Trading card games are very popular worldwide and the Pokémon Trading Card Game is arguably in the top three if not the number one game of them all. You won’t run across many people arguing with that claim. Naturally, the cards and characters of these trading card games start to grow in popularity as well. Enthusiast and experienced players learn who these characters are and are responsible for shining a light on these rare characters and their cards. Card collectors like myself will seek first edition versions of these cards in hopes of cashing in on their value. The Pokémon Charizard is one of those first edition cards that every Card Collector wants to get their hands on. You dream that GOD created this card especially for you and his Angels will personally deliver the card to the best card grading service where they have no choice but to grade it a perfect 10, because, IT WAS GOD SENT! Having a flawless card like that means the world to some card collectors. I am that collector. I’m also the rightful owner of a beautiful 1st edition Pokémon card.
INTRODUCING THE FIRE-BREATHING LIZARD-DRAGON HIMSELF…
This guy doesn’t need any introduction so I’m just going for the dramatics. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, allow me to introduce to you, the great, Pokémon Charizard. This adorable but dangerously powerful Pokémon character is an OG in this game and has been around since the first edition. I have a habit of assigning gender to characters when it’s not made clear by the creators what they want their characters to be. With its Dragon like appearance and fire breathing abilities one would assume that Charizard is a dragon. I made that assumption.
So… It’s Not A Dragon?
Nobody from Nintendo or Game Freak ever made such claim first of all. Secondly, looks can be deceiving. Furthermore, you don’t have the right to go around assuming things. Charizard, known in Japan as ” Lizardon “, is a Pokémon in Nintendo and Game Freak’sPokémon franchise. If its name had been Lizardon to begin with I may have made the correct assumption. Being labeled a flying/fire type only helped me make this assumption. Even though it has the genetics for dragon type attacks and appears to be a dragon it is not a dragon. OK fine!
First Appearance
This Pokémon made its first appearance in the video games ” Pokémon ” ( red & blue ), and subsequent sequels.
CHARIZARD WOULD BE LATER SEEN IN PRINTED AND ANIMATED ADOPTIONS OF THE FRANCHISE.
It is important to understand the origins of this particular character and that it evolved into what it is today. The evolution of Pokémon in general is well worth learning about and may help explain why you see familiar faces.
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
The Evolution
You just witnessed one of the greatest wonders of the world. THE EVOLUTION! Well not exactly. In the anime, when evolving, the Pokémon is surrounded by light and begins to slowly change its shape. Some call this process, ” Growing A Pair “, ( I absolutely just made that up ) or simply ” Growing Up “, while others consider this an upgrade becoming another species. In the Pokémon universe Pokémon can evolve into much more powerful Pokémon with some upgraded abilities. Many of the ” Evolved ” retain the memory of their lives beforehand.
Evolution is the first evolution in the Pokémon Franchise when a Pokémon can evolve once reaching a certain level, using certain stones, learning certain moves or is being traded. Charmander can ( did ) evolve to Charizard.
The big beautiful beast we love and fear was once a humble hero known to its trainer and friends as Charmander.
In Pokémon X & Y Charizard can mega-evolve into 2 types of mega-Charizard. Mega Charizard X & Y
Gigantamax Charizard
History Not Mystery
Charizard made its video game debut in 1996 with the Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Blue. This big beast makes an appearance in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and their remakes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. In Pokémon X and Y it’s one of the Pokémon featured that can mega evolve, and in doing so becoming Mega Charizard X or Mega Charizard Y. In Pokémon Sword and Shield Charizard is one to fear as he is able to take on the new form Gigantamax. Charizard has made many appearances in many of the Pokémon games. In Pokemon Ranger and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Charizard is a boss character. How’s that!?!
Anime
In Anime Charmeleon makes a bad name for himself and is known for being lazy and disobedient. The prideful Pokémon fought when and how he chose to and on his own time. When Ash had to summon him for protection he then evolved and rescued him. Now a prideful Charizard would continue to disobey Ash and this disobedience caused Ash to lose the Indigo League as Charizard decided to sleep. This all changed after the Orange Island arc battle where Charizard became frozen solid; Ash helped Charizard thaw out and the Pokémon became loyal.
Trading Card Game Charizard made its TCG debut in 1999 with this awesome trio.
The First Edition Addiction
If you have read any of my articles you will notice that I use the above heading a lot and it’s because I’m addicted to first edition cards from trading card games. I’m a collector and it’s just something about having a piece history that gets my juices flowing. The first edition of the Pokémon Charizard card was very sought-after and depending on which version you could get your hands on you were likely sitting on gold. At one point or another I was the rightful owner of all three cards pictured above. From this awesome trio the card we seek most is the shadowless one. ( The one I still own by the way ) 1999 BASE SET 1ST EDITION #4 SHADOWLESS CHARIZARD.
We Keep Dragon Its Name Around
Why not? When this Pokémon was released on the world it easily became a favorite simply because he was so cool looking. I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought this lovely Beast was a dragon. Who hates dragons?
You saw a lot more of this particular Pokémon because it was used in a lot of marketing material like plush toys.
Each year Pokémon Charizard Cards are becoming more valuable and people are buying cards by the caseload.
Charizard 2021
If you think that Charizard has lost his flame over the past 20 years you would be dead wrong. In fact, in 2021 Charizard is more popular than ever before. I’d be willing to bet that every fan of the Pokémon franchise has at least one Charizard card. There are some cards floating around in 2021 that you may want to get your hands on if you love this game or you collect Pokémon cards. And if you aren’t fast enough you may have to wait awhile.
With the release of the Champion’s Path expansion, the Charizard VMax Hyper Rare is the new beast on the Block. This card in good condition is going for nothing under $500 easily on any market. Graded or not it’s hot!
Pokémon Champion’s Path Elite Trainer Box
The Charizard VMax is a full art Rainbow Rare that’s part of the brand new Sword and Shield expansion pack, Champions Path, which was released September 25th. Champions path will also contain a Shiny Charizard V Secret Rare that sells for roughly the same amount as the Charizard VMax. These two cards are must haves.
Both these cards first appeared as promos in Japan for winners of the ” Charizard HR (Hyper Rare ) Conflict competitions. At that time there were only 600 known copies of the VMax printed making it a super rare card.
You may now understand why this Sword and Shield expansion pack, Champions Path, can’t stay stocked up.
When it comes to obtaining this particular Pokémon Charizard it is going to boil down to how bad you really want it in your possession and how much cash you’re willing to spend getting it there. I’m a little cautious about putting a link in this post for my readers to buy these cards at double the retail. I want to find deals for all of us all the time. Before using this link try to find this set at Gamestop, Wal-Mart or even your local bookstores. I was lucky enough to find a box at Wal-Mart at retail but when I didn’t strike gold I ended buying through Amazon. No luck!
” As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. “
Gotta Catch’ em All
It would be a good idea to get your hands on as many Charizard Cards you can afford to. It would be smart to get as many of these cards graded as possible. It would be a great investment if you started to value your collection.
If you have anything to add like questions or comments, please leave them in the comments section below.
Best Cards & Best Regards
Jontae, CEO, Founder Of Cards Cartel