Psychic Pokemon Kadabra will finally go back to the state Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) in 2023, after a 20-year absence in the tabletop scene. The first new Kadabra card in nearly two decades is going to be included in the upcoming ‘Card 151’ collectible set, based on PokéBeach. This card series will feature all 151 original Pokemon, using the sell sheet seen by the website listing both Kadabra and its evolution, Alakazam as inclusions.
Kadabra’s long absence is really a strange tale – one that starts with a chance card discovery by British illusionist, Uri Geller.
Why Kadabra was banned from the Pokemon TCG
Kadabra was banned from appearing in the Pokemon TCG after Geller spotted the character on a card in Japan – where he noticed the Pokemon seemed to be inspired by his act. Geller is most well-known for his spoon-bending illusions along with other conjuring tricks, and it’s thought that Kadabra was made in homage to his performance.
In addition to wielding a spoon, much like Geller, the Pokemon is also named ‘Yungerer’ in Japan – a soundalike for Geller’s name.
The card spotted through the illusionist featured a character variant known as ‘Evil Yungerer / Dark Kadabra’ and as Geller later told BBC, he was very angry about this depiction, and the connection to an apparently ‘evil’ character. Later, he initiated a lawsuit over the utilization of his likeness and the ‘theft’ of his persona.
For nearly 20 years, Geller prevented The Pokemon Company from using Kadabra within the Trading Card Game – however, he had a big change of heart at the end of 2023.
In a letter towards the Pokemon company, he relented to fan demands and various appeals, once more giving Nintendo permission to publish Kadabra cards.
‘Because of the tremendous amount of emails I'm still getting begging me to allow Nintendo to recover Kadabra, I sent [-] a letter towards the chairman of Nintendo giving them permission to relaunch the Uri Geller Kadabra/Yungeller worldwide,’ he told TheGamer.
His own granddaughters reportedly contributed to this furore, begging him to let go of his claim.
‘Now we can all see Kadabra reunited with the original Pokémon within the card game come july 1st. I really like all of you. And that i admit, totally open and honest. I had been an idiot,’ Geller said in a voicemail to PokéBeach, following the announcement from the Card 151 set.
‘It had been a devastating mistake that i can sue Pokémon. [Kadabra] was basically a tribute to Uri Geller. But it's back now. Forgive me. I love all of you. Much love and.’
When the Pokemon Card 151 set launches in June 2023, Kadabra is likely to be an extremely sought-after card. Those keen to nab one should consider a bulky preorder before resell prices skyrocket.
