Fan Appreciation: This Illustrator's Squirtle Style in Pokémon TCG

Squirtle card art from Celestial Guardians (A3-215) by Nisota Niso holo

Image courtesy of TCGdex.net

Celebrating Nisota Niso’s Squirtle in Celestial Guardians

In the Celestial Guardians set, Squirtle A3-215 shines as a beacon of playful water energy. This Basic Water-type Pokémon carries 60 HP and a simple yet classic move: Water Gun for 20 damage. Its rarity, One Shiny, hints at a special treatment in holo form, celebrated by collectors who chase the glow of a holo Squirtle across the table. The card belongs to the A3 subset, the Celestial Guardians, a set with a total of 239 cards and 155 official entries. The holo variant captures Nisota Niso's crisp lines and sparkling water reflections, a signature that makes battles feel like splash pages from a favorite manga. ⚡💧

When it retracts its long neck into its shell, it squirts out water with vigorous force.

That line isn’t just flavor text; it’s a window into the illustrator’s approach to character. Nisota Niso’s Squirtle radiates a sense of motion, as if the sea itself has taken a seat on the card. The holo treatment adds depth, letting light dance across the water droplets and the tiny curves of Squirtle’s shell. For fans who grew up with early Pokémon adventures, this is the kind of artwork that makes a card feel alive, not just collectible. 🎨💎

Art that Breathes the Ocean

Art direction in this card leans into blues and whites, with gentle shading that gives Squirtle a friendly, curious expression. The artistry is designed to be legible at a glance on the card table, yet rich enough to reward closer inspection. The Celestial Guardians set frames this Squirtle with a celestial glow, hinting at a broader mythos around the water starter’s journey. The “One Shiny” variant—when you catch that holo sparkle—reminds you that in Pokémon TCG, a single card can become a cherished talisman in your collection. 🔷🎴

Gameplay Snapshots: Squirtle as a Start‑up Star

On the battlefield, Squirtle brings dependable tempo: 60 HP means you’re playing a resilient early game pivot, and Water Gun at 20 damage offers a straightforward way to apply early pressure while you set up your strategy. For players building Water-type lines, this basic stage creature can serve as a splash of utility in a larger deck. Of course, its weakness to Lightning makes it a target when an opponent pivots to Electric types, so you’ll want to pair it with supportive Water Pokémon that can soak up counterattacks or pivot into stronger attackers as the game evolves. The simplicity of its attack also invites clever energy acceleration and retreat timing—small decisions that swing the pace of a match. 💧🎮

Collector’s Perspective: One Shiny from Celestial Guardians

Rarity is more than a badge; it’s a narrative thread. The Celestial Guardians set sits in a unique space with 155 official cards and 239 total, and Squirtle’s One Shiny holo variant is a standout in the lineup. The card’s holo version creates a mirror-like sparkle that fans chase as a centerpiece in binders and display tins. Although the card’s legality in standard and expanded formats is listed as false, the allure for collectors remains undiminished: it’s a piece of the Celestial Guardians’ story, a map of Nisota Niso’s style, and a tangible memory of a moment when water and whimsy collided on cardboard. 💎🖼️

The Illustrator Spotlight: Nisota Niso

Nisota Niso brings a signature clarity to Squirtle’s design—soft curves, bright eyes, and an aura of friendly mischief that makes even a simple Water-type feel adventurous. This artist’s linework celebrates motion in a single glance: you can almost hear the splash as Squirtle fires Water Gun. While many fans celebrate the color palettes and shading choices, others admire the tiny details—the shimmer on the water surface, the reflective edges on the shell, and the way light plays across the card. It’s a reminder that in Pokémon TCG, a single illustrator can shape how players remember a character long after the game ends. 🎨⚡

Nostalgia Meets Strategy: From Card to Collection

Cards like A3-215 are more than game pieces—they’re time capsules. For new players, they’re entry points into a broader world of rules and synergy; for veterans, they’re tactile memories of balanced decks and tense trade nights. The Squirtle from Celestial Guardians embodies that bridge between nostalgia and modern play, a reminder of the original charm of starting Pokémon turns that began many trainer journeys. Whether you’re chasing the holo sparkle or simply savoring Nisota Niso’s watercolor-esque style, this card invites you to pause, admire, and plan your next move in a game that rewards curiosity as much as calculation. ⚡🎴

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