Series 28

Further reading about the references made in Series 28, Cards 1-50 as well as links & original images (if available).

Series 28, Card 12 - PEPEUNGYO

Series 28, Card 12 - PEPEUNGYO was created by an unknown artist. They created a total of 4 cards for the Rare Pepe project (two pairs of Japanese warriors). PEPEUNGYO is a parodied drawing of the cypress wood statue Ungyō created in the year 1203 by the Japanese sculptor Unkei. Ungyō is a fierce guardian figure that stands over 8 meters tall and is displayed at the Great South Gate at the temple known as Tōdai-ji. These protective figures always come in pairs, and Ungyō's is named Agyō.

Series 28, Card 16 - PEPEYAKUZA

Series 28, Card 16 - PEPEYAKUZA was created by the artist Easy B (@Easy_to_the_b on Twitter). Easy B created a whopping 39 cards for the Rare Pepe series including STANPEPEE, ENTERTHEPEPE, GROYPMAN, and ROADMAPEPE.

The card image is a modified of a 1973 Japanese yakuza film titled "Battles Without Honor and Humanity" staring Bunta Sugawara. Sugawara acted in over 200 films, including the fittingly titled "Frog Drifts Into a Sad Town".

Series 28, Card 32 - TALESPEPE

Series 28, Card 32 - TALESPEPE was created by the artist Easy B. He has a total of 39 cards in the Rare Pepe project. This one is a parody of a US Comic book called Tales From the Crypt. Specifically book #24 which was published in June/July 1951. The cover art was done by Al Feldstein.

Series 28, Card 40 - BEATPEPE

Series 28, Card 40 - BEATPEPE was created by the prolific artist known as Mya. She has 30 cards in the Rare Pepe collection including greats like RAREINKONE, LIGHTITON, and XIPEPE. The card depicts Korean born Kim Sin-rak in a wrestling match against an unidentified opponent. Sin-rak was better known as Rikidōzan and competed in both Sumo and professional wrestling. He as credited with bringing the sport of professional wrestling to Japan and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017. The source photo and more information about the man can be found here.