Japan’s White Flare and its companion, Black Bolt, are special editionPokemon TCGsets that focus on the best Pokemon from the Unova region. These sets include Special Art Rares or Art Rares of every Unovan Pokemon, with over 70 different choices in White Flare alone.
These underrated cards from White Flare have not proven their popularity in the market, as they don’t include the top five most valuable cards. Furthermore, some cards have seen their prices drop significantly after release, making them much cheaper than expected. Whatever qualifies them for inclusion, these cards deserve more attention based on their standout artwork.
8Jellicent ex – Special Art Rare
Floating To Fame
When you think of Unova’s most iconic Pokemon, you probably don’t think of Jellicent immediately, but this Pokemon and the card’s artwork deserve some love.
Jellicent also has two different forms: pink and blue, which gives you a choice of whichever shading you prefer.
With both of its appearances represented on this card, it’s clear that Jellicent earns its Special Art Rare distinction. Even though this Jellicent ex is intended to be rare, and its price is solid, this card would be worth even more if Jellicent were more popular. Thankfully, the art itself is the perfect representation of this Pokemon.
7Tepig – Art Rare
What Could Have Been
You might recognize this Tepig as one of thebest choices to grade from Japan’s White Flare.While Tepig hovers around the top ten cards in the set, it’s easy to picture this as one of the topchase cards in a smaller set, like Stellar Crown.
If this Tepig had appeared in Stellar Crown instead of the Squirtle of Bulbasaur, it could easily have been a top two or three card in the set. It might have even climbed into the $40 or $50 range, though it’s hard to say in such a hypothetical. What-ifs aside, this Tepig is already loved, but it could get even more love down the line.
6Keldeo ex – Special Art Rare
Oozing Color
Keldeo is the most valuable card to appear among the most underrated. While it’s hard to say this card isn’t getting enough attention, it’s arguably the most visually stimulating card in the set but sits at a fraction of the value of the top three cards.
Keldeo’s rainbow color palette alone is enough to make it stand out among a crowd, but the perfect usage of those colors in the environment elevates this card to a new level. It’s hard to decide what’s more captivating: the orange and red leaves creating an autumn scene in the background, or the abstract color puddle in the foreground.
5Mienshao – Art Rare
Everybody Watch
Mienshao might have been the most underrated card in Japan’s White Flare set if it weren’t for the presence of such a strong roster of Pokemon. This unique artwork features a Mienshao practicing in the middle of a misty swamp area, with Mienfoo onlookers.
The incredible environmental storytelling and level of detail we can discern with just one look at this card are a testament to how successful the art is. In a single moment, we see the entire situation and get to enjoy watching Mienshao frozen in its moment of perfect balance, just like the Mienfoo are doing.
4Scraggy – Art Rare
Staying True
Scraggy can stand proud of its showing among the other Art Rares in the Japanese White Flare set, even if its value isn’t very high. Despite the lack of love in the secondary market, Scraggy enjoys its time in this set with all of its family and friends, as seen in this card’s art.
With no fewer than seven Scraggy enjoying a bright, sunny day outside, there’s so much personality and nuance captured. The Scraggy gathering berries in the foreground is less concerned with battling than its kin, and the diverging personalities make this card even more endearing.
3Zoroark – Special Art Rare
Before Every Rise, A Fall
Zoroark is an unusual case, as this card debuted amongthe most expensive cards from Japan’s White Flare set.Unfortunately, it lost over 50 percent of its value immediately following release, dropping out of the top ten and barely hanging on to a double-digit price tag.
While you might have expected to find Zoroark amongBlack Bolt’s most expensive cards, given the thematic similarity, this card goes largely underappreciated in White Flare. However, there’s still hope for this Pokemon, as its pre-evolved form hovers around a similar, respectable value.
2Tornadus – Art Rare
The Winds Of Change
Tornadus is a top choice for the most underrated card in White Flare, with this card struggling to maintain a double-digit value after release. However, it’s still hovering above most other Pokemon in the set.
It’s hard to deny that this artwork makes Tornadus look incredibly cool, considering the ferocious look in its eyes and the high level of detail throughout the entire frame. As a Legendary Pokemon, Tornadus deserves way more love, and this card does in particular.
1Zorua – Art Rare
The Sky Is The Limit
Zoroark took a massive fall down the price charts, and its pre-evolved form, Zorua, wasn’t immune to this either, as it lost slightly less value, percentage-wise. Despite their falls, Zorua and Zoroark have remarkably similar values, though it’s clear to see that this card boasts a brighter, more attractive background.
Umbreon might have made the moon an iconic background choice, but this Zorua pulls off the pose equally well here. The size of the moon and inclusion of a waterfall to reflect its light are the perfect accompaniments, making this Zorua the most underrated card in White Flare.
