Liepard

Released in the Plasma Storm expansion in early 2013, the Liepard card captures the aesthetic of the Black & White series, which was heavily influenced by the Team Plasma arc. The set introduced the concept of Team Plasma-themed Pokémon, marked by a distinct blue-and-silver color scheme on the card borders. Liepard, a dark-type Pokémon introduced in the Unova region, was stylized here to reflect its sleek, predatory design, drawing on its role as a cat-like creature known for its stealth and speed.

The artwork for this card was provided by Kagemaru Himeno, a prolific illustrator who has contributed to the Pokémon Trading Card Game since its earliest sets. Himeno’s approach often emphasizes the natural posture and character of the Pokémon, and for this rare iteration, she depicted Liepard in a dynamic, shadowy stance that reinforces its dark typing. While the card is a standard rare, it remains a notable example of the stylistic shift that occurred during the Plasma era, as artists were tasked with integrating the Team Plasma visual identity into traditional card layouts.