Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type Pokemon species appearing on many different cards in the Pokemon TCG. In most cases, Pikachu are presented as Lightning-type Pokemon with weaknesses to Fighting-types and are Basic Pokemon that can evolve into Raichu and from Pichu.
Apart from simply “Pikachu” cards, other Pikachu that appear in the TCG include Lt. Surge’s Pikachu, Surfing Pikachu, Flying Pikachu, Birthday Pikachu, and Pikachu *.
Of 38 total English Pikachu cards released, only 25 are actually unique Pikachu with their own exclusive set of attacks and stats. Some of these individual Pikachu have been reprinted in additional sets, sometimes with new artwork or special stamps that further distinguish them from their original releases.
Pikachu from Base Set (#52)
Pikachu LV.12 – Lightning – HP 40
Basic Pokemon[C] Gnaw – 10 damage.
[LC] Thunder Jolt – 30 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, Pikachu does 10 damage to itself.Weakness: Fighting x2
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 1Mouse Pokemon, Length: 2′ 4″, Weight: 15 lbs., #25
A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. Thus, a plant sprouted and now grows with this Pokémon.
POP 9 #15 (Reprint)
Pikachu LV.12 – Lightning – HP 40
Basic Pokemon[C] Gnaw – 10 damage.
[LC] Thunder Jolt – 30 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, Pikachu does 10 damage to itself.Weakness: Fighting x2
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 1Reprint of Base Set Pikachu #52, but with new artwork by ______.
Rising Rivals #12 (Reprint)
Pikachu LV.12 – Lightning – HP 40
Basic Pokemon[C] Gnaw – 10 damage.
[LC] Thunder Jolt – 30 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, Pikachu does 10 damage to itself.Weakness: Fighting x2
Resistance: None
Retreat Cost: 1Mouse Pokemon, Length: 2′ 4″, Weight: 15 lbs., #25
A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. Thus, a plant sprouted and now grows with this Pokémon.Reprint of Base Set Pikachu #52, but with new artwork by ______.
Info
Pikachu was first available in Base Set with yellow-colored cheeks. However, sometime after at least the first print run of the set, Wizards of the Coast decided to recolor its cheeks to their more familiar red coloring. This was probably a sort of “clarification” on Wizards’ part since Pikachu is usually depicted with red cheeks, though the yellow coloring is actually due to it shooting off its iconic yellow electricity. The red-cheek Pikachu was the first English variant card due to this recoloring, and technically the first English exclusive-card since the recolored Pikachu was never available in Japan.
The card was reprinted in POP 2 with new artwork by Yuka Morii and as a classic reprint in Rising Rivals with updated artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, the artist of the original card.
Reprints
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