Finizen Card Art Spotlight: Collector Favorites From the Artist

In TCG ·

Finizen holo card art from Paldean Fates illustrated by Kurumitsu

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Finizen and the Paldean Fates: Collector Favorites From the Artist

In the ever-churning sea of Pokémon TCG releases, certain cards rise above the tide as beloved keepsakes for collectors and players alike. One such standout is Finizen from the Paldean Fates set, a Shiny rare holo that captures the eye with its cool blues and glimmering finish. This card isn’t just about numbers on a page—it’s a dialogue between art and play, a moment where impression meets function. The artist behind this standout piece is Kurumitsu, whose marine-inspired palette and fluid linework bring Finizen to life in a way that fans remember long after the match ends. ⚡

As a Basic Water-type Pokémon with 50 HP, Finizen is a compact yet charismatic presence on the battlefield. Its two attacks tell a story: Valiant Evolution and Razor Fin. The first attack is a strategic dream for deck builders: you can switch Finizen with a benched Pokémon and then search your deck for a card that evolves from this Finizen to put onto it, effectively accelerating evolution into a more powerful form while reshuffling the deck. It’s a one-card bridge between the moment you play Finizen and the payoff of a late-game evolution-driven finale. The second attack, Razor Fin, deals a modest 10 damage, but in a fast, water-centric strategy, that damage stacks with bevy-of-tools tactics—energy acceleration, elemental synergy, and the tempo of a flow-based play pattern that keeps pressure on the opponent. With a retreat cost of 2 and a regulation mark of G, Finizen fits neatly into both Standard and Expanded formats, offering flexibility that many water decks crave.

Artistry and style: the sea as a storyteller

Kurumitsu’s Finizen is more than a creature with a couple of moves; it’s a snapshot of motion—the way water curls around the fin, the shimmer along the surface, and the gentle, almost meditative calm that contrasts with the card’s tactical punch. The holo treatment amplifies this effect, transforming a simple water-type encounter into a collectible moment you can linger on between turns. Fans often cite the way Kurumitsu fuses soft gradients with high-contrast highlights to evoke depth, as if Finizen is gliding right off the card into your play area. This artistry is why Finizen remains a frequent subject in fan galleries and a sought-after piece for those who chase top-tier holo cards. Palette, posture, and polish—the hallmarks of Kurumitsu’s aquatic work—are on full display here, making it a favorite in any art-forward collection. 💎

Gameplay thoughts: weaving strategy with art

From a gameplay perspective, Finizen’s Valiant Evolution invites inventive deck-building. The ability to switch to a benched Pokémon and immediately search your deck for a card that evolves from Finizen—then place that evolved form onto Finizen—creates a tempo-shifting dynamic. It can enable a rapid evolution into a stronger Water-type ally mid-game, potentially setting up a powerful finish before your opponent recovers. In practice, players often pair Finizen with evolutions that benefit from early pressure, using Valiant Evolution as a catalyst to push into a robust late-game plan. Meanwhile, Razor Fin’s 10 damage provides a reliable early-game nudge that helps keep up pressure while you position your bench for the big reveal. The card’s Water typing pairs well with classic aquatic staples, letting you assemble a cohesive water-focused toolkit without sacrificing speed.

  • Pair Finizen with evolutions that benefit from quick field presence; aim for a mid-game transformation to maximize the payoff of Valiant Evolution.
  • Use Razor Fin to chip away at early threats while you set up your finned finisher—don’t underestimate 2-energy tempo in a tight match.
  • Respect the holo rarity: Finizen’s shine isn’t just cosmetic; it signals a collectible milestone that can influence sideboard decisions in some formats.

Collector insights: rarity, desire, and value

As a Shiny rare holo from Paldean Fates, Finizen enjoys a heightened level of desirability among both flippant collectors and serious tuck-away enthusiasts. Its SV04.5-123 designation anchors it within the Paldean Fates collection, and the presence of Kurumitsu’s name adds a layer of artistic pedigree that many buyers specifically seek out. For those tracking market dynamics, CardMarket data shows an average price in the neighborhood of EUR 2.89 for this card, with recent movements hinting at a gentle upward drift (trend around 3.08). While prices for holo variants can be more volatile, the combination of a strong art story, solid playability, and the prestige of Shiny Rare status makes Finizen a stable watch on many collector dashboards.

In a market where “hot” cards can surge overnight, Finizen stands out as a durable favorite—especially for players who appreciate the deck-building flexibility conferred by Valiant Evolution. The 50 HP stat keeps it accessible for early skirmishes, while the potential to evolve into something more formidable keeps it in the conversation for longer matches. The card’s visual appeal—an emblem of Kurumitsu’s water-volume storytelling—also means it often appears in top-tier showcases and gallery-like displays within personal collections. For fans who chase the tactile thrill of holo foil, Finizen’s shine is a constant reminder of why the Paldean Fates era remains a high-water mark for art-driven design in the TCG. ⚡🔥

Lore, lore, and a living Ocean

Paldea’s coastlines and coral-rich seas provide fertile ground for a character like Finizen to become a fan favorite. The artist’s interpretation—anchored by Kurumitsu’s signature fluid lines and luminous color shifts—offers more than a stat sheet; it offers a narrative beat. Finizen isn’t merely a card; it’s a window into a living ocean where every ripple hints at a story—one you can carry with you from the bench to the prized display case. This fusion of storytelling and strategy is what keeps collector communities buzzing and debating variant playability, value, and the next big splash from a Paldean set. 🐬

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