On the Grading Desk: Japanese Poncho Pikachu, Munch "The Scream" & Team Skull Promos
Ten cards arrived at CardHawk this week that stopped us in our tracks. A client has submitted a set of Japanese promotional cards spanning three of the most collectible modern Pokémon promo series — the Poncho Pikachu cosplay cards, the Munch "The Scream" collaboration, and the Team Skull Pikachu pair. All in immaculate condition. All now safely in the hands of PSA.
We thought they deserved a closer look.
The Poncho Pikachu Series
Five cards from the beloved Poncho-wearing Pikachu (ポンチョを着たピカチュウ) line — the Japanese promo series that put Pikachu in the costumes of some of the franchise's most iconic Pokémon. All illustrated by Kouki Saitou, all full-art holofoil cards, and all Japanese exclusives that were never released in English.
Magikarp Poncho Pikachu — 150/XY-P (2015)
The card that arguably launched the Poncho Pikachu craze. Pikachu in a Magikarp costume, wide-eyed and adorable, against a bubble-filled blue holofoil background. Distributed as a promo at the Hiroshima Pokémon Center. One of the earliest and most sought-after cards in the series.
Gyarados Poncho Pikachu — 151/XY-P (2015)
The companion piece to the Magikarp card. Pikachu dressed as Gyarados, complete with the blue fins and trademark snarl — though Pikachu's face beneath the hood remains characteristically cheerful. Released alongside 150/XY-P at the Hiroshima Pokémon Center. The pair together is the holy grail for Poncho Pikachu collectors.
Poncho Pikachu (Mega Charizard Y) — 208/XY-P (2016)
Pikachu in a Mega Charizard Y poncho, wings spread, against a green star-filled holofoil background. Released through the Pokémon Center online store. The Charizard crossover makes this one of the most desirable cards in the series — anything that combines Pikachu and Charizard tends to command a premium.
Poncho Pikachu (Mega Rayquaza) — 230/XY-P (2016)
Pikachu wearing a green Mega Rayquaza poncho with the signature head crest and arm fins. The blue and green holofoil background with circular ring patterns is one of the most visually striking in the series. Rayquaza is one of the most popular legendary Pokémon, and this card sits comfortably among the top-tier Poncho Pikachu promos.
Poncho Pikachu (Shiny Mega Rayquaza) — 231/XY-P (2016)
The black shiny variant of the Mega Rayquaza poncho. Darker, more dramatic, with a deep blue-black holofoil background and yellow ring accents. Released alongside 230/XY-P. The shiny Rayquaza version is typically the harder of the two to find and the more valuable in high grade.
The Munch "Scream" Series
In 2018, The Pokémon Company collaborated with the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum during its Edvard Munch exhibition to produce a series of promo cards reimagining the Norwegian artist's most famous painting with Pokémon characters. The results were extraordinary — and immediately became some of the most collectible modern Pokémon cards in existence.
Pikachu "The Scream" — 288/SM-P (2018)
Pikachu in the pose of Munch's screaming figure, hands pressed to cheeks, eyes wide with existential dread — rendered in the swirling, expressionist style of the original painting. Illustrated by You Iribi. This is the centrepiece of the Munch series and one of the most recognisable modern Pokémon cards. It was available exclusively at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum gift shop during the exhibition, with strict purchase limits that made it difficult to obtain even for collectors in Japan.
Mimikyu "The Scream" — 289/SM-P (2018)
Mimikyu — a Pokémon whose entire identity revolves around disguise and loneliness — was a perfect fit for Munch's themes. Illustrated by Hasuno, this card places Mimikyu in The Scream's composition with unsettling effectiveness. The swirling colours and the character's permanently fixed expression create something that works both as Pokémon art and as a genuine tribute to Munch. A Pikachu silhouette appears on the bridge in the background — a detail collectors love.
Eevee "The Scream" — 287/SM-P (2018)
Eevee completing the trio, illustrated by Atsuko Nishida — the artist who designed the original Eevee character. Eevee's wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression mirrors the Munch figure, with the swirling background rendered in warmer tones than the Pikachu and Mimikyu versions. As with the other Munch cards, this was exclusive to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
Team Skull Pikachu
Rounding out the submission is a pair of Team Skull Pikachu promos from Sun & Moon, both illustrated by Kouki Saitou and released in 2016.
Team Skull Pikachu (Cosplay) — 013/SM-P (2016)
Pikachu dressed as a Team Skull Grunt — the black and white skull bandana pulled up over its mouth, arms crossed, full attitude. Against a dark holofoil star background with the Team Skull logo visible. This is Pikachu at its most menacing, which given that it's a small yellow rodent, makes it all the more endearing.
Team Skull Grunt Pikachu (Group) — 014/SM-P (2016)
A group portrait of multiple Pikachu dressed as various Team Skull members — each with different headgear and expressions — crowded together in the frame. The yellow bordered card with the group composition gives it a different feel from the rest of the submission. It's a companion piece to 013/SM-P and the two are typically collected together.
Why these cards matter
Japanese promotional cards occupy a unique position in the Pokémon collecting world. They were produced in limited quantities, distributed through specific channels — Pokémon Centers, museum exhibitions, tournament events — and in many cases were never released outside Japan. For the Poncho Pikachu and Munch series in particular, demand has consistently outstripped supply since the day they were issued.
Condition is everything with modern promos. The difference between a PSA 9 and a PSA 10 on cards like these can be substantial. These ten cards have arrived at CardHawk in what appears to be exceptional condition, and we'll be watching closely to see how they grade.
Interested in these cards?
The owner of this collection has indicated they may consider selling some or all of these cards once they have been graded and returned. If you would like to be notified of their availability and pricing once grading is complete, please get in touch and we will add you to our notification list for this collection.
PSA Grading with CardHawk
CardHawk offers a full PSA submission service for Pokémon, sports cards, and trading cards of all kinds. Whether you have a single card or an entire collection, we handle the submission process from start to finish — inspection, documentation, submission, and safe return. If you have cards you'd like graded, visit cardhawkgrading.com for details or get in touch to discuss your submission.