For nearly 20 years, the Psychic-type Pokemon Kadabra has been absent from thePokemon Trading Card Game. However, many fans may not realize why thetelekinetic Gen 1 Pokemonhas not been featured on cards since 2000. Kadabra was including in the firstPokemon Trading Card Gameset, however it was banned partially due to its likeness and Japanese name.
Kadabra has the ability to bend spoons using telekinesis, and holds a spoon in most appearances. This may have been inspired by Israeli magician Uri Geller, who made spoon bending famous through his illusionist acts. Kadabra’s Japanese name is Yungerer, which reads close to Uri Geller. Geller sued Nintendo in 2000 and requested that Kadabra no longer be published in thePokemon TCG.
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Kadabra has still been appearing inPokemonmerchandiseand games. With the origin of Kadabra’s ban resurfacing recently,Pokemon TCGfans reached out to Geller to reverse the ban. In an email to TheGamer, Geller confirmed that he has taken action to reverse the ban, writing, “Due to the tremendous volume of emails I am still getting begging me to allow Nintendo to bring back Kadabra. I sent…a letter o the chairman of Nintendo giving them permission to relaunch the Uri Geller Kadabra/Yungeller worldwide.”
Geller also confirmed that his letter was picked up by Nintendo representatives, but so far no action has been taken to reimplement Kadabra back into thePokemon TCG. Back in 2008,Pokemondirector and storyboard artist Masamitsu Hidaka confirmed that Kadabra would not be used in thePokemon TCGuntil an agreement was reached on the case.The Pokemon Companyhas maintained the promise for over two decades, but that may finally come to an end.
Kadabra is one of theoriginal 151 Pokemon, so its return to the TCG would be monumental. For the last 20 years, thePokemon TCGhas allowed the base Pokemon Abra to skip evolving to Kadabra, and instead evolve straight into Alakazam. Some Alakazam are also premium cards that can be played by themselves. If Kadabra comes back to thePokemon TCGlineup, players will no longer have to skip the evolution for one of Gen 1’s most iconic Pokemon.
RarePokemoncards have gotten a lot of attention lately, with fans showing off valuable, highly-priced cards. Recently,rapper Logic purchased a first-edition holographic shadowless Charizardfor nearly $200,000. WithPokemon TCGcards increasing in value, it will be interesting to see if the possible new Kadabra cards become a sought-after collectible.
