Mewtwo LV.X

A reaching hand. A focused gaze. Psychic energy spilling beyond the image.

Released in Japan on 18 April 2009, this Mewtwo LV.X belongs to the Mewtwo LV.X Collection Pack, one of three Japanese-exclusive 12-card collections built around a featured Level-Up Pokémon. Its artwork had already appeared internationally as the English DP28 promo in 2008.

Shizurow’s composition makes Mewtwo feel almost within reach. Its foreground hand extends beyond the illustration window, while its curved tail and twisting ribbons of energy draw the eye across the card. Purple shading meets a fiery red background; the silver holo border completes the sense of a figure breaking through its frame.

A 3D CG designer, Shizurow has illustrated for the Pokémon TCG since 2006. That digital modelling gives this portrait its sculpted volume, dramatic lighting and strong sense of depth.

Rather than evolving into a different Pokémon, Mewtwo levels up, keeping its previous attacks. Psybarrier protects it from attacks by unevolved Pokémon, while Giga Burn delivers 120 damage at the cost of all its attached Energy. A portrait of power made tangible, through both image and gameplay.