What is the Rarest Pokémon Ever?

The absolute rarest Pokémon ever is generally considered to be the Pikachu Illustrator card. This isn’t a Pokémon in the traditional sense of a creature you catch in the games; it’s a trading card. Issued in 1998 as a prize for a Pokémon TCG illustration contest held by CoroCoro Comic in Japan, only about 39 copies are believed to exist. This extremely limited number, combined with its historical significance as an early and unique piece of Pokémon memorabilia, has catapulted it to legendary status in the collecting world. The Pikachu Illustrator card regularly fetches exorbitant prices at auction, often ranging from $375,000 to well over $6 million, making it far and away the most coveted and elusive item in the Pokémon universe. Its rarity overshadows even the most difficult-to-find in-game Pokémon.

Why is the Pikachu Illustrator Card So Rare?

Limited Production and Historical Significance

The key to the Pikachu Illustrator card’s unparalleled rarity lies in its origins. It was never sold in stores or included in booster packs. Instead, it was awarded solely as a prize to winners of an art contest. This exclusivity, combined with its creation early in the Pokémon franchise’s life, makes it a truly historical artifact. The card’s design features an exclusive illustration by Atsuko Nishida, who also designed the original Pikachu, further adding to its appeal. The “Illustrator” text on the card instead of the usual “Trainer” makes it a unique item to collect and is a testament to the card’s special nature.

Condition and Market Value

While the card’s rarity alone would guarantee high prices, its condition is also a significant factor in its value. A graded card in pristine condition, especially those certified by companies such as PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), will fetch substantially higher prices than an ungraded or damaged version. The limited number of copies means each transaction is highly impactful on the market. The fact that there are so few around drives up the price through increased competition. Therefore, the Pikachu Illustrator card is not just rare, it’s a combination of rarity, history, and condition that makes it the most valuable and elusive Pokémon item.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the #1 rarest Pokémon in the original 150?

While the Pikachu Illustrator card isn’t one of the original 150, focusing on the game’s original creatures, Mewtwo is often considered among the hardest to get, requiring specific end-game conditions. Other rare finds from the original 150 include Lapras, Kangaskhan, and Aerodactyl. It is worth noting that these were not always considered rare in their initial releases but have gained a greater level of rarity as time has gone by.

What are some of the other rarest Pokémon cards besides Pikachu Illustrator?

Other extremely rare Pokémon cards include the No. 1 Trainer card, also a prize card for a tournament in the late 90s, Gold Star cards from various sets, and specific first edition shadowless holographic cards, particularly Charizard. These are less rare than the Pikachu Illustrator but still command very high prices.

What is the 3 rarest Pokémon from the current generation?

When referring to in-game Pokémon, the lake trio, Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie are often considered among the rarest due to their specific spawning conditions and low encounter rates. They are not particularly rare within a particular generation, but their combined rarity contributes to making them more difficult to get all three.

What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Go?

In Pokémon Go, Shiny Unown is widely considered one of the rarest, alongside other extremely rare shiny variants released during specific events. Some Legendary and Mythical Pokémon have limited availability too, making them hard to obtain.

Are there Pokémon with 0% IVs and are they rare?

Yes, a Pokémon with 0% IVs (Individual Values), meaning all of their stats are at the minimum, is exceptionally rare, even rarer than a perfect 100% IV Pokémon. Many players collect these as a novelty.

What are the rarest shiny Pokémon in Pokémon Go from the 2023 Go Fest?

Some of the rarest shinies from the 2023 Pokémon Go Fest include Unown, Heracross, Pawniard, and various forms of Shellos. These Pokémon were often part of limited-time events, making them highly sought after.

How do you know if a Pokémon card is rare?

The rarity symbol on a Pokémon card, found in the bottom corner, indicates its scarcity. A circle denotes common, a diamond denotes uncommon, and a black star is rare. A white or gold star indicates ultra-rare status. Additionally, holographic foil often suggests higher rarity.

Are all 1st edition Pokémon cards rare?

First edition Pokémon cards are generally considered rare and valuable due to their limited print runs and historical significance. Shadowless first editions are particularly valuable because they were part of the earliest print runs.

What is the weakest Pokémon?

While subjective, Pokémon like Shedinja, with its unique ability, and Wobbufett, known for limited offensive capabilities, are often considered among the weakest. Other Pokémon like Metapod, Snom, and Zubat also rank low in terms of overall effectiveness.

Are Legendary Pokémon the rarest?

Legendary Pokémon are generally hard to obtain in the games, but due to their story significance, many are distributed through events or the main storyline. This can make them less rare than some of the more obscure Pokémon. Some are considerably harder to obtain than others.

Who is the strongest Pokémon?

Arceus is often considered the strongest Pokémon in terms of raw power, with the highest base stat total and the ability to change types. Also, Pokémon with very high combined stats like Mega Rayquaza are also up there in terms of battling power.

How many Pokémon have only one type?

There are currently 459 single-type Pokémon. While some single-type Pokémon make perfect sense, some would greatly benefit from an added secondary type to enhance their functionality.

Are McDonald’s Pokémon cards worth anything?

While McDonald’s promotional Pokémon cards are not typically worth as much as first edition or older cards, some can have value, particularly the holofoils of starter Pokémon. Older McDonald’s promo cards are worth more than newer releases.

Did Ash ever catch a Legendary Pokémon?

Ash has never officially caught a Legendary Pokémon, but he has battled and befriended some. However, he did catch a Mythical Pokémon named Melmetal, which is unique in its own right.

Who is the 1000th Pokémon?

Gholdengo is the 1000th Pokémon, evolving from Gimmighoul by collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins. It is a Steel/Ghost-type Pokémon and a relative newcomer to the Pokémon universe.