Nov28
Uri Geller Allows Nintendo to Return Kadabra to the TCG
Illusionist Uri Geller issued an apology for preventing Kadabra from appearing in the Pokémon Trading Card Game due to a lawsuit he filed in 2000. He has stated that he will now allow Kadabra cards to be printed again.
In November 2000, Geller claimed that Kadabra was based on his likeness, citing the Pokémon's Psychic type and habit of carrying a spoon. Geller subsequently sued Nintendo for £60 million, saying "Nintendo stole [his] name and [his] signature image." Masamitsu Hidaka, a director and storyboard artist for the Pokémon anime, confirmed in 2008 that Kadabra would not appear in the Pokémon Trading Card Game until an agreement was reached with Geller.
On November 27, 2020, The Gamer published an article explaining why Kadabra has not appeared in the TCG for almost 20 years. Today, two days later, Geller sent an email to The Gamer informing them that he had "sent [...] a letter to the chairman of Nintendo giving them permission to relaunch the Uri Geller Kadabra/Yungeller worldwide." After the article's publication, Geller announced his change of heart on his own Twitter account, including a screenshot of The Gamer's article in his tweet.
Kadabra's original name Yungerer (ユンゲラー) is admittedly very similar to the transliteration of Geller's name in Japanese (ユリゲラー ). The Pokémon's signature move of Kinesis, called "Spoon Bend" in Japan, further enhances the alleged connection, as spoon-bending is Geller's signature technique.
Per their agreement, The Pokémon Company has not printed a Kadabra card since the Skyridge expansion, which was released in 2002. Kadabra's evolved form, Alakazam, has appeared in the TCG, but either as a Basic Pokémon (such as a Pokémon-ex or Pokémon V) or with the ability to evolve directly from the base form of Abra. Kadabra also has not appeared in US airings of the anime since 2006, and was absent from Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia despite both Abra and Alakazam appearing in the game.
In November 2000, Geller claimed that Kadabra was based on his likeness, citing the Pokémon's Psychic type and habit of carrying a spoon. Geller subsequently sued Nintendo for £60 million, saying "Nintendo stole [his] name and [his] signature image." Masamitsu Hidaka, a director and storyboard artist for the Pokémon anime, confirmed in 2008 that Kadabra would not appear in the Pokémon Trading Card Game until an agreement was reached with Geller.
On November 27, 2020, The Gamer published an article explaining why Kadabra has not appeared in the TCG for almost 20 years. Today, two days later, Geller sent an email to The Gamer informing them that he had "sent [...] a letter to the chairman of Nintendo giving them permission to relaunch the Uri Geller Kadabra/Yungeller worldwide." After the article's publication, Geller announced his change of heart on his own Twitter account, including a screenshot of The Gamer's article in his tweet.
Kadabra's original name Yungerer (ユンゲラー) is admittedly very similar to the transliteration of Geller's name in Japanese (ユリゲラー ). The Pokémon's signature move of Kinesis, called "Spoon Bend" in Japan, further enhances the alleged connection, as spoon-bending is Geller's signature technique.
Per their agreement, The Pokémon Company has not printed a Kadabra card since the Skyridge expansion, which was released in 2002. Kadabra's evolved form, Alakazam, has appeared in the TCG, but either as a Basic Pokémon (such as a Pokémon-ex or Pokémon V) or with the ability to evolve directly from the base form of Abra. Kadabra also has not appeared in US airings of the anime since 2006, and was absent from Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia despite both Abra and Alakazam appearing in the game.
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