CultusI will always remember the first time I opened a bag of old Pokémon cards at a garage sale and found one among the several commons that was a card for a Pokémon by the name of Pikachu. (Confidence is like a fist shaking in your hand.) The thing about Pikachu cards, is that they always beat others cards, no matter how many years they have been around. Though Charizard was all the rage as the “chase card” lately, Pikachu has one of the most interesting collecting stories of any card in the hobby, and I can tell you that it has a lot more to offer than its “chase” label could give it credit for.
If you’re just starting to collect, or have a box of old Pikachu cards in a closet somewhere, then this list should give you an understanding of which cards are significant and why.
The original base set Pikachu
First of all, let’s get stuck in the one that everyone has in mind. Yes, the 99 Base Set Pikachu is not outright rare, but it was widely printed, it was common. And nicely about collecting, however, sentiment is sometimes as significant as the rarity. This is heartfelt gold to an entire generation of card collectors who fondly exchanged this with their fellow playtime friends. Because it embodies a pristine, graded copy (and because it is real money!), it says real money.
Pikachu illustrator
Even though most Pokémon card collectors probably will never collect one, I have to include this one. This Pikachu Illustrator card was awarded during a CoroCoro comic illustration contest in 1997-1998, and a few were made until the end of the contest. Whenever one of these sells, it is worth millions. I have never sold one myself, but I have read about the sales, and when you think of one of these pieces of paper candy, you think of it being worth a million bucks; isn’t that a million bucks worth of paper?
Pikachu VMAX (Demon soul)
Now moving on to newer cards, one that many newer collectors are interested in is the Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare from Vivid Voltage. This artwork is stunning and will draw praise when you open your binder, as it’s made of that sparkly rainbow foil. It’s also a card that has the power to be achieved by most individuals, which I respect. There’s no need to spend a fortune to collect everything.
Pikachu trainer gallery cards
Alternate art treatments, more recently, have been put upon Pikachu at the Trainer Gallery. They’re sort of like mini-DSC PWAs.They’re more like little bits of fan art styled and tournament-legal. I am attracted to these for being the most Pikachu character embodiment out there from the older and simpler card designs.
Have you gathered 25 #pikuchu cards?
It was only logical that in 2021, when the game reached its 25th anniversary, the company did it big with a set of celebrations which was always centered around Pikachu. The design of these cards is quite simple, much like a gold foil card is minimalist, it is loved by those who like a handwritten piece or are simply inspired by simple design. Personally I tend to agree that I love them better. The restraint of the design makes for even more pop.
Why Pikachu cards hit different?
Here is a thought I have often while categorizing my own stuff. All other Pokémon on a card are just Pokémons. PIKACHU is a mascot. Normally, that’s the face you find on the box, the “star of the show,” the one character that even those who haven’t played the game and watched an episode can recognize instantly. This cultural value influences collectors’ focus on these cards. It’s not only a game piece, but it’s also a piece of pop culture history.
Over the years, I’ve met many different players who began playing collectibles to make a decision as to which Pokémon they were going to collect, only to end up choosing Pikachu because it is the most popular in Vietnam. In truth, it is a not bad correction approach for newbies. It’s great if you never know where to begin at the time of the Poker Collection, but if not, something like a Favorite Pokemon Picker can help you to achieve this, and as the card pool is quite rich, the chances of Pikachu landing on the list are pretty good.
Before you begin to purchase, here are some tips to follow:
Some things I have learned the hard way. Prior to purchasing a card, always ensure that it is in good condition, particularly online. Corners and edges tend to look worn very quickly, and even minor scratches detract from the value of the artwork. Secondly, if you are interested about this, become familiar with the grading process. They might be worth a fortune more than their rough equivalent of the same PSA 10 Pikachu. Last but not least, never purchase solely as an investment. Purchase what you see. Cards experience market phases and the ones who can hang around when no other fad fades away are usually ones who really love the card collecting hobby and not only the “resale value”.
Final thoughts
This bizarre and marvelous type of collecting card is exactly where one area of collecting, nostalgia, meets another, art, and another, culture. From what you could call a base set common to a dream collector’s maven, there’s a Pikachu collecting piece for every spend, for every penny. I began with a garage sale, and it gives me that little feel-good factor every time I see one that I don’t have.
Author’s bio: Aiyla Eylül
I’m an experienced content writer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives that captivate
and inform. A wordsmith dedicated to transforming ideas into engaging stories that resonate with
diverse audiences.
