On this year’s Pokémon Day on 27 February 2024, it was announced that Pokémon Legends Z-A was in the works and set for release in 2025. Pokémon Legends Z-A will be a prequel to main-series sixth-generation Pokémon video games Pokémon X and Y. As a result, hype for all things Gen 6 reached a level not seen since the actual Gen 6 era that spanned from 2013 to 2016.

Some of the rarest and most valuable cards from that era have thus seen a recent surge in value. Among these cards is the Poncho-wearing Pikachu card first released in 2015.

There’s an interesting story behind this card. It was distributed as part of the Pikachu Mega Campaign which was held at various participating Pokémon Centers across Japan. After purchasing at least 1,000 JPY (~1,094 JPY / ~US$7.12 in 2024) worth of eligible Pokémon TCG products, customers would receive this card for free. The Pokémon Center logo can be seen on the right side of the card.

The illustration itself features three Pikachu; the mascot of the entire Pokémon franchise is always a major draw—especially on a special promotional card like this one. Each of the three Pikachu are dressed in a poncho resembling a Mega Evolution—Mega Audino, Mega Lucario, and Mega Slowbro respectively. Of these, the Pikachu dressed as Mega Lucario is almost certainly the biggest draw as Lucario is one of the most popular Pokémon ever—even among non-Pokémon fans due to its appearances in the Super Smash Bros. video game series. Thus, it’s no surprise that the Pikachu wearing the Mega Lucario poncho is placed front and center.

Due to the renewed hype for all things Gen 6-related, this is a card which has just seen its value soar. Over recent weeks, its price has more than doubled.

This card was not released in English.

The latest figures have the sale price of a Poncho-wearing Pikachu (XY-P Promotional Cards 203/XY-P) card at 32,000 JPY (~US$209) in the wake of that massive price hike.

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