Poncho Pikachu cards stand out as some of the most highly coveted Pokémon promotions, leveraging Pikachu’s two-decade reign as the franchise’s iconic and beloved mascot. These elusive cards, released during the X & Y and Sun & Moon eras, feature Pikachu adorably dressed in ponchos, each one uniquely styled to resemble another popular Pokémon.
A significant factor contributing to their mystique and desirability among international collectors is that these special Pikachu variants were never released outside of Japan. This limited overseas availability has made them incredibly valuable to those fortunate enough to acquire them. This article will explore the origins of these captivating promotional cards, detailing how they were initially distributed and what you might expect to pay if you’re looking to add them to your collection today.
1. Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu
In December 2014, the Mega Tokyo’s Pikachu promotion kicked off with the relocation of the Pokémon Center in Tokyo. Customers received a Mega Charizard Poncho Pikachu (98/XY-P) with any in-store purchase. Following this, a rarer Mega Charizard Poncho Pikachu (204/XY-P), depicting Pikachu scaring a Dedenne, was distributed at various Pokémon Center events across Japan. As some of the very first Poncho Pikachu cards, both are highly valued, with the second version being incredibly scarce. These early promos are extremely popular among collectors.
2. Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Special Box
Released on June 26, 2015, the Pretend Magikarp & Pretend Gyarados Pikachu Special Box celebrated the opening of the Pokémon Center in Hiroshima. This commemorative box included two unique promo cards featuring Pikachu in ponchos resembling Magikarp and Gyarados, fitting for Hiroshima’s shiny Gyarados mascot. These cards are notable for being among the earliest “cosplaying” Pikachu cards to feature other Pokémon’s likenesses. They remain highly desirable for their unique theme and connection to a specific Pokémon Center.
3. Mega Pokémon Poncho Pikachu
Following the success of earlier releases, the Mega Pokémon Poncho Pikachu series debuted in the winter of 2015. The first featured Pikachu dressed as Mega Audino, Mega Lucario, and Mega Slowbro, available with any purchase at participating Pokémon Centers. Subsequent releases in 2016 offered Pikachu as Mega Lopunny, Mega Diancie, and Mega Gardevoir, followed by Mega Gallade, Mega Rayquaza, Mega Ampharos, and Mega Mawile. These later promos were tied to accumulating Play Points at Pokémon Center events, making them significantly harder to obtain and highly sought after by collectors.
4. Mega Charizard X & Mega Charizard Y Poncho Pikachu
In 2016, two more highly anticipated Special Boxes were released at Japanese Pokémon Centers, focusing on Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y. Each box, while containing booster packs and accessories, primarily offered an exclusive Poncho Pikachu card dressed as its respective Mega Charizard form. Given Charizard’s immense popularity and Pikachu “cosplaying” its powerful Mega evolutions, these cards were in enormous demand upon release. They continue to be highly desired by collectors for their iconic design and the popularity of the Pokémon featured.
5. Rayquaza Poncho Pikachu Cards
Building on previous successes, a special box featuring Rayquaza Poncho Pikachu cards was released to commemorate the opening of the Skytree Town Pokémon Center in Tokyo. This promotion, following the format of earlier boxes, included two exclusive promo cards: Pikachu wearing a normal Rayquaza poncho and another with a shiny Rayquaza poncho. Released about six months after the Mega Charizard boxes, these cards quickly became popular additions to the Poncho Pikachu lineup. They remain quite sought after, especially for collectors aiming to complete the set.
6. Tohoku’s Pikachu Card
To celebrate the re-opening of the Tohoku Pokémon Center, customers who made any purchase in-store or online were given a special Tohoku’s Pikachu card. This promotional card features Pikachu charmingly dressed as Rowlet, the mascot of the Tohoku Pokémon Center. This unique, regional promotion made the card a desirable item for collectors. It remains a popular choice, especially for those who appreciate the regional significance and the adorable Rowlet cosplay.
7. Vulpix Poncho Pikachu Cards
One of the final Poncho Pikachu promotional boxes was released in early 2017, embracing a “Fire & Ice” theme with Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix. Although this box was a more streamlined release compared to previous offerings, including only two booster packs with sleeves and a deck box, the included promo cards were still highly anticipated. Despite being among the last in the series and more readily available at the time of their release, these Vulpix-themed Poncho Pikachu cards maintain considerable value among collectors today.
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