You’ve seen the screenshots. Maybe you were scrolling through a late-night forum or saw a blurry image on Instagram and thought, "Wait, is that actually Katy Perry on a Pokemon card?" It looks official. The Holofoil gleams just right. The "V" symbol sits in the corner, and she’s standing there with a Pikachu and a Butterfree.
But then you go to eBay. You search. You find nothing but "custom" listings for $7 or weird gold-plated metal versions from overseas.
So, what gives?
The truth is both cooler and more frustrating than most collectors realize. There is a real Katy Perry Pokemon card, but you—and I, and basically everyone else on the planet—can’t have it. It’s one of the rarest artifacts in the history of the Trading Card Game (TCG), and it exists in a category of "celebrity promos" that The Pokemon Company keeps under a very tight lock and key.
The 25th Anniversary Mystery
Back in 2021, Pokemon went all out for its 25th anniversary. They didn't just release the Celebrations set; they launched a massive musical project called P25 Music. They tapped Post Malone, J Balvin, and of course, Katy Perry to headline the whole thing. Katy even dropped a track called "Electric" where she travels through time with a Pikachu.
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To say thanks, The Pokemon Company did something they almost never do. They illustrated the artists as actual Pokemon cards.
The Katy Perry V card features her in a vibrant, stylized art style. She has 180 HP. Her card number isn't part of a standard set like Evolving Skies or Chilling Reign. Instead, the number is 1025—a direct nod to her birthday, October 25th.
It’s a "Basic V" card, but it’s unlike any V card you’ve ever pulled from a pack. Most human characters in the TCG are relegated to "Trainer" cards. This card literally treats Katy Perry as the "Pokemon." It’s weird. It’s unique. And it’s legally non-existent for the general public.
Why You Can’t Buy the Real Katy Perry Pokemon Card
Here is the part that breaks collectors' hearts: The Pokemon Company officially confirmed that these cards were never intended for mass production.
They weren't "canceled." They weren't "delayed." They were designed as one-of-a-kind gifts.
- The Only Copies: Only one physical copy of the Katy Perry V card was officially printed and gifted to Katy herself.
- The Others: Post Malone and J Balvin also received their own personalized cards (Posty with a Dragonite, J Balvin with a Charizard).
- The Official Stance: A disclaimer was added to the P25 Music website stating, "Currently, there are no plans to print this card for consumer use or purchase."
Honestly, it’s a massive missed opportunity. Can you imagine the hype if these were secret rares in the Celebrations packs? People would have lost their minds. Instead, we’re left with digital images and a single copy sitting in a pop star's private collection.
Spotting the Fakes and "Custom" Art Cards
If you search for the Katy Perry Pokemon card today, you will find hundreds of listings. Don't get scammed.
Since the official art was posted online by The Pokemon Company’s social media team, high-res versions have been floating around for years. This has led to a massive market for "Proxy" or "Custom" cards.
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Some of these are actually pretty high quality. They use real card stock, textured foil, and look great in a binder. But they are not official. If you see a Katy Perry card for $15, it’s a fan-made creation. If someone claims they have an "official promo" for $500, they are lying.
Unless Katy Perry herself decides to auction her personal copy for charity—which, let's be real, would probably sell for six figures—there are no authentic copies in the wild. If you're a completionist, the best you can do is buy a well-made custom version to fill that empty slot in your 25th-anniversary binder.
The Rarity Comparison: Is It the Rarest Ever?
In the world of the TCG, rarity is usually measured by pull rates or limited tournament promos. The Pikachu Illustrator card is famous because there are only about 40 in existence.
The Katy Perry V card is rarer.
If there truly is only one official copy, it belongs in the same tier as the "One Ring" Magic: The Gathering card that Post Malone (ironically) bought for $2 million. It’s a "1 of 1."
How to Actually "Collect" Katy Perry Pokemon Gear
Since the card is out of reach, what can you actually get?
During the 25th-anniversary window, there was a whole line of official merchandise. You can still find the "Electric" themed shirts, hoodies, and tote bags on secondary markets like Mercari or eBay. There’s also the Pokemon 25: The Album on vinyl, which features the Katy Perry track.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
- Verify the Source: If a listing doesn't say "Custom" or "Proxy," ask the seller. If they claim it's official, they're wrong.
- Check the Texture: Real modern V cards have a specific fingerprint-like texture. Most fakes are either completely smooth or have a generic "rainbow" shine that looks cheap.
- Appreciate the Art: If you just love the crossover, buy a custom art card! Just don't pay more than $10-$20 for it. They are basically pieces of fan art printed on cardstock.
- Watch the Auctions: On the off-chance that Perry, Post Malone, or J Balvin ever puts their card up for a charity auction (like Heritage Auctions or Goldin), that will be the only time a real one hits the market.
The Katy Perry Pokemon card remains a fascinating "What If?" in the hobby. It bridges the gap between mainstream pop culture and hardcore card collecting in a way we rarely see. While it’s a bummer we can’t pull one from a pack, the mystery of that single, solitary copy out there somewhere makes it legendary.
If you’re hunting for official celebrity crossovers that you can actually own, look toward the Japanese "CoroCoro" promos or the recent Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat Van Gogh collaboration. They aren't Katy Perry, but at least they'll actually show up in your mailbox.
Next Steps for Your Collection
Check your local card shops for the Celebrations 25th Anniversary set. While the Katy Perry card isn't in there, the set is packed with reprints of classic cards like the Base Set Charizard and Birthday Pikachu, which capture the same nostalgic energy of the P25 campaign. If you’re dead set on the Katy Perry art, look for high-rated "proxy" creators on Etsy who use UV-printing—they offer the closest look to what the official card would have felt like in hand.