Darkrai Pokémon Trading Card (Obsidian Flames 136/197)

Name: Darkrai Pokémon Trading Card (Obsidian Flames 136/197)
Brand: Momofthecircus
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Darkrai holographic Pokémon trading card from the Obsidian Flames set, held in a hand.

Average (4/10)

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QUICK FACTS

DESCRIPTION

A holographic Pokémon trading card featuring the Darkrai character from the Obsidian Flames expansion (set number 136/197). The card is a 'Basic' Pokémon with 130 HP, illustrated by Bun Toujo. It has two attacks: 'Dark Slumber' and 'Night Cyclone', and a weakness to Fighting-type Pokémon. The card border shows a distinct holographic sheen, indicating it is likely a 'Holo Rare' or higher rarity.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Japanese Mythology/FolkloreAncient to Modern

Darkrai's theme of dreams and nightmares, and its association with the night, echoes concepts found in Japanese folklore regarding spirits (yokai) that interact with human slumber and consciousness.

Gothic Literature/Dark Fantasy18th-21st century

The character design of Darkrai, with its mysterious, shadowy appearance and association with darkness and dreams, aligns with tropes often found in Western Gothic literature and dark fantasy narratives.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Collecting trading cards has become a modern "ritual" involving searching, organizing, and displaying cards, mimicking collecting behaviors seen in art, stamps, or coins.
•The gameplay of Pokémon TCG can be seen as a strategic ritual, requiring players to build decks and engage in turn-based 'battles' with specific rules and sequences.

Meaning Through Time

Late 20th Century (1990s)

Trading cards shifted from being primarily a children's game to a serious collectible market, with rare cards becoming significant assets.

Early 21st Century (2000s-Present)

With the rise of online communities and competitive play, Pokémon cards gained a dual semantic value as both collector's items and tools for strategic gaming.

HISTORICAL STORY

The Pokémon Trading Card Game, first released in 1996, combines collecting with strategic gameplay. Darkrai is a mythical Pokémon introduced in Generation IV (2006-2010), known for its ability to cause nightmares. The Obsidian Flames expansion, released in August 2023, is part of the Scarlet & ...

DID YOU KNOW?

Darkrai is known as the 'Pitch-Black Pokémon' and is often associated with New Moon nights, influencing dreams and nightmares.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game was originally designed as a collectible card game separate from the video games but quickly integrated elements to appeal to the broader Pokémon franchise fanbase.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

The card features a glossy, smooth, and slightly reflective surface, particularly on the illustration area and card borders due to its holographic finish.

Weight & Feel

Lightweight and thin, typical of a standard trading card, made from layered cardstock.

Condition

The card appears to be in near mint to excellent condition with crisp edges and no visible creasing or major surface scratches. Minor edge wear cannot be ruled out from the image perspective, but overall good integrity.