The Most Valuable Cards Illustrated By Mitsuhiro Arita In Pokemon TCG

Mitsuhiro Arita is known for illustrating some of the most eye-catching cards in the Pokemon TCG since the very first set. While some cards may be familiar to anyone who grew up with the TCG, others are rare printings that add a twist that pay homage to older counterparts.

There are some very valuable cards in the Mitsuhiro Arita collection with some of them fetching you a fine price if you have them lying around somewhere. These cards are always worth grading if you have them in good condition or pull them from a sealed pack. Some are even considered the chase cards of their original sets.

Prices reflect the Market Price as seen on TCG Player.com and may be subject to change with time.

10

Pikachu Base Set Shadowless Red Cheeks $320.00

One Small Detail Changes Everything

If you’re a serious card collector, then you should keep in mind that many traits can make a card more valuable than it already is. For the Base Set Pikachu, this is not just the fact that it’s the oldest print, but that it has an added detail to the cheek.

If your copy of Pikachu has red cheeks instead of yellow, you might just be holding one of the rarer versions of this card. This card is also shadowless, meaning it has no dark patches dividing the card art box and the card body, a detail many collectors seek out.

Clefable From The Early Days

Back when Wizards of the Coast handled the US release of the Pokemon TCG, a few cards were printed as promos that spiked in value. One such example is the Clefable prerelease card that was released in anticipation for the Jungle expansion.

With a holographic background, the prerelease marking within the box, and art by Mitsuhiro Arita, this card was destined to be sought after. The limited window in which this particular printing was available also adds to its rarity as a collector’s item.

8

Umbreon Aquapolis Holo $399.80

The Perfect Card Design

Umbreon is a fan favorite Pokemon that always gets attention. Umbreon prices can get pretty high in the right set. One of the expensive Umbreons exists in the Aquapolis set, which is known for featuring some of the rarest E-Reader cards.

So, in addition to looking elegant with its black and yellow card design, it also unlocks a Pokedex entry that can be obtained by scanning it into the E-Reader device. It’s a cool gimmick that only made some of the cards printed in the era even rarer.

7

Charizard Stormfront $399.99

A Familiar Design

One of Mitsuhiro Arita’s best designs makes a special appearance in the Stormfront set. This is a unique spin to the original Charizard card. While this card keeps many of the stats from the original, it also adds new elements to the design.

For starters, this Charizard has a golden box that surrounds its name. The card art is also different, with a softer look and shading. Despite this change, it is still drawn by Mitsuhiro Arita, showcasing the artist’s range in stylizing old works.

6

Golem Skyridge Holo $425.00

A Golem Of Many Colors

They say Golem cards are never as powerful as they seem. However, that doesn’t stop this Pokemon from smashing into the collection of expensive cards. This Golem can be found in the Skyridge set with plenty of unique colors on the card design to make it look special.

With a holographic background, prism-like body, and the E-Reader barcode, it already stands out among its rocky peers. However, what brings it all together is Golem’s design as it stares off into the sunset, the foiling giving it that extra shine to mimic rays of light.

5

Charizard Base Set $442.48

One Of The Rarest Charizard Cards

The Charizard from the base set has two specific printings that rise in price due to how old the set is. This specific version of Charizard may not be as valuable as the shadowless version, but it is still a sight to behold.

With that good old-fashioned holographic foiling and menacing card art of Charizard breathing fire fight out of the box, this is a fan-favorite for anyone that loves to collect Pokemon cards. Even if you have an old, used copy, just showing it off it in your collection is a massive flex.

More Than One Way To Collect Cards

Getting your hands on rare cards takes more than just opening packs. Sometimes, you need to work at special events to receive them. This is the case for another one of Mitsuhiros Arita’s cards, the Dragonite from the National Championships, which was handed out to staff members only.

It features a whimsical illustration of Dragonite soaring through the sky. Other rarity bumpers include the exclusive National Championships and Staff marking that can be found within the box. It’s a solid Dragonite card brought to life by one stellar artist.

3

Gyarados Base Set Shadowless $650.00

A Fearsome Water-type

Base Set Pokemon can get pretty expensive if you want them in the best possible condition. Gyarados is one of those that reaches the top with its fearsome look and mouth agape. The lighting around the tongue also gives it the illusion that it is about to blast some form of energy.

There is just something unique about the way Pokemon are illustrated in the first few sets. It’s as if they haven’t found their default look just quite yet, allowing artists to play around with the proportions.

2

Venusaur Base Set Shadowless $1,015.75

The Least Chosen Starter Becomes Valuable

Bulbasaur might not always be the starter you go for first in the original games, but its final Evolution is a must-have for any collector in the Pokemon TCG. This massive Pokemon has a green holographic foiling that surrounds it like a storm of leaves.

Mitsuhiro Arita’s rendition makes this classic Venusaur look almost toad-like with its skin textures and bumps. For the most valuable version of this card, make sure it has the 1st Edition stamp on the left side. That’s how you know you’ve struck gold.

1

Charizard Base Set Shadowless $1,599.00

The Most Iconic Mitsuhiro Arita Card

If the set has a Charizard, then it will most likely see some value, especially if it’s one of the older sets or has a full art. This is the original Charizard from the Base Set, which means it not only has value for being a Charizard card, but it is also fueled by nostalgia.

Being shadowless just adds an extra layer to its value, and if you pull one from a sealed pack, then this is one card you want to grade for even further value. This is the best hit you can get from the Base Set and the selection of the three starter Evolutions.