Pikachu Illustrator Promo Pokemon

Trading Cards

It was given to children. Between 1997 and 1998, winners of illustration contests run by Japan's CoroCoro Comic magazine received a special Pokémon card as their prize. It featured Pikachu holding a paintbrush, painting. The word "Illustrator" appeared where "Trainer" normally goes - the only Pokémon card ever to bear that title. Only 20 to 39 copies are believed to exist. In 2026, Logan Paul's PSA 10 copy went to auction at Goldin with bidding surpassing $5,100,000.

Quick Value Summary


Item	Pikachu Illustrator Promo Card
Year	1998
Category	Trading Cards - Pokémon
Publisher	Media Factory (Japan)
Language	Japanese only (never released in English)
Condition Range
Lower Grades	$1,000,000+
PSA 7	$900,000+
PSA 9	~$4,000,000
PSA 10 (Gem Mint)	$5,000,000 – $6,300,000+
Record Sale	$5,275,000 (PSA 10, previous record)
2026 Auction	Bidding exceeded $5,100,000 (Goldin, Logan Paul's PSA 10)
Population	Estimated 20–39 copies total
Rarity	Extremely Rare - Holy Grail of Pokémon

The Story

In the late 1990s, CoroCoro Comic - a Japanese manga magazine popular with kids - ran illustration contests where children could submit their own Pokémon drawings. The prizes were modest: some merchandise, some bragging rights, and a special promotional card that nobody thought much about at the time.

That card featured artwork by Atsuko Nishida, the original designer of Pikachu. It showed the iconic electric mouse holding a paintbrush, mid-creation. The card text read "Illustrator" instead of the standard "Trainer" designation - making it unique in the entire Pokémon card universe. No other card has ever used that title.

The children who won these contests probably stuck the card in a binder, maybe showed their friends, and moved on. Some cards were likely lost, damaged, or thrown away over the next two decades. Nobody was thinking about preservation.

Then the Pokémon card market exploded. Collectors realized that these Illustrator promos were among the rarest cards in existence. With only 20 to 39 copies ever distributed and most in unknown condition, the hunt was on. PSA-graded examples began selling for six figures, then seven figures. Logan Paul, the YouTube personality and card collector, purchased a PSA 10 copy and later consigned it to Goldin Auctions in 2026, where bidding exceeded $5.1 million.

At these prices, the Pikachu Illustrator rivals the most expensive sports cards ever sold.

How to Identify It

Key Features

Title: "Illustrator" (not "Trainer") - the only Pokémon card with this designation
Artwork: Pikachu holding a paintbrush, painting, by Atsuko Nishida
Language: Japanese text only - any English version is fake
Promo stamp: Unique pen-shaped promotional mark
No English release: This card was never officially printed in English

Authentication Is Mandatory

At $1,000,000+, this card requires professional authentication:

PSA, BGS, or CGC grading - all three services are recognized
Cross-reference with known census of graded copies
Provenance documentation is critical at this price level
Verify the "Illustrator" text and pen promo stamp against known genuine examples

Value

Grade	Estimated Value
Lower grades	$1,000,000+
PSA 7	$900,000+
PSA 9	~$4,000,000
PSA 10	$5,000,000 – $6,300,000+

Context: The Pikachu Illustrator is no longer a "trading card" in any practical sense. It's an asset class. At $5,000,000+, it competes with fine art, rare automobiles, and high-end real estate. A handful exist, and the buyer pool is global.

Authentication & Fakes

Professional grading is the only acceptable authentication at this value
Japanese text only - any English version is a fake or custom print, full stop
Verify against known PSA/BGS census - the number of graded copies is tracked
Provenance chain should be documentable. At $5,000,000, you need to know where this card has been
Physical inspection by experts is standard for seven-figure cards

Where to Sell

Goldin Auctions - Currently the premier platform for ultra-high-value Pokémon cards (handling the 2026 Logan Paul auction)
Heritage Auctions - Major alternative
Private sale - Facilitated by specialist dealers or auction houses
Not eBay. A $5,000,000 card does not belong on a general marketplace

Common Questions

How much is a Pikachu Illustrator card worth?

At minimum, $1,000,000 in any grade. PSA 9: approximately $4,000,000. PSA 10: $5,000,000 to $6,300,000+. It's the most valuable Pokémon card in existence.

How many Pikachu Illustrator cards exist?

Estimated 20 to 39 copies total. They were distributed as prizes in Japanese CoroCoro Comic illustration contests in 1997-1998. Only a handful have been graded by PSA, BGS, or CGC.

Could I find one?

Extremely unlikely, but not impossible. The cards were given to children in Japan nearly 30 years ago. Some may still be in boxes, attics, or binders in Japan. If you somehow find one, get it professionally authenticated immediately.

Why is it worth more than most houses?

Extreme scarcity (20-39 copies), unique card designation ("Illustrator"), cultural significance (Pikachu is the most recognizable fictional character on Earth), and a global market of wealthy collectors competing for a tiny supply.