Pokémon Kadabra Cards Can Finally Be Printed Again After 20 Years
Famed illusionist Uri Geller has lifted a two-decade ban on using Kadabra in the Pokémon Trading Card Game after receiving numerous fan emails.
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The Pokémon Trading Card Game can stop pretending that Alakazam is a Basic Pokémon, as famous spoon bender Uri Geller has given his blessing for the Pokemon Company to reintroduce the creature based on his famous spoon trick. Uri Geller sued Nintendo over Pokémon two decades ago because of Kadabra, one of the premier mind-readers in the original 151. His use of a bending spoon and his Japanese name, Yungerer, were obvious allusions to Uri Geller, who was angered that he was not consulted about the use of his likeness. While the lawsuit never went anywhere and the creature has continued to appear in video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game hasn’t printed a Kadabra card since the release of the Skyridge expansion in 2003.
The allusions to Uri Geller are definitely purposeful, as his entire evolutionary line references famous psychics in the Japanese original. Abra’s Japanese name is Casey, likely after Edgar Cayce, while Alakazam’s original name, Foodin, references Harry Houdini. These aren’t the only Pokémon that have pulled this trick either. Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced Obstagoon, a new monster that evolves from the region-specific version of Linoone. Its black and white fur and prominent tongue resemble KISS frontman Gene Simmons and his famous Demon persona. When the game came out, Simmons said he was flattered by the nod and chose not to sue.
Two decades after his legal Pokémon snafu, Uri Geller has officially changed his tune, which could allow for more Kadabra cards to be made for the trading card game going forward. Geller tweeted out an apology to Nintendo and Pokémon fans, saying he’s ready for “his” Kadabra to be put back into booster packs everywhere. When the ban originally occurred, Geller claimed that Nintendo had “turned him into an evil, occult Pokémon character,” so many are shocked how little it took for his position to change after all this time.
I am truly sorry for what I did 20 years ago. Kids and grownups I am releasing the ban. It’s now all up to #Nintendo to bring my #kadabra #pokemon card back. It will probably be one of the rarest cards now! Much energy and love to all!https://t.co/Rv1aJFlIKS pic.twitter.com/5zDMX5S8WA
In a statement released to sister site TheGamer, Geller claims that he had received a “tremendous volume of emails” about the ban after the story resurfaced, which eventually made him reconsider his decision. Another reason for his change of heart could be the opening of his museum in Tel Aviv, which has been delayed due to the global pandemic. Geller has been active on social media throughout the year promoting the new business venture and included a link to its website in the tweet where he declares Kadabra cards to be legal to print once again.
Whether it was out of the goodness of his own heart or the desire to promote a business venture, letting Pokémon use its character as they see fit is the right thing to do. In a way, it’s a similar issue to Nintendo’s own troubles with streamers and YouTube creators, in that the company is only hurting itself by being so restrictive. Kadabra was always meant as a tribute to Uri Geller’s celebrity, and it took him two decades to realize that it’s a good thing.
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