Azelf

Azelf in the anime

Azelf's projected soul appeared to Ash in Pruning a Passel of Pals!, and it physically debuted in The Needs of the Three!, the first of the trio captured by J and Team Galactic before being controlled to serve their goal. It broke free with the help of Ash's Pikachu and Staraptor in The Battle Finale of Legend!, helping stop Cyrus's plot involving Dialga and Palkia, and later reappeared in Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles to help stop a rampaging Heatran.

Azelf's origins and cards

Azelf seems based on a pixie or fairy, though its Japanese name suggests a gnome, and the lake guardian trio may trace to Japan's Imperial Regalia, with Azelf corresponding to the Kusanagi sword that embodies valor; it may also draw on the angelic Thrones, known as the valiant ones. Azelf's Mysterious Treasures Rare Holo by Ryo Ueda was followed by Legends Awakened's Rare Holo LV.X by Shizurow and a Rare by Ken Sugimori. It later appeared across Plasma Blast, an XY Black Star promo, Forbidden Light, Unified Minds, Astral Radiance, and the Scarlet & Violet era's Surging Sparks.

Cards to know

• Azelf (Mysterious Treasures #4)

  Mysterious Treasures' Rare Holo Azelf illustrated by Ryo Ueda, its earliest printing.

• Azelf (Legends Awakened #140)

  Legends Awakened's Rare Holo LV.X Azelf illustrated by Shizurow.

• Azelf (Astral Radiance #067)

  Astral Radiance's Uncommon Azelf illustrated by Taira Akitsu.

• Azelf (Surging Sparks #080)

  Surging Sparks' Common Azelf illustrated by HYOGONOSUKE.