1998 Pokemon Japanese Promo CoroCoro Comics Holo Pokemon Illustrator CGC 8 NM-MT

Featuring the elusive double star rarity reserved for some of the rarest and most iconic Japanese Pokémon cards ever created, the Illustrator Pikachu represents the pinnacle of TCG collecting for many. A headline-maker anytime it appears for public sale regardless of condition, perhaps no other Pokémon card combines rarity, unique artwork, story, and history more than this card. Illustrated by artist Atsuko Nishida, the original character designer of Pikachu for the Game Boy video games, the Pikachu Illustrator was initially given to first- and second-place winners of a CoroCoro Comic drawing contest in January 1998. There were 23 copies of the card awarded in total. Subsequent art contests would award another 16 copies to bring the total of officially released examples to 39. And though several surplus copies have surfaced in the years since, this paltry print run means that demand will always far exceed available supply. Tying the card's design to the art contest, Pikachu is depicted gleefully drawing. The illustration simultaneously showcases the fun contest organizers wanted participants to have while also breathing life into the card’s backstory. This CGC 8 example is a true piece of Pokémon collecting history – one sure to attract plenty of bidders drawn to this all-important Illustrator. The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 4/12/2024.