Ash

Ash on cards: seven caps, one Pikachu

For the face of the anime, Ash has surprisingly few cards, and most of those were released only in Japan. His Supporter card, Ash's Friendship, came in the Japan-exclusive Ash vs Team Rocket Deck Kit. English players have Ash-Greninja-EX, an XY promo of the form his Greninja takes in Pokémon the Series: XYZ, and the seven Ash's Pikachu promos numbered SM108 through SM114.

The Ash's Pikachu run ties in to the 2017 movie Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! Each card is a Lightning-type Basic Pikachu wearing one of Ash's caps. SM108 shows the cap from the movie and was handed to attendees of international screenings; SM109 through SM114 show the caps from the original series through Sun & Moon and were given out in three-card promo packs with qualifying TCG purchases at retailers. All seven are credited to the 2017 Pikachu Project.

Why collectors look for Ash's Pikachu

Because the cards are named Ash's Pikachu, they are the clearest link between the anime's lead and the English card game. The different caps make the run a natural set to complete, and the movie screening card, SM108, came through a separate channel from the other six.

Cards to know

• Ash's Pikachu (SM Black Star Promos #SM108)

  Pikachu in the cap from I Choose You!, given to attendees of the movie's international screenings.

• Ash's Pikachu (SM Black Star Promos #SM109)

  Pikachu wearing Ash's cap from the original series.

• Ash's Pikachu (SM Black Star Promos #SM110)

  Pikachu wearing Ash's cap from the Ruby and Sapphire era of the anime.

• Ash's Pikachu (SM Black Star Promos #SM114)

  The last number in the run, with Ash's cap from the Sun & Moon anime.