Jirachi in the TCG: Anime and Mainline Game References

In TCG ·

Jirachi card art from Roaring Skies (XY6-42), illustration by Sanosuke Sakuma

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Exploring Jirachi in the Pokémon TCG: anime nods and core-game connections

Jirachi has always held a special place in the Pokémon universe — a tiny star-born legend whose wishes spark adventures across both games and anime. In the Roaring Skies era of the TCG, the holo-foil Jirachi (XY6-42) captures that mystique in a metal-tinged frame, reminding players that even a Basic Pokémon can shine with strategic depth. The card’s illustration by Sanosuke Sakuma brings a gentle, star-sparked aura to life on a metal shell, echoing Jirachi’s in-universe role as the Wish Pokémon. ⚡🔥

From the anime’s iconic moment where Jirachi awakens to grant wishes, to the mainline games where this Mythical Pokémon inserts itself into climactic plotlines, the TCG version of Jirachi embraces both lore and gameplay. The Roaring Skies set celebrates birdlike sky-high tactics and a roster of small but mighty Pokémon — and Jirachi stands out as a rare beacon that rewards careful play and deck-thinning precision. Its meta-narrative mirrors how anime moments often hinge on choice and timing: a single top-deck manipulation can tip the balance between a hard-fought victory and a narrow defeat. 🎴🎨

Card profile at a glance

  • Card: Jirachi
  • Set: Roaring Skies (XY6)
  • Rarity: Rare holo
  • Type: Metal
  • Stage: Basic
  • HP: 70
  • Attacks:
    • Diminutive Desire — Cost: Metal. Look at the top 7 cards of your deck and put 1 into your hand. Shuffle the rest back.
    • Doom Desire — Cost: Metal, Colorless. Discard all Energy attached to this Pokémon. The Defending Pokémon is Knocked Out at the end of your opponent’s next turn.
  • Weakness: Fire ×2
  • Resistances: Psychic −20
  • Retreat: 1
  • Illustrator: Sanosuke Sakuma
  • Legal in formats: Expanded; not standard (as of Roaring Skies era)

Strategically, Jirachi’s first attack is a textbook example of hand advantage in compact form. Diminutive Desire acts as a built-in tutor that lets you peek at the top seven and pull one card directly into your hand, a soft form of search that accelerates your path to a key Supporter or Energy card. It’s a gentle reminder that in the early turns of a game, your deck is a resource to be filtered and optimized — much like how anime arcs often hinge on a single choice that unlocks the next beat of the story. The second attack, Doom Desire, is the dramatic crescendo: you trade a chunk of Energy for a potential knockout that can swing the game if your opponent’s timing slips. The need to discard all attached Energy adds a compelling risk-reward dynamic that echoes the high-stakes moments fans remember from the anime’s climactic battles. ⚡💎

How this Jirachi wants to be played

In Expanded format, this Jirachi benefits from the era’s tempo-heavy tools. You sequence energy attachment to support Diminutive Desire early, using that first attack to draw into a pivotal Trainer card that can set up your plan. Because Doom Desire requires you to forfeit Energy, it pairs well with decks that can replenish energy quickly or that run engine cards to recover from the fatigue of a big discard. The card’s modest 70 HP means veterans will protect Jirachi with a careful retreat plan and appropriate bench setup, ensuring it isn’t an easy KO while your other threats come online. The holo foil visual, paired with Sakuma’s characterful artistry, also makes this Jirachi a favorite for collectors who value both aesthetics and function. The synergy between art and mechanics is a nod to how the mainline games and anime treat Jirachi as a star that shines brightest when its moment arrives. ✨

From a collector’s perspective, Jirachi’s rare holo status in Roaring Skies contributes to its appeal beyond raw gameplay. While market values ebb and flow with demand, the card remains a sought-after piece for completionists and those who relish the lore of the Wish Pokémon. In current market snapshots, CardMarket shows an average around 1.83 EUR for non-holo copies and a holo market price that reflects the rarity and the nostalgia factor. On TCGPlayer, holo versions typically sit in a mid-price range, with market prices reflecting both scarcity and the enduring charm of Jirachi’s star-etched silhouette. Collectors often chase the holo variants and first-edition possibilities, chasing that spark of luck that Jirachi embodies in every wish. 🔮

Art, lore, and the spark of nostalgia

The Roaring Skies artwork foregrounds Jirachi’s serene, wish-granting presence, a perfect contrast to the high-energy battles you find in the anime. Sakuma’s illustration captures the quiet, magical aura of Jirachi as it floats above a night-sky canvas — a reminder that some legends don’t roar; they glow. This pairing of art and playstyle invites players to appreciate both the lore behind Jirachi and the clever engineering of a card that rewards careful deck composition and timing. The result is a Pokemon that is as beloved for its story as for the tactical puzzles it presents on the tabletop. 🎴🎨

Market pulse and value trends

For enthusiasts and investors, understanding Jirachi’s price dynamics means looking at both the standard holo rarity and the broader Roaring Skies context. CardMarket’s data shows an average around 1.83 EUR for standard copies, with holo variants tracing a higher arc — a reflection of popularity among collectors. In the U.S. market, TCGPlayer’s holo prices range from modest lows to mid-range highs, with market prices around 3.01 USD and high points near 5.99 USD for strong holo copies. The trend lines suggest sustained interest in Jirachi as a nostalgic pillar of the XY era, especially for players who value the card’s unique draw engine in an Expanded-ready toolkit. 🔎💎

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