Venusaur VMAX

Market outlook

Stable Outlook 7/10

The card has steady collector demand driven by Venusaur popularity and starter-set appeal, but there is enough supply in the market to keep prices relatively anchored. Graded premiums should remain supported by graded 10 and top-pop interest, though raw and lower-grade copies may move only gradually.

Next months. Expect mostly sideways movement with small fluctuations based on grading submissions, auction activity, and broader Pokémon market sentiment.

Long term. Over 1-3 years, strong condition and graded 10 copies may appreciate modestly as premium Venusaur collectibles, while raw copies likely remain relatively affordable and stable.

History

Venusaur is the final evolution of Bulbasaur, one of the original starter Pokémon introduced in the first generation of the Pokémon franchise in 1996. As a Grass/Poison-type Kanto starter, Venusaur is one of the most iconic and enduring characters in Pokémon history, representing the culmination of the Bulbasaur line and a highly recognizable flagship species for collectors. In the card game, Venusaur has long been a fan-favorite Pokémon with many chase cards across eras, especially when featured as a starter-set centerpiece or in premium promo releases.

This Japanese Venusaur VMAX card first released in the Venusaur Starter Set VMAX (Sword & Shield era), which was released in Japan on December 4, 2020. The card is numbered 002/021 and is the Full Art Venusaur VMAX from that product, not the later English Black Star Promo SWSH102 version.

• This card is the Japanese original print from the Venusaur Starter Set VMAX product, making it the base release for this artwork/card configuration.
• A related English-language version exists as SWSH102 Black Star Promo, but the Japanese starter-set copy is a distinct product and numbering line.
• The card is a Full Art/VMAX-era Venusaur collectible and is part of a premium starter set rather than a traditional booster-pack expansion.

Rarity and print run

Tier

Ultra Rare

Print run

Medium

First printed in

Venusaur Starter Set VMAX

Demand

High

Supply

Medium

• Premium starter-set product rather than a mass booster pull
• Japanese printing with fewer sealed product openings than major flagship sets
• Full Art VMAX cards have stronger collector appeal than standard ex/V-era cards
• High-grade examples are harder to find due to holo surface sensitivity

Collector notes

Condition. Check for whitening on edges and corners, surface scratches on the full-art holofoil, print lines, centering issues, and any bends or holo scuffing from handling. Japanese cards often show cleaner surfaces than English copies, but full-art VMAX cards can still pick up sleeve marks and edge wear quickly. Pay close attention to the back border, since whitening is easiest to see there.

Storage. Store in a clean penny sleeve and a rigid top loader or semi-rigid holder immediately after handling. Keep it away from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight to preserve the holo surface and prevent warping. For high-grade copies, use a card saver or graded-style semi-rigid holder if submitting for grading.

Authenticity. Authentic Japanese copies should have crisp print quality, sharp text, and consistent holo pattern alignment. Watch for poor color saturation, blurry text, miscut edges, and suspiciously flat or off-pattern holofoil, which can indicate fakes. Compare the card to verified scans from trusted databases and confirm the exact 002/021 numbering and Japanese set branding.