Core Themes
The 10 locked themes that form the collection's backbone
These themes are canonical. Every card either fits clearly into one of these themes or stays out of the binder.
Elemental Solitude
Pokemon alone with their elemental power, defined by environment rather than action.
Key signal: isolation + scale
Calm in Nature
Pokemon at ease within a natural setting, present but untroubled.
Key signal: harmony, not sleep
Joyful Action
Pokemon actively moving or playing, where motion expresses happiness.
Key signal: motion driven by joy
On the Attack
Pokemon caught mid-strike or charge, where the action itself is the subject.
Key signal: commitment to action
Intimidation
Pokemon exerting dominance or threat through presence, posture, or atmosphere.
Key signal: fear before action
World of People
Pokemon shown meaningfully interacting with humans or human spaces.
Key signal: social context matters
At Rest
Pokemon disengaged from the world, recovering, sleeping, or fully relaxed.
Key signal: vulnerability or withdrawal
Contemplation
Pokemon awake and still, engaged in awareness or thought rather than action.
Key signal: attention without movement
Legendary Bearing
Pokemon depicted as complete, enduring forces — power contained and unquestioned.
Key signal: timeless presence
Awakened Power
Pokemon in the moment of transformation or activation, power newly realized but not yet released.
Key signal: transition, tension, energy gathering
Conceptual Coverage
Together, these ten themes cover the full emotional and narrative loop:
- Environment — Elemental Solitude, Calm in Nature
- Motion — Joyful Action, On the Attack
- Power — Intimidation, Awakened Power, Legendary Bearing
- Stillness — At Rest, Contemplation
- Society — World of People
You don’t need more themes — but you can add more when the cards demand it.
Theme Admission Rule
A new theme only becomes official when:
- It holds 6–9 cards, AND
- The cards clearly communicate the same emotional or narrative idea
Until then, cards remain in a holding stack.