Urshifu

Urshifu in the games: one Kubfu, two paths to power

Urshifu is a Legendary Pokémon introduced in The Isle of Armor, the first Sword and Shield expansion, where Mustard gives the player Kubfu after passing the Master Dojo's trials. Which Urshifu it becomes depends on training. In Sword and Shield, Kubfu evolves at the top of one of the Towers of Two Fists: the Tower of Darkness produces Single Strike Style, a Fighting and Dark type, and the Tower of Waters produces Rapid Strike Style, a Fighting and Water type. In Scarlet and Violet, the Scroll of Darkness or Scroll of Waters does the same job. Both styles can Gigantamax.

Its only ability, Unseen Fist, belongs to Urshifu alone and lets its contact moves hit through Protect and similar protective moves.

Urshifu in the anime: two Trainers, two styles

The two styles debuted separately in Pokémon Journeys: The Series. Single Strike Style appeared first, in "Leaping Toward the Dream!" as Quillon's Pokémon, and Rapid Strike Style followed in "Trial on a Golden Scale!" with Danika.

Urshifu on cards: the faces of Battle Styles

Urshifu's card history is concentrated in two Sword & Shield sets. Battle Styles (March 2021) introduced the Single Strike and Rapid Strike card mechanics, with Urshifu as the Pokémon for each, and printed both Single Strike and Rapid Strike Urshifu as V and VMAX. Each VMAX exists in a rainbow Secret Rare by PLANETA Tsuji and a second Secret Rare with alternate art: Kinu Nishimura drew the Single Strike version (#168) and KIYOTAKA OSHIYAMA the Rapid Strike version (#170).

Chilling Reign (2021) added plain Holo Rare versions of both styles, and Brilliant Stars' Trainer Gallery (2022) gave each style more V and VMAX cards with new art by kodama, takuyoa and Scav, plus two Secret Rare VMAX cards.

Cards to know

• Single Strike Urshifu V (Battle Styles #151)

  An Ultra Rare Single Strike Urshifu V illustrated by kawayoo, from the set that introduced the Single Strike mechanic.

• Single Strike Urshifu VMAX (Battle Styles #168)

  A Secret Rare VMAX with alternate art by Kinu Nishimura.

• Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX (Battle Styles #170)

  The Rapid Strike counterpart, a Secret Rare with alternate art by KIYOTAKA OSHIYAMA.

• Single Strike Urshifu VMAX (Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery #TG19)

  A Trainer Gallery VMAX illustrated by kodama.

• Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX (Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery #TG21)

  A Trainer Gallery VMAX illustrated by Scav.