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Smeargle is one of the more interesting vintage Japanese Pokémon promos from the Pokémon Card Trainers magazine series.
Unlike a regular expansion card, this Smeargle was included as a bonus with Pokémon Card Trainers Vol. 7 in Japan. What makes this card especially interesting is that the same card artwork was later released internationally as a Wizards Black Star Promo. That makes this a fascinating example of a Japanese promotional card that eventually crossed over into the English Pokémon TCG.
Card Information
- Pokémon: Smeargle
- Japanese Name: ドーブル
- Level: Lv.21
- HP: 40
- Pokédex Number: No. 235
- Series: Pokémon Card Trainers Vol. 7
- Category: Japanese Vintage Promo
- Distribution: Trainer Magazine Bonus Card
- Illustrator: Tomokazu Komiya
What Is the Trainer Magazine Smeargle?
This Smeargle was included as a bonus with Pokémon Card Trainers Vol. 7, which was released in Japan on July 1, 2000.
It was not distributed through a regular booster pack. Instead, collectors received the card as a magazine bonus.
The Japanese version is an unnumbered promotional card, although the number 235 appears on the card as Smeargle’s Pokédex number.
The bottom of the card also identifies it as a bonus card from Pokémon Card Official Magazine “Trainers Vol. 7”.
This unusual distribution method is one of the reasons the card is interesting to vintage Japanese Pokémon collectors.
The Artwork by Tomokazu Komiya
The artwork was created by Tomokazu Komiya, one of the most distinctive artists from the vintage Pokémon TCG era.
Komiya’s artwork is immediately recognizable for its unusual perspective and hand-drawn style.
This Smeargle is a particularly good example.
Smeargle is shown painting in front of an ancient-looking landscape, giving the card a very different atmosphere from many conventional Pokémon illustrations.
The artwork also fits Smeargle perfectly as the Painter Pokémon.
The English Version Exists
This is where the card becomes especially interesting for international collectors.
The same Smeargle artwork was later released in English as Wizards Black Star Promo #32.
The English version was distributed through the Pokémon League in March 2001.
So although the Japanese card originated as a Trainer Magazine bonus, international collectors can also own an English version of the same artwork.
The English release is therefore not simply an unrelated Smeargle with similar artwork. It is the international version of this particular card design.
Japanese vs. English Smeargle
Feature Japanese Version English Version Release July 2000 March 2001 Product Trainer Magazine Vol. 7 Pokémon League Promo Japanese Unnumbered Promo Wizards Black Star Promo #32 Artwork Tomokazu Komiya Same artwork HP 40 40
This makes the Smeargle particularly appealing to collectors who like to collect Japanese and English versions of the same vintage artwork.
The Paint Attack
Smeargle’s main attack is appropriately called Paint.
The attack uses a coin flip. If the result is heads, the player chooses a non-Colorless type and places a Coloring counter on the Defending Pokémon, changing its type.
This unusual mechanic fits Smeargle’s identity as a Pokémon that paints and copies colors.
The same basic card concept appears on the English Wizards promo, making the Japanese and English versions particularly fun to compare.
Price Guide
Condition Estimated Market Value
Near Mint ~$60
PSA 9 ~$165
PSA 10 ~$570
Prices are approximate market references. Vintage Pokémon card prices fluctuate depending on condition, grading, availability, exchange rates, and collector demand. PSA 10 values should be treated carefully because completed sales are relatively limited.
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Why Is the PSA 10 So Interesting?
The PSA population of this Japanese Smeargle is quite small compared with many mainstream vintage Pokémon cards.
PSA’s current database shows 31 PSA 10 copies for the Trainer Magazine version.
The PSA 9 population is considerably larger, with 93 copies at PSA 9, illustrating how much scarcer the Gem Mint grade is.
There have also been relatively few publicly recorded transactions for PSA 10 copies, making the market difficult to measure precisely.
For example, PSA’s current estimate for a PSA 10 is around $573, while individual historical sales can differ substantially.
This is a good reminder that a high asking price does not necessarily represent the actual market value of a rare vintage card.
A Rare Trainer Magazine Insert
The Trainer Magazine promos are an interesting part of Japanese Pokémon TCG history.
Cards were periodically included with specific issues of the magazine, creating a distribution system completely different from booster packs.
Smeargle appeared with Vol. 7, released in July 2000.
Other unusual Trainer Magazine promos were released around the same period, making these cards an interesting collecting category of their own.
For collectors trying to build a complete Trainer Magazine promo collection, Smeargle is one of the key early cards.
The Crossing the Ruins Connection
Another interesting detail is the symbol found on the Japanese card.
The Japanese print is associated with the Crossing the Ruins… expansion era, even though the card itself was distributed as a Trainer Magazine promo.
This is one reason the card can sometimes be catalogued under different names in databases and marketplaces.
Collectors may encounter descriptions such as “Trainer Magazine Smeargle,” “Japanese Promo Smeargle,” or “Smeargle #235.”
When buying one, it is important to verify the artwork, Japanese text, and Trainer Magazine identification rather than relying only on the seller’s title.
Japanese vs. English: A Fun Pair to Collect
Many Japanese-exclusive vintage promos never received an international counterpart.
Smeargle is different.
The Japanese Trainer Magazine version and the English Wizards Black Star Promo #32 allow collectors to own two language versions of essentially the same vintage card design.
For a collector who enjoys comparing Japanese and English Pokémon cards, this makes Smeargle a particularly satisfying card to own.
The Japanese version also has the added appeal of its original Trainer Magazine Vol. 7 distribution history.
Purchase & Latest Market Prices
Prices and availability change frequently. Check current listings and completed sales before purchasing.
When searching, it is also worth checking the English Wizards Black Star Promo #32 separately if you want to collect both versions.
🐕 Check English Smeargle Promo #32
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Japanese Smeargle Trainer Magazine promo?
It is a Japanese promotional Smeargle included with Pokémon Card Trainers Vol. 7, released on July 1, 2000.
Who illustrated this Smeargle?
The artwork was created by Tomokazu Komiya.
Does an English version exist?
Yes. The same card artwork was released internationally as Wizards Black Star Promo #32 through the Pokémon League in March 2001.
Is the Japanese card numbered 235?
The 235 shown on the card is Smeargle’s Pokédex number. The Japanese Trainer Magazine card itself is an unnumbered promo.
How many PSA 10 copies exist?
PSA’s current population data shows 31 PSA 10 copies for the Japanese Trainer Magazine version. Population numbers can change as additional copies are submitted.
How much is the Japanese Smeargle worth?
A current market reference is around $60 for an ungraded copy, while PSA 9 examples are around $165 based on recent market data. PSA currently estimates a PSA 10 at around $573, although actual sales can vary significantly.
Why is this Smeargle interesting to collectors?
The card combines several attractive characteristics: vintage Japanese distribution, Tomokazu Komiya artwork, a Trainer Magazine release, a relatively small PSA population, and an English counterpart from the Wizards era.
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