Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] was a Pokémon TCG set specifically designed to play to nostalgia for the first generation of Pokémon. With this in mind it was always to be expected that the cards featuring the final forms of the Gen 1 starters—including this Venusaur ex card—would be among the set’s most sought-after cards.

While Venusaur has historically always been overshadowed and overlooked in favor of its two counterparts, that takes nothing away from this card and its value. This Special Art Rare (SAR) card’s Full Art illustration depicts Venusaur ex in a lush forest, surrounded by all manner of plants—apt for probably the most iconic Grass-type Pokémon of them all.

Illustrated by Yoriyuki Ikegami, the card’s illustration makes use of an art style not commonly seen on Pokémon TCG cards. The gentle lines and colors used also blend well with the holofoil that covers the card. On top of that, the holofoil amplifies the effect of the card’s illustration, making it appear as though mist is rising from the forest floor.

One final element that comes into play is the narrative of the illustration. When this Venusaur ex card is combined with the Full Art versions of the Bulbasaur and Ivysaur cards from Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a], a cohesive story is formed.

This card’s English version is card 198/165 in the 151 [MEW] set.

One copy of a Venusaur ex (Pokémon Card 151 [SV2a] 200/165) card costs 4,500 JPY (~US$29).

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