Pikachu (Red Cheeks) - Base Set (Shadowless)

Pikachu (Red Cheeks) from the Base Set (Shadowless) is one of the most iconic Pokémon cards around, largely because Pikachu is the face of the whole franchise. The “Red Cheeks” detail is a neat little variant that makes this version more collectible than the later “Yellow Cheeks” print. Being “Shadowless” also boosts its rarity, since it comes from the earliest print run where the card layout doesn’t have that darker border around the artwork box. Collectors love this card not only for Pikachu’s popularity but also because it’s truly a piece of Pokémon TCG history—representing the early days when everyone was first discovering the magic of these little pocket monsters.