2021 was an absolutely massive year for the Pokémon Company International with their beloved Pocket Monsters turning 25 years old, but 2022 is going to do everything in its power to keep the party going. To help with this, we are getting our first Charizard cards exactly two weeks into the new year. With the release of Pokémon Star Birth, the latest edition of Charizard V is out alongside the brand new Charizard VMAX. Find out where to find these fan-favorite Fire-types, in addition to some of the Charizard highlights from the past year below.
Star Birth Booster Box
Pokémon Star Birth is the first Pokémon set to release this year bringing 100 new cards to the Japanese version of the TCG, plus 25 additional Secret Rares. Of course, five of the cards in Pokémon Star Birth sit above the rest, as the set introduces three new Charizard V cards and two Charizard VSTARs, that all collectors are after. Getting one of these Charizards will be no easy feat as the Charizard V card has a Double Rarity symbol, while Charizard VMAX is labeled with the daunting Triple Rarity symbol. With this in mind, know that both of these cards will have very low pull rates, making the hunt all the more rewarding. Each booster box comes with 30 packs of 5 cards, giving you 150 chances to find these Charizards.
VSTAR Premium Trainer Box
The VSTAR Premium Trainer Box gives you another chance at expanding your Charizard collection. Not only will you find 20 Star Birth booster packs that could be holding one of the Charizard Vs, or the Charizard VSTAR, but you’ll be greeted with a host of Pokémon accessories including a collector’s box, acrylic damage markers, an array of Energy cards, plus more. For any Pokémon Trainers looking for a Pokémon experience that goes beyond Charizard, the VSTAR Premium Trainer Box is the logical choice.
Special Delivery Bidoof 2021 Pokémon Black Star Promos SWSH177
Admittedly, this isn’t truly a Charizard card, but it’s hard to ignore the giant winged dragon that occupies a majority of the art panel. In fact, it’s possible that your eyes are so naturally drawn to Charizard, that it is easy to overlook the adorable ball of fluff, Bidoof, strapped to its chest. This promo card received a very limited release and you will never be able to find it in a pack. Originally the only way to score this was via a raffle held on The Pokémon Center’s official website in July of 2021. However, if you missed out, or are just finding out about this rare collectible now, you can always find it on StockX.
Celebrations Pokémon Center Exclusive Elite Trainer Box
When it was revealed in June of 2021 that Pokémon Celebrations would be the 25th Anniversary set, all of the headlines were focused on the one card everyone would be after, a special reprint of the 1999 Base Set Charizard with a special 25th Anniversary stamp. This card features the same artwork by Mitsuhiro Arita from the original 1999 Charizard that has transcended the TCG. While pulling this highly sought-after Charizard is no easy task, the Pokémon Celebrations Pokémon Center Exclusive gives you one of the best opportunities to find it. Carrying 13 Pokémon Celebrations booster packs, each pack contains four cards, meaning you have 52 chances at the Base Set Charizard reprint. This box also contains six additional Pokémon booster packs from past Sword & Shield sets, so if you’re lucky maybe you’ll even hit a Charizard from previous Pokémon sets.
25th Anniversary Collection Promo Card Pack
The 1st Edition Base Set Charizard from 1999 is the most iconic Pokémon card that has ever been printed. But the first card to use the Charizard artwork found on that same 1999 version was actually printed three years earlier as part of the original Japanese Expansion Set. Last year, for the Japanese 25th Anniversary Collection, 25 of the most celebrated Pokémon cards from the Japanese version of the TCG were reprinted. These cards can only be found in special single card booster packs and include reprints of the original Charizard card. Each card in this limited edition set was created with a Confetti Holofoil background, and a 25th Anniversary stamp printed on them. Originally, the only way to get one of these packs was to purchase four Pokémon 25th Anniversary Collection packs at participating locations in Japan, but you can get your hands on as many as you’d like on StockX today. With each pack only holding one card, getting this wild Charizard to appear presents a formidable challenge.
Shining Fates Elite Trainer Box
While Celebrations clearly holds the title for Best Pokémon Set of 2021 on StockX, as it has more sales than any other set, Shining Fates may be its closest competition. Pokémon Shining Fates kicked off the 2021 English release calendar in February. The set gave us the English edition of Shiny Charizard VMAX. This card shows a black variation of the fire-breathing beast in its Gigantamax form. Shining Fates is a special expansion, which means you can only find Shining Fates booster packs in special Shining Fates branded products. The specific trainer box comes packed with 10 Shining Fates booster packs, in addition to an assortment of gameplay accessories. However, you will need luck on your side when ripping packs in search of Charizard as the elusive fire-breather has a pull rate of less than 1%. You can definitely increase your luck by getting more than one box!
25th Anniversary Collection Charizard Box
When it comes to international Pokémon releases, typically the Japanese variations reign supreme, which makes sense given the fact that Japan is where everything started. However, in 2021 the best Pokémon product may have very well been this 25th Anniversary Collection Charizard Box that was exclusively released in China. This is an absolute must-have for any Trainer who is looking to get their hands on all things Charizard. The box includes a special edition 25th Anniversary Charizard reprint featuring the original artwork from the Base Set, and several Charizard-themed accessories such as a rubber playmat, box, and card sleeves. You will also receive five Pokémon 25th Anniversary Collection booster packs in Traditional Chinese to complete one of the most unique Pokémon releases of the year.
High-Class Pack VMAX Climax
The Pokémon High-Class Pack VMAX Climax set was among the last Pokémon boxes released in 2021, but the wait was well worth it as it delivers some of the best pull rates for some of the set’s rarest cards. The set added a new lineup of Character Rares, which are cards that include a Pokémon with its trainer. The Charizard Character Rare features the beast hanging out alongside its trainer, Leon. While it’s still early to determine exactly each card’s pull rate, it looks like about 50% of packs include a Character Rare card or better. With each VMAX Climax Box containing 10 booster packs, you have some of the best odds to hit Charizard in recent memory.
Celebrations V Memories Special Collection
Throughout the history of Pokémon, Charizard cards have always been among the most difficult to find. So when a Charizard is guaranteed in a box, Pokémon Trainers around the world rejoice. This is the case with The Pokémon Celebrations V Memories Special Collection, as each box promises a special Lance’s Charizard V promo card, that features the Pokémon next to its trainer, in addition to an oversized version of the same card that is perfect for display. As a bonus, you even get six Pokémon Celebrations booster packs that may hold that 25th Anniversary Base Set Charizard reprint that is all the rage. Better yet, this isn’t even the only box you can find this special Charizard promo card in, as it is also promised in the Celebrations Lance’s Charizard V Box and the Lance’s Charizard edition of the Pokémon Celebrations Tin.
