Key Takeaways:
- Ho-Oh and Lugia cards were removed from Wisdom of Sea and Sky due to traced fan art concerns.
- Players embraced the placeholder cards by creating memes and fan tributes.
- This marks a unique moment in Pokemon TCG Pocket, showing the community’s humor and resilience.
What could have derailed the latest set in Pokemon TCG Pocket has instead become a source of laughter and creativity within the community.
Last week’s release of the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion was marred by controversy after fans discovered certain immersive rare cards appeared to trace fan-made artwork. The cards in question—featuring the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh and Lugia—were quickly removed and replaced with blank placeholders. Rather than protest, however, the game’s players turned the mishap into meme-worthy moments.
Immersive Ho-Oh and Lugia Cards Removed Over Tracing Claims
Even before the set officially launched, online sleuths noted that the Ho-Oh card’s artwork closely resembled an existing piece of fan art. The similarities were undeniable, and by the time the expansion dropped, the immersive Ho-Oh and Lugia cards had already been pulled. In a statement, Pokémon clarified that the artist wasn’t at fault—they had been provided with reference material that appears to have been improperly sourced.
To maintain set consistency, the cards weren’t fully removed—instead, they were left in the game with a message reading, “New art coming soon.”
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Players Embrace the Placeholders With Humor and Creativity
The empty cards could have sparked outrage. Instead, they inspired art, memes, and clever fan edits. Player EBaru turned the placeholder silhouettes into retro-style box art for Pokémon Gold and Silver, cleverly replacing the original legends with their blank counterparts.
Another user, chocoampan321, took a more hands-on approach by drawing their own Lugia onto the blank card. While it wasn’t official, the lighthearted addition struck a chord with the community.
YouTuber spragels may have produced the most clever homage yet. They edited the iconic first scene of the Pokémon anime—where a mysterious bird Pokémon flies overhead—and swapped in the Ho-Oh placeholder, playfully riffing on the show’s legacy.
Not the First Time the TCG Has Faced Art Issues
While this is the first such scandal to hit Pokémon TCG Pocket, the broader Pokémon trading card game has had its fair share of art-related issues. Just last year, an illustration contest faced backlash after winning entries were found to use AI-generated elements.
Conclusion:
The Wisdom of Sea and Sky controversy could have dented TCG Pocket’s credibility, but the community’s response turned it into a cultural moment. Through memes, jokes, and creative tributes, players are reclaiming the narrative—one blank card at a time.
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