Even though I built the Gen 1-9 binder with budget in mind, that doesn’t mean we cannot include cute cards. Many people assume good-looking cards need to be full art or better, with a price tag to match. The Zorua I chose, to represent Gen V, is as cute as they come. More importantly, it is obtainable for just a few cents.
Who is Zorua Again?
Fans of cute Pokemon – or fans of trainer Pokemon – will know who Zorua is all too well. It is an adorable pocket monster that likes to lounge around in a fair few of its illustrations. It is also one of the signature Pokemon of N, one of the more beloved trainers in the TCG. Therefore, you can find Zorua as a single card, or in some cases, referred to as N’s Zorua.
Although this card is a Dark version of the pocket monster, one could say the creature is a beacon of light. It is a cozy aesthetic, very huggable, and just overall well-designed and stylized. There is also a Hisuian version of Zorua, although that wouldn’t fit the whole Gen V narrative we are trying to achieve here.
Like several other Pokemon in any generation, its evolution is “more popular” in some circles. Fans prefer Zoroark because of its more aggressive and powerful aesthetic. It would have been a solid choice for this binder page too, but I like the base Pokemon more. Again, pages like these are personal, so feel free to fill this slot however you like.
Even so, the cozy vibe Zorua provides to this page goes well with some of the other cards. I always try to find a balance in what I add to pages like these. Plus, the Dark-themed card border also helps to offset some of the other overall colors. And did you even look at that adorable little face? How can you say no?!?!?
Why Did I Add This Card?
Given how my collection spans half a dozen languages, finding a Zorua card shouldn’t be too hard. Curiously, I do not own that many, albeit I am blessed with Korean, Japanese, and Indonesian versions The latter one was added months after building this binder page, but it provides me with some more multi-lingual opportunities.
With the common card theme continuing on this page, it is time to take a step back first. Look at the card properly, notice the little details, then look at it again as a whole. Zorua lazing around and looking at something off-card is quite soothing. It is also pretty endearing, which explains why this is such a popular Pokemon.
In addition, this common card from Korean Battle Partners is very easy to obtain. Not just because it is in Korean – it also exists in other languages, and was also printed as Journey Together – but because it is affordable. Korean cards often fetch lower asking prices than Japanese, Chinese, or English versions. .
Zorua TCG Card History
As a Gen V Pokemon, Zorua hasn’t had as much time as some other cards to cement its legacy in the TCG yet. Even so, there have been 23 cards attributed to this pocket monster already. That is higher than some of the earlier-generation cards on this binder page. Moreover, one wouldn’t expect this many cards given it is a Dark-type Pokemon, a category that has plenty of members, but is often very limited in card space per set.
For those of you who are curious: Zorua always comes in one of two card rarities. It is either a common card – like this one – or has an Art Rare (AR) form. It is rather interesting to see this creature has 3 art rares attributed to it already. Many older Pokemon would love to have 1, let alone 2 Art Rares. Definitely a fan favorite, this one.
With a budget build in mind, I try to include affordable and accessible cards. N’s Zorua is one that definitely fits the bill well, because it is valued way below its actual worth. Although it is a Common card, the art itself speaks volumes. That is the fun part of collecting commons and uncommons: you encounter a lot of overlooked art.
Why This Specific Zorua Artwork
Obviously, availability played a key role in this decision. I had versions of this card across 3 languages, so there is no reason NOT to include it. In addition, it is another common card, which fits the theme well. Common cards are great for budget binder pages, and it wouldn’t detract attention from the other cards either.
I also own N’s Zorua in the Art Rare version, but I am saving that one for a very different binder page. Don’t ask me what that page will be about specifically, as I don’t know yet. However, with the recent addition of N’s Reshiram, the possibilities are virtually endless.
Who is the Artist?
The person responsible for bringing this N’s Zorua rendition to the TCG world is Jiro Sasumo, someone with a long repertoire, albeit it’s not a common household name either.. Sasumo has illustrated 46 cards in their career and it’s safe to say “cute Pokemon” is the main focus. A lot of these cards are also “resting” Pokemon, which is quite interesting.
The first Jiro Sasumo card to ever be introduced to the Pokemon TCG is also a very iconic one. The Charizard promo for Sword & Shield depicts Charizard battling in a stadium. However, we, as attendees, are forced to look up at him, further illustrating Charizard’s presence and aura. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe cards like that one were released in 2020.
In terms of drawing Pokemon, Jiro Sasumo seems to vary quite a bit between which creatures to draw. That is quite normal and expected, as every artist gives their unique rendition of a pocket monster. Notable examples in the portfolio include Sprigatito, Vileplume, Psyduck, Leafeon, Gardevoir, Ponyta, Piplup, and many others. All of these cards have several elements in common:
- A snapshot in time of a relaxing Pokemon, either with or without humans present
- Very soft and light colors to create a “whole” rather than focusing on one particular aspect
- Cozy and “homey” scenes and vibes, with some surprise and wonder
- Expressive characters, even when they are sitting still
Where Can You Find This Zorua Artwork?
For this particular binder page, I opted for the Battle Partners common card because it is accessible and affordable. Battle Partners is also printed in various other languages, both within Asia and beyond. Finding any card from this set should be a breeze, even if you are focused on one language only.
As mentioned before, it was part of one of the first Korean Pokemon TCG sets I opened. Afterward, it showed up in more languages across different sets. But for the card itself: I took this as a “sign” to include this cute, but you have other options at your disposal:
- Battle Partners (KR): $0.02 – $0.05
- Battle Partners (JP) : $0.02 – $0.05
- Journey Together (EN): $0.04 – $0.08
Since this artwork originates from a regular set, good-condition copies remain relatively affordable. If you are looking for a cute Zorua to add to your collection, the acquisition process should be very smooth and painless.
Card Availability Score
I always like to introduce a custom score to sourcing cards like this for a budget binder challenge theme. As such, this particular Zorua card receives the following marks:
- 💰 Price: ★★★★★ (Very Cheap)
- 📦 Availability: ★★★★★ (Found in over half a dozen languages)
- 🌍 Languages: 6+
- 🎨 Artwork: 10/10 (subjective, of course)
- Beginner Friendly: Yes
Why Collectors Should Care
If you’re building a Generation V binder, a “forgotten Pokemon” collection, or simply want artwork capable of telling a story in one image, this Zorua is a very affordable addition and one that belongs in more people’s collection. Although it isn’t necessarily overlooked, the Art Rare versions commend more attention than Common variants.
Regardless of the card’s purpose for your needs, Common-card Zorua deserves more love than it has gotten over the years. It is positively cute and collectible, and wouldn’t look out of place in any binder page.
Budget Verdict for Zorua
There is a lot to like about this card, although that will always be a subjective topic. Zorua is a rather cute and playful Pokemon, making it appeal to people of all ages. Even though this is not a full art card, you can’t deny the cozy vibes it exudes.
| Artwork | 9/10 |
| Nostalgia | 7/10 |
| Availability | 10/10 |
| Budget Value | 10/10 |
| Overall Collector Score | 9/10 |
Collector Challenge
Can you find this exact artwork in another language? Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Thai,German, Italian, Spanish, or Indonesian all count. Or do you have any other Zorua artwork you are fond of and want to show me? Make sure to hit me up on the socials and I will gladly take a look!
It’s a fun way to start exploring international Pokémon cards without spending a fortune. Moreover, it is an excellent way to rekindle some [potentially] lost memories of the Pokemon Anime.
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