Kadabra is making a comeback! Thanks to Uri Geller

Looks like we can finally expect to see more of this bad boy in the future!

Uri Geller gave Nintendo permission to use the Pokemon Kadabra in its Trading Card Game (TCG). This ends the disappearance of Kadabra from the TCG for the past 20 years. This was the result of a legal dispute, where the Pokémon’s Japanese name and image were too close to Mr. Geller's.

“I am truly sorry for what I did 20 years ago,” Geller tweeted today. “Kids and grownups I am releasing the ban. It’s now all up to #Nintendo to bring my #kadabra #pokemon card back. It will probably be one of the rarest cards now! Much energy and love to all!”

The tweet:

Mr. Geller spoke with the website The Gamer, and said “Due to the tremendous volume of emails I am still getting begging me to allow Nintendo to bring back Kadabra/Yungeller, I sent [...] a letter to the chairman of Nintendo giving them permission to relaunch the Uri Geller Kadabra/Yungeller worldwide.” 

As with many series featuring magic, Kadabra is often a word used to conjure spells. The Pokémon’s Japanese name is written in different forms, such as Yungerer, Yungeller, and Yun Geller. Both the name and the artwork of the Pokemon bear remarkable resemblance to Mr. Geller. Kadabra holds a spoon, and can be seen as a reference to Mr. Geller’s most famous illusion.

In 2000, Mr. Geller sued Nintendo over Kadabra. He sought damages and asked that the Pokemon to be excluded from future TCG sets. “Nintendo turned me into an evil, occult Pokémon character. Nintendo stole my identity by using my name and my signature image,” Geller said at the time.

Kadabra's last appearance in the Pokemon TCG was in 2003. Kadabra’s other evolutions, Abra and Alakazam, also have Japanese names that reference real-life magicians.