1996 Japanese Pokémon Base Set – Ivysaur No.002 / No Rarity Symbol
A vintage Japanese Ivysaur (Fushigisou) No.002 from the original Pokémon Card Game Base Set released in Japan in 1996.
This card is the highly collectible “No Rarity Symbol” version, identifiable by the absence of a rarity symbol in the lower-right area of the card. These cards belong to the earliest production of the original Japanese Pokémon Card Game and represent one of the most historically significant eras in Pokémon TCG collecting.
Following directly after Bulbasaur No.001, Ivysaur No.002 continues one of the original starter evolution lines from the very beginning of Pokémon card history.
🌿 Original Starter Evolution Line
Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle — together with their evolutions — remain among the most recognizable and collectible Pokémon from the original generation.
For collectors building a complete early Japanese starter evolution line, No Rarity Ivysaur is an important piece between Bulbasaur and Venusaur, making it especially appealing as part of a chronological Base Set collection.
🎨 Classic Ken Sugimori Artwork
The artwork is illustrated by Ken Sugimori, one of the defining artists behind the visual identity of the original Pokémon games and early Pokémon era.
Ivysaur standing deep within a dark forest gives this card a distinctly early Pokémon atmosphere — a style that immediately evokes the hand-drawn aesthetic of the franchise’s earliest years.
Combined with the 1996 Japanese card design, No Rarity configuration, and No.002 numbering, this is a wonderful piece of the earliest Pokémon TCG era.
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Condition: HP (Heavily Played)
This card is in HP condition overall, showing noticeable signs of age and previous handling.
Both the front and back have moderate to noticeable surface wear and scuffing, along with edge and corner wear. The back shows the heavier wear, including visible linear scratches and whitening/chipping along portions of the edges.
The front also shows surface wear, but the artwork remains clearly visible and retains a good overall presentation despite the card’s played condition.
No major crease or other severe structural damage is apparent in the photos.
The condition has been carefully evaluated based on eBay’s official trading card condition guidelines, using a conservative assessment.
Please review all photos carefully, as they clearly show the exact condition of the card you will receive.
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Card Details
Pokémon: Ivysaur / フシギソウ (Fushigisou)
Card No.: No.002
Year: 1996
Set: Pokémon Card Game Expansion Pack / Japanese Base Set
Version: No Rarity Symbol / Early Japanese Print
Language: Japanese
HP: 60
Type: Grass
Evolution: Stage 1 – Evolves from Bulbasaur
Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
Card Type: Pokémon
Material: Paper
Card Size: Standard
Vintage: Yes
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Collector Appeal
✔ 1996 Japanese Pokémon Card Game
✔ No Rarity Symbol version
✔ No.002 — immediately following Bulbasaur No.001
✔ Original Kanto starter evolution line
✔ Classic Ken Sugimori artwork
✔ Authentic Japanese vintage card
A great companion piece to No Rarity Bulbasaur No.001 and an excellent addition for collectors building the original Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur evolution line.
A surviving piece from the very beginning of Pokémon TCG history.
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📦 Shipping / Packaging
The card will be carefully protected with:
It will be securely packed for international shipping from Japan.
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