The Japanese Pokémon TCG expansion pack Storm Emeralda (released July 31, 2026) has introduced a striking new hit for Johto fans: Raikou ex SAR (#108/076).

Featuring dynamic art that captures the Thunder Pokémon in full power, this Special Art Rare has instantly caught the eye of both players and vintage legend enthusiasts. Here is a complete breakdown of its market values, historical buyback trends, and the lore-driven factors behind its strong secondary market performance.

Market Value & Shop Buyback Rates (As of August 1, 2026)

Card Condition	Estimated Market Value	Card Shop Buyback Price
Raw / Near Mint (Condition A)	11,000 JPY~	7,000 JPY
PSA 10 (Gem Mint)	Pending Assessment	Pending Assessment

Price Tracking & Historical Trends

Secondary Market Transaction History

Date	Raw / NM (Condition A)	PSA 10
2026.08.01	¥10,000	–
2026.07.31 (Release Day)	¥9,999	–

Shop Buyback Price History

Date	Raw / NM (Condition A)	PSA 10
2026.08.01	¥7,000	–
2026.07.31 (Release Day)	¥9,000	–

Why Is Raikou ex SAR Commanding Strong Demand?

A Legendary Beast of the Johto Region

Originating from the iconic Generation II games, Pokémon Gold and Silver, Raikou is the Electric-type legendary beast of the Johto region. According to lore centered in Ecruteak City’s Burned Tower, Raikou perished when the tower burned down after being struck by lightning, only to be resurrected by Ho-Oh.

Alongside Entei and Suicune, this trio—universally known among fans as the “Legendary Beasts” (or “Legendary Dogs”)—holds immense nostalgic value for veteran collectors who grew up with the Game Boy Color era.

A Story-Driven Visual: The First Raikou SAR in 4 Years

Illustrated by artist Oku, this SAR artwork captures Raikou charging head-on while shrouded in crackling lightning—a visual realization of its “Clad in Lightning” attack theme.

This marks the first special high-rarity art card for Raikou in nearly four years, with its last major appearance being Raikou V SAR from 2022’s High-Class Pack VSTAR Universe. The combination of dramatic storytelling artwork, multi-generational fan nostalgia, and low SAR pull rates makes this a solid chase card to keep on your radar.

Recent Transaction History

Product Detail

Feature	Details
Card Name	Raikou ex
Rarity	SAR (Special Art Rare)
Expansion Set	Japanese Expansion Pack Storm Emeralda
Release Date	Friday, July 31, 2026
Illustrator	Oku
Card Number	108/076

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