Top Karrablast Pokémon TCG Cards Illustrated by This Artist

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Karrablast artwork by Sanosuke Sakuma from Phantom Forces

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Celebrating Karrablast: Top Cards Illustrated by Sanosuke Sakuma

Few Pokémon TCG artists capture the moment a Pokémon springs to life on cardboard the way Sanosuke Sakuma does with Karrablast. This little Grass-type from the Phantom Forces era (XY4) isn’t towering in power, but its artwork carries a kinetic energy that fans remember long after the games are shut for the night. On the card, Sakuma’s crisp linework and subtle shading give Karrablast a curious gleam—like a tiny, armored cricket ready to surprise an opponent with a quick sting and a dash of green bravado. The rarity is listed as Common, but the charm is anything but ordinary, especially in holo and reverse-holo print runs that catch the light with a wink.

Phantom Forces is remembered for its sleek silhouettes and punchy energy—features that harmonize beautifully with Sakuma’s style. Karrablast, as a Basic Grass-type, enters play with a modest kit: 50 HP, two straightforward attacks, and a retreat cost of 1. It embodies the “easy to pick up, fun to collect” ethos that makes early XY-era cards enduring favorites for players and collectors alike. The set’s alignment with expanded play shows up in the card’s ability to slot into modern tournaments when legal, while the art remains a standout for display in binder pages and gallery walls.

Core card details that influence how you play

  • Card name: Karrablast
  • Set: Phantom Forces (XY4)
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 50
  • Type: Grass
  • Attacks: Peck (Colorless) for 10 damage; Headbutt (Grass, Colorless) for 20 damage
  • Weakness: Fire ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Rarity: Common (with holo and reverse-holo variants available)
  • Illustrator: Sanosuke Sakuma
  • Legal: Expanded playable

Strategically, the card invites a simple, reliable approach. Peck offers a cheap early-game nudge of damage, while Headbutt provides a more serious threat when you’ve invested the Grass energy needed to push it across the bench. With only 50 HP, Karrablast is a quick target for opponent removal if you don’t back it up with efficient resources. The Fire-type weakness is a classic trope to manage—pair Karrablast with other Grass-types or bench strategies that help you stall or pivot, letting your draw engine keep the pressure while your opponent contends with bigger threats.

Collectors often gravitate toward the holo and reverse-holo versions of such cards. The XY4 Phantom Forces printing line offers a tactile shimmer that brightens Sakuma’s lines and the card’s overall presence. These print variants aren’t just eye candy; they’re a reminder of how art and rarity interweave in the Pokémon TCG. The holo version, in particular, tends to command a small premium in markets, while the standard version remains a reliable, accessible piece for casual collectors building a Budget Binder or a themed Karrablast set.

Artwork, lore, and the artist’s signature touch

Sanousuke Sakuma’s work on Karrablast isn’t merely a pretty face on a card. It’s a study in how a grounded, almost tactile fantasy can feel real on a tiny rectangle of cardboard. The armor-like plating, the careful shading of the limbs, and the faint suggestion of motion all contribute to a sense of life that aligns with Sakuma’s broader portfolio. For fans who chase signature looks across the XY line, this Karrablast stands out as a case study in how art style can elevate a marginally powered Pokémon into a memorable centerpiece for a deck or display case.

The Phantom Forces era itself is remembered for its bold silhouettes and precise color work, and Karrablast fits that mold perfectly. For players who enjoy the tactile joy of flipping a card and peering at the art under a lamp, Sakuma’s depiction becomes a small treasure—one that nudges the imagination toward the world where even the smallest Pokémon carry a spark of mystery and grit. If you’re building a collection that highlights notable artists, this Karrablast is a natural inclusion alongside other gems from the XY4 set.

Market vibes: where the price sits today

Market data paints a pragmatic picture for this card. Cardmarket prices show a floor around EUR 0.02 for the basic non-holo print, with the average around EUR 0.08 and a gentle upward trend (0.09) in recent windows. In the U.S. market, TCGPlayer charts a low price near USD 0.04 for the normal print, with mid prices hovering around USD 0.20 and occasional peaks near USD 2 for standout copies. The reverse-holo variant consistently draws a higher value, with low around USD 0.06, mid around USD 0.30, and highs pushing toward USD 3.03. These figures reflect liquidity in the market and the enduring appeal of Karrablast among players who enjoy both play value and card aesthetics. Updated data as of 2025-10-15 confirms the trend: casual buyers can still grab a holo or reverse-holo print for a modest investment, while serious collectors watch for opportunities in bundled lots or complete-sets from modern reprints.

For fans who love to pair collecting with play, the practical takeaway is simple: Karrablast is affordable enough to include in casual decks or binder sets, yet its holo variants offer a touch of prestige without breaking the bank. The card’s expanded legality also adds a layer of versatility for those exploring longer tournament-style formats, even if the card’s raw damage output is modest by today’s standards. It’s the story, the art, and the tiny spark of nostalgia that keep this card buzzing in the conversations of Pokémon TCG enthusiasts ⚡🔥💎.

As you explore the wider world of Pokémon card collecting, this Karrablast serves as a microcosm of why fans love the hobby: a perfect blend of artistry, strategic nuance, and affordable access that invites both seasoned players and new collectors to dive in. And if you’re curious about how the broader market signals look as reprint cycles roll in, you can dive into related reads on market signals and color palettes that shape contemporary collecting trends in our network.

Meanwhile, if you’re shopping for gear to protect your prized cards while you chat about art and strategy, consider picking up rugged accessories that keep your collectibles safe in style. For example, a rugged phone case is a handy companion for those long convention days or weekend binder sessions—a small but meaningful upgrade to your nerd toolkit.

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