For the third generation Pokemon in my Gen 1-9 budget binder page challenge, I opted for Electrike. It is perhaps not the most straightforward choice, but it’s also a relatively easy one to make. In the Pokemon anime, Electrike is usually remembered from its appearance after Ash defeats Wattson. It also appears with Jaco in an episode, and in the Arceus and the Jewel of Life movie.
Introducing Electrike
If you ever watched the Pokemon anime – or the movies – you may be more familiar with Electrike than other people. It is not a “main” Pokemon by any means, although it is a good representation of Generation 3. Card collectors and TCG players may have had this Pokemon in their binder or deck at some stage, as it has received some love in the card game.
Electrike is, as the name would suggest, an Electric-type Pokemon. Unlike Pikachu – which is a mouse-shaped creature – Electrike is a canine. There have been several canine/electricity crossovers throughout the Pokemon lore, so it isn’t unique on that front. However, it can run faster than the human eye can track, which is an interesting similarity to The Flash.
Obviously, there are more iconic Generation 3 Pokemon to choose from. That is one of the reasons why I picked Electrike, as it seems overlooked and half forgotten by most. Its large head, lighting strike markings, fangs, and spiked legs are all worth remembering. Moreover, its evolution – Manectric – is also pretty cool!
It is hard to say why Electrike is less appreciated than other Gen 3 Pokemon. There is nothing wrong with how it looks, the abilities, or its appearances in the anime and movie. However, it is not necessarily the most “enticing” electricity-type Pokemon either. It has OK HP, OK attack, high speed, and has no immunities. It is an “OK” type in the games, and in TCG, there are often better options available.
Why Did I Add This Card?
You would think that collecting cards in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and English gives me an edge in the amount of Gen 3 Pokemon to select from. Unfortunately, this slot was a bit of a struggle to fill, as I did not have that many options. I also preferred to use Stage 1 Pokemon for this binder page, further limiting my choices. This Electrike legitimately saved the page, in some ways.
With the common card theme continuing on this page, it is time to take a step back first. Look at the card properly, notice the little details, then look at it again as a whole. In my opinion, it is a FANTASTIC card, despite its common card status. A lot of artwork goes into every card, and it doesn’t have to be shiny or expensive to tell a story.
In addition, this common card from Mega Symphonia is easy to obtain (if you want the Japanese version, of course)..The set – either in Japanese or Korean – is not that old and also very inexpensive, either as a pack, booster box, or single card. The English version also exists in Mega Evolution base set.
Electrike TCG Card History
Not every Pokemon makes dozens of appearances in the Pokemon TCG, as doing so would be pretty much impossible. For types like Electrike, there are just 28 cards, even fewer than Larvitar from Gen 2. Granted, this Pokemon was introduced a generation later, but even so. Evidently, competing with other Electric-type Pokemon in the TCG is a real challenge.
It is highly unlikely you will find Electrike in the first Pokemon set that comes to mind. Despite its anime and movie appearances, it has never gotten the “primary character treatment”. That may still change in the future, but it does not appear to be a priority. However, Electrike has received a few World Championship variants, which is pretty cool!
With a budget build in mind, I try to include affordable and accessible cards. Electrike, despite having just 28 cards, is almost always a common or uncommon card. That makes the price to acquire it much lower compared to some other Gen 3 Pokemon. The World Championship variants are a different story, though.
Why This Specific Electrike Artwork
Common and uncommon Pokemon cards have stellar artwork, even if most people look over it. Moreover, I find this particular artwork to be rather intriguing. .We have a nice combination of green and yellow for the Pokemon, combined with the rocky background textures. It is also shown as a Pokemon in the middle of an electric attack, creating a nice overall aesthetic.
It also seems most people overlook the lore behind this Pokemon. It is primarily rooted in Japanese folklore, which might not “do much” for a Western audience. The Pokemon is themed after the Raiju, a creature capable of shifting into a cat, dog, or wolf despite being made of electricity. For all intents and purposes, it is a living battery, which is an apt theme in 2026.
Who is the Artist?
The person responsible for bringing this rendition to the TCG world is Naoki Saito, an icon in the Pokemon trading card world. Mr. Saito has illustrated 361 cards since 2010 – a staggering number most artists can only dream of achieving one day. Other well-known illustrations by this artist include Gwynn, Lillie’s Clefairy EX, Celebi, Zorua, Quaxly, Meowth, Bede, Charjabug, and many others..
Naoki Saito artwork goes back all the way to HeartGold Collection (HeartGold and SoulSilver in English). The more recent appearances occur in Abyss Eye (Pitch Black) and Mega Dream (Ascended Heroes).
Interestingly, this was the first time and only time Mr. Saito drew an Electrike for the Pokemon TCG. However, the artist has drawn a ton of other Pokemon over the years, including various other Electricity-type creatures. Variety is the spice of life, yet all of these cards capture the essence of the artist quite well:
- Dynamic action in every card
- Vibrant colors, but not in a distracting manner
- Excellent lighting and contrast
- Expressive characters, making the beholder part of what is going on in the artwork.
Where Can You Find This Electrike Artwork?
For this particular binder page, I opted for the Mega Symphonia common card because it is accessible and affordable. It exists in both Japanese and Korean, and may have an Indonesian version as well..In addition, it is also the only Electrike card design I have, although I do own it in 3 languages.. It is not hard to find by any means, and should always be fairly inexpensive to acquire.
As mentioned before, it is part of Mega Symphonia, a set of which I opened up an entire booster box a little while ago. For those who prefer an English version, the exact same artwork can be found in Mega Evolution. Similarly, that set has been localized in numerous countries, giving you more options to pick it up on the cheap.
- Mega Symphonia (JP): $0.02 – $0.05
- Mega Symphonia (KR) : $0.02 – $0.05
- Mega Evolution (EN): $0.07 – $0.12
Since this artwork originates from a regular set, good-condition copies remain relatively affordable. If you are looking for an Electrike to add to your collection, this is a very affordable and accessible version.
Card Availability Score
I always like to introduce a custom score to sourcing cards like this for a budget binder challenge theme. As such, this particular Pokemon TCG card receives the following marks:
- 💰 Price: ★★★★★ (Very Cheap)
- 📦 Availability: ★★★★★ (Found in over half a dozen languages)
- 🌍 Languages: 6+
- 🎨 Artwork: 9.5/10 (subjective, of course)
- Beginner Friendly: Yes
Why Collectors Should Care
If you’re building a Generation III binder, a “forgotten Pokemon” collection, or simply want artwork capable of telling a story in one image, this Electrike is a very affordable addition and one that belongs in more people’s collection. It has been overlooked far too long, even though it deserves its own spotlight as much as the next Pokemon.
Regardless of the card’s purpose for your needs, Electrike deserves more love than it has gotten over the years. With just 28 cards, it feels underrepresented compared to the vast majority of the Pokemon TCG. Moreover, it is illustrated – in this case – by one of the TCG’s most iconic artists, which gives it more “stature” in my eyes.
Budget Verdict for Electrike
There is a lot to like about this card, although that will always be a subjective topic. It may not be “cute” or “collectable” to a lot of people, but that is not the main point. It is part of the Pokemon ecosystem, giving it a level playing field with any other card out there.
| Artwork | 9/10 |
| Nostalgia | 8/10 |
| Availability | 10/10 |
| Budget Value | 10/10 |
| Overall Collector Score | 9.25/10 |
Collector Challenge
Can you find this exact artwork in another language? Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Thai,German, Italian, Spanish, or Indonesian all count. Or do you have any other Electrike artwork you are fond of and want to show me? Make sure to hit me up on the socials and I will gladly take a look!
It’s a fun way to start exploring international Pokémon cards without spending a fortune. Moreover, it is an excellent way to rekindle some [potentially] lost memories of the Pokemon Anime.
