The Pokémon Company originally produced the card in 2015 as part of a competition connected to Pokémon Art Academy. The contest allowed fans to submit their own Pokémon artwork for a chance to appear on an official promotional card.
An artist known as Y. Fujishima submitted the winning Pikachu design. The artwork shows Pikachu standing in the rain while wearing a yellow raincoat and holding an umbrella.
Reports suggest that only 100 copies featuring Fujishima’s artwork were produced. That tiny supply has helped turn Raincoat Pikachu into an exceptionally desirable collector’s item.
The card’s origin also separates it from expensive cards that originally appeared in booster packs or retail products. Collectors had very few opportunities to obtain one from the beginning.
The Card Sold for an Astonishing $8.4 Million
The latest PSA 10 copy reportedly sold for $8.4 million, representing a massive jump compared with previous sales.
That increase becomes even more surprising when looking at recent auction results. PSA 10 copies reportedly sold for approximately $12,600 in 2024 and $19,200 in 2025.
The new sale therefore represents an enormous increase within a relatively short period.
It remains unclear what caused bidding to reach $8.4 million this time. The card’s limited production, unusual history and perfect PSA grade certainly make it desirable. However, those factors were also present when previous copies sold for considerably less.
One of Pokémon TCG’s New Holy Grails
Pokémon TCG collecting has become increasingly expensive, particularly when dealing with older promotional cards and extremely limited releases. However, Raincoat Pikachu exists in a completely different category from cards most players encounter.
Only around 100 copies are believed to exist, and considerably fewer may remain in Gem Mint condition. Owners also have little reason to sell such a rare piece, potentially making public auctions even less common.
The $8.4 million result also shows that Pikachu Illustrator is not the only Pokémon card capable of attracting multimillion-dollar attention.
For the small number of collectors who already own a Raincoat Pikachu, this auction could significantly change expectations surrounding its value. Whether another copy can achieve a similar price remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: a promotional card created from a fan art competition has suddenly become one of the most expensive pieces of Pokémon TCG history.
