Art & History Spotlight

Munch Museum 'The Scream' Promos

The 2018 Pokémon x Edvard Munch collaboration that reimagined 'The Scream' as a TCG masterpiece

In late 2018, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum hosted a special Edvard Munch exhibition. To celebrate, The Pokémon Company released five limited-edition promo cards featuring Pikachu, Eevee, Psyduck, Mimikyu, and Rowlet mimicking the iconic "Scream" pose. These cards have since become some of the most sought-after modern Japanese promos.

Updated November 27, 2025

Art Meets Pokémon

To mark the "Munch: A Retelling for the 21st Century" exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Pokémon released a set of promos that are widely considered some of the most unique art in the TCG's history. The cards pay homage to Edvard Munch's 1893 masterpiece, *The Scream*.

Instead of the usual Ken Sugimori or 3D styles, these illustrations use heavy brushstrokes, warped perspectives, and a warm, anxiety-inducing color palette to mimic Munch's expressionist style. The result is a perfect blend of fine art and pop culture.

The Scream Collection

All five promos capture a different reaction to the swirling sky. Display them together to recreate the exhibit wall and watch the emotional spectrum unfold.

PsyduckSun & Moon PromosPsyduck clutches its head in a perfect homage to The Scream, blending its classic headache pose with Munch's existential angst.

EeveeSun & Moon PromosEevee's usual cuteness is transformed into a look of shock, set against the fiery orange sunset of the original masterpiece.

PikachuSun & Moon PromosThe centerpiece of the collection, Pikachu stands on the bridge with a horrified expression, capturing the raw emotion of the 1893 painting.

MimikyuSun & Moon PromosMimikyu fits the eerie theme perfectly, its shadowy form and scribbled disguise blending seamlessly with the dark, swirling background.

RowletSun & Moon PromosRowlet flutters in distress, a rare dynamic pose for the Grass-type starter, framed by the distorted landscape of the Oslo fjord.

A Museum-Exclusive Release

These cards were not available in standard booster packs. They were distributed through specific channels during the exhibition window in late 2018. The "Scream" Pikachu was a purchase bonus at Pokémon Centers, while Mimikyu was released as part of a special card file (binder) set.

Psyduck, Eevee, and Rowlet were also distributed as purchase bonuses at the museum shop and Pokémon Centers. Due to the limited time window and the specific location requirements, the supply was capped from the start, leading to their legendary status in the secondary market today.

The "Grail" Status

Because this was a licensed collaboration with the Munch estate/museum, a reprint is extremely unlikely. This scarcity, combined with the cross-appeal to both Pokémon collectors and art enthusiasts, has driven the value of these cards significantly higher than most other modern promos.

The "Munch" set stands as a prime example of how Pokémon TCG can transcend simple gaming pieces to become genuine collectibles with artistic merit.