ピカチュウ

Pikachu is the franchise mascot of Pokémon, introduced in the original 1996 Game Boy games Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. As an Electric-type Pokémon, Pikachu became the most recognizable character in the Pokémon brand and was central to the anime, merchandise, and trading card game identity.

The Japanese Base Set Pikachu #025 was first released in Japan in the Pokémon Card Game Expansion Pack on October 20, 1996.

• This is the standard common Japanese Base Set Pikachu, not the much scarcer no-rarity first print version.
• Japanese Base Set Pikachu is part of the earliest Pokémon TCG print era and is one of the most collected vintage Pikachu cards.
• Market listings and price guides show the card is abundant in raw condition, with value driven mainly by grade and eye appeal rather than rarity.

Condition. Check centering, edge whitening, corner wear, surface scratches, print lines, and holo-like scuffing on the yellow border and artwork area. Common flaws for this era include back whitening, corner dings, and light scratches from old storage or binder wear.

Storage. Store in a penny sleeve and semi-rigid or toploader, keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight, and avoid tight binder pockets that can abrade the surface. For long-term preservation, use archival-safe materials and stable humidity.

Authenticity. Authentic copies should have the correct Japanese old-back layout, proper card font, and clean print quality consistent with 1996 Japanese Pokémon cards. Watch for incorrect border color, blurry text, off-center logos, mismatched back texture, and suspiciously glossy modern reprints or altered no-rarity versions.