Pikachu

Pikachu is the iconic mascot of the Pokémon franchise, first introduced in 1996 as a yellow Electric-type mouse Pokémon in Pokémon Red and Green. It serves as Ash Ketchum's primary partner in the anime, symbolizing friendship, loyalty, and electric power, with immense cultural significance as the face of Pokémon worldwide.

First printed in 2023 in the Japanese Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 151 set (SV2a Pokémon 151), released September 22, 2023, celebrating the original 151 Pokémon from Generation 1[2][4].

• This Pikachu is an Art Rare (AR) illustration variant featuring a cute, dynamic artwork by a renowned Pokémon illustrator, highly sought after by collectors.
• Numbered 173/165 as a secret rare beyond the set's standard 165 cards.
• Part of the nostalgic Scarlet & Violet 151 set focusing on Kanto Pokémon.

Condition. Inspect centering on holo pattern and borders, check for print lines, edge whitening, surface scratches on the glossy art; common flaws include roller marks and minor corner dings on raw copies.

Storage. Use semi-rigid holders or top loaders with sleeves in cool, dry environment away from sunlight; avoid stacking under heavy pressure to prevent holo scratching.

Authenticity. Verify holo pattern alignment and Japanese text font; fakes often have blurry art or incorrect card stock thickness; cross-check with official scans on sites like graded or TCGPlayer; prefer graded slabs from graded/graded for assurance.