Pokémon TCG's Pikachu Getting Dethroned As Most-Graded Character By Another Kanto 'Mon
By Published Apr 9, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Austin King is the Senior Editor of Gaming at ScreenRant and has been with the site since 2026 with a focus on RPGs and tabletop games. He previously managed content for Geek to Geek Media, and has served as a writer for sites like Nintendad, Geek Fitness, and more.
In addition to his work at ScreenRant, he also hosts the podcast and is the author of several books, including co-writing Nimbus (a #1 bestseller in 2013). His latest is the nonfiction The Dragon Quest Book, available now.
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The has been around for nearly three decades, and despite over 1000 Pokémon being introduced since Gen 1, the reigning favorite has always been Pikachu. A Pikachu Illustrator card even earlier this year. Now, however, a different Kanto Pokémon is threatening to replace Pikachu as the most-graded character.
Pikachu's popularity isn't just within the TCG. From being Ash's sidekick in the anime to being the franchise's mascot for 30 years, Pokémon and Pikachu are basically synonymous. And that's why a new report from is so surprising: Apparently, Pikachu is about to get usurped by another fan-favorite Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG.
Another Kanto Pokémon Is Coming For Pikachu
According to the report, the percentage of Pikachu cards being graded for the Pokémon TCG has fallen by a good bit, posting a -10% growth since February 2026. That negative growth still has Pikachu at the #1 spot (for now) of any character from any TCG, but Mickey D. Luffy from One Piece posted +42% to get the #3 spot and another Kanto Pokémon is hot on Pikachu's heels at #2.
Charizard gets the #2 spot and posted +23%, putting it within 36 cards of being the most-graded character of any TCG. It's perhaps unsurprising that so many Charizard cards are getting graded. The Fire-type from Gen 1 is featured on many of the , and has been heavily featured in the recent sets from the Mega Evolution line.
Kanto Remains The Most Popular Region Overall
Another factor to consider is that Pikachu cards haven't been a major part of the recent sets' most valuable cards. There hasn't been anything like the this year to stir up fans, and the Pokémon hasn't been included on any of the most valuable cards from the previous three sets. All of that can explain why Pikachu has taken a dip in TCG gradings.
Despite all that, Kanto is still easily the most popular Pokémon region. The nostalgia of Gen 1, combined with the franchise's 30th anniversary this year, shows just how much that region's Pokémon mean to people. And it's no coincidence that many of the most-graded cards of all time include Pokémon from Kanto.
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Pikachu's popularity only continues to grow, so it'll be interesting to see whether Charizard will dethrone the mascot or not. As long as more valuable Charizard cards keep releasing in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, it definitely seems probable.
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