Acclaimed Pokémon Artist Responds To Heartbreaking TCG Pack Opening

The Pokémon trading card community spent late September 2026 mourning the death of Avery The Poke Kid, a 12-year-old personality who had been battling pancreatic cancer for seven years. The tragedy spread across social media in part due to a heartbreaking video recorded by Avery's parents where the youngster pulled a coveted Jirachi card from a Pokémon 30th Anniversary pack just before passing away.

Now, a few days after the announcement of Avery's death, the illustrator behind that Jirachi card has shared her thoughts on the Pokémon personality's final big pull.

Who was Avery The Poke Kid?

Even as the harsh effects of chemotherapy were evident throughout Avery's videos, the young creator was primarily known for his incredible enthusiasm and love of Pokémon cards. "It's not about having the best cards, or the most expensive ones," Avery said in a video from early 2026. "It's about having the cards that you truly love and will cherish for the rest of your life." This attitude helped Avery blow up on social media after being featured in a video by @BeardDadCardzwhere the vendor lavished him with cards.

According to Avery's parents, collecting Pokémon cards made the youngster feel hopeful after tough hospital visits and a protracted fight against cancer. His favorite Pokémon card was a gold star Pikachu, whose crossed arms reminded Avery of Ash Ketchum's electric best friend. "Ash's Pikachu is brave, it takes challenges, it fights against gods ... it has courage ... that's how I see myself," Avery said.

Avery passed away on Sept. 18, according to a memorial post by his parents. Shortly after the announcement, his parents shared a video in which Avery opens his final Pokémon card pack. Much to his delight, the pack contained a special-illustration Jirachi card drawn by esteemed TCG illustrator Akira Egawa. "No way," he exclaimed. He considered it to be a particularly lucky pull because his penultimate pack happened to contain an Articuno art card. Even with the 30th Anniversary's increased pull rates, hitting two art cards in a row was unusual.

Since sharing the Jirachi video, the Pokémon community has been reeling over its significance. Jirachi is a Legendary known to only wake up every thousand years. While awake, the baby-like Pokémon grants wishes for seven days before slumbering once more. Jirachi stays asleep — unless he is awakened by a voice from a pure heart. With such lore, Avery pulling a Jirachi as his final card almost felt destined.

The heart-wrenching story has now reached Akira Egawa herself. Beyond the 30th Anniversary Jirachi card, Egawa is known for her spectacular Pokémon art cards that fetch high prices. Egawa has drawn 173 Pokémon cards since 2019.

Image: Akira Egawa/The Pokemon Company

"I want my art to bring happiness to people," Egawa wrote on X, in reference to Avery. "That’s one of the reasons I draw."

"I’m so deeply moved," Egawa wrote in another post. "I’m so glad I kept drawing. I’ve honestly been in tears ever since I saw this."

While many are sharing their memories of Avery, BeardDadCardz'sreaction, in particular, has gained a lot of attention from the community.

"I’ve seen you put yourself through so much pain for others and through all of it, you always had that smile," the Pokémon personality wrote on Instagram.

"I promise I will do everything I can to keep that legacy alive," he continued. "I’ll keep telling your story. I’ll keep spreading the kindness and joy you gave all of us. And every time I see Pikachu, I know I’ll think of you and that smile."