Top Sharpedo TCG Cards Illustrated by This Artist Revealed

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Sharpedo card art from Evolving Skies illustrated by Kazuma Koda

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Sharpedo Spotlight: Kazuma Koda’s Mastery of Water and Webbing

In the sprawling ocean of the Pokémon TCG, certain artworks captivate as deftly as a well-timed attack. Among the roster of Sharpedo illustrations, the swsh7-36 card from the Evolving Skies set stands tall as a standout example of Kazuma Koda’s dynamic style. This Rare Water-type from the swsh7 collection not only delivers a thrilling duo of attacks on the tabletop but also offers collectors a compelling blend of gameplay potential and visual storytelling. Let’s dive into why this Sharpedo, evolving from Carvanha, remains a memorable highlight in Kazuma Koda’s portfolio.

Card snapshot: Sharpedo swsh7-36

  • Name: Sharpedo
  • Set: Evolving Skies (swsh7)
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Stage: Stage 1 (evolves from Carvanha)
  • HP: 120
  • Type: Water
  • Illustrator: Kazuma Koda
  • Description: "It drinks in seawater and jets it from its rear to propel itself. It's very sensitive to the scent of blood."
  • Attacks:
    • Taunt — Cost: Colorless. Effect: Switch 1 of your opponent's Benched Pokémon with their Active Pokémon.
    • Jet Bite — Cost: Water + Colorless. Effect: During your next turn, this Pokémon can't attack. Damage: 120
  • Weakness: Lightning ×2
  • Retreat: 1
  • Regulation Mark: E
  • Legal: Expanded (Standard not legal for this card)
  • Variants: Normal and Reverse
  • Dex ID: 319
  • Pricing snapshot: CardMarket average around €0.08 (low €0.02); TCGPlayer shows a round of about $0.11 market price for the non-holo, with holo variants historically higher (average around $0.19 in some listings).

Kazuma Koda’s artistry on this card emphasizes motion and predatory focus. The forward-sweeping silhouette, the glimmer of water around Sharpedo’s sleek form, and the implied surge of propulsion give the impression that the card’s jet attack is not just a line of text—it’s a moment caught in motion. The art aligns beautifully with the flavor text that speaks to Sharpedo’s blood-scent hunting instinct, grounding the creature in a vivid, underwater realism that fans recognize across Kazuma Koda’s work.

Gameplay angles: timing, disruption, and damage

Sharpedo swsh7-36 is a tactical tool for players who like to mix board control with hard-hitting power. The Taunt attack, while modest in damage, offers a strategic tempo shift: you can forcibly switch an opponent’s benched Pokémon into the Active slot, sowing chaos in an opponent’s lineup and potentially derailing bench setup. This can be especially potent against decks that rely on benched supporters or evolutions waiting in the wings. The ability to disrupt bench development without committing more Energy makes Taunt a underrated control option in many Water-focused builds.

Jet Bite reads as a marquee payoff. It costs Water plus Colorless and delivers a strong 120 damage—adequate to threaten late-game knockouts alongside assistive effects. However, the attack’s drawback—“During your next turn, this Pokémon can’t attack”—creates a deliberate two-turn window that requires careful sequencing. Players often pair Sharpedo with partners that can accelerate pressure or set up alternate attackers, ensuring they don’t leave a gap in offensive momentum while Sharpedo rests its engines for a comeback swing.

Weakness to Lightning ×2 is a factor to respect, especially in formats with metal- or lightning-intensive matchups. Beyond raw stats, the card’s role in Expanded lists can be shaped by tech lines that add paralysis, speed disruption, or additional force to pressure the opponent before Jet Bite lands. In other words, Sharpedo isn’t just about raw damage; it’s about landing a tempo-changing Taunt at the right moment and riding the subsequent Jet Bite finish when the timing aligns with energy attachment and opponent missteps.

Collectors’ corner: rarity, sets, and value trends

As a Rare, swsh7-36 sits in the upper tier of the standard card pool for Evolving Skies. The set itself is renowned for its broad Water-type presence, enticing trainers to chase both the card’s utility and its artistry. The fact that this Sharpedo exists in both Normal and Reverse variants adds a layer of collectability for players who enjoy completing the set or showcasing a gallery of Kazuma Koda’s work in a reverse holo-redo style.

From a pricing perspective, online markets show modest movement. CardMarket’s current read puts the typical non-holo Sharpedo around €0.08 on average, with a low benchmark near €0.02. In the U.S. market, TC Player data indicates similar affordability for non-holo copies, with market prices around $0.11 and holos trading higher in some listings. For fans who value the art above all, the reverse-holo variant often commands a premium, reflecting collector demand even when the gameplay impact remains modest for some players. It’s a reminder that a single illustration can carry a trade value that compliments a player’s deck-building ambitions.

Artful detail and the lore of Kazuma Koda

Koda’s Sharpedo embodies the artist’s tendency to fuse anatomy with kinetic energy. The card’s clean lines and sharp angles convey a sense of speed as the predator surges through water, while subtle shading highlights the predatory gaze and muscular form. This isn’t just a creature on a card—it’s a moment of motion captured in pigment and card stock. For fans who relish lore as much as mechanics, the descriptive flavor text about Sharpedo’s blood scent adds a layer of tension that elevates the artwork beyond mere illustration. It’s exactly the kind of synergy that makes a single card feel like a snapshot from a larger sea-world narrative.

As players gather these pieces for display or play, Kazuma Koda’s signature is a beacon for collectors who adore the intersection of competitive TCG play and artistry. The swsh7-36 card invites both tactical consideration at the table and a deeper appreciation of how an artist can translate a Pokémon’s essence into a trading card’s frame.

To bring a touch of that oceanic energy into your workspace or gaming corner, consider this curator’s pick alongside your favorite desk setup. And for fans who want to celebrate the broader line of pop-culture-inspired gear, a tactile accessory can be a perfect companion during long sessions of deck-building and battles.

Neon Gaming Mouse Pad Custom 9x7 Neoprene with Stitched Edges

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