufficient quantities to match buyers\u2019 newly-increased desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In October 2021, the 25th Anniversary Collection [S8a] was released. However, in spite of the grandeur of its title, this was not the set that years of anticipation seemed to have been building towards. That said, despite containing just 30 cards, this set was nevertheless well-regarded by many owing to its status as a commemorative set. By now, those who had been carefully keeping track of things over the prior few years would likely have figured out that the wheels were in motion for something really big.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In hindsight, it could very well have been the case that Creatures Inc. had been waiting for a post-pandemic environment before releasing Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a]. They knew what they had and might have been awaiting a time at which the cards would not only be bought online, but also in-person with hordes of buyers flooding physical stores all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Lawsuit Retraction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The eighth generation made way for the ninth in 2022\u2014but \u201cthat TCG set\u201d was still nowhere in sight. In reality, there was one last thing needed to make the magic happen\u2014in this case literally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 2000, illusionist Uri Geller sued Nintendo, alleging that Kadabra, a first-generation Pok\u00e9mon, was a misuse of his likeness. This was for two reasons: Kadabra\u2019s Japanese name of \u201cYungera\u201d was similar to Geller\u2019s own name spelled in Japanese characters, while Kadabra\u2019s spoon-bending psychic powers were supposedly a reference to Geller himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawsuit was dismissed in 2003; however, it wouldn\u2019t be until 2020 that Geller formally retracted his complaint. This along with several fan petitions laid the groundwork for Kadabra\u2019s return to the Pok\u00e9mon TCG, ultimately leading to the final piece of the Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] puzzle falling into place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Big Release<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pok\u00e9mon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In April 2023, the upcoming release of Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a]\u2014now confirmed to include every single Gen 1 Pok\u00e9mon\u2014was announced. The set would drop in Japan in June 2023 and internationally in September 2023; the international version would be known as 151 [MEW]. More than likely, Creatures Inc. waited for some time to pass after Gen 9 began before the announcement so as not to distract from the buzz around the new generation that already existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not surprisingly, the announcement just about \u201cbroke the Internet\u201d. Pre-orders for the set came in at an absolutely blistering pace\u2014first in Japan, then elsewhere. After Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a], the Pok\u00e9mon TCG\u2019s ninth generation continued as normal. Set after set was released\u2014but none even came close to matching the nostalgia-fueled Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] that was likely the culmination of more than three years of planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such was the overwhelming success of Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] that at the conclusion of its original print run, Pok\u00e9mon TCG enthusiasts clamored for a reprint for many months. Finally, that reprint arrived in Japan in April 2024<\/a>\u2014and once again, demand was at an apex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such was the fanbase\u2019s interest in the Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] reprint that purchase limits were put in place in many stores. While the English version is yet to receive a reprint of its own, it\u2019s safe to assume that the same will be the case once that arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if excessive demand for Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] precludes anyone from buying the actual cards in-store, it\u2019s always possible to buy it online as well\u2014including right here on the SNKRDUNK App<\/a>. In particular, we recommend purchasing Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] cards and boxes by way of the App when we have discounts on shipping fees as well as during other promotional campaigns when these cards go on discount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do stay with us for the latest information on such promotions and discounts. By doing so, any potential buyers can easily remain ahead of the curve and land anything from Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] at outstanding value for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story of how Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] came to be is almost as compelling as the cards themselves. Everything had to be perfectly in place before Creatures Inc. could unleash a set that even in less than one year has already become among the Pok\u00e9mon TCG\u2019s most iconic ever. There\u2019s never been an expansion set like Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a]\u2014and more than likely, there won\u2019t be for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At first glance, the overwhelming success of Pok\u00e9mon Card 151 [SV2a] might seem to be an instance in which Creatures Inc. captured \u201clightning in a bottle\u201d. However, in reality, years of planning went into making this remarkable Pok\u00e9mon TCG set a reality. The Gen 8 Era Our story begins back in 2019, when the eighth […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":250684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,43,20,18,49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-250670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brands","category-collectibles","category-features","category-latest-news","category-tcg"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250670"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250670"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":251201,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250670\/revisions\/251201"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}