My collection of connected cards started with the XY era. I had been going through boxes of bulk cards in a card shop specializing in Pokemon when I was noticing cards that had art referencing other cards. The XY era had many cards that would feature two cards that would tell a short story. One of the most famous ones involves a trapped Trubbish that is found by a Phione. The Phione helps the Trubbish leave the island by having an Empoleon ferry the Trubbish across the sea. My favorite connected cards are not the aforementioned group, illustrated by the artist kawayoo, but are the Hypno and Clefairy cards from BreakPoint, both cards were illustrated by Tomokazu Komiya.
The Hypno card features a Hypno and Clefairy wanting to go through two different paths. The Clefairy wants to travel the safe grassy path to the rainbow while the Hypno points to the harsh path leading out of the cave into a windy storm. The Clefairy card features the Clefairy traveling down the dark path while the Hypno looks on from the back, having hypnotized the Clefairy to go first. When I figured out the cards were connected and put together the story, I just kept looking at the cards, amazed. I had never seen two cards tell a strange story like that and in a beautiful style that pops out with rich coloration.
The cards have many interesting details that stand out to me. I enjoy the illustrated parallels between the dark and light path; my favorite set is Neo Destiny and I often find myself recommending The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Hypnotizing the Clefairy to go down the more dangerous path is absolutely diabolical; an idea fitting of a monster like Hypno. The Hypno setting its leg on the rock in the Clefairy focused card is a funny detail to me. The Clefairy walking like a zombie is also a funny detail. The cards have so much to them; I am still noticing new details about them. For instance, I noticed the path Hypno prefers has two trees bending in the harsh rainstorm; I originally thought they were the eyes of a skull.
The Clefairy and Hypno cards from BreakPoint are inexpensive cards that would be a good addition to any binder. I recommend looking for them in a card shop that carries bulk common cards and is also willing to let you explore their collection.
I wonder if the Clefairy made it through the storm.
