One of the most fascinating cards in Pokémon TCG history has a new variant! The Japanese “Ivy” Pikachu promo dates back to 1996, released just 5 days before the official Pokémon TCG launch in one of the earliest issues of CoroCoro Comic. It’s one of the very first Pokémon cards ever made, and came in more versions than anyone realized. There are now 5 known variants, including a never-meant-to-be-released Marketing Variation spotted on promotional posters and magazine covers, to a Corrected Illustrator version with only 2,000 copies ever in circulation. One variant was even printed in English but exclusively released in Japan. Here’s how to tell which variant you have: 🔍 🍃 Leaves: Leaf und

One of the most fascinating cards in Pokémon TCG history has a new variant!

The Japanese “Ivy” Pikachu promo dates back to 1996, released just 5 days before the official Pokémon TCG launch in one of the earliest issues of CoroCoro Comic. It’s one of the very first Pokémon cards ever made, and came in more versions than anyone realized.

There are now 5 known variants, including a never-meant-to-be-released Marketing Variation spotted on promotional posters and magazine covers, to a Corrected Illustrator version with only 2,000 copies ever in circulation. One variant was even printed in English but exclusively released in Japan.

Here’s how to tell which variant you have: 🔍

🍃 Leaves: Leaf under Pikachu’s foot? Marketing Variation.

🟡 Color: Greenish tint (vs. bright yellow)? Marketing Variation.

✨ Gloss: Non-shiny surface? Rare “How to Play” variant.

✍️ Illustrator: Says Ken Sugimori? Incorrect Illustrator variant.

— @CGCCards Jun 23, 2026