Charizard: Base Set
This card was once considered the most coveted in the entire Pokémon TCG, with Charizard’s immense popularity and its ability to deal high base damage making it incredibly desirable. The 1st Edition variant remains one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby to this day. Featured in the original Base Set with artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, this card first debuted in the Japanese Expansion Pack.
In Japan, it was later reprinted as an Unnumbered Promotional card with new artwork by Ken Sugimori, available through the Trade Please campaign, which ran from February 10 to July 31, 1998. To obtain it, participants had to send a flyer, two Pokémon trading cards, and a return envelope to MediaFactory. They could choose one of three courses: Course A provided the Charizard card along with a Trade Please! promotional card, Course B offered a Blastoise card, and Course C came with a Venusaur card. These were sent back to participants who completed the trade.
Later, this card was re-released as part of the Pokémon Song Best Collection CD, featuring the Pikachu Records logo instead of an expansion symbol. The card was reprinted in the Stormfront expansion with redrawn artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, which first appeared in the Japanese Intense Fight in the Destroyed Sky expansion. This version updated the card's text to reflect modern wording while keeping the original effects. However, Energy Burn became mandatory in the Stormfront print, whereas it was optional in the Base Set print.
In celebration of Pokémon's 25th Anniversary, the Base Set Charizard was rereleased as part of the Celebrations expansion’s Classic Collection, featuring the 25th Anniversary logo and omitting Wizards of the Coast from the copyright. In Japan, it was also reprinted in the Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition, with a red and gold “25th” logo. Both versions of this print feature Confetti Holofoil and Full Art-like etching.
Charizard’s Fire Spin attack, a move it can learn in the Pokémon games, is prominently featured, and the card's Pokédex entry is taken from Pokémon Red and Blue in English, while the Japanese version comes from Pokémon Red and Green. The Stormfront version’s Pokédex entry is sourced from Pokémon FireRed.
With its rich history, multiple reprints, and iconic status, this Charizard card is a true gem for collectors and fans alike.
This card was once considered the most coveted in the entire Pokémon TCG, with Charizard’s immense popularity and its ability to deal high base damage making it incredibly desirable. The 1st Edition variant remains one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby to this day. Featured in the original Base Set with artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, this card first debuted in the Japanese Expansion Pack.
In Japan, it was later reprinted as an Unnumbered Promotional card with new artwork by Ken Sugimori, available through the Trade Please campaign, which ran from February 10 to July 31, 1998. To obtain it, participants had to send a flyer, two Pokémon trading cards, and a return envelope to MediaFactory. They could choose one of three courses: Course A provided the Charizard card along with a Trade Please! promotional card, Course B offered a Blastoise card, and Course C came with a Venusaur card. These were sent back to participants who completed the trade.
Later, this card was re-released as part of the Pokémon Song Best Collection CD, featuring the Pikachu Records logo instead of an expansion symbol. The card was reprinted in the Stormfront expansion with redrawn artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, which first appeared in the Japanese Intense Fight in the Destroyed Sky expansion. This version updated the card's text to reflect modern wording while keeping the original effects. However, Energy Burn became mandatory in the Stormfront print, whereas it was optional in the Base Set print.
In celebration of Pokémon's 25th Anniversary, the Base Set Charizard was rereleased as part of the Celebrations expansion’s Classic Collection, featuring the 25th Anniversary logo and omitting Wizards of the Coast from the copyright. In Japan, it was also reprinted in the Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition, with a red and gold “25th” logo. Both versions of this print feature Confetti Holofoil and Full Art-like etching.
Charizard’s Fire Spin attack, a move it can learn in the Pokémon games, is prominently featured, and the card's Pokédex entry is taken from Pokémon Red and Blue in English, while the Japanese version comes from Pokémon Red and Green. The Stormfront version’s Pokédex entry is sourced from Pokémon FireRed.
With its rich history, multiple reprints, and iconic status, this Charizard card is a true gem for collectors and fans alike.
This card was once considered the most coveted in the entire Pokémon TCG, with Charizard’s immense popularity and its ability to deal high base damage making it incredibly desirable. The 1st Edition variant remains one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby to this day. Featured in the original Base Set with artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, this card first debuted in the Japanese Expansion Pack.
In Japan, it was later reprinted as an Unnumbered Promotional card with new artwork by Ken Sugimori, available through the Trade Please campaign, which ran from February 10 to July 31, 1998. To obtain it, participants had to send a flyer, two Pokémon trading cards, and a return envelope to MediaFactory. They could choose one of three courses: Course A provided the Charizard card along with a Trade Please! promotional card, Course B offered a Blastoise card, and Course C came with a Venusaur card. These were sent back to participants who completed the trade.
Later, this card was re-released as part of the Pokémon Song Best Collection CD, featuring the Pikachu Records logo instead of an expansion symbol. The card was reprinted in the Stormfront expansion with redrawn artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita, which first appeared in the Japanese Intense Fight in the Destroyed Sky expansion. This version updated the card's text to reflect modern wording while keeping the original effects. However, Energy Burn became mandatory in the Stormfront print, whereas it was optional in the Base Set print.
In celebration of Pokémon's 25th Anniversary, the Base Set Charizard was rereleased as part of the Celebrations expansion’s Classic Collection, featuring the 25th Anniversary logo and omitting Wizards of the Coast from the copyright. In Japan, it was also reprinted in the Promo Card Pack 25th Anniversary Edition, with a red and gold “25th” logo. Both versions of this print feature Confetti Holofoil and Full Art-like etching.
Charizard’s Fire Spin attack, a move it can learn in the Pokémon games, is prominently featured, and the card's Pokédex entry is taken from Pokémon Red and Blue in English, while the Japanese version comes from Pokémon Red and Green. The Stormfront version’s Pokédex entry is sourced from Pokémon FireRed.
With its rich history, multiple reprints, and iconic status, this Charizard card is a true gem for collectors and fans alike.
