1998 POKEMON JAPANESE VENDING SERIES III #25 OOYAMA’S PIKACHU CGC 10 GEM MINT
1998 POKEMON JAPANESE VENDING SERIES III #25 OOYAMA’S PIKACHU CGC 10 GEM MINT
Price: $10,000.00
Ooyama’s Pikachu from the 1998 Japanese Vending Series III, card #25. This one’s a glossy promo that’s tough to track down in top shape, and we’re talking a pristine CGC 10 slab here. No rarity symbol on these vending pulls, but it’s essentially an uncommon treat from the era.
That artwork? Pikachu’s got this cheeky grin, mid-stride with a pokeball in hand, like it’s ready to crash a party. Simple line work, but it captures that early Pokémon vibe perfectly—nostalgic without trying too hard.
On the card text: Basic Lightning type, 50 HP. Ability? None listed, but attacks include “Greeting,” where you flip a coin for each of your opponent’s Pokémon and do 10 damage per heads if they have the same name as yours. Then “Surprise,” discard an energy from Pikachu to draw three cards. Weak to Fighting, no resistance, retreat cost one. Keeps it straightforward, like the game’s roots.
Set dropped in ’98 as part of Japan’s vending machine exclusives—Series III focused on evolutions and fun mechanics, but this Pikachu stands out because it’s named after Ooyama, a nod to the Pokémon staff or a playful Easter egg. These weren’t in booster packs; you had to hit up those coin-op machines in stores, making them a quirky chase for collectors piecing together the full vending lineup. Unlike the Base Set Pikachu everyone knows, this version has that glossy finish and unique flavor text, setting it apart from the pack fillers.
Slab-wise, CGC 10 means flawless all around—centering spot-on, probably 10/10 subs across edges, corners, surface, eye appeal that pops under lights. No print lines or whitening to worry about; it’s as clean as they come. Pop reports are scarce for these older Japanese promos, but from what I’ve seen in collector circles, CGC 10s are in the single digits, maybe a handful graded that high given the vending stock’s age and handling.
I’d stash this one in a display case next to my other vending oddities, just for the story it tells about Pokémon’s wild early days.
Quick Facts:
– Card Title: Ooyama’s Pikachu
– Set: 1998 Japanese Vending Series III #25
– Rarity: Glossy Promo
– Condition: CGC 10
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