Pikachu doesn't need to be the strongest card in a set to be the one everybody wants — it just needs to be Pikachu.
Landing in Vivid Voltage
The Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare reportedly arrived in late 2020 as part of Vivid Voltage, during the Sword & Shield era. VMAX cards were already large, dramatic prints by design, and the Rainbow Rare secret-rare finish pushed the artwork further with a multicoloured foil treatment across the entire card face.
A boom-year release
Vivid Voltage landed right as pandemic-era interest in the Pokemon TCG was spiking sharply, and Pikachu cards in general benefited from a wave of new and returning collectors. That timing likely amplified demand for the Rainbow Rare well beyond what a similarly rare card featuring a less iconic Pokemon would have seen.
The mascot effect
Charizard may dominate the conversation about chase cards, but Pikachu occupies a different lane entirely: it's the character most people outside the hobby actually recognise. That mascot status means a striking Pikachu card tends to attract buyers who aren't deep into competitive sets or vintage history, and it's a big reason the Rainbow Rare has remained a consistently requested card since release.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare released?
It was reportedly released in late 2020 as part of the Vivid Voltage expansion, during the Sword & Shield era of the Pokemon TCG.
What makes a Rainbow Rare different from a normal VMAX card?
Rainbow Rares use a multicoloured secret-rare foil treatment across the whole card, sitting above standard VMAX rarity and typically numbered outside the set's main print run.
Why does Pikachu keep selling so well as a chase card?
As the franchise's mascot, Pikachu attracts both lifelong fans and casual buyers who might not collect any other Pokemon card, which keeps demand unusually broad and consistent.