Pikachu PSA 10 Price Check: What Are Japan’s Hottest Cards Actually Selling For?

In recent years, the Pokémon TCG has evolved far beyond a simple hobby, becoming a serious field for collectors. Within this fiery market, one Pokémon reigns supreme: Pikachu. A “PSA 10” (the highest possible Gem Mint grade from the authentication company PSA) is the holy grail for collectors, and these Pikachu cards are always in the spotlight.

But in a market where prices seem to skyrocket daily, what are these high-value, popular cards actually trading for? We dove into exclusive transaction data from SNKRDUNK, a major Japanese marketplace for authentic sneakers and trading cards, to rank the most traded Pikachu PSA 10 cards.

The Chase Cards: Top 5 Most Popular Pikachu PSA 10s

First, let’s look at the Top 5 most in-demand Pikachu PSA 10 cards and the reasons behind their popularity. This list includes everything from the “McDonald’s Pikachu” —which saw an explosive surge in popularity immediately after its release, with over 50,000 PSA 10 copies already graded—to the “Detective Pikachu”, which continues to climb in value.

1. Pikachu P [M-P 020] (Promo Card Pack “McDonald’s Happy Set 2025”)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 2,982/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 27,998

Reason for its Popularity and High Price:

This card was included in a special promo pack distributed with the purchase of a Happy Meal at McDonald’s. The adorable artwork, combined with the fact that it has almost no chance of being rereleased, caused demand from fans and collectors to surge, leading to a sky-high price.

2. Pikachu: PROMO [001/SV-P](SV-P Promotional cards)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 2,626/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 12,167

Reason for its Popularity and High Price:

This promo card was originally distributed in early 2022 as an early purchase bonus for the physical version of a video game. Following the massive “Pikachu boom” that began around the summer of 2025, the market price for a PSA 10 grade has soared, now exceeding 10,000 JPY.

3. Detective Pikachu: PROMO [SV-P 098](SV-P Promotional cards)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 2,128/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 30,066

Reason for its Popularity and High Price:

This promo card’s market price began to skyrocket around December 2024. It quickly made headlines as the card alone started trading for almost the same price as the video game it was bundled with. Now that the physical game bundle is completely sold out, the card’s market price has continued to climb and is trading at a significant premium.

4. Pikachu ex [WCS23 001/030](Pokemon World Championships 2023 Yokohama anniversary Deck “Pikachu”)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 1,679/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 60,672

Reason for its Popularity and High Price:

This card was an exclusive found in the Pokémon World Championships 2023 Yokohama Commemorative Deck, which was sold only at the event venue. In addition to its inherent scarcity, the card is highly popular for its gorgeous, premium finish, similar in style to a “Special Illustration Rare” (SAR).

5. Pikachu ex SAR [SV8 132/106](Expansion Pack “Supercharged Breaker / Super Electric Breaker”)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 1,443/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 52,968

Reason for its Popularity and High Price:

This is a high-rarity card from the Supercharged Breaker / Super Electric Breaker expansion set, which prominently featured Pikachu on its main box art. The market price has skyrocketed because the booster box itself is rarely reprinted and the card’s pull rate is extremely low.

SNKRDUNK Exclusive: Pikachu PSA Graded Card Transaction Rankings (6th-10th)

・Data collection period: January 1, 2025 – October 10, 2025

A key trend to note is the speed of the market. Take the “Tohoku Pikachu” (a special promo card shipped to lottery winners in mid-August 2025), for example. Like many popular PSA 10 cards, the first sales on SNKRDUNK appeared just one week after its release. This highlights the incredible speed of the modern collection cycle: rip packs, submit to PSA for grading, and flip—all in record time.

Furthermore, for lower-priced PSA 10s (around 10,000-20,000 JPY), bulk purchases are common. We frequently see listings for 10-card bundles of the “McDonald’s Pikachu” being snapped up by single buyers.

6. _’s Pikachu: PROMO[S8a-P 007/025](Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 1,312/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 48,705

7. Pikachu V[S8a-G 001/015](25th Anniversary Golden Box)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 1,302/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 96,407

8. Pikachu P [SV-P 218](Promo Card Pack “Pokemon Card Summer is Here! Get a Promo Card Campaign!”)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 1,144/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 16,589

9. Pikachu: PROMO[S-P 208](S-P Promotional cards「YU NAGABA×Pokemon Card Game」)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 1,218/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 25,896

10. Pikachu CHR[S10a 073/071](Enhanced Expansion”Dark Phantasma”)

▶︎Number of Transactions: 937/ Average Price Per Card: JPY 16,901

Deep Dive: Why Does Pikachu’s Value Keep Climbing?

At his core, Pikachu is the face of the entire Pokémon franchise—a global icon. This unparalleled brand recognition and history provide a rock-solid foundation of trust in the card market, setting him apart from every other character.

This fundamental popularity is the strongest driver of value, but it’s not the only one. Let’s break down the specific factors causing these cards to relentlessly appreciate.

1. Massive Demand from Overseas Fans of Japanese Culture

Because PSA is a globally recognized grading standard, prices for Gem Mint 10 cards are directly tied to overseas demand. This global standard gives international buyers the confidence to purchase Japanese cards. Cards that feature collaborations with traditional Japanese culture, like the “Mikaeri Pikachu”  are seen as especially rare and “authentically Japanese,” driving their value even higher abroad.

2. The Scarcity of High-Quality Cards

Japanese Pokémon cards are already known for their superior quality compared to their international counterparts, making them highly desirable from the start. But for promo cards like the “McDonald’s Pikachu” or “Detective Pikachu,” which were only distributed during specific events or in limited locations, the total population of these cards is fixed—it will never increase. This “locked-in scarcity” is a powerful motivator for collectors, ensuring prices remain stable and are more likely to rise over the long term.

Furthermore, for vintage promo cards released in the early years, an extremely small number of copies still exist in perfect PSA 10 condition. This ‘supply bottleneck’ is what pushes the price ceiling higher, creating valuations in the millions of yen (tens of thousands of dollars).

3. The Power of Crossover Appeal and Design

Cards like the “Gogh Pikachu” captured lightning in a bottle. This “interesting project”—a collaboration between fine art and Pokémon—attracted not just TCG fans, but also art collectors and memorabilia hunters, bringing a whole new demographic of buyers into the market. When a card appeals to such a broad audience, its price floor solidifies.

Additionally, cards illustrated by specific, popular artists attract that artist’s fanbase, diversifying the demand. This helps stabilize the market, preventing wild price swings and contributing to a steady, upward climb in value.

Grade-A Cards Need Grade-A Authentication. Buy and Sell on SNKRDUNK.

When trading valuable Pikachu PSA 10 cards, choosing a platform that can accurately assess their value and facilitate a safe, fast transaction is critical.

The biggest fear in high-value trading is the risk of counterfeits. At SNKRDUNK, every card is verified by professional authenticators. This authentication system is an essential component for trading expensive cards safely.

Whether you’re a lifelong Pikachu fan or just starting your collection, get your hands on the hottest PSA 10s with confidence on SNKRDUNK.

World’s First In-Person PSA Submissions: SNKRDUNK x PSA

SNKRDUNK has partnered with PSA, the leader in TCG grading, to open the world’s first PSA flagship store: “PSA Lounge Tokyo,” launching Friday, 19th September 2025.

The lounge is located on the 5th floor of the SNKRDUNK TCG Akihabara store, where they have begun accepting in-person PSA submissions.

Maximize your card’s value at “PSA Lounge Tokyo.” Even if you’ve hesitated to submit cards before, this is the perfect opportunity.

PSA Lounge Tokyo: Access Information

• Store Name: PSA Lounge Tokyo
• Address: 1-14-1 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021 (Inside SNKRDUNK TCG Akihabara, 5F)
• Access: Less than a 1-minute walk from Akihabara Electric Town South Exit
• Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays
• Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM / 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Socials (X): PSA Lounge Tokyo (@PSALoungeTokyo)

Floors 1-3 of the “SNKRDUNK TCG Akihabara” store sell Pokémon and other trading cards. The 5th floor handles buybacks for single cards and graded slabs. The “PSA Lounge Tokyo,” also on the 5th floor, is where you can officially submit your cards for PSA grading.

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