Abyss Eye M5: Best Pokémon Card AR and SAR Illustrations Review

Posted on: July 14, 2026

A little late, but here is my honest collector review of Abyss Eye M5, the latest Japanese Pokémon TCG set, focusing entirely on the AR (Art Rare) and SAR (Special Art Rare) cards.

No meta competitive analysis or financial price speculation here: we are focusing solely on the art, composition, and visual appeal of these items.

Exploring the Abyss Eye M5 AR (Art Rare) Set

Abyss Eye M5 contains a total of 12 beautiful AR cards. Across the board, the artistic direction remains highly consistent and enjoyable.

Art Rares are often my personal highlights in Japanese Pokémon sets because they give center stage to creatures that rarely receive specialized card treatments. This expansion continues that legacy beautifully.

My absolute favorite illustration from this release is Bastiodon AR. While my love for generation four adds a touch of nostalgia, the card design is objectively crisp, clean, and beautifully executed.

I also highly recommend checking out Fomantis AR, Armarouge AR, and Goldeen AR. Each card features stunning color palettes and a captivating atmosphere.

Lastly, the Dhelmise AR card is incredibly clever, featuring Banette and Shuppet hiding in the background. It is exactly these small narrative elements that make collecting these cards so rewarding.

Trainer SAR Cards: Gladion Steals the Spotlight

Among the Trainer Special Art Rares, Gladion's Last Stand SAR is clearly the standout card of the set. The dramatic angle and tense action pose capture the essence of his character flawlessly.

However, the set lacks that single ultra popular female Trainer card that often drives widespread hype. This is by no means a failure, but it does make the Trainer SAR roster feel slightly quieter compared to previous releases.

Pokémon SAR Cards: Mega Darkrai ex Dominates

The Pokémon Special Art Rares in this expansion present a bit of a mixed experience.

On one hand, Mega Darkrai ex SAR is a masterclass in card illustration. Even if you are not a huge fan of the specific Mega design, the card art is phenomenal. It offers a grim, brooding atmosphere and an immense visual presence. It is easily my favorite card in the entire set.

On the other hand, Mega Zeraora ex SAR is visually clean and dynamic, but it lacks a unique artistic hook to make it truly memorable over time.

My biggest disappointment is undoubtedly Mega Chandelure ex SAR. Chandelure is a fan favorite Pokémon with immense artistic potential, but this illustration feels flat and fails to capture the fiery, haunted aesthetic we expected.

Top Collector Cards in Abyss Eye M5

To summarize the artistic highlights of this Japanese expansion, here is my visual review and ranking table:

Final Verdict: Should You Collect Abyss Eye M5?

To conclude, Abyss Eye M5 is a highly respectable Japanese Pokémon expansion. It might not rank as the absolute best release of the year, but it offers brilliant visual value for collectors.

The AR selections are incredibly strong, and the standout SARs like Mega Darkrai deserve a proud spot in any modern binder.

If you are looking to pull these cards yourself, the Abyss Eye Japanese Booster Box Display is available now at Pokélu with fast shipping across Switzerland.

What are your thoughts on this expansion? Which card illustration is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!