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Blastoise from the Trade Please Campaign is one of the most interesting vintage Japanese Blastoise cards from the late 1990s.
This promotional Blastoise features the iconic Rain Dance Ability and artwork associated with the original-era Japanese Pokémon TCG. It was distributed through the Trade Please Campaign and was also included in the Everyone’s Chosen Pokémon Songs CD.
What makes this card particularly interesting for collectors is that the same artwork also appears on the Intro Pack version. Although the two cards look extremely similar, their expansion marks make it possible to distinguish them.
For international collectors, this is also an important card because this particular Japanese artwork does not have a direct English counterpart.
In this guide, we will look at the Trade Please Blastoise, its distribution history, the CD release, the Intro Pack version, current market prices, PSA value, and what collectors should check before buying.
Card Information
- Card: Blastoise
- Japanese Name: カメックス
- Level: Lv.52
- HP: 100
- Type: Water
- Category: Japanese Promotional Card
- Release Era: Vintage Japanese Pokémon TCG
- Distribution: Trade Please Campaign
- Additional Release: Everyone’s Chosen Pokémon Songs CD
- Artwork: Ken Sugimori
What Is the Trade Please Blastoise?
This Blastoise was distributed as part of the Japanese Trade Please Campaign, one of the unusual promotional campaigns from the early Pokémon TCG era.
Rather than obtaining the card from a regular booster pack, collectors participated in a special exchange campaign.
The basic concept was simple: players sent in two Pokémon cards as part of the campaign and received promotional material in return.
This type of distribution is very different from modern Pokémon promotions, where cards are often handed out at tournaments, stores, or as purchase bonuses.
For vintage collectors, the distribution method is an important part of the card’s history.
This is not simply an alternate Blastoise artwork. It is a card connected to a specific Japanese promotional campaign from the early years of the Pokémon TCG.
The Rain Dance Blastoise
One of the reasons this Blastoise remains popular is its connection to one of the most famous Pokémon TCG strategies of the vintage era.
The card has the Rain Dance Ability, allowing Water Energy to be attached to Water Pokémon in a way that made the original Blastoise archetype extremely powerful.
The ability is essentially the same as the famous Base Set-era Japanese Blastoise, making this promotional version particularly interesting to players and collectors who remember the early competitive Pokémon TCG.
Blastoise could be paired with Water-type Pokémon such as Gyarados, Articuno, and Feraligatr, creating powerful Water-based decks.
As a result, this card is not only collectible because of its artwork. It also represents one of the most recognizable strategies from the original Pokémon TCG era.
The Everyone’s Chosen Pokémon Songs CD
There is another interesting connection to this Blastoise.
The same three original starter Pokémon — Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise — were also included as promotional cards with the Japanese Everyone’s Chosen Pokémon Songs CD.
This makes the release history more complicated than a normal promotional card.
A collector can encounter the Blastoise through the Trade Please Campaign or through the CD-related release, depending on the specific product and provenance.
This type of music-related Pokémon promotion is a good example of how many vintage Japanese Pokémon cards were distributed outside the normal booster-pack system.
For collectors interested in the history of Japanese Pokémon merchandise, these connections make the card even more interesting.
The Same Artwork Also Appears in the Intro Pack
One of the biggest points of confusion with this Blastoise is that the same artwork was also used for the Intro Pack version.
At first glance, the cards can look almost identical.
However, the expansion mark is different.
The Intro Pack version has a Squirtle symbol in the expansion-mark area, which makes it relatively easy to distinguish once you know where to look.
This means collectors should not simply search for the artwork.
When purchasing a copy, always check the expansion mark and confirm which version you are buying.
Trade Please vs. Intro Pack Blastoise
| Feature | Trade Please Version | Intro Pack Version |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | Trade Please Campaign / CD promotion | Intro Pack |
| Artwork | Ken Sugimori | Same artwork |
| Level | Lv.52 | Lv.52 |
| HP | 100 | 100 |
| Expansion Mark | Trade Please version | Squirtle symbol |
The important point is that the artwork alone is not enough to identify the card.
If you are paying a premium for the Trade Please version, check the actual card rather than relying on the seller’s title or description.
Why Is This Blastoise So Popular?
There are several reasons this Blastoise has maintained strong collector demand.
- Blastoise is one of the original three Kanto starters.
- It features the iconic Rain Dance Ability.
- The artwork is associated with Ken Sugimori.
- It was distributed through an unusual Japanese promotion.
- The same artwork has a separate Intro Pack version.
- The card is not available as the same Japanese promotional release in English.
- International collectors actively pursue rare Japanese Blastoise cards.
Blastoise does not command the same overall collector premium as Charizard, but it remains one of the strongest vintage Pokémon for collectors.
That becomes especially important when the card is an unusual Japanese-exclusive promotional release.
Current Price Guide
The market value of this Blastoise varies considerably depending on condition.
| Condition | Reference Value |
|---|---|
| Near Mint | ≈ $350 |
| Moderately Played | ≈ $100 |
| PSA 10 | ≈ $1,200 estimated |
The PSA 10 figure above should be treated as an estimated market value rather than a confirmed recent sale. The population of high-grade copies and the number of actual sales can have a major effect on the apparent value of a vintage promotional card.
Raw Near Mint copies are already relatively expensive compared with ordinary vintage Blastoise cards, while heavily played copies can be significantly cheaper.
This large condition spread is typical of older Japanese promotional cards.
PSA 10 Potential
The PSA market is particularly interesting for this Blastoise.
A vintage Japanese promotional card can look excellent at first glance while still having small defects that prevent a PSA 10.
For this card, collectors should pay particular attention to:
- Surface scratches
- Holo scratches
- Edge whitening
- Corner condition
- Centering
- Print defects
- Back-side whitening
Because PSA 10 examples are much less common than raw copies, the price gap can become substantial.
However, collectors should always distinguish between asking prices and actual sold prices when evaluating a PSA 10.
eBay Market for Blastoise
eBay is one of the most useful marketplaces for international collectors searching for this Blastoise.
Because the card is Japanese-exclusive, international collectors may encounter significantly more listings on eBay than at local card shops.
Useful search terms include:
- Japanese Blastoise Trade Please
- Japanese Blastoise Promo
- Blastoise Trade Please Campaign
- Japanese Blastoise CD Promo
- Blastoise Intro Pack Japanese
- Japanese Blastoise Rain Dance vintage
Affiliate Disclosure: As an eBay Partner Network affiliate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Check Current eBay Listings
When searching eBay, it is worth checking both raw and graded copies.
Some sellers may use broad titles such as “Japanese Blastoise Promo”, while others may specifically identify the Trade Please Campaign.
Because the Intro Pack version uses the same artwork, always inspect the expansion mark before buying.
Check eBay Sold Prices
For vintage Pokémon cards, sold prices are generally more useful than active listing prices.
A card listed for $1,500 does not necessarily mean collectors are actually paying $1,500 for it.
When evaluating the market, compare several completed transactions and make sure you are comparing the same printing and similar condition.
Buying Tips
The biggest risk when buying this card is confusing it with the Intro Pack version.
Before purchasing, check the following:
- Confirm that the card is Blastoise / カメックス.
- Confirm Lv.52 and HP100.
- Check the expansion mark.
- Make sure you are buying the Trade Please version rather than the Intro Pack version.
- Check the front surface for scratches.
- Inspect the holo area carefully.
- Check all four corners for whitening.
- Inspect the back for whitening and scratches.
- For graded cards, verify the PSA label and certification information.
- Compare the price with recent sold listings rather than only active listings.
For high-value raw copies, detailed photographs are extremely important.
A seller photograph that only shows the front of the card may not reveal whitening or scratches that significantly affect the value.
Trade Please vs. Intro Pack: Which One Should You Collect?
There is no single correct answer.
For collectors interested in Japanese promotional history, the Trade Please version is particularly attractive because of its unusual distribution method.
For collectors interested in complete product variations, both versions are worth owning.
The fact that the same artwork appears in two different releases makes this an excellent example of the depth of Japanese vintage Pokémon collecting.
Instead of collecting only by Pokémon and artwork, advanced collectors can collect by:
- Product
- Distribution method
- Expansion mark
- Printing
- Campaign history
This is where vintage Japanese Pokémon cards become especially interesting.
Why the Japanese Version Is Important to International Collectors
The Japanese Pokémon TCG has many promotional cards that never received an identical English release.
This Blastoise is a good example.
For international collectors, the combination of Blastoise + vintage Japanese promotion + Ken Sugimori artwork + Rain Dance creates a very attractive collectible.
Japanese-exclusive cards have also become increasingly popular among collectors who previously focused primarily on English Pokémon cards.
As more collectors discover these unusual Japanese releases, cards with unique distribution histories can become increasingly difficult to find in high condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the Trade Please Blastoise distributed?
The card was distributed through the Japanese Trade Please Campaign. The campaign involved sending Pokémon cards as part of the exchange process rather than obtaining the card from a standard booster pack.
Was this Blastoise included with a CD?
Blastoise was also associated with the Japanese Everyone’s Chosen Pokémon Songs CD promotion, which included promotional versions of the original starter Pokémon.
Does the same Blastoise artwork exist in another product?
Yes. The same artwork was also used for the Intro Pack version. The expansion mark can be used to distinguish the versions.
What Level is this Blastoise?
This Blastoise is Lv.52 with 100 HP.
Does this Blastoise have Rain Dance?
Yes. It features the famous Rain Dance Ability associated with the classic vintage Blastoise strategy.
Is there an English version of this exact promotional card?
No identical English release of this Japanese promotional printing exists, which is one reason international collectors are interested in it.
How much is a Near Mint copy worth?
A current reference for a Near Mint copy is approximately ¥50,000, although actual prices can vary depending on the marketplace, timing, and exact printing.
How much is a PSA 10 worth?
A reference estimate is approximately ¥186,000 / $1,200. This should be treated as an estimate rather than a guaranteed sale price, particularly because high-grade vintage promotional cards can have limited transaction data.
Where should I look for one?
eBay is one of the most convenient international marketplaces for searching for this card. When possible, compare multiple listings and sold prices before purchasing.
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Final Thoughts
The Trade Please Blastoise is much more than another vintage Blastoise card.
Its unusual Japanese distribution history, famous Rain Dance Ability, Ken Sugimori artwork, and connection to the Everyone’s Chosen Pokémon Songs CD make it an interesting piece of early Pokémon TCG history.
The fact that the same artwork was also used for the Intro Pack version adds another layer for collectors.
The easiest way to approach this card is not simply to ask, “Which Blastoise artwork is this?” Instead, ask:
Which product did this card come from?
That distinction can make a significant difference when buying or selling vintage Japanese Pokémon cards.
With a current reference of around $350 for Near Mint and an estimated $1,200 for PSA 10, this is already a valuable vintage Blastoise promo.
For collectors building a Japanese promotional collection, a Blastoise collection, or simply looking for unusual cards from the earliest years of Pokémon TCG history, the Trade Please Blastoise is definitely a card worth knowing.
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Original article published: August 30, 2026