History

Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Red and Green in Japan in 1996. It is the evolved form of Pichu and evolves into Raichu with a Thunder Stone. Pikachu became the franchise mascot through its prominent role alongside Ash Ketchum in the Pokémon animated series and its broad presence in games, merchandise, and promotional products.

First Printed: This card was first released in the English Pokémon TCG set ME: 30th Celebration on September 16, 2026. It is numbered 036/128, is illustrated by OKACHEKE, and features Pikachu as a Basic Lightning-type Pokémon with 70 HP.[3][5][9]

• The card's attack is Slight Intrusion, which does 40 damage and also causes Pikachu to do 10 damage to itself.[2][5][9]
• The card is identified as part of a 30-Pikachu commemorative subset, listed as card 14/30 within that subset.[8][10]
• Available listings identify the card as a holofoil and place it in the ME: 30th Celebration expansion.[2][3][7]

Print Data

Print Run: Very High

Collector's Notes

Condition Tips: Inspect centering, whitening on the edges and corners, surface scratches, print lines, holofoil defects, dents, and bends. Because the card is a modern holofoil, surface scratching and factory print imperfections can materially affect grading. Check the back for edge wear and discoloration, especially along the corners.

Storage: Store the card in a snug penny sleeve followed by a semi-rigid holder or top loader. Keep it upright in a cool, dry, temperature-stable location away from sunlight, humidity, dust, and pressure. For valuable copies, use a reputable grading service and avoid PVC holders.

Authenticity: Compare the card with verified scans for layout, typography, attack text, set numbering, holofoil pattern, copyright line, and OKACHEKE's illustration credit. Check that the card stock, blue Pokémon card back, colors, borders, and cut are consistent with genuine modern Pokémon cards. Suspiciously glossy surfaces, incorrect fonts, washed-out colors, overly thin or thick stock, and inaccurate holo patterns are warning signs. When buying a graded copy, verify the certification number directly with the grading company.

Notable Sales

• A raw copy reportedly sold for $7.27 on eBay on September 18, 2026.[1]
• Reported eBay sales on September 26, 2026 included copies at $4.50 and $4.80.[3]
• A near-mint English copy reportedly sold for $2.49 through TCGplayer on September 29, 2026.[3]

Investment Outlook

The card has strong character recognition and commemorative appeal, but it is a modern common or subset card from a large anniversary product with a substantial expected supply. Current evidence shows low single-card prices and declining post-release pricing, so investment potential is limited unless a scarce variant, exceptional grade, major error, or unusual demand develops.[1][2][3][6]

Rarity Analysis

• Pikachu creates strong collector demand despite the card's low rarity.
• The card is part of a commemorative 30-Pikachu subset, which may encourage set-completion demand.[8][10]
• The 30th Celebration product is described as containing at least 128 cards and includes new cards and reprints, suggesting broad distribution rather than scarcity.[10]
• No special stamp, alternate-art designation, or scarce parallel variant was provided for this card.

Comparable: Other Pikachu cards in the 30th Celebration 30-Pikachu subset, especially 14/30 and nearby numbered entries.[8][10], Other modern regular Pikachu holofoil cards from large commemorative Pokémon TCG sets., Pikachu cards from Celebrations and other anniversary products, while recognizing that older, stamped, promotional, or alternate-art examples may have substantially different scarcity.

Market Forecast

Available price tracking shows a sharp decline since release, including a reported 94% drop on one marketplace, while observed raw prices cluster in the low single digits.[2][6]

• Large modern supply and low stated rarity.
• High Pikachu recognition and anniversary-set collector demand.
• Condition, grading, and any discovered print variation could create price separation.
• Completion demand for the 30-card Pikachu subset may provide a stable collector floor.[8]

Short-term (3-6mo): Prices are likely to remain volatile but generally soft over the next 3-6 months as product is opened and more copies enter the market. Near-mint raw copies are most likely to trade in the low single digits unless a scarce variation or grading premium emerges.

Long-term (1-3yr): Over 1-3 years, the regular version is more likely to remain inexpensive or gradually stabilize than appreciate substantially. Stronger performance would require constrained supply, exceptional high-grade population scarcity, a meaningful error, or sustained anniversary nostalgia; ordinary raw and moderately graded copies have limited investment upside.