Hello everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.
As many of you already know, Japan is currently buzzing with excitement over the upcoming High-Class Pack “Mega Dream ex.”
I still have plenty of updates to share on that topic, but I also understand that not everyone is interested in modern releases.
So today, I want to take a step back and talk about something completely different a rare Pikachu card from December 1997.
Why talk about old cards now?
Pokémon cards will celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2026.
I mentioned this briefly in previous posts, but the closer we get to 2026, the more I feel that:
“Instead of only looking forward to new sets, it’s time to re-examine the entire history of Pokémon cards.”
Over the last year, we’ve seen a steady rise in interest for old-back Japanese cards (旧裏).
For a long time, nobody in Japan cared about them. They were cheap, ignored, and completely overlooked.
But overseas collectors rediscovered them — and suddenly the market changed.
For example, the card “Shining Mew” (ひかるミュウ) became extremely difficult to source.
Even copies in poor condition sell for $510+, and I regularly receive purchase requests from customers.
The charm of old Japanese Pokémon cards
When you look through vintage cards from the late 1990s and early 2000s, there’s a special “warmth” that modern cards don’t always have.
- Simple illustration
- Nostalgic color palette
- Clean card layout
- A design style similar to 1980s Japanese manga
As someone who also collects 80s manga, the feeling is very similar.
There is something deeply “loved” about these cards — a kind of vintage soul.
And among all vintage Pokémon cards, Pikachu is the one character you simply cannot ignore, especially with the 30th anniversary approaching.
The 1997 World Hobby Fair Pikachu (001/015)
A forgotten promo with real historical value
This Pikachu comes from a special limited expansion sheet sold at the
World Hobby Fair (WHF) in December 1997.
✔ Special gold-stamped Pikachu (foil-embossed)
✔ Promo number 001/015
✔ Only available inside the WHF Quick Construction Pack
✔ Attached to a special printed backing sheet
✔ The sheet explains how kids could build decks using “Half Deck Packs”
✔ Very limited distribution method
✔ Nearly 27 years old
What gives a vintage promo true value is not only the illustration —
but the story behind how it was distributed.
This card has a very strong “event story,” and that is where true collector value comes from.
As prices rise before the 30th anniversary…
We’re already seeing the early signs:
- Many Pikachu promos have started increasing in price
- Vintage Pikachu cards (1996–2000) are being bought aggressively
- International buyers are entering the market again
- Scarce cards with “event history” move first
Among the many vintage Pikachu cards available, this 1997 WHF promo is:
✔ Not too expensive
✔ Not too common
✔ Truly vintage
✔ Historically meaningful
✔ Undervalued compared to other Pikachu promos
In other words,
this may be one of the best “balanced” vintage Pikachu options before 2026.
If you’re interested…
Feel free to message me anytime.
I can help source this card or other vintage promos upon request.
Thank you for reading — and enjoy the world of vintage Pokémon cards!
Until next time.
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HAKATA7 