Pokemon Card Lore

A deeper look into the mysterious stories and worlds hidden within the Pokemon TCG. Enjoy!
Follow me on Twitter for reposts of Pokemon fan art I find: / deltaseekeryt
Sources: pastebin.com/qfwNCrzM

[@RickyRiceB]

The fact that Holon lore was never brought back when terastalized pokemon were introduced was such a missed opportunity

[@Joker22593]

The fact the Level X didn't come back for megas and dynamax seemed like a miss too.

[@LuisQuartz]

Especially considering the crystal theme.

[@theshinru]

This is what makes Pokemon so interesting. You can be 15 years removed from when these cards were released and still discover new things about them.

[@pablodelgado7919]

Dad came back from the store with the milk

[@shikabaneconga]

The MooMoo Milk😅 i said the same thing when Matthias (dope or nope) came back

[@pablodelgado7919]

@@shikabaneconga haha XD

[@ChicaneryBear]

But I'm lactose intolerant :(

[@TheGlyde18]

I adore the art and idea behind the Holon region. If there was ever going to be a really out there new game, I'd want it to be based on Holon.

[@EvilApple567]

A Legends game wouldn't be out of the question imo (especially since they haven't directly interacted with the mainline games keeping the altered typing mechanic self contained if need be), particularly after the formula's run its course a couple/few times and they feel inclined to further experiment with it.

[@Starriaaa]

The existence of Perrin and the Hisui pokemon in Kitikami kinda disprove this. The fact that Perrin is obviously a descendant of Adamin shows an interaction with the mainline.@@EvilApple567

[@Yuzuki1337]

Wasn't there a romhack that had Delta species Pokemon? I dunno if it's set in the same region but I'd assume it is.

[@decarabiaumbra560]

@@Yuzuki1337 There is, but I'm pretty sure it did its own thing from the playthrough I recall watching of it.

[@LuisQuartz]

@@EvilApple567 That would be so cool. Have Holon City as the hub, then the surrounding forest as the first area, then the lake, then the crystal beach, and lastly a big wild area with the floating island acting as the site for the final battle.

[@snackerfork]

I'm not done with the video yet but just wanted to compliment how incredible this is - the sheer breadth of research you've done here is incredible and you can see your sheer passion for the TCG, and you don't feel the need to overdo it with cheap humor. Seeing all this gorgeous art you've collected alongside your explanations is a real treat!

[@jarvis]

folks have theorized that those extra sandstorm cards came from the scraped wotc set jamboree - there's a matoba design video covering some of this that seemed compelling to me!

[@-cactus.raven-]

Love when the WOTC legacy of the tcg bleeds into the Pokemon side. It’s just a cool little fact that I sometimes forget about, like, “oh yeah, they were on that first”

[@xeladas]

I think the fact that the sets with original theming coming at the tail end of the generations makes some sense, as you mentioned, the "easy" references of Canon regions and generic biomes have become somewhat used up; but also, by pushing them later in the schedule, it gives designers more time to figure out what it is the are wanting to do with the new setting.

[@__4762]

I'm only 16 minutes into the video and already I'm blown away. I had absolutely no idea that Skyridge and Aquapolis were depicting an actual place. The commercials are fucking golden too, and that classic early 2000s Pokemon Company jingle at the end of each one is awesome. The whole reason I clicked on this was because I love the Holon region and how fleshed out it was through the TCG but to learn that there were multiple settings like this conveyed by the TCG was incredible. I don't use the like button very often, but you've earned it. Edit: Finished the video. Every single second of it was fascinating. Great work.

[@austinmarks4088]

I think it's interesting to view Delta Species as either a precursor to regional variants or even could've served as the inspiration for Terastallization.

[@sgtbathsoap]

This video is sooooo awesome I am so happy to hear someone finally talk about how epic the “Break” era is. I enjoyed this video so much. Really really amazing work. Well done

[@sgtbathsoap]

Really looking forward to part 2

[@weeeeeeev]

Dang those aqua/magma grunts giving comments are cool, I wish unique dex entries were more common. Couple other cool things to add: -Around the celebrations expansion there were promo cards that called back to past card archetypes, including a delta Mimikyu. -There have been unique characters introduced in Temporal Forces, the supporters Ciphermaniac's Codebreaking and Explorer's Guidance.

[@RickyRiceB]

Cipher Maniac my beloved

[@PkmnMasterNeb]

I’d love to see Pokémon bring back Delta Species. I got into the TCG in the Gen 3 era of cards so I’m super nostalgic for them! We need more lore based cards!

[@GreenMonkeySam]

I think with Terra types, Delta Pokémon will likely not return 😔

[@LuisQuartz]

Dunno if you know, but they released a Water-type Delta Mimikyu not that long ago! Its illustration shows Mimikyu touching a crystal in a jungle, and the picture and border have a holofoil similar to the one used on the original Pokémon ex. It comes with a Light Toxtricity and a Hydreigon C too.

[@happyhealer2684]

delta species are one of my favorite cards. i think they did one promo for one of the anniversaries but i could be wrong, but i would love for them to do a whould love for them to do a whole set again.

[@RednekGamurz]

Amazing video as always. Something I want to touch on that your brought up was regarding EX Sandstorm. According to a former WotC employee, the Jolteon in that set is similar to one originally designed for the cancelled Jamboree set. I'm not sure how accurate his claim is since he's going off of his memory, and he only mentioned the Jolteon, but it could be possible that at least some of the cards that released in Sandstorm were based on cards planned for Jamboree. Anyways, I love the idea of the card game having exclusive lore. It really helps the card game stand out even more as something fans should go out of their way to experience, since it can't be found anywhere else. I REALLY hope they do some cool stuff with original lore someday. Can you imagine how cool it could be now that we have special art cards, where the artwork takes over the whole card? It'd be sick.

[@AiakosVids]

oh yeah, Matoba Design has a really good video going in-depth on the details and history of Jamboree with interviews from WOTC employees

[@dizzypro4974]

we out here in Holon Seeking Deltas

[@LonkinPork]

We are so back Backer than we've ever been

[@-cactus.raven-]

So true

[@laveragegamer6000]

TCG Online and Live never releasing in Japanese is crazy. I'm guessing it's because cards release more frequently in Japan and there's a lot more tournaments there.

[@DeltaSeeker]

It's because both were made by The Pokemon Company International, which apparently isn't responsible for or doesn't care about the JP side. I should've added that in the video

[@underFlorence]

Nothing more exciting than getting to the end of an already-meaty and well-researched video and finding out there'll be a part 2 as well. Can't wait to see that when it comes out!

[@robertcrist6059]

100% the non game, mysterious setting places not depicted in wider content is way more appealing. This video rocks.

[@sbeiting07]

The Chad Delta Species vs. the Virgin Tera Type

[@AM22Salabok]

Literally this

[@odioalospoopers]

yeah this has to be one of, if not the lamest alternate condition they have made, both in vgc and tcg

[@justsomekirbowithoutamusta1852]

"old good new bad, am i right guys 🤓"

[@WatchVidsMakeLists]

​@@justsomekirbowithoutamusta1852let the people have some fun, kirbo 👍

[@justsomekirbowithoutamusta1852]

@@WatchVidsMakeLists tell that sbeiting07 who was a fetus when delta species were a thing

[@austinmitchell2652]

Immediately clicked when I recognized the card art

[@jaybeans981]

I always thought even Yu-Gi-Oh cards had more lore, but I never expected something like this.

[@sherbovania]

we making it out of holon with this one‼️🔥🔥🗣️

[@darkninjafirefox]

My favorite thing to do with the cards as a kid was coming up with stories for the pokemon in the cards. Since i wasnt willing to learn the real game, it was a fun excuse to look through my cards over and over

[@AM22Salabok]

Honestly this is the content I live for, hidden lore is so fascinating and I learned so much from this video. Like those old Japanese ads went crazy, damn. Also all this video did was further convince me that TCG peaked in gen 3. Like its cool that they made fates collide and all, but the break stuff was quite boring and really doesn't hold a candle to delta species or the region on the map (now noticing how ironic it is they put the town on no map onto a map lol). Keep up the good work

[@ProfessorRex]

A truly fantastic video. I loved this walk through the history of the TCG. Thank you for putting this together. Mad respect for the amount of work this must’ve taken.

[@doubl2480]

I grew up with the Gen 3 Pokemon cards and with the Delta Species. I'm hopelessly nostalgic of these, and incredibly happy you discussed the lore of these cards and clarified it. Thank you for the amazing research work, and thank you for caring.

[@Pointer243]

Well well look who's back

[@austinmitchell2652]

Really excellent video! I'm glad to finally know all about the holon/delta species after all these years

[@thisismyaltaccount4195]

Fantasic video! The Holon region was the setting for a number of fanfics I'd written years ago, and the mystery surrounding it and the hidden lore of gen 3's TCG holds a special place in my heart. There's a special magic to the older artstyles native to that period in pokemons history, and the desire to explore those hidden secrets. It was a blast to relive that feeling. Great job! Can't wait for the next one.

[@DarkAK2]

This is one of the greatest pokemon tcg related video I've ever seen

[@Will-uv9kx]

Serenas seed and feed (formerly Brocks)

[@teamvikavolt2856]

I really enjoyed this sort of historic stroll of the tcg while following themes and storytelling motifs. It really makes you appreciate the card art and nuance that fills the TCG. Very well done vid!

[@WhimsicottTCG]

Also worth mentioning with Plasma Blast, that there is Elite Four Pokemon that show up in their rooms (Houndoom, Reuniclus, Golurk, Machamp) and Iris Pokemon as well as some Elite Four Pokemon are featured fighting back against Team Plasma and most have an orange glow (Aggron, Lapras, Musharna, Drifblim, Archeops, Sigilyph, Druddigon, and Haxorus)

[@WhimsicottTCG]

No idea what the orange glow implies other than that its opposite of Blue

[@WhimsicottTCG]

I also think its a bit unfair to write off Sun & Moon as having no lore. Ultra Prism is a set based around the Sinnoh Region, and many cards feature Ultra Wormholes despite being in Sinnoh, implying some sort of crisis (Murkrow UPR, Manaphy UPR, Bastiodon UPR, Luxray UPR. Maybe something to correct in the next video

[@trucksarebae550]

I can't tell you how excited I am to watch this! I've been waiting for someone to do a video like this as this is something I've also noticed while looking through sets but no one talks about them! Great job! Also Believe it or not, the Sword and Shield era (besides Peaceful Park) did have some unique worlds to some degree in year 2 which you didn't mention that I've listed below: - Eevee Heroes also seems to focus on friendship and this little fictional town seeing that a lot of the cards seem to take place in this location and many of the Pokemon in the set interacting with said location. Raichu + Rotom seen in Sewaddle and vice versa, Mudkip + Araquanid form a larger picture with Sandghast, Eldegoss + Smeargle + Mawile + Meowth, Umbreon V special art with Grimmsnarl, Flareon and Pinsir which all appear in the set. Same with the Glaceon VMAX seeming to take place in a nearby forest with other Pokemon all seen in the set. Said town can also be seen in Eevee, Pancham, Pangoro, Swadloon and a few others. - SWSH7 shows these peaks that appear in many artworks, most notable seen in the dragon type cards and in the Rayquaza VMAX special art. Can also be seen in Tropius, Vicitini, Claydol, Shelgon, Salamence, Flapple, Medicham V, Dragonite V, Makuhita, Absol, Cufant, Dialga, Deino, Hydreigon and Slakoth. - Fusion Strike seems to occur in Wyndon based on the card artworks and Mew VMAX's special art too, with all the Fusion Strike Pokemon showing up in it's V. All related images are only on Fusion Strike Pokemon in the set. - This is also not including SWSH5 (Isle of Armour), s5a (Galarian Bird related locations) and s6h/k (Crown Tundra locations). Also with SM, at least with the second year the Japanese main sets were done with focus on different generations, sm5 +sm5a = gen 4, sm6 = gen 6, sm7 = gen 3, sm8 gen 2 and sm9 gen 1. On top of this sm6a was a reprint set similar to XY Evolutions but with Neo to ex era cards instead. But with the way English sets are made all the identity is mostly gone which is probably a reason this is the case.

[@Chiffonaise]

There is definitely some planned settings in the recent sets, but it seems like they don't really commit to it making it hard to decipher. It doesn't help that since Sun & Moon, JP sets have been releasing at a rapid pace which makes the equivalent international set a merger of several vague themes. Most recently, Wild Force/Cyber Judge has original Supporter characters (for the first time since Fusion Strike) and the trailer shows some unique locations, but they don't seem to be depicted on the cards.

[@DarkraiDrive]

Delta species are probably my favorite concept because that was around the time i got into the series. Would love if they brought them back either in the cards or games and anime

[@RandomAssDiego]

The smile on my face when I saw Holon Lake

[@ktvx.94]

I'm so blessed to have been a kid just in time for all the Holon and Delta goodness, there's never been anything like it since. I tried chalking it up to nostalgia but it's genuinely incredible.

[@nunuvyerbizniz6803]

RETURN OF THE KING

[@arthurl526]

This video is an astonishing work and in depth look at what makes some pokemon series truly special. Thanks a lot !

[@sixcoexist]

15:00 i genuinely starting tearing up at these ads theyre actually such works of art like wow they might just be ads but holy

[@SupremeKaioshin]

This was a very interesting peek in to a side of the franchise I don’t interact with very often, thanks for making this.

[@LmaoZeroGN]

Heya! Fantastic video. I was super into a lot of third generation pokemon stuff, and was a large collector of 3rd gen TCG product, and helped document a lot of different things (scans, renders, and translations) for product that was never documented well from 2016-2021. A lot of this included 3rd gen era pokemon center product from NYC and Japan that never had official scans or translations released on the internet, and knowledge of which had to be found by stumbling into a lot of the product on Japanese auctions. Thank you for doing your due diligence and covering a lot of these topics extensively, as the amount of speculation and misinformation has destroyed a lot of history and stories about these cards and sets. The integration and re-packaging of half decks, quarter decks, movie sets, etc, and shaping how Eng and JP sets differed is something a lot of people just let go as "how it is". But you nailed it, every little bit, and I even learned a few things myself! Hoping to see more content from you in the future!

[@semaJCh]

Incredible video as always! The delta series cards are some of my faves but I had no idea the exact journey you would take us on! Great job detailing and uncovering that seemingly lost info! 😊

[@thaumaturgeslit7759]

Awesome video, I love the cool and unique art we get from the TCG, so hearing the lore of them is fantastic.

[@AirRideMaster]

I loved Holon as a kid. I think the lack of clarity makes it more fun. Legend Maker being inserted...did not help with that, but even just the facts as they are is fun. One thing I always noted - Castform, along with the Voltorb and Magnemite lines, are stated or implied to be artificial which definitley opens up some possibilites. My thought is that perhaps the Holon's variants of them are an attempt of imbuing the type-changing energy of Delta species in a more direct way. The unevolved pokemon can share this energy, but only weakly (1 colorless energy), while the fully evolved ones pull energy away from the ones they're helping, but can provide whatever they need (Double Rainbow, but have to return an energy first). Interesting... ...Of course, the rainbows could be a way of allowing more metal costs to be printed, especially in the first set, since we were limited to 4 metal (special) at the time, and giving something to Metal and not Dark could be unusual for a 4-set series. Who knows. EDIT: I SHOULD'VE WAITED FOR THE DUMP AReact Energy could be related, maybe though. I always thought that mechanic was wierd...Maybe the unevolved Holon's Pokemon were more related to that? =Y

[@SquidSystem]

I would like to say, I think Chilling Reign is an example of a set that at the very least has a thematic tie, it's highly associated with winter, and a significant chunk of cards are devoted to showing Pokemon in the wintery enviroment: kind of funny for a summer set! I also think the SwSh era was pretty fun for the way it handled its Dynamax pokemon, and offers a point of diversion like the Plasma sets-Dynamax pokemon are not merely projections made from Galar particles, but physical creatures who can interact with their enviroments and exist outside of battle states, like a bizarre phenomenon that other people and pokemon experience with awe.

[@decarabiaumbra560]

Yeah, but Chilling Reign and Battle Styles are moreso tie-in with the SWSH DLC. Fusion Strike was more in line with being the lore set of the series, but as the main gimmick was focused on the "battle styles" it's mostly an extended tie-in with the first DLC and Legends:Arceus to an extent.

[@wearywolf727]

I don't see anyone else making videos like you do, keep it going man!

[@Ninetaled]

Wow amazing video! Every time you upload I know its gonna be a great deep dive into the tcg

[@SinjohRuins]

This was amazing please more! I come back weekly to check for new posts. More Deep Dive Lore would be awesome with a focus on specific sets.⭐️✨

[@GreenMonkeySam]

I can tell how much work you put into this one! I LOVE it! Keep up the great work. This is one of my favourite channels ♥

[@EggboyYT]

LET'S GO SO EXCITED 🔥

[@peteman9032]

I’ve been waiting for someone to make a video like this 🙏🏻 thank you so much man

[@peteman9032]

Just finished, amazing video!! Even more excited for Pokemon Card Pocket. So pumped for part 2!!!!!

[@shinx-hr6uq]

As someone who has a weird obsession with trying to locate the delta species locations basis in the real world, (I did most of that kind of speculation on bulbapedia), I am over the moon at this fantastic video. Thanks, DeltaSeeker.

[@EvilApple567]

Maybe it was standard (at least in Japan's) marketing at the time, but I've never seen/heard that Pokemon Company jingle at 15:30 from the E-reader commercials anywhere besides Pokemon Colosseum/XD. Definitely caught me off guard, anyway fantastic video as always. I probably should've guessed something crazy was going on with Parallel City, only recognized it from competitive play.

[@pkmjp]

Awesome video! So great to see this so well researched :D I'm really glad you found the internet archive lore article from Holon Research Tower! It makes me want to comb through my digital & physical collection trying to find more info!

[@cillianpod]

This was an absolutely fantastic video with great background and lore to the whole pokemong tcg. Thank you!

[@ChaoProfessor]

I'm so hyped to see you back! Definitely a gem of a channel

[@Whutcakey]

Your videos never disappoint. Always top quality research and production. Keep it up!

[@randomname285]

Amazing video! Worth the wait! Love how in depth you went on the Holon stuff - and hope you don't feel to disheartened that some of your speculation was voided by the page you found - this video will be a great resource going forwards Looking forward to the next part

[@KC-zm5lg]

this deserves way more attention, this is great. i knew *none* of this despite being into pokemon lore for over a decade

[@Azucar752]

Incredible video man thank you for such an in depth video on such a cool topic. I've always been super fascinated with the non canon material in the TCG universe.

[@fiffy6572]

man this video is amazing! so well put together and interesting!! always happy to learn something new about pokemon thx!

[@a-little-sunshine]

Incredible video - thank you for all the work you put into it!!

[@SpaghettiGod34]

Great video! I never knew Pokémon cards has their own lore! It was enthralling listening to you talking about it 💜

[@AGES_OFFICIAL]

Incredible video, can't wait for part 2 great job man!

[@gameboylad]

No way we both came back from a several month hiatus to upload on the same day LMAO. pokemon players are eating today

[@alexaschendel3749]

REALLY cool video! Finally, someone who cares about the same thing I care about in the pokemon tcg! I really enjoy seeing the pokemon's world through all the connected cards, it really instills a sense of wonder, and I wish they did it more! You're right, they do game locations some more now, but I would love more original locations, characters, and objects in the tcg! I'm a bit excited for the upcoming Kitakami set, Twilight Masquerade!

[@GenesisStrike1]

This is documentary quality. Amazing content.

[@AllTheMimsy]

Relic Hunter from Skyridge is actually based on a character named Yurika from Himeno's How I Became a Pokemon Card Manga. There are a lot of expansive lore connections between the cards and that manga if you ever seek to do a part two deep dive.

[@danielbejarano1493]

LOVE your videos man - your bane makes so much more sense

[@warumonoLS]

Based

[@Will-uv9kx]

And fire type pilled

[@WindriderDelta]

My dream that will never happen is for Pokémon TCG Pocket to remake some of the old amazing cards like Seeker and the Holon cards as the immersive cards....

[@HalianTheProtogen]

My inner (also outer) lore hound cries at the lack of unique lore in the last three generations of the TCG.

[@FanyHaryF]

Amazing work. Thank you so much for this video!

[@TheAxene]

Fantastic video subject as always, one of my favorite yt channel ❤

[@newgenderplus]

been looking forward to this incredible work as always

[@lucasmello9435]

Great video! Just note while the Sun & Moon era had more generic artwork, the "middle" sets were themed around Ultra Beasts arriving on other regions. Forbidden Light had Ultra Necrozma on Kalos with the booster pack artwork and most cards being from gen 6, for example.

[@jdvred9210]

The generational approach in 2018 actually correlates with the Legendary giveaways that were going on then for Gen 7

[@apples95]

This is why we love Pokémon. The Legends Arceus sets really stand out in the modern era. Paradigm Trigger being some lost island is really cool. Hope to see Pokemon invest more into these little details. Great video and very informative!

[@jamesdingus7828]

good to see you back!

[@NeoJackBauer]

Fantastic video! So much incredible detail

[@AngusRocker22]

Fantastic video! Glad I found your channel

[@patrickleahy1211]

One of my fav videos, good work bro

[@Nephyyy]

I loved this deep dive so much! All the speculation around Holon is super interesting. I love how the dual-metal type occurrences dwindle until they ultimately disappeared altogether in Dragon Frontiers. I remember hearing from a PTCGradio video that ex Legend Maker was released after Delta species in English due to translation issues. That does kinda jumble up the lore on the English side of things.

[@regimania2502]

You did a fantastic job with this video, especially with setting the record straight on the Holon lore. Now, I'm hoping for a future sequel set that explores the mysterious island floating over the Holon region. Maybe one day.

[@samuelturner6076]

As a Pokémon fan who doesn't care at all about the TCG, you more than earned my sub. This is a really interesting deep dive into a fascinating aspect of the franchise and its history I never knew about.

[@Chimecho-delta]

Dragon Frontiers is really the goated set to cap the delta species series

[@marxistharpy]

Excellent video, can’t wait for part 2!

[@dawnhero6439]

Love you man. Thanks for doing what you do!

[@dec1769]

i love this sm thank you for making this

[@ProfessorMetri]

Wow, this video was honestly incredible (im not done with it) I've been working for a few weeks to create a similar type of video (ex Era only) and the amount of content you've provided is significantly more than mine and more in depth. (though to be fair, im still on the first 11 sets of the ex era in terms of production) The amount of time it's taken for me to put information together on the ex era is crazy so i cant imagine how long it must have taken you and this editing is incredible! Thank you for the effort put into this

[@thomasvlekke5365]

Always fun to see an upload of you in my sub box

[@jack0lantrn]

I'm soooo so happy you covered the holon lore. Those sets have some of my favorite artworks, and I've always picked up miscellaneous cards at shops when I see them. It seemed like every time I found a new card I was getting a piece to a puzzle, but never got the full picture

[@Triattack007]

I have been waiting for a video like this 🙏

[@Arcadia_warlic]

The Plasma sets external descriptions also suggest trainers were recruited en masse to fight against Team Plasma in some sort of Unovan civil war as opposed to just the protagonist and friends defeating them. Interesting deviation.

[@tayloreh]

I like making up for lost time and learning about these sets, especially the 2003-2006 era of cards. The EX set have such interesting lore but are barely talked about, and their print runs were so low compared to so many others. I love that the Pokemon Company puts so much thought into the cards & themes of different sets.

[@pixelchu8045]

Return of the king

[@sethfulton7011]

i really hope that one of the inevitable upcoming Legends games dips into the TCG lore. i’d love a Legends: Mew or Legends: Deoxys that expands upon the Holon region

[@flixiconSJA]

Incredible video. Really well done.

[@Phorox]

Amazing video as always

[@Serperior1212]

1 hour video on card lore is crazy