The Rayquaza Report: Top 50 Japanese Cards Riding the LEGENDS Z-A Hype Wave

Pokémon trading cards have evolved far beyond a simple playground hobby—they are now a serious asset class. With the upcoming release of Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A marking the return of “Mega Evolution,” and rumors swirling about a potential new set titled “Storm Emerald,” the market is laser-focused on one Pokémon: Rayquaza.

Collectors are scrambling to secure cards featuring the Sky High Pokémon. The hype is real—the Rayquaza VMAX Special Art (SA) from the Blue Sky Stream expansion has seen its price explode, with PSA 10 graded copies recently crossing the ¥850,000 JPY mark.

To help you navigate this volatile market, we’ve compiled a list of the Top 50 Rayquaza Singles traded on SNKRDUNK between December 2025 and January 2026. Here is a deep dive into the Top 10 cards defining the current meta, along with the full ranking.

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👑 The Top 10 Most Traded Rayquaza Cards

#1 M Rayquaza EX [S8a-P 024/025]

Source: 25th Anniversary Collection Promo Pack Why It’s Hot: Taking the crown is a nostalgic powerhouse. Originally released in 2015, this “M Rayquaza EX” was reprinted for the Pokémon TCG’s 25th Anniversary. For many players, this card brings back memories of dominating the competitive scene with its powerful attacks. Despite the general surge in Rayquaza prices, this card remains relatively accessible, making it the volume leader for collectors looking for an easy entry point.

#2 Rayquaza VMAX CSR [S8b 252/184]

Source: High Class Pack VMAX Climax Why It’s Hot: This “CSR” (Character Super Rare) features Rayquaza alongside Zinnia (Higana), the Dragon-type trainer who shares a deep lore connection with the legendary Pokémon. While high print runs initially kept the price stable, the rising tide of “Trainer Gallery” style art has pushed this card up. The combination of the red “Dynamax” aura and Zinnia’s fierce expression makes this a visual masterpiece.

#3 Rayquaza V SA [S7R 076/067]

Source: Expansion Pack Blue Sky Stream Why It’s Hot: This Special Art (SA) debuted in Blue Sky Stream (the Japanese counterpart to Evolving Skies). Released during the height of the pandemic, supply was choked, and reprints were scarce. As a result, sealed boxes now trade for over ¥150,000 JPY. The card itself has seen a steady climb since January 2025, now commanding over ¥70,000 JPY.

#4 Rayquaza V Promo [210/S-P]

Source: Dragon Pokémon V Get Challenge Why It’s Hot: A true collector’s gem. This promo was randomly inserted into packs given to customers who bought 10 packs of Blue Sky Stream or Skyscraping Perfection. Even without textured foil, the unique artwork gives it an exclusive feel. Obtaining these during the pandemic-fueled “Poké-Boom” was a nightmare, leading to a low population and high demand.

#5 Rayquaza VMAX UR [S8b 284/184]

Source: High Class Pack VMAX Climax Why It’s Hot: Black and Gold elegance. This Ultra Rare (UR) features Rayquaza’s silhouette outlined in gold against a jet-black background. Unlike standard URs, this specific style was unique to the VMAX Climax set. The subtle green shading hinting at Rayquaza’s original color adds a touch of luxury that collectors love.

#6 Rayquaza GX SSR [SM8b 240/150]

Source: High Class Pack GX Ultra Shiny Why It’s Hot: From the Sun & Moon era, this is the coveted “Shiny Rayquaza” (often called “Black Rayquaza” in Japan). Shiny Pokémon always command a premium, but a Shiny Rayquaza is in a league of its own. The set GX Ultra Shiny also contains the famous Cynthia SR, meaning unopened boxes are astronomical in price, dragging the single card prices up with them.

#7 Rayquaza VMAX SA [S7R 083/067]

Source: Expansion Pack Blue Sky Stream Why It’s Hot: The Holy Grail. When people think of high-end Rayquaza cards, this is the one. Trading around ¥100,000 JPY right out of the gate in 2021, it has now reached legendary status. Recent sales of PSA 10 copies have shattered the ¥800,000 JPY ceiling. Despite the high price tag, the transaction volume remains high—proof that serious investors are still buying.

#8 M Rayquaza EX [XYD 006/018]

Source: Mega Battle Deck 60 “Mega Rayquaza EX” Why It’s Hot: A classic from the “Mega Evolution” era. The artwork features the attack name emblazoned across the card—a signature style of the time. The design is chaotic and impactful, with Mega Rayquaza looking like it’s setting the card on fire. Being over a decade old, finding a copy in pristine condition is incredibly difficult, making high-grade copies a rare investment.

#9 Amazing Rayquaza [S3a 056/076]

Source: Enhanced Expansion Pack Legendary Heartbeat Why It’s Hot: This card features the “Amazing Rare” rarity, reserved only for Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. The artwork pops with a rainbow splash effect against a clean white background. It’s affordable due to higher circulation, but as the Rayquaza trend heats up, budget-conscious collectors are snapping these up in bulk.

#10 Nobunaga Rayquaza [144/BW-P]

Source: Pokémon Conquest First Edition Bonus Why It’s Hot: A unique crossover piece. This card was a bonus included with the Nintendo DS game Pokémon + Nobunaga’s Ambition (known in the West as Pokémon Conquest). It features a Shiny Rayquaza, the partner of the warlord Nobunaga. Because it was packed inside the DS game case without protection, finding one without damage (creases or white edges) is nearly impossible. Mint condition copies are getting rarer by the day.

(Ranking Data Period: Dec 1, 2025 – Jan 29, 2026)

Rayquaza Popularity Ranking: #11 – #50

11. Rayquaza (Energy Mirror) [M2a 127/193] – MEGA Dream ex

12. Rayquaza EX Promo [122/XY-P] – Emerald Break Campaign

13. Rayquaza EX Promo [123/XY-P] – CoroCoro Ichiban! Magazine Promo

14. Rayquaza GX SR [SM7 101/096] – Sky-Splitting Charisma

15. Shining Rayquaza [SM3+ 057/072] – Shining Legends

16. M Rayquaza EX UR (1st Ed) [XY7 095/081] – Bandit Ring

17. Rayquaza GX RR [SM12a 100/173] – Tag Team GX All Stars

18. Rayquaza (Ball Mirror) [M2a 127/193] – MEGA Dream ex

19. Rayquaza V SR [S7R 075/067] – Blue Sky Stream

20. Rayquaza Promo [003/S-P] – Starter Set V Bonus

21. Rayquaza VMAX RRR [S8b 120/184] – VMAX Climax

22. Rayquaza Promo [100/XY-P] – Illustration Collection Book Promo

23. Rayquaza VMAX RRR [S12a 108/172] – VSTAR Universe

24. Rayquaza GX HR [SM7 109/096] – Sky-Splitting Charisma

25. Rayquaza VMAX [S0 016/030] – Charizard VSTAR vs Rayquaza VMAX Deck

26. Rayquaza GX RR [SM8b 098/150] – GX Ultra Shiny

27. Rayquaza Promo [232/XY-P] – 2016 Campaign Promo

28. Rayquaza VMAX RRR [S7R 047/067] – Blue Sky Stream

29. M Rayquaza EX RR (1st Ed) [XY6 062/078] – Emerald Break

30. Rayquaza EX [XYD 005/018] – Mega Battle Deck 60

31. Rayquaza VMAX HR [S7R 082/067] – Expansion Pack “Blue Sky Stream”

32. M Rayquaza EX [XY 020/048] – Extra Regulation Box

33. Rayquaza EX SR (1st Ed) [XY6 085/078] – Expansion Pack “Emerald Break”

34. Rayquaza GX RR [SM7 068/096] – Expansion Pack “Sky-Splitting Charisma”

35. Rayquaza EX [019/048] – Extra Regulation Box

36. M Rayquaza EX [105/171] – High Class Pack “The Best of XY”

37. M Rayquaza EX SR [XY6 086/078] – Expansion Pack “Emerald Break”

38. M Rayquaza EX SR (1st Ed) [XY6 086/078] – Expansion Pack “Emerald Break”

39. Rayquaza EX [104/171] – High Class Pack “The Best of XY”

40. M Rayquaza EX [CP4 097/131] – Premium Champion Pack “EX × M × BREAK”

41. Rayquaza EX RR (1st Ed) [XY6 061/078] – Expansion Pack “Emerald Break”

42. Rayquaza [SMH 099/131] – Sun & Moon “GX Starter Deck”

43. Rayquaza δ (Delta Species) (1st Ed) [PCG7 015/052] – Expansion Pack “Holon Phantom”

44. Rayquaza Gold Star [DP5 #442] – Expansion Pack “Cry from the Mysterious”

45. Rayquaza Promo [158/XY-P] – July 2015 Pokémon Center Campaign

46. M Rayquaza EX UR [XY7 095/081] – Expansion Pack “Bandit Ring”

47. Rayquaza EX R (1st Ed) [BW5 037/050] – Expansion Pack “Dragon Blade”

48. Rayquaza EX SR (1st Ed) [BW5-O 053/050] – Expansion Pack “Dragon Blade”

49. Rayquaza C (1st Ed) [Pt3 078/100] – Expansion Pack “Beat of the Frontier”

50. Rayquaza [003/019] – Movie VS Pack “Sky-Splitting Deoxys”

🛡️ Authentic Trading Only: Why SNKRDUNK?

Navigating the secondary market for Pokémon cards can feel like the Wild West. With prices for cards like the Rayquaza VMAX SA hitting the stratosphere, the risk of encountering sophisticated fakes is higher than ever.

SNKRDUNK eliminates that risk. We don’t just connect buyers and sellers; we authenticate every single transaction. Our team of expert appraisers meticulously inspects every card—checking texture, print precision, font weight, and surface condition—to ensure you are getting the real deal.

With the “Storm Emerald” rumors heating up, now is the time to secure your Rayquaza collection. Don’t gamble with your investment. Use SNKRDUNK for guaranteed authenticity and peace of mind.