Ever since day one, Pokémon TCG cards featuring Charizard have always been among the most coveted. To this day still the most iconic of the first generation’s three starters’ final forms, Charizard continues to leave an indelible impact on the Pokémon TCG. The Charizard V card from Star Birth [S9] is further proof of this almost-unmatched status.

Upon first glance at this card, the initial thing that catches one’s attention is the striking Full Art illustration. Charizard V is depicted flying above a desolate landscape, locked in combat against a Venusaur. That scenario—Charizard vs Venusaur—is one that countless Pokémon fans have desired to be shown on a card for years. It appeals to nostalgia while also giving the image a certain “aura” present in very few other cards.

The choice of Venusaur also plays into all of this. In addition to being a final form of a Gen 1 starter just like Charizard, Venusaur is the mascot of the Pokémon Green video game as well as its third-generation remake Pokémon LeafGreen—just as Charizard is for Pokémon Red and Pokémon FireRed respectively. This juxtaposition is, therefore, a possible reference to the video games.

The card’s holofoil also enhances the card’s imagery by making it seem as though sunlight is streaming down from the skies. The angling of the holofoil—focused in the card’s top-right corner—is positioned to maximize this effect. This may also be a reference to Mega Charizard Y and its Drought ability, which in the Pokémon video games summons blazing sunlight upon entering combat.

The English version of this card is 154/172 in the Brilliant Stars set.

One copy of a Charizard V (Star Birth [S9] 103/100) card goes for 23,500 JPY (~US$150) according to the latest figures.

In other TCG-related news, check out the Risette of the White Woods card from Infinite Forbidden. Alternatively, you can also head over to the SNKRDUNK App via the banner below and find the top trending and latest single cards and boxes.