Pikachu ex

Market outlook

Rising Outlook 8/10

Current marketplace pricing and active listing interest suggest that demand remains strong, and Pikachu cards with premium artwork often retain collector attention over time.[1][3]

Next months. Likely to remain volatile but supported at a high price level, with fluctuations driven by grading pop reports, set availability, and collector hype.

Long term. If supply tightens in high grades, the card can remain a flagship modern Pikachu chase; if large print supply and repeated reprints/variants emerge, growth may flatten while still holding premium demand.

History

Pikachu is the franchise mascot of Pokémon, originally introduced in Generation I as an Electric-type species from the Kanto region. As a character, Pikachu became globally significant through the Pokémon video games, anime, and trading card game, where it serves as the most recognizable symbol of the brand. The card Pikachu ex is a modern high-end collectible version of the character, using the ex mechanic associated with stronger Pokémon ex cards and premium alternate art treatment.[3][6]

The card appears to first have been released in the English-language set Ascended Heroes as card 276/217, classified by marketplaces as a Special Illustration Rare; secondary listings also show a related 277/217 Pikachu ex entry, suggesting possible cataloging inconsistency or an adjacent print variant in the set.[1][3][4][7]

• Cardmarket lists the card as Ascended Heroes #276 with a very high market price trend and a 30-day average price near 985.65 €, indicating strong collector demand.[1]
• TCGplayer identifies 276/217 as a Lightning Basic Pokémon ex with 200 HP and the attack Thunderbolt for 120 damage.[3]
• A separate TCGplayer listing exists for 277/217 with the same card name, implying there may be either a variant numbering issue, duplicate product entry, or closely related parallel listing.[7]
• Pokebeach reported that Pikachu ex was among the secret rares expected/identified for Ascended Heroes, reinforcing that it is a chase card in a very large set.[6]

Rarity and print run

Tier

Secret Rare

Print run

Very High

First printed in

Ascended Heroes

Demand

Very High

Supply

Medium

• Premium special illustration rare treatment
• Chase-card status within a very large set
• Pikachu character demand is exceptionally broad
• Collector competition is amplified by graded-copy demand

Collector notes

Condition. Check for centering, edge whitening, corner wear, surface scratches, print lines, and any whitening or scuffing in the full-art borderless areas common to Special Illustration Rare cards. Because this is a premium modern chase card, even minor defects can materially affect grade and value.[1][3]

Storage. Store in a fresh penny sleeve and rigid top loader or semi-rigid holder, keep away from light and humidity, and avoid repeated handling. For high-value copies, consider immediate grading or archival storage with minimal friction on the surface and corners.

Authenticity. Verify the exact set name, card number, texture, and holo pattern against known genuine examples. Be cautious of misnumbered or duplicate marketplace listings such as the 276/217 versus 277/217 discrepancy; confirm the printed card number on the physical card and compare to trusted product databases before buying.[3][4][7]