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High Card
Anime key visual
Created by
Manga
High Card -♢9 No Mercy
Written byHomura Kawamoto
Illustrated byEbimo
Published bySquare Enix
MagazineManga Up!
Original runAugust 31, 2022 – present
Volumes3
Anime television series
Directed byJunichi Wada
Written by
  • Naoki Kuroyanagi[a]
  • Kenichi Yamashita[b]
  • Kazuhiko Inukai[b]
  • Shingo Nagai[b]
Music byRyo Takahashi
Studio
Licensed by
Original networkAT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, KBS Kyoto, SUN, TV Aichi
Original run January 9, 2023 – November 5, 2024
Episodes25 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

High Card (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Homura Kawamoto, Hikaru Muno, and TMS Entertainment. It consists of a manga series, a novel series, drama CDs, and an anime television series produced by TMS and animated by Studio Hibari, which aired from January to March 2023, with its second season aired from January to March 2024. The project's theme is poker,[2] with everything from the title to the names of fictional locations referencing some form of playing card game.

During a preview of the anime series at Anime NYC in November 2022, Kawamoto and Muno further explained that High Card was heavily inspired by the Kingsman movies, including their decision to put the setting in a fictional kingdom outside of Japan, hoping to appeal to a wider audience across the world.[3]

Plot

[edit]

The royal family of the Kingdom of Fourland holds a secret deck of 52 "X-Playing cards", each of which bestow a superhuman power or ability to whoever uses them. However, the cards were nearly stolen one month ago, and then scattered across the land. In the present, a thief named Finn is struggling to raise funds for his orphanage before the landlord clears it out. After hitching a ride to a casino, Finn soon finds himself inducted into High Card, a special group tasked by the King to recover all 52 cards, while working undercover as salesmen for the Pinochle car company.

High Card must deal with threats from rival car company "Who's Who" seeking to crush Pinochle, and the Klondike mafia family who wants the X-Playing cards for their own nefarious ends.

Characters

[edit]
The agents of High Card. From left to right: Vijay Kumar Singh, Leo Constantine Pinochle, Finn Oldman, Chris Redgrave and Wendy Sato.

Pinochle (High Card)

[edit]
Finn Oldman (フィン・オールドマン, Fin Ōrudoman)
Voiced by: Gen Satō[4]
The newest member of High Card, a skilled pickpocket with great eyesight and focus allowing him to think multiple steps ahead. After trying to quickly raise money to save the orphanage where he grew up, Finn soon found himself embroiled in the battle over the X-Playing cards. He holds the 2 of Spades, "Neo New Nambu", which summons a loaded Nambu revolver into his hand, and can summon extra bullets into his free hand.
Chris Redgrave (クリス・レッドグレイヴ, Kurisu Reddogureivu)
Voiced by: Toshiki Masuda[4]
A flirty womanizer and skilled driver with a sweet tooth. He recruits Finn after seeing his skills first-hand in Bell End, and becomes his mentor at Pinochle's Old Maid branch. He wields the 5 of Hearts, "Calorie's High", allowing him to heal injuries instantly that would otherwise prove fatal by burning calories.
Leo Constantine Pinochle (レオ・コンスタンティン・ピノクル, Reo Konsutantin Pinokuru)
Voiced by: Shun Horie[4]
The 14-year-old son of the Pinochle company's CEO, and the manager of the Old Maid office, with an abrasive demeanor that often grates on his colleagues. However, his position in society and his money puts him at the top of High Card. Leo wields the 7 of Diamonds, "Never No Dollars", which allows him to instantly swap nearby cash for an object of equivalent value.
Wendy Sato (ウェンディ・サトー, Wendi Satō)
Voiced by: Haruka Shiraishi[4]
The daughter of a master swordsman from the Far East, Wendy handles the accounting for Pinochle's Old Maid office. She wields the Ace of Spades that summons "Love and Peace", a large sword with a mind of its own.
Vijay Kumar Singh (ヴィジャイ・クマール・シン, Vijai Kumāru Shin)
Voiced by: Yūichirō Umehara[4]
A highly intelligent PhD student at the University of Cribbage and a good cook who manages the systems at Pinochle's Old Maid office, but his aloof personality makes him difficult to approach for most people. He wields the 3 of Clubs, with the power "Green Green", allowing him to communicate with nearby plants and control them.
Bernard Symons (バーナード・シモンズ, Bānādo Shimonzu)
Voiced by: Kazuhiro Yamaji[5]
Leo's butler who serves as an administrator for High Card who does everything from serving tea to servicing cars at Pinochle's Old Maid branch. His card, the 9 of Spades, "Bokka", can summon an impenetrable shield that can transform into any shape.
Theodore Constantine Pinochle (セオドール・コンスタンティン・ピノクル, Seodōru Konsutantin Pinokuru)
Voiced by: Daisuke Ono[5]
The CEO of Pinochle, Leo's father, one of the antagonists and the head of High Card who works directly under the King. His card the Queen of Diamonds, "Balor", grants enhanced vision, allowing him to see the player with the 7 of Hearts which grants invisibility, and possible X-ray vision.
Owen Alldays (オーウェン・オールデイズ, Ōwen Ōrudeizu)
Voiced by: Nobunaga Shimazaki[6]
Theodore's personal secretary who carries out his orders faithfully. Owen wields the 8 of Diamonds, "Red Labyrinth" which allows him and other people to step into another dimension that's connected to every single door in Fourland.

Who's Who

[edit]
Norman Kingstadt (ノーマン・キングスタット, Nōman Kingusutatto)
Voiced by: Toshihiko Seki[7]
The flamboyant and charismatic CEO of "Who's Who" in a one-sided rivalry with his childhood friend Theodore, though he does not reciprocate.
Blist Blitz Broadhurst (ブリスト・ブリッツ・ブロードハースト, Burisuto Burittsu Burōdohāsuto)
Voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi[7]
Norman's personal secretary and bodyguard. In contrast to his boss, Blist prefers to keep a strictly professional attitude while on the job, constantly reminding Norman about pay and labor regulations even as he works to collect X-Playing cards for him. He is also a Player with the 10 of Clubs, "Million Volt", which lets him channel electricity through his body.
Brandy Blumenthal (ブランディ・ブルーメンタール, Burandi Burūmentāru)
Voiced by: Mie Sonozaki[7]
Norman's other personal secretary and bodyguard who sees his obsession with his rival and the X-Playing cards as a waste of time, even as she provides support for him. She is also a Player with the 7 of Spades, "Interceptor", which summons a high performance motorcycle which can be modified on the go with various modifications like missile launchers, sidecar, and machine guns.

Klondike

[edit]
Ban Klondike (バン・クロンダイク, Ban Kurondaiku)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki[8]
One of the antagonists.
The head of the Klondike family, known throughout Fourland as ruthless mafia boss, though he appears to have a softer side when dealing with women and children. Ban seeks the X-Playing cards for his own ends and has a shared history with Theodore and Norman. He has the King of Diamonds, "Round and Round", which allows him to rotate anything that he is touching or can't touch.
Tilt (ティルト, Tiruto)
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Toyonaga[8]
A young Klondike executive who serves as a mediating force for inter-family struggles, and manages the search for the X-Playing cards. He has the King of Spades, "San Galgono", which grants him a knight armour and a sword. However the downside is that the card is able to take full control of your body, has its own consciousness and it own motives.
Bobby Ball (ボビー・ボール, Bobī Bōru)
Voiced by: Chiharu Sawashiro[8]
A member of the Klondike family who works under Tilt to acquire the X-Playing cards, and is cruel to nearly everyone he meets. He wields the 3 of Diamonds, "Marble Rumble", that lets him turn anything he grabs into marbles, which he can then use as projectile weapons.
Zenon
Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka[9]
The Player with the Jack of Diamonds, "Out of Five", which allows him to affect the five senses and cognition of anyone that hears the sound created by scratching his gauntlets on a surface.
Burst
Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro[9]
The Player with the Ace of Hearts, "Faceless", which allows her to copy the appearance of anyone she makes physical contact with, and allows her to use their X-Playing Card. In a relationship with TILT.

Others

[edit]
Greg Young (グレッグ・ヤング, Gureggu Yangu)
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa[10]
A veteran Inspector within the Shield Police Department, and one of the few people outside High Card who is aware of its existence as well as the X-Playing cards. Greg is an old friend of both Ban and Theodore.
Sugar Peace (シュガー・ピース, Shugā Pīsu)
Voiced by: Rie Takahashi[10]
A novice detective who works under Greg.
Chelsea Hammond (チェルシー・ハモンド, Cherushī Hamondo)
Voiced by: Yurika Kubo
A social media influencer looking to find her "soulmate." A Player who holds the 2 of Diamonds, "Love Connection", which sticks two people's hands together. After an encounter with Finn and Chris, she later becomes a waitress at their local bar.
Michelle Redgrave (ミシェル・レッドグレイブ, Misheru Reddogureibu)
Voiced by: Yurie Kozakai
Chris' younger sister. She has a genetic disease inherited from her mother.
Lindsey Betz (リンジー・ベッツ, Rinjī Bettsu)
Voiced by: Eiji Hanawa[11]
The Director of the Sun Fields Orphanage, a good-natured man struggling to keep the orphanage open while having trouble paying rent to an uncaring landlord.
Lucky Lunchman (ラッキー・ランチマン, Rakkī Ranchiman)
Voiced by: Shigeru Chiba[11]
A card shark blessed with incredible luck thanks to the 10 of Diamonds ability, "Unlucky Poky", which granted him preternatural luck and thus prevented him from being harmed. After being threatened into giving up his card, he is soon killed after losing his luck along with the card.
Aya Tawawa (アーヤ・タワワ, Aya Tawawa)
Voiced by: Takako Honda
A former member of High Card 25 years ago who was part of a team previously led by Leo and Chris' fathers, Theodore and Tyler. However due to a decision made by Theodore regarding a young Chris, she dishearteningly left the team and exiled herself. Years later, she saves Finn and entrusts him with her Card, the J of Spades, "Coming Home" that allows her to pull any in-sight object towards her.
Chloe
Voiced by: Ayumi Mano[12]

Media

[edit]

Anime

[edit]

On June 9, 2021, it was announced that Homura Kawamoto, Hikaru Muno, and TMS Entertainment were working on a multimedia franchise, which include an anime television series.[13] The project is done in collaboration with Kadokawa and Sammy Corporation.[14]

The series is produced by TMS Entertainment, animated by Studio Hibari and directed by Junichi Wada, with Naoki Kuroyanagi handling series composition with Kenichi Yamashita, Kazuhiko Inukai and Shingo Nagai writing the episode screenplays; Nozomi Kawano designing the characters; and Ryo Takahashi composing the music.[4] It aired from January 9 to March 27, 2023, on AT-X and other networks.[10][15] The opening theme song is "Trickster", performed by Five New Old, while the ending theme song is "Squad!", performed by Meychan.[5][16] Crunchyroll streamed the series.[17]

A second season was announced at AnimeJapan on March 26, 2023,[18] which aired from January 8 to March 25, 2024.[19][20] The opening theme song is "Showdown", again performed by Five New Old, while the ending theme song is "Hakuchūmu" (白昼夢, Daydream), performed by Raon.[9][20]

Following the final episode of the second season, it was announced that the series would receive a twenty-fifth episode.[21] Titled The Flowers Bloom, the ONA episode was released on November 5, 2024.[22]

Season 1 (2023)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [23]Directed by [c]Written by [c]Storyboarded by [c]Original release date [24]
11"One Shot"Tomohiro MatsukawaKenichi YamashitaJunichi WadaJanuary 9, 2023 (2023-01-09)
A girl named Iris infiltrates a castle, steals a suitcase from the vault, and escapes with a magic power that allows her to summon several explosives. However, an unseen woman summons a gust of wind that breaks open the case and scatters its contents, a special deck of playing cards, far and wide. One month later, a pickpocket named Finn steals items from multiple people. After overhearing that the landlord is planning to wipe out the Sun Fields Orphanage where he grew up to build luxury apartments, Finn tries to raise funds quickly, only to find that the pawn shop owner won't fence his stolen goods, except for a special 2 of Spades card that Finn refuses to part with. So Finn hitches a ride to Bell Land and hits a casino, winning at the poker table, until a card sharp named Lucky Lunchman cleans him out of his winnings. A casino pit boss takes both Finn and Lucky into a dark room, suspecting them of cheating. Suddenly, one of the guards unveils a 3 of Diamonds and transforms it into a pair of gloves that turn anything he grabs into marbles. The man threatens to kill Lucky's family until he releases his own card, the 10 of Diamonds. However, a car salesman with the 5 of Hearts appears and begins fighting with the fake guard. Finn steals the 10 of Diamonds and escapes in the confusion by stealing a car, only to find both men chasing after him. All three men manage to survive the fiery crash, but the marble man takes out the car salesman and demands Finn give him his card. Finn decides to test out his 2 of Spades, and summons a loaded revolver that pierces both the marble and the attacker's arm. However, the car salesman appears alive, as both he and Finn point their guns at each other.
22"Make a Choice"Moe SasakiKazuhiko InukaiMoe SasakiJanuary 16, 2023 (2023-01-16)
As Finn and the car salesman hold each other at gunpoint, Vijay suddenly speeds onto the scene at his own car and uses his own card's power to tangle Finn in vines. Finn later finds himself waking up in the back room of the Pinochle car dealership on Old Maid Street. The salesman from before, Chris Redgrave, is about to kill Finn when Bernard receives a call from the Pinochle President and decides to give Finn a chance to prove himself. After being introduced to the other members of the dealership working with High Card, Finn is soon hired as an apprentice car seller and assigned to work under Chris. The next morning, Finn is quickly thrown into his first assignment when a bulletproof monster is robbing an armored truck. Chris and Finn confront the man, but quickly find their powers are useless against "Rockin Rock", the power of the 3 of Hearts. Chris baits the attacker into attacking him through the windshield of his car, and drives them both into the river. The attacker releases his card's power before he drowns, while Finn uses his own focus to fire a few shots through the car's window allowing Chris to escape the sunken car. Afterwards, the President tells Bernard that Finn will be fired if he doesn't continue showing results, while the other High Card members mock Finn for having a weak card.
33"Crazy Rich"Arata MitaShingo NagaiArata MitaJanuary 23, 2023 (2023-01-23)
Finn rushes to the rescue of a rich boy being kidnapped in broad daylight by two men named Jake and Carter. The two men blame the boy's father for closing down their factory and leaving them poor, but the boy claims not to know how to contact his father for their ransom demand. After rushing into a Chinese restaurant, local police arrive and arrest all four of them. Finn and the boy walk out of the police station, and the other two are broken out of their cell by their sister, Nix. Finn tries to appeal to the rich boy by buying him a hot dog and taking him on a ride on the Shield Underground, but the two of them are taken prisoner by Nix who wields the 7 of Clubs power, "Lethal Scoville", able to create flames of different size and power. While the kidnappers are busy praying to their fire god, Finn uses a key he stole from Jake to unlock their handcuffs, and uses his Nambu to bury the brothers under a pile of scrap metal. However, Nix is able to melt Finn's bullets before they reach her. Suddenly, Chris arrives on the scene and tosses a suitcase filled with a million dollars in cash at the boy. The boy turns out to be another High Card member named Leo, and he uses his 7 of Diamonds power, "Never No Dollars", to swap most of the cash for a bazooka that punches through the flame and takes out Nix. However, the explosion also knocks over the giant scrap metal idol, with Finn saving Leo before he is crushed under it with Nix. The next day, Finn discovers that Leo is actually the son of the Pinochle President and the head of their Old Maid office. Leo later delivers Nix's card to Owen, as his father ignores him while leaving the room.
44"Samurai Girl"Noriyuki NomataKenichi YamashitaMoe SasakiJanuary 30, 2023 (2023-01-30)
Finn swipes a client from Chris at the Pinochle dealership as Wendy arrives late to work. The following night at the Crazy Eights bar, Chris tells Finn about unwritten rules of their job, which include never letting Wendy get too drunk, or draw her sword. The next day, Wendy remembers the words of her late father and manages to arrive on time. However, Chris finds himself taken hostage in a bank robbery. Wendy decides to rush to the scene as the others follow on their own. Chris gets gunned down trying to shield a couple escaping hostages, but revives with his card's power. Vijay manages to trap the thieves' escape van and Wendy uses her card, the Ace of Spades, and summons "Love and Peace." She manages to knock out the thieves with her sheathed sword, but one of the thieves takes Vijay at knifepoint and reveals himself as another Player: John Doe, with the 4 of Hearts power "Agent S", allowing him to split himself up to four extra bodies at once. Feeling trapped by the clones and the words of her father, Wendy unsheathes the sword and lets the spirit of Love and Peace take over. Love-P easily defeats John Doe, but then starts attacking the other High Card members before Finn manages to knock the sword out of her hands, causing Love-P to sleep again.
55"Power Game"Arata MitaKazuhiko InukaiArata MitaFebruary 6, 2023 (2023-02-06)
Junior Detective Sugar Peace grows increasingly suspicious of how multiple cases have been closed at the Shield Police Department, and how all Persons of Interest connected to Pinochle are mysteriously let go without any follow-up. John Doe promises to turn state's evidence against the Klondike family if he is given witness protection. Sugar hands John off to another detective while she begins to stake out the Pinochle dealership and the people who work there, but can't get any leads. A few nights later, veteran detective Greg Young attends a charity event held by Ban Klondike, and Sugar arrests Finn for pointing a gun at her. Greg watches Ban unveil a captive John Doe, and slowly snaps his neck in front of the assembled crowd without touching him. Meanwhile, a woman from the Klondike family crushes Sugar's police car under a bus using some telekinetic power, and nearly makes Finn shoot Sugar, but aims away at the last second, claiming that this was a warning. As the rain stops, Finn warns Sugar not to continue the investigation. Greg tries to find out from Ban what happened to the X-Playing cards over the past month, and Ban only tells him about "X-Blind." The next day, Sugar claims she can't let her investigation go, while Greg informs her of John Doe's death.
66"Take Back Five"Tomohiro MatsukawaShingo NagaiTomohiro MatsukawaFebruary 13, 2023 (2023-02-13)
A man tells the legend of the land of Trapla, the predecessor to Fourland, locked in war until a mage presented a band of 52 knights with a magic card, which they each used to swear a blood oath to a boy the mage called their True King. Though the knights died in battle, the powers of their cards remained, and the boy used the cards to expel the barbarians from Trapla, allowing him to become the first King of Fourland. The story is told by an auctioneer on a cruise ship as he reveals the auction about to take place, where the main attraction is the X-Playing Card 5 of Diamonds, though the man is unaware of its true power. The CEO of "Who's Who", Norman Kingstat, and his two secretaries have arrived to win the card at the auction. Meanwhile, the members of High Card launch a heist to swap the magical 5 of Diamonds with a fake card. The plan manages to go well at first, until one of Norman's secretaries, Blist, uses his Million Volt power to attack Chris before he can make the switch. As Norman and Leo get involved in a bidding war, the card finally arrives onstage, but Finn's seasickness ruins Leo's chance. However, the card is stolen anyway by the telekinetic woman from Klondike, who escapes in a helicopter.
77"Love & Fake"Yōhei FukuiKazuhiko InukaiHideki OkamotoFebruary 20, 2023 (2023-02-20)
Finn and Chris attempt to take the 2 of Diamonds from a girl named Chelsea, but she uses its power on them instead. The "Love Connection" ability forces Finn and Chris to stick their hands together and they can't remove them, so they chase Chelsea all around Shield to make her remove the power, but she refuses to release the connection until she finds her soulmate, and won't fall for Chris's words. Back at Finn's room, Finn has a nightmare about being attacked by a knight in black armor. The next morning, Chris takes Finn along to his "date", which turns out to be spending time with his younger sister Michel. Michel thinks that Finn and Chris are a couple from their hands, but Finn plays along. When they stop at a nearby cafe, the two accidentally meet Chelsea again, working there part-time. Michel asks Chelsea to come with them, and Chelsea plays along to expose Chris's facade. However, she ends up enjoying her time with Michel. Michel suddenly collapses in the street, and Chelsea releases the card's power so Chris can rush her to the hospital. At the hospital, Chris finds out that Michel was actually in hospice care, but snuck out of the hospital to visit her brother one last time. Chelsea promises to give her card to Chris when she finds her soulmate. The next night, Chris and Finn find out Chelsea has become a waitress at their Crazy Eights bar.
88"Heat Up"Ippei IchiiKenichi YamashitaYoshio Suzuki
Hatsuki Tsuji		February 27, 2023 (2023-02-27)
Finn returns to the Sun Fields orphanage for Lindsey's birthday. However, Lindsey privately tells Finn during the birthday party that the orphanage is slated to close in the Spring. Finn tells Lindsey that he can save the orphanage with money from his new job, but Lindsey is suspicious of how he earned so much money in a short time, and turns him down. Suddenly, Bobby Ball appears at the party, looking for revenge at Finn. Lindsey gets the orphans out while Bobby Ball sets the building on fire and Finn is forced to cover one of the boys while Bobby flings powerful marbles at Finn. Finn gets the boy off the roof with the other orphans' help, then manages to strike Bobby. Bobby reveals he now has 2 X-Playing cards, and uses "X-Hand" to combine the powers of the 3 of Diamonds and 3 of Spades, turning himself into a monster with extendable marble limbs that regenerates damage from Finn's bullets while mocking him for his family dying in a fire. Bobby is suddenly struck by a small missile from out of nowhere that explodes his whole body. After the attack, Finn realizes the nightmares he had about being attacked by a black knight in a flaming house were actually repressed memories, and wonders if Lindsey was in on the lie.
99"By Your Side"Hidetoshi Watanabe
Zhuzhou Wonzhao
John Smith		Shingo NagaiHatsuki TsujiMarch 6, 2023 (2023-03-06)
An explosion rocks the capital of Spada as the Klondike family murders Dylan, the Crown Prince of Fourland, in the confusion. After speaking with the King and then Ban about the cards, Theodore orders High Card to immediately collect all known X-Playing Cards, so Bernard makes travel arrangements for the group to head to different states of Fourland. However, Finn has locked himself in his room for two weeks after the events at Sun Fields, so Chris tries to persuade him to join him on the mission to Polostick. Finn is not interested at first, but later decides to join Chris to take his mind off recent events. Meanwhile, two members of the Klondike family are tipped off to Chris and Finn's mission. Jasper Libera boards the train and uses his 2 of Clubs power, "Metallical Parade", to threaten Chris and Finn, boasting about a mole in High Card and his plan to take their cards. His partner Alex will use his own card's power to drop a large rock on the rails and crush everyone on board. However, Chris responds that Jasper would also die in that scenario, and says that he doesn't care if he kills Finn either, because Chris would gain both their cards after reviving with Calories High. In desperation, Jasper rips off the train car's roof and swings a metal chain-sickle at Finn. Chris kicks Finn off the train into the river below, then gets Jasper to stop the train by holding him off the side. Jasper then wraps a metal chain around Chris' leg. Meanwhile, an unconscious Finn is found by a dark-skinned woman and her dog.
1010"To Be Apart"Masaki KitamuraKazuhiko InukaiYui UmemotoMarch 13, 2023 (2023-03-13)
Finn wakes up in a cabin to find that Arya saved him. Meanwhile, Jasper tortures Chris for the location of his card after noticing that he wasn't using Calories High to heal his injuries, Alex tries to find Finn and his card, and the other High Card members are forced to remain on standby after completing their own missions. Arya tells Finn that she used to be a member of High Card herself, working under Theodore with Chris' father, Tyler and other agents. However, Arya grew upset with Theodore's callousness, and one day Arya went against Theodore's orders to help Tyler use an X-Hand with all the 5 cards to save Chris' life, but the strain of doing so cost him his own. After that day, Arya left High Card and drifted around Fourland before settling down in a remote cabin in the mountains. Soon after telling the story, Arya hands her card, the Jack of Clubs, to Finn, but suddenly the two of them are attacked by Alex, who seeks to take both their cards. Arya gets her card back and uses its power, "Coming Home", to attract several large objects towards her and crush Alex, but Alex uses his own "G Round" power to block the attacks. Suddenly, Chris arrives on the scene, having escaped Jasper, and helps Finn and Arya defeat Alex. However, after taking the 5 of Clubs from Alex, Chris shoots Finn, saying he didn't want him to find out about his past.
1111"Chris"Masaru KanamoriKenichi YamashitaHitomi EzoeMarch 20, 2023 (2023-03-20)
Chris reflects on his past and how Finn reminds him of a younger version of himself. Meanwhile, Finn wakes up in the Pinochle office, where he finds out that Chris shot him in the pocket where he kept his indestructible X-Playing Card, saving his life. Finn is ordered to stand by while the other members of High Card directly guard the Royal Family from the Klondikes. Chris uses Chelsea as a go-between to collect his equipment, but is attacked by police as Theodore has put out an order to shoot Chris on sight. Meanwhile, Ban rallies a group of heavily-armed terrorists to attack the Fourland palace, and sends Nhat to help Chris escape from the police. Back at the Pinochle office, Lindsey pays a visit to Finn and shows that Chris sent him a money order to rebuild the orphanage. Finn soon realizes that Chris saw him as family, and puts together his true motives, rushing to the hospital after Chris has absconded with Michel. Finn begs Chris via phone not to sacrifice his own life for Michel, but Chris speeds out of the hospital and survives a sniper shot from Owen with his Calories High power. Owen then tells Finn he's fired for disobeying Theodore's orders.
1212"Finn"Shinichiro Kimura
Yōhei Fukui		Shingo NagaiJunichi WadaMarch 27, 2023 (2023-03-27)
Klondike's terrorists storm the palace in waves as the members of High Card continue their defensive battle. Meanwhile, a couple of Pinochle men knock out Finn to keep him from interfering with hunting down Chris. Sugar rushes to the hospital as Owen's men are carrying Finn out, and Finn uses the distraction to hijack her car, which happens to have Chelsea in the backseat. Meanwhile, Ban uses his own card's power to completely wipe out a police checkpoint stalling Chris, telling him the cards deserve to be used for their own sake. Finn and Chelsea deduce that Chris is taking Michel to the ferris wheel from their last date, but Nhat wrecks their car and forces them to flee. Chelsea gets wounded while escaping with Finn, but Wendy arrives, possessed by Love-P, to fight Nhat in his place. With help from Sugar and Greg providing a distraction, Love-P scores a major hit on Nhat, before Greg knocks Love-P out with some falling debris. Chris finally takes Michel to the ferris wheel and begins playing the X-Hand of all 5s to trade his life for hers. Finn gets a ride from Bernard, and Leo uses his Never No Dollars power to build a bridge directly to the wheel, but runs out of money before they can reach it, forcing Finn to use his Neo New Nambu to fire a shot all the way through the window of Chris's car and knock one of the cards out of his X-Hand. Three days later, martial law has been lifted from Shield, Chris finds out that the three-card X-Hand was able to partially heal his sister at the expense of half of his life, rather than all of it. Both Finn and Chris are re-hired at Pinochle, but Chris is demoted under Finn as punishment. Elsewhere, Nhat is impaled on the sword of a black knight.

Season 2 (2024)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [23]Directed by [c]Written by [c]Storyboarded by [c]Original release date [24]
131"Knightmare"UnknownUnknownTBAJanuary 8, 2024 (2024-01-08)
142"Truth of the Hero"UnknownUnknownTBAJanuary 15, 2024 (2024-01-15)
153"Answer the Door"UnknownUnknownTBAJanuary 22, 2024 (2024-01-22)
164"Once Upon a Time"UnknownUnknownTBAJanuary 29, 2024 (2024-01-29)
175"Look at Me"UnknownUnknownTBAFebruary 5, 2024 (2024-02-05)
186"Hold Your Hand"UnknownUnknownTBAFebruary 12, 2024 (2024-02-12)
197"Prisoners"UnknownUnknownTBAFebruary 19, 2024 (2024-02-19)
208"Lala Valdenklein"UnknownUnknownTBAFebruary 26, 2024 (2024-02-26)
219"Coming Day"UnknownUnknownTBAMarch 4, 2024 (2024-03-04)
2210"Winner or Loser"UnknownUnknownTBAMarch 11, 2024 (2024-03-11)
2311"Sweet Home"UnknownUnknownTBAMarch 18, 2024 (2024-03-18)
2412"Last Shot"UnknownUnknownTBAMarch 25, 2024 (2024-03-25)
25 (ONA)13"The Flowers Bloom"UnknownUnknownTBANovember 5, 2024 (2024-11-05)

Print

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A manga and novel adaptation of the franchise have been announced.[13] The side story manga, titled High Card -♢9 No Mercy, began serialization in Square Enix's online manga magazine Manga Up! on August 31, 2022.[6] The manga's chapters have been collected into two tankōbon volumes as of July 5, 2024.[25] The manga is set to end with the release of its third volume.[26]

No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1July 18, 2023[27]978-4-7575-8337-5
2January 6, 2024[28]978-4-7575-8994-0
3July 5, 2024[25]978-4-7575-9282-7

Drama CD

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A drama CD adaptation of the franchise was released on December 3, 2021.[29]

See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

High Card

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High Card (stylized as HIGH CARD) is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by writer and artist Hikaru Muno in collaboration with . The story is set in the fictional Kingdom of Fourland, where the royal family originally safeguarded a deck of 52 X-Playing Cards—mystical artifacts that grant superhuman abilities to their holders—but distributed them to the public via a royal decree to prevent their misuse. A secret organization called High Card, directly commissioned by the king, works to collect and secure these scattered cards, often clashing with criminal syndicates and other card possessors in high-stakes confrontations inspired by poker dynamics. The franchise debuted as an original anime television series produced by , with direction by Junichi Wada and series composition by Naoki Mizuno. Season 1 aired from January 9 to March 27, 2023, consisting of 12 episodes, followed by Season 2 from January 8 to March 25, 2024, also consisting of 12 episodes. A special 25th episode titled "THE FLOWERS BLOOM" streamed on November 5, 2024. The follows Finn Oldman, a skilled pickpocket recruited into High Card after encountering the cards, alongside key members like Chris Redgrave, the group's ace player and leader. It explores themes of power, strategy, and rivalry through action-packed sequences and character-driven narratives. Beyond the , the project encompasses additional media such as adaptations, light novels, drama CDs, and a mobile puzzle game titled HIGH CARD -Color of the Pair-, released in September 2024, which ties into the series' lore by allowing players to solve card-based challenges with franchise characters. The franchise draws stylistic influences from Kawamoto's prior work on , blending motifs with elements to create a unique action genre entry.

Franchise Overview

Creation and Development

High Card is a Japanese multimedia franchise originating as an original project spearheaded by writer , known for his work on the gambling-themed series , and character designer Hikaru Muno, with overall production handled by . The concept emerged as a collaborative effort to fuse poker-inspired mechanics with elements in an action-oriented narrative set in a fictional world. This creative foundation reflects Kawamoto's established interest in high-stakes dynamics, building on themes from his prior projects. The franchise was publicly announced on June 9, 2021, by as a poker-themed venture intended to span , , and novels from inception, marking it as one of the studio's key original initiatives. Development prioritized a unique blend of strategy and superpowered , with the adaptation confirmed for production in March 2022. served as the primary producer, while animation duties were assigned to under director Junichi Wada, leading to the television series premiere on January 9, 2023. The series continued with Season 2 from January 9 to March 26, 2024, followed by a special 25th episode titled "THE FLOWERS BLOOM" on November 5, 2024. To expand the universe and provide deeper lore beyond the , the franchise quickly diversified into print formats starting in 2022. The side-story , High Card -♢9 No Mercy, was serialized from August 31, 2022, to June 12, 2024, in Square Enix's online platform Manga UP!, concluding with 3 volumes and focusing on supplementary character arcs. Concurrently, the original High Card -♢7 Never No Dollars launched serialization in August 2022 within Kadokawa's Monthly magazine, followed by additional novel installments such as the second volume in September 2023. These expansions were strategically planned to enrich the High Card system and world-building elements introduced in the anime, allowing for broader narrative exploration across media.

Themes and Genre

The High Card franchise is classified within the action and fantasy genres, incorporating elements of and mystery through its central poker and motifs, where 52 X-Playing Cards grant powers that influence global order. The narrative's R-17+ rating reflects mature content including and , aligning it with seinen demographics that explore complex power dynamics rather than typical shonen tropes. Core themes revolve around the corrupting influence of power, as the coveted cards drive conflicts between secret organizations vying for control in the Kingdom of Fourland. Loyalty and familial bonds form a pivotal motif, emphasizing that true family arises from chosen alliances amid espionage and betrayal, rather than blood ties alone. High-stakes risks in card-based confrontations further probe the tension between fate—dictated by card draws—and individual skill, underscoring moral ambiguity in pursuits of dominance. Stylistic elements include dynamic for card activations, evoking the thrill of high-stakes poker , set against a noir-inspired aesthetic in the shadowy of Fourland. Character interactions balance tense sequences with humorous banter, creating a that heightens dramatic irony in loyalty tests. Unlike conventional shonen action series focused on physical prowess, High Card distinguishes itself by prioritizing psychological and strategic card play in battles, akin to the mind in Kakegurui but infused with flair reminiscent of Kingsman. This approach amplifies themes of risk and ambiguity, appealing to audiences seeking layered narratives over straightforward heroism.

Setting and Premise

World of Fourland

The Kingdom of Fourland, also known as Trapla, is a fictional island nation situated in the North , portrayed as a small, isolated realm blending opulent urban sophistication with underlying fantastical elements. Governed by a under King Julius Fourland, the kingdom maintains a veneer of stability through its royal institutions, though hidden supernatural aspects tied to ancient artifacts influence its power dynamics. The nation comprises four distinct regions—Spada, Lozenge, , and Polostick—which were originally independent territories before unification. Society in Fourland is hierarchical, with the and influential corporations holding significant sway, while the general populace engages in amid a backdrop of luxury and leisure. The economy revolves around high-end industries such as and in the capital's lavish , as well as manufacturing, exemplified by the luxury automaker , which employs many residents and serves as a front for covert operations. Playing cards, particularly the rare X-Playing Cards, function not as mere currency but as potent status symbols and artifacts capable of granting superhuman abilities, fueling a thriving trade and shadowy dealings among elite players and syndicates. This card-centric underbelly creates a stratified where possession of such relics denotes immense power and prestige. Key locations within Fourland highlight its dual nature of glamour and secrecy. The bustling stands out for its grand casinos, which attract international visitors and host high-stakes games intertwined with . Beneath the surface lie concealed underground facilities and corporate hideouts, such as Pinochle's Old Maid division, designed for card holders and enforcers to operate discreetly. As an island nation with defined maritime borders, Fourland's geography facilitates cross-border intrigue, where foreign influences and rival groups vie for control over scattered artifacts. The High Card organization acts as royal enforcers in this environment, commissioned to reclaim the cards while navigating these tensions. The historical foundations of Fourland trace back to a time when the land, then known simply as Trapla, was fragmented into four warring regions threatened by invaders from overseas. According to legend, during an invasion of the fragmented land known as Trapla, a mysterious mage appeared with a silver-haired boy, declaring him the true of the four warring regions. The mage gathered 52 knights (13 from each region), sealed their blood in cards through a blood oath, and after they fell in battle, transferred their souls and devotion into the cards using her power, forging the 52 X-Playing Cards. The boy then harnessed these cards to repel the invaders, unifying the regions under his rule and establishing himself as the inaugural of the Kingdom of Fourland and enshrining the cards as sacred royal heirlooms preserved in the palace vaults for generations. However, a catastrophic theft from these vaults dispersed the cards nationwide, transforming them from guarded relics into elusive prizes that now drive conflicts across the kingdom.

The High Card System

The High Card System forms the supernatural backbone of the High Card franchise, centered on a deck of 52 X-Playing Cards that bestow unique superhuman powers upon their wielders. These cards, originating from the royal vaults of the Kingdom of Fourland, were created by a mage to protect the four nations during ancient conflicts by empowering them with the souls of 52 knights who fought under the legendary silver-haired boy, who unified the land. Once stolen and scattered across the kingdom, the cards disrupt the world order by granting immense capabilities to those who possess them, prompting intense rivalries among secretive organizations vying for control. Each of the 52 cards corresponds to a standard playing card rank (from to 2) and (Spades, Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds), with abilities distinctly themed by suit to ensure diverse strategic applications in confrontations. Spades enable spontaneous weapon creation, such as summoning firearms or blades from thin air. Hearts alter the user's physiology, providing enhancements like superhuman durability or regenerative healing. Clubs manipulate natural elements or objects, allowing control over environmental forces. Diamonds confer individualistic supernatural effects, often involving , , or esoteric phenomena. For instance, the Ace of Spades manifests a sentient sword capable of independent action in combat. While individual card powers vary, all grant baseline enhancements to the user's physical strength, speed, and resilience to support their activation. The cards operate through a selective bonding mechanism, where each X-Playing Card "chooses" its owner, forming an unbreakable link only with compatible individuals termed Players. This bonding occurs upon contact during a ritualistic "draw," awakening a latent "buddy" within the Player that unlocks the card's potential; incompatible users cannot activate or wield the power, rendering the card inert in their hands. A Player can typically bond with and use only one card at a time, though advanced techniques like "X-Hand" allow temporary combination of multiple cards' abilities for amplified effects. To transfer ownership, a card cannot be simply stolen—the bond requires the current Player to be defeated in a direct "high card" challenge, a poker-inspired duel where combatants leverage their powers strategically, akin to outplaying an opponent in a high-stakes game. Upon the Player's death, the card deactivates and becomes available for rebonding by a new compatible user. In the broader context of Fourland's society, the High Card project represents a royal initiative to reclaim and secure the scattered cards, preventing their misuse that could destabilize and . Established as a covert organization under the king's directive, High Card operates through fronts like the casino to systematically collect the cards while countering threats from rival factions, such as the mafia-like Klondike Syndicate and corporate entity , both of which seek dominance over the deck's power. This system emphasizes tactical decision-making, where Players must anticipate synergies and rank advantages in battles, mirroring without relying on chance alone. Overuse of card powers imposes physical and mental strain, potentially leading to exhaustion or diminished efficacy, though the exact thresholds vary by individual resilience and card potency.

Plot Summary

Overall Narrative Arc

The narrative of High Card centers on Finn Oldman, a young street-smart orphan who stumbles into the clandestine world of the X-Playing Cards after attempting to raise funds for his endangered orphanage at a . There, he unwittingly acquires one of these powerful artifacts, which grant supernatural abilities, drawing him into a web of danger and forcing him to join the High Card organization—a covert group sanctioned by the Kingdom of Fourland's royal family to retrieve the scattered cards and maintain balance. This inciting incident propels Finn into a journey of redemption, as he seeks to safeguard his newfound asset while uncovering deeper conspiracies surrounding the cards' dispersal from the royal vault, entangled with political intrigue and threats to the realm's stability. The story unfolds across major arcs that build tension through escalating conflicts. The initial phase introduces the card system's mechanics and Finn's recruitment into High Card, which operates as a secret branch of the automobile conglomerate, establishing alliances within the organization amid initial skirmishes over loose cards. Subsequent arcs intensify rivalries with antagonistic factions like the rival car company , seeking to crush , and the Klondike Syndicate, a ruthless mafia family intent on exploiting the cards for criminal gain, culminating in high-stakes pursuits that highlight the potential for catastrophic power imbalances if the full deck is assembled by the wrong hands. These developments emphasize themes of loyalty and strategic gambles in a world where the cards symbolize both opportunity and peril. While the core storyline originates in the series, it maintains continuity across media, with and light novels providing supplementary side stories that explore events and alternate perspectives without altering the primary arc. The franchise concludes its second season with an open-ended resolution, teasing unresolved card hunts and lingering royal threats, which extend into additional episodes released in 2024 and a special episode in late 2024, suggesting ongoing adventures in the Fourland saga.

Key Conflicts and Resolutions

The primary conflicts in the High Card franchise revolve around the High Card organization's efforts to retrieve the scattered X-Playing Cards, which possess immense powers capable of reshaping global power dynamics. A central rivalry pits High Card against , a rival corporate entity driven by ambitions to dominate the automotive sector through espionage and acquisition of the cards to undermine . This antagonism manifests in covert operations and high-stakes confrontations, where Who's Who's pursuit of economic dominance clashes with High Card's mission to safeguard the cards for the royal family of Fourland. Another major threat comes from the Klondike Syndicate, a formidable organization intent on monopolizing the cards to achieve world domination, leveraging their abilities for expansion and political subversion. These external rivalries are amplified by poker-style duels that symbolize deeper ideological battles, such as unwavering to established order versus unchecked greed and ambition; escalating stakes often involve multi-card alliances that force unlikely partnerships or betrayals among players. Internal conflicts within the organizations further complicate matters, with betrayals stemming from personal ambitions or divided loyalties undermining team cohesion and leading to unexpected shifts in alliances. Resolutions to these conflicts typically involve partial recoveries of the card deck, resulting in fragile truces that temporarily halt hostilities but leave underlying tensions unresolved, such as hints of within the royal family that propel subsequent narrative arcs. These outcomes emphasize the perilous nature of the cards' power, illustrating how unchecked ambition can destabilize societies, while successful retrievals underscore the value of and mutual trust over solitary heroism in averting catastrophe.

Characters

High Card Organization Members

The High Card organization, operating under the alias , consists of a core team of five members tasked with retrieving the powerful X-Playing Cards that grant superhuman abilities, under direct orders from the King of Fourland to maintain national stability. The group was formed as a covert unit within the luxury car manufacturer Pinochle, blending legitimate business operations with high-stakes missions to collect and protect the 52 cards scattered across the kingdom. Their dynamics are shaped by diverse backgrounds—ranging from orphaned street survivors to privileged —leading to interpersonal tensions, such as clashes between reckless impulsivity and rigid protocol, yet fostering growth through shared missions that reveal personal motivations tied to the cards' origins. Leo Constantine Pinochle serves as the leader of High Card, managing operations from the Old Maid branch of while attending Rummy College; as the son of company president Theodore Constantine Pinochle, he was raised under intense expectations, later grappling with doubts about his father's influence during missions. His Queen of Diamonds card, ♦7 "Never No Dollars," allows him to exchange visible money (not necessarily his own) for items of equivalent value, often manifesting weapons or tools in combat, which integrates with his serious, demanding personality by enabling calculated, resource-based strategies rather than brute force. Throughout the narrative, Leo's development involves balancing his privileged detachment with genuine care for his team, as missions expose vulnerabilities like his unfamiliarity with everyday hardships. Finn Oldman, the newest recruit and fifth member, acts as a frontline operative and sales apprentice at the Old Maid branch, scouted for his thieving skills after attempting to steal from to save his orphanage. Orphaned young when his wealthy Trapla family was massacred by a mysterious knight, Finn carries trauma that resurfaces during card-related conflicts, motivating his commitment to the group. His ♠2 "Neo New Nambu" card manifests a high-precision Nambu Model 60 , enhancing his and marksmanship for pinpoint shots, such as threading bullets through small objects to disable foes without lethality, aligning with his mischievous, reckless yet composed street-smart improvisation in fights. Chris Redgrave functions as a versatile driver and mentor figure within the team, using his charisma to navigate social and vehicular challenges on missions. Beneath his flirtatious, ladies' man facade lies a protective instinct shaped by caring for his genetically ill younger sister, whose condition echoes their mother's fate and drives his involvement with the cards. The ♥5 "Calories High" card grants rapid regeneration from severe injuries, including fatal ones, by burning through calories—necessitating constant high-calorie intake like sweets—which complements his laid-back personality by allowing bold, high-risk maneuvers in combat, recovering swiftly to support the team. Wendy Sato handles accounting and clerical duties at the Old Maid branch, providing logistical support while joining field operations as a skilled swordswoman, influenced by her father's mastery of the blade. Her ♠A "Love and Peace" card summons a powerful that amplifies her strength upon drawing, but induces a berserk "LAP" state urging violence, reversible only by sheathing it, which ties into her unfriendly yet food-loving demeanor by demanding control to avoid losing herself in battle. Missions highlight her growth in tempering frustration with teammates' antics, revealing deeper stakes linked to her card's dual nature. Vijay Kumar Singh oversees systems management and sales at the branch, bringing analytical expertise as a PhD student and part-time lecturer at the University of Cribbage. Logic-driven and emotionally reserved, he struggles with but excels in strategic planning, with hobbies like cooking and reflecting his methodical approach. His ♣3 "Green Green" card enables control over plants for binding or environmental manipulation in fights, eschewing guns to avoid distressing his botanical allies, thus merging his calm intellect with nature-based tactics that emphasize precision over aggression. Character arcs for all members unfold through perilous retrievals, where personal backstories—such as family losses or inherited pressures—intersect with the High Card system, forging tighter bonds amid the organization's protective mandate.

Pinochle Group

The Pinochle Group is a venerable automobile manufacturer based in the Kingdom of Fourland, specializing in luxury vehicles that blend timeless classic designs with contemporary engineering innovations. Headquartered in the city of within the Spada region, the company maintains a longstanding with family, tracing its origins to service as carriage providers during the reign of the first King. This heritage underscores Pinochle's role in national stability, particularly through its covert involvement in retrieving the powerful X-Playing Cards that influence the world's balance. Led by CEO Theodore Constantine Pinochle, the group operates High Card—a specialized team of card wielders—as a front for luxury car sales at the Old Maid branch, enabling discreet missions to secure the cards on behalf of the monarchy. At its core, the Pinochle Group's philosophy prioritizes tradition, formality, and unwavering loyalty to established institutions, setting it apart from more anarchic factions vying for the cards. Motivated by a commitment to preserving royal authority and corporate prestige rather than overt financial exploitation, the organization views card collection as an extension of its dutiful heritage. Tactics revolve around calculated, resource-backed operations, utilizing intelligence networks and skilled operatives for precise retrievals and heists that minimize public disruption. However, internal power dynamics, including familial tensions and hierarchical pressures, occasionally foster subtle conflicts, as seen in the between leadership figures and their subordinates. Prominent members of the Pinochle Group include several key figures who embody its blend of corporate acumen and covert capabilities. Theodore Constantine Pinochle serves as the CEO and de facto commander of High Card operations, directing card hunts with strategic foresight honed from years of royal service. He possesses the King of Clubs X-Playing Card, "," which enables him to generate ethereal eyes at any location for omnidirectional surveillance, enhancing both executive oversight and defensive maneuvers in crises. Driven by an unyielding sense of duty to Fourland's and a desire to uphold familial legacy, Theodore's composed yet authoritarian style often manifests as emotional detachment, leading to interpersonal frictions—particularly with his son, Leo, whom he views through a lens of high expectations rather than affection. Owen Alldays functions as Theodore's personal secretary, a paragon of efficiency who manages logistics, communications, and sensitive directives with impeccable precision. Renowned for his striking appearance and absolute fidelity, Owen lacks a known X-Playing Card but compensates through organizational prowess, ensuring seamless execution of the group's clandestine activities. His primary motivation is devoted service to Theodore, stemming from deep personal allegiance, which positions him as an indispensable enabler of Pinochle's dual public-private facade. Bernard Symons oversees administrative functions at the Old Maid branch, acting as chaperone, mechanic, and all-purpose aide to the High Card team, from brewing tea to repairing vehicles. Equipped with the 9 of Spades X-Playing Card, "Bokka" (also referred to as "Mohga"), he can summon versatile, impenetrable shields that morph into various forms for protection or utility. Bernard's steady, unobtrusive demeanor reflects his motivation to foster team cohesion and operational success, providing grounded support amid the high-stakes pursuits without seeking personal glory. Throughout the series, the Pinochle Group anchors the protagonists' efforts by supplying infrastructure, funding, and command structure for confronting card-wielding threats from rival entities. Their involvement generates pivotal action sequences, such as coordinated raids on strongholds, while their profit-infused corporate lens—evident in leveraging card powers for advantages—occasionally clashes with High Card's frontline . Figures like Theodore introduce antagonistic undertones through manipulative oversight and unresolved family rifts, complicating alliances and underscoring themes of loyalty's cost, though the group ultimately aligns against greater external dangers like ideological s.

Klondike Syndicate

The Klondike Family serves as a major antagonistic force in the High Card series, functioning as the most powerful mafia organization within the Kingdom of Fourland and extending its influence internationally as a vast crime network. Comprising thousands of members, the syndicate maintains deep connections with governmental figures through its upper echelons, enabling it to orchestrate large-scale criminal operations aimed at monopolizing the X-Playing cards. These cards, which grant superhuman abilities, are viewed by the Family as tools for ultimate world control, allowing the group to concentrate power and disrupt global stability. The organization's philosophy centers on ruthless expansion through card acquisition, rejecting mere collection in favor of leveraging the powers to dominate rivals and sow controlled chaos. At the helm is Ban Klondike, the enigmatic and feared boss who employs the cards' abilities to bolster the syndicate's growth, stopping at nothing to secure them while displaying an unexpected kindness toward women and children. Voiced by , Ban's leadership drives the Family's aggressive strategies, including alliances with opportunistic groups like to undermine competitors. His shared history with key figures from the organization adds layers of personal vendetta to the syndicate's pursuits. Under Ban, the Klondike Family exploits the High Card system by distributing cards strategically among elite players, turning the elements into weapons for territorial expansion and political manipulation. Key lieutenants exemplify the syndicate's loyalty-driven hierarchy and tactical depth. Tilt, Ban's young and cruel right-hand executive voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga, wields the King of Spades "San Galgano," a blade that slices through any material, enabling precise and devastating strikes in operations. Supporting Tilt is the "Straight" unit, a five-member player squad dedicated to card hunts, including Bobby Ball (voiced by Chie Sawashiro), whose 3 of Diamonds "Marble Rumble" transforms objects into explosive projectiles, and Nhat Chi Nguyen (voiced by Mutsumi Tamura), who uses the Ace of Diamonds "Dynamic Kinesics" for telekinetic control. Other prominent members include Zenon (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka), an executive manipulating senses via sound with his 5 of Clubs "Siren," and the infiltrator Burst (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro), who uses the Ace of Hearts "Faceless" to copy the appearance and mannerisms of anyone she has physical contact with for sabotage. These individuals' backstories often involve personal loyalties forged in the criminal underworld, fueling their commitment to the Family's vision of power consolidation. The Klondike Family's strategies emphasize coordinated assaults and , deploying card-enhanced teams to seize artifacts and eliminate threats, thereby escalating conflicts that test the foundations of opposing organizations like High Card. Their global ambitions position them as architects of instability, using concentrated card powers to challenge established powers and pursue a new world order under dominion.

Supporting and Antagonist Characters

The Royal Family of Fourland functions as key supporting allies to the High Card organization, granting them the authority to retrieve scattered X-Playing Cards and thereby preserving the kingdom's balance of power. King Julius Forland heads the family, overseeing the secret vault of cards and directing operations against threats to . His sons, including the princes, offer moral and political backing, often becoming targets in side plots involving attempts and succession crises that underscore the broader impact of the card wars on . In the second season, the narrative highlights the family's vulnerability through the introduction of Louis Fourland, the second prince who ascends as following his elder brother's , and Fourland, the third prince, both of whom navigate the burdens of royalty amid escalating conflicts. Voiced by Shinichiro Kamio and respectively, these characters emphasize themes of duty and protection, providing emotional depth to High Card's missions without direct involvement in combat. Their roles expand Fourland's scope by incorporating international influences, reflecting the kingdom's diverse alliances and the global allure of the cards. Supporting figures also include law enforcement from the Shield City Police Department, such as veteran inspector Greg Young, who possesses knowledge of the cards and collaborates sporadically with High Card by sharing intelligence on illicit activities, despite initial tensions due to jurisdictional conflicts. His subordinate, the novice detective Sugar Peace, contributes to investigations into card-related disturbances, offering on-the-ground support and highlighting civilian perspectives affected by the supernatural elements of the card hunts. These police characters recur in side plots, bridging the gap between official authorities and the covert world of players. Among additional antagonists, independent card hunters operate beyond the primary factions, pursuing personal agendas with unique abilities that challenge High Card in isolated encounters. For instance, figures like Lucky Lunchman, a gambler exploiting his card for profit, represent opportunistic threats that disrupt local economies and force impromptu alliances. Traitors within peripheral networks occasionally emerge, leveraging stealth-oriented cards such as those enabling invisibility or evasion (exemplified by the Queen of Spades' capabilities in select confrontations), adding layers of betrayal to the narrative's exploration of loyalty in a divided . These peripheral villains diversify the antagonist landscape, introducing international hunters whose backgrounds broaden Fourland's geopolitical tensions. In the special 25th episode "The Flowers Bloom" (released November 5, 2024), new supporting figures include Wiley Weinstein, a player with the 4 of Diamonds card (voiced by ), and Teddy (voiced by Ryotaro Akazawa), contributing to episodic conflicts involving card retrievals.

Adaptations

Manga

The manga adaptation of High Card, titled HIGH CARD -♢9 No Mercy, is a side story written by and illustrated by Ebimo. It began serialization as a digital-first release in Square Enix's online magazine Manga UP! on August 31, 2022. The series serves as a to the anime, centering on ordinary student Percy Parker, who obtains one of the powerful playing cards and draws the attention of secretive organizations vying for control of the deck. This narrative expands the franchise's lore by delving into the origins of the cards and early conflicts among groups like High Card and their rivals, providing deeper backstories for key characters and the supernatural elements of the world. Unlike the anime's fast-paced action sequences, the manga emphasizes internal monologues and strategic decision-making through detailed black-and-white artwork, highlighting tense confrontations and card-based power dynamics in sequential panels. It introduces additional arcs focused on Percy's initiation into the card wars, which were not adapted in the animated series, allowing for more exploration of interpersonal tensions and moral dilemmas within the Pinochle organization.) The chapters were later collected into tankōbon volumes published by Square Enix, with the series concluding after three volumes released by mid-2024.

Light Novels

The light novel adaptations of High Card consist of original stories expanding on the anime's universe, published by Kadokawa under the Kadokawa Books imprint. Written primarily by Hikaru Takeno, with original concepts contributed by and Hikaru Muno, the novels are presented in prose format with illustrations by artists including Ebimo and Nozomi Kono. They explore untold backstories of key characters and deepen the lore surrounding the X-Playing Cards, emphasizing high-stakes scenarios tied to the cards' mythical powers. The first volume, HIGH CARD -♦7 Never No Dollars, was serialized in Monthly Newtype starting in the September 2023 issue before its release on May 1, 2024. This installment focuses on events preceding Finn Oldman's recruitment to the High Card organization, detailing Leo Constantine Pinochle's undercover school life as he pursues card recovery missions. It provides insight into the organization's early operations and the personal motivations of its members amid the competitive underworld of card possession. The second volume, HIGH CARD -♧3 Green Green & ♡5 Calorie's High, followed with serialization in Monthly Newtype and a book release on January 10, 2025. Centered on Vijay Kumar Singh's initial days with High Card, the narrative unfolds during a five-day confrontation on a luxury , involving Vijay and Chris Redgrave under Leo's directives. This entry highlights interpersonal dynamics within the team and further elaborates on the strategic use of card abilities in confined, high-tension environments. Both volumes employ a literary style infused with gambling motifs, using poker terminology to underscore themes of risk and bluffing in character interactions and plot progression. Available in Japanese through print and digital formats via platforms like , no official English translations have been released as of November 2025.

Mobile Game

HIGH CARD -Color of the Pair- is a mobile puzzle game developed as part of the franchise, released in September 2024 for and Android. Players solve color-matching puzzles featuring characters from the series, with each character providing unique skills to aid in . The game ties into the lore by incorporating card-based challenges and story elements from the High Card universe.

Anime Series

The High Card anime is an original television series produced by and animated by . It consists of 24 core episodes divided into two seasons, along with a special 25th episode released in late 2024. The series adapts the multimedia franchise's narrative centered on a secret organization collecting powerful playing cards, introducing the core cast and the card-based power system in its initial run. Season 1 aired from January 9 to March 27, 2023, comprising 12 episodes broadcast on networks including AT-X, , BS11, KBS Kyoto, , and . This season establishes the High Card organization's operations and the protagonist Finn Oldman's recruitment into the group. Season 2 followed from January 8 to March 25, 2024, also featuring 12 episodes on the same broadcast lineup, with new opening and ending themes to reflect escalating conflicts involving the Klondike Syndicate. It builds on the first season's foundation by intensifying rivalries and card retrieval missions. In addition to the two seasons, a special 25th episode titled "THE FLOWERS BLOOM" began streaming exclusively on platforms starting November 5, 2024, serving as a narrative bridge toward potential future installments. This episode introduces expanded roles and new guest voice actors, including as Wylie Weinstein and Ryōtarō Akazawa in supporting parts. Internationally, the series is available for streaming on , with both seasons and the special episode accessible to subscribers.

Drama CDs

The High Card franchise includes two drama CDs released as part of its multimedia expansions, featuring original audio stories with the voice actors from the adaptation. These CDs provide side narratives focused on character interactions and missions within the organization, enhancing the lore of the X-Playing Cards without adapting existing or novel content. HIGH CARD DRAMA CD Volume 1, released on December 3, 2021, by , depicts everyday moments between missions for key members Finn Oldman (voiced by ), Chris Redgrave (), and Leo Constantine (Shun ). The story explores their off-duty dynamics in the Fourland Kingdom setting, offering a lighter glimpse into team camaraderie amid the high-stakes card hunts. It includes sound effects simulating card battles and runs approximately 50 minutes across multiple tracks. HIGH CARD DRAMA CD Volume 2, released on July 29, 2022, also by , introduces supporting characters Wendy Sato () and Vijay Latif () joining Finn, , and Leo on a card retrieval mission. This installment emphasizes action-oriented plot progression with enhanced audio effects for combat sequences, bridging character backstories and organizational tensions in an original scenario. Like the first volume, it features the anime's and comes with exclusive artwork by character designer Ebimo, plus a full-color booklet. Both volumes were sold separately in through retailers such as Animate and Amazon Japan, with no bundling to light novels or editions. As of November 2025, no additional CDs have been announced, and while official releases remain Japanese-language only, fan-subtitled versions of select tracks circulate via community translation efforts.

Production

Animation and Staff

The anime adaptation of High Card was produced by , with animation handled by . Directed by Junichi Wada, who oversaw both seasons and the subsequent original net animation episode "The Flowers Bloom" released on November 5, 2024, the series features series composition by Naoki Kuroyanagi. Scripts were written by Kenichi Yamashita, Kazuhiko Inukai, and Shingo Nagai, with contributions from series composer Naoki Kuroyanagi. Character designs for the anime were created by Nozomi Kawano, adapting the original illustrations by Hikaru Muno, one of the franchise's co-creators alongside writer and . Kawano also served as chief animation supervisor, alongside Haruna Nagata. Additional key animation roles included action animation direction and key animation by Shunpei Mochizuki and Junichi Hayama, with effects animation directed by Takashi Hashimoto. CG direction was provided by Masafumi Uchiyama, integrating to enhance battle sequences while maintaining a primarily 2D hand-drawn style for character movements and card-based transformations. Each runs approximately 24 minutes, allowing for detailed action choreography that emphasizes fluid animations of the playing cards in combat. For the second season and the 2024 ONA , the core remained consistent under Wada's direction, with no major staff changes reported, enabling continuity in visual style and pacing. This setup extended the initial multimedia planning by , Hikaru Muno, and TMS into a cohesive animated format.

Music and Soundtrack

The music for the High Card series features theme songs performed by notable Japanese artists, with the first season's opening theme "Trickster" performed by the rock band FIVE NEW OLD, capturing the series' high-stakes gambling and action motifs through energetic rock instrumentation. The ending theme for the first season, "Squad!", is delivered by singer Meychan, emphasizing team dynamics with upbeat pop elements suitable for the ensemble cast's interactions. For the second season, FIVE NEW OLD returned with the opening theme "Showdown," maintaining the rock style while intensifying the tension to align with escalating conflicts. The second season's ending theme, "Hakuchūmu" (Daydream), is a performed by Raon, providing emotional contrast with its introspective . The original soundtrack for the was composed by , known for his work on other series, blending orchestral elements with rhythmic patterns to evoke the poker-themed world, including tracks that underscore atmospheres and dynamic cues for action sequences. 's score comprises 61 pieces, highlighting motifs like "Finn Oldman" and "" that reflect character-driven tension and nocturnal intrigue. Drama CDs associated with the High Card project incorporate original background scores composed in a similar vein to the , featuring subtle arrangements that accompany voice actor performances in narrative segments. These releases often include insert songs performed by the cast to heighten emotional moments, such as during key interpersonal scenes, enhancing the audio drama format without full orchestral OST expansion. The primary original soundtrack album, titled BGM from TV Series "High Card" (Original Soundtrack), was released digitally on March 29, 2023, by KADOKAWA, with availability on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify for streaming.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Critics have praised High Card for its innovative use of card-based superpowers, which integrate gambling mechanics into high-stakes action sequences, creating a fresh take on the supernatural thriller genre. Reviewers highlight the stylish animation and dynamic fight choreography, particularly in Season 2, where episodes feature elaborate set pieces leveraging unique card abilities and diverse locations for visually striking battles. Anime News Network awarded Season 2 an overall grade of B, with an A for animation, commending its energetic presentation and likable ensemble of characters. MyAnimeList users rate Season 1 at 7.16/10 and Season 2 at 7.09/10, reflecting appreciation for the vibrant art style, catchy soundtrack, and engaging power system that drives the plot. However, the series has faced criticism for uneven pacing, especially in early episodes of Season 1, where rapid introductions give way to slower character-focused segments that disrupt narrative momentum. Some reviewers note underdeveloped side characters, whose backstories feel rushed or underexplored amid the focus on action, leading to mixed emotional impact despite strong individual arcs like Finn's. Season 2 shows improvement in character depth and plot cohesion, with more layered interactions, but retains complaints about forced pacing in its latter half. Anime News Network's user ratings average 6.275/10 for Season 1 and 6.067/10 for Season 2, underscoring these inconsistencies as barriers to broader acclaim. In terms of awards, the High Card has received limited recognition, with Season 2 nominated for Best Original by Naoki Kuroyanagi in the 11th Anime Trending Awards. Analytical critiques often emphasize the series' thematic exploration of risk and fate through its poker-inspired mechanics, positioning it as a lighter successor to more intense gambling narratives while prioritizing spectacle over profound social allegory. For the adaptation, published by , reviews commend its detailed artwork and faithful expansion of the card lore, though it has not garnered major contest accolades. Overall, High Card is viewed as a solid, if uneven, entry in action , valued for its creative premise but critiqued for execution flaws.

Popularity and Impact

High Card has garnered moderate within the anime community, particularly among fans of action and gambling-themed stories. On , the first holds a score of 7.16 based on ratings from 45,904 users, ranking #3732 in , while the second scores 7.09 from 16,516 users, indicating sustained following its 2024 release. On , the series averages a 4.6 rating from 8,456 viewers, reflecting accessible streaming appeal that has contributed to its growth in Western audiences. Merchandise tied to the franchise includes collectible items such as figures of protagonist Finn Oldman, plush toys of characters like Chris Redgrave, and official trading card sets replicating the in-story X-Playing Cards. These products, produced by companies like and , have been available through major retailers, supporting the series' commercial presence in and international markets. The fanbase remains strongest in and , driven by TMS Entertainment's local promotion, with expanding Western through streaming platforms and communities. Audience metrics show the series achieving 1.8 times the average U.S. for series as of November 2025, highlighting its niche but dedicated following. Conventions have featured related panels on card-themed , though specific High Card events were limited in 2023-2025, often bundled with broader TMS showcases at events like . The franchise's impact extends to inspiring fan-created content, including custom mods and artwork shared on platforms like , where dedicated boards amassed hundreds of ideas by 2025. It has influenced other card-based media, such as stage adaptations, with a musical production titled HIGH CARD the STAGE -Crack a Hand- premiering in January 2024 to positive reception. Ongoing of its and side stories, including the conclusion of High Card -♢9 No Mercy in July 2024, continues to sustain hype and expand the multimedia project. In November 2024, a special episode titled The Flowers Bloom was released as an , earning a MyAnimeList score of 6.70 from 2,656 users as of November 2025.

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