CGC Cards Hot List: Japanese Black Bolt & White Flare

In this monthly series, CGC explores the diverse world of TCG, sports card and non-sports card collecting, closely examining the popular sets that are currently making an impact in the market. Leveraging valuable insights derived from CGC submission data and Gem Rate, the hobby’s source for grading trends, we delve into the latest chase cards, interesting promos and new fan favorites.

August’s hot list focuses on cards from Black Bolt & White Flare, one of the latest Pokémon TCG sets to take Japan by storm. The two-part set re-introduces Pokémon Black and White’s extensive Pokédex with a bang — every Pokémon is featured in their own Illustration Rare card, while the games’ two box art legendaries, Reshiram and Zekrom, are treated in special monochrome cards that remind fans of the original Black and White TCG era from 2011. Here are the top five cards from the Japanese Black Bolt and White Flare sets based on CGC submission data.

CGC’s Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt & White Flare Hot List

Seismitoad (109/086)

Interestingly, Seismitoad has been the most-submitted card to CGC from the Black Bolt set. This is likely because this Illustration Rare Seismitoad is a bit of an anomaly in the Pokémon TCG community — despite being a relatively “normal” Pokémon, TCG players are afraid that the card may be banned from play, which has made its value skyrocket. Seismitoad’s signature attack, Round, deals 70 damage for each Pokémon that also has “Round” in its attack list. Additionally, the card’s artwork has had the collecting community divided over its “psychedelic” qualities, which has made it a point of interest.

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Zorua (140/086)

Zorua is a fan-favorite Generation V Pokémon because of its cute appearance and tricky personality. In this card, Zorua is seen under the full moon in a setting fitting of its Dark typing. Zorua is based on the kitsune, a shape-shifting fox often referred to in Japanese folklore. Like the kitsune, Zorua (and its evolution, Zoroark) have shapeshifting capabilities and often use it to play tricks on others. There aren’t many Zorua cards that paint the fox in such a pretty background, which is why many have sent theirs to CGC to get graded.

Zekrom ex (174/086)

One of two monochrome cards, this Zekrom ex is the chase card that everyone is hoping to pull from Black Bolt! Monochrome-rare cards are brand new to the Black Bolt & White Flare sets, but they’re reminiscent of the all-black and all-white Reshiram and Zekrom cards that were featured back in 2011’s Black and White TCG set. The nostalgia has prompted many to send their cards in for grading.

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Reshiram ex (174/086)

Like its counterpart, Reshiram ex is the other monochrome card that collectors are hoping to pull from White Flare. In the Generation V video games, the player encounters either Reshiram or Zekrom towards the end of the game’s story, depending on which version they are playing. Many players appear to prefer Reshiram over Zekrom, but collectors seem to love both — which is why many collectors have sent both of their Reshiram and Zekrom monochrome cards to CGC for grading.

Keldeo ex (169/086)

Yuu Nishida did a perfect job capturing the whimsical nature of Keldeo, one of Black and White’s most elusive Pokémon. Keldeo ex is pictured standing in the middle of a flowing river, surrounded by a calm and colorful forest. But don’t let its smile fool you — Keldeo ex packs a punch, with its Sonic Edge attack dealing a solid 120 damage that breaks through any outside effects that the opponent may have put on their Pokémon. It’s a great card for play, but Keldeo ex is also extremely pretty, prompting many who have pulled it to send it in for grading instead.

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About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.