You know that feeling when you're digging through a box of old cards and find something that looks a little... different? Not quite a standard set piece, but not a flashy "Rainbow Rare" either. That's usually the reaction people have to the i choose you pokemon card. Specifically, the Ash's Pikachu promos.
It's a weird piece of history.
Released back in 2017 to coincide with Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, these cards weren't just random filler. They were a massive nostalgia play. The Pokémon Company knew exactly what they were doing. They took Pikachu—obviously—and put him in Ash’s hats from various regions. Kanto. Hoenn. Sinnoh. You name it.
People went nuts. Why? Because it wasn't just about the game mechanics. It was about the journey. If you grew up watching the anime on Saturday mornings, seeing Pikachu wearing that specific red-and-white League cap hits different. It's basically a playable memory.
The Confusion Around the "I Choose You" Branding
Wait. Here’s where it gets a bit messy.
When collectors search for the i choose you pokemon card, they are usually looking for one of two things. They are either looking for the "Ash’s Pikachu" SM108-SM114 promo series or the specific "I Choose You" Pikachu (SM108) that came with the movie tickets.
Honestly, the naming convention is a nightmare for newcomers.
The SM108 card is the "main" one. It features Pikachu wearing the original hat from the first season, standing in a field with Ho-Oh flying in the background. It’s a direct reference to the very first episode of the anime. It’s iconic. It’s also surprisingly affordable if you aren't looking for a PSA 10. You can usually snag a raw copy for the price of a decent lunch, which is rare for a "special" promo these days.
Then there are the "Full Art" versions and the Japanese exclusives. In Japan, they had a "Red’s Pikachu" that collectors often lump into this category, even though Red and Ash are technically different people in the lore. Don't get the fans started on that debate. You'll be there for hours.
Why the Value Won't Just Skyrocket (And Why That's Good)
Let's talk money.
If you're looking at the i choose you pokemon card as a retirement fund, you might want to temper those expectations. These were printed in massive quantities. Unlike the Illustrator Pikachu or the 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard, these promos were given out at theaters and tucked into physical copies of the movie's Blu-ray release.
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Supply is high.
However, "high supply" doesn't mean "zero value." The value of these cards is remarkably stable. While other cards from the Sun & Moon era have seen wild swings, the Ash's Pikachu promos stay steady. They are "entry-level" collectibles. They're perfect for the person who wants a piece of history without spending $5,000.
A PSA 10 (Gem Mint) copy of the SM108 "I Choose You" Pikachu usually hovers around the $100 to $150 mark. A raw, near-mint copy? Maybe $15 to $30.
The Condition Rarity Factor
Condition is everything.
Since these were often handled by kids at movie theaters or jammed into DVD cases, finding one without "whitening" on the edges is harder than you'd think. The cardboard stock used for the SM promos was notoriously thin. It bends if you even look at it wrong.
If you have one, check the corners. Are they crisp? Is the centering okay? Because of the yellow borders, "off-center" printing sticks out like a sore thumb. A card that's shifted 60/40 to the left might look fine to a casual eye, but a professional grader will hammer it.
The Tactical Side: Is it Actually Playable?
Actually, no.
Well, not really.
The i choose you pokemon card (Ash's Pikachu) has an attack called "I Choose You." It costs one Lightning energy. You search your deck for a Pokémon, reveal it, and put it into your hand.
In a competitive setting? That’s terrible.
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By the time you use your attack to find a card, your opponent has already set up their board and is ready to knock you out. In the current "Power Creep" era of the Pokémon TCG, an attack that doesn't do damage or provide massive acceleration is basically a dead turn.
But you aren't buying this card to win a Regional Championship. You're buying it because it looks cool in a binder. It’s a "Binder Boss." It’s meant to be looked at, not sleeved up for a tournament.
Variations You Need to Know About
You can't just buy "the" card. You have to pick your era.
- Original Cap: The one that started it all.
- Hoenn Cap: For the Gen 3 fans.
- Sinnoh Cap: This one gets a lot of love because of the Diamond & Pearl remakes.
- Unova Cap: Often the cheapest because, let's be real, Unova was polarizing.
- Kalos Cap: Features the hat from the X & Y series, which many consider the peak of the anime's animation.
- Alola Cap: The "Sun & Moon" style.
There is also a "Partner Cap" version. That one is specifically tied to the movie's aesthetic. It’s a bit more "modern" and usually has a different holofoil pattern.
The Japanese "Movie Commemoration" Packs
If you really want to go down the rabbit hole, look for the Japanese "I Choose You" 2-pack sets. They came with a Pikachu and a Ho-Oh. The Japanese cards often have a better "gloss" than the English versions. The ink saturation is deeper. Collectors often prefer these because the quality control at the Japanese printing facilities is generally superior to the North American plants.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Cards
Most people assume that because it says "Promo," it must be worth hundreds of dollars.
Nope.
In the Pokémon world, "Promo" just means it wasn't in a booster pack. Some promos are incredibly common. Others, like the "Pikachu on the Ball" from the UK Football Association, are rare. The i choose you pokemon card falls firmly in the "accessible" category.
Another mistake? Thinking the movie logo makes it more valuable.
On some versions of these cards, there’s a small film logo stamped on the artwork. While it’s a cool detail, it doesn't always translate to a higher price. In fact, some "purist" collectors prefer the clean artwork without the promotional text cluttering up the image.
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How to Spot a Fake
The fake card market is huge.
Since the i choose you pokemon card is popular with kids and casual fans, scammers love to pump out "tinsel" versions. If the card has a vertical, rainbow-like shine that looks like a cheap sticker, it’s fake.
Real Pokémon holofoil is subtle. It shouldn't look like a disco ball.
Also, check the font. Fake cards usually have a font that’s slightly too thin or "cramped." The energy symbols are another dead giveaway. If the Lightning symbol looks like it was drawn by someone who had the concept of a lightning bolt described to them once, stay away.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you're looking to add this to your collection, don't just hit "Buy It Now" on the first eBay listing you see.
First, decide if you want the "set." Most collectors find that owning just one feels incomplete. You’ll eventually want all the hats. It’s a slippery slope.
Second, look for "sealed" promos. You can still find the i choose you pokemon card inside its original clear plastic wrapper. This is the best way to ensure the card hasn't been touched by human hands or ruined by a greasy thumb.
Third, verify the "SM" number. Make sure the seller isn't confusing the 2017 promo with a newer 2023 or 2024 release. The numbers matter for the sake of authenticity and set-filling.
Lastly, check the back of the card. Many of these promos were stored in "top-loaders" without a soft sleeve. This causes scratches on the back surface. Always ask for a photo of the back before you pull the trigger on a purchase.
At the end of the day, the i choose you pokemon card is a tribute to the beginning of a multi-billion dollar franchise. It’s a small, rectangular piece of cardboard that captures why we all fell in love with Pokémon in the first place: a kid, a hat, and a stubborn electric mouse.
Go for the "Original Cap" first. It’s the definitive version. Once you have that, you can decide if you want to chase the rest of the hats. Just be careful—once you start collecting Pikachus in hats, it’s hard to stop.