The initial build of my Gen 1-9 budget binder page caused some issues to a missing Sneasel I wanted to use. Thankfully, I had a Grookey, which is also gen VIII. It also adds a nice bit of silliness to this overall page,and adds a Grass energy type as well. Do you have a Grookey in your binder pages anywhere?
Who is Grookey Again?
Fans of Gen VIII Pokemon will be quite familiar with Grookey. Although some will argue there isn’t a need for more monkey-type Pokemon, I think this evo line is a wonderful addition. It offers a mix of silliness, fierceness, and sheer fun to the Pokemon TCG.
Depending on how you want to look at it, this pocket monster is either “cute” or “silly”. Obviously, it can be both,but if forced to pick 1 category, I would lean more toward “silly”. The big smile does a lot of work here, and it just seems to be having a good time. You can’t go wrong with a Grookey, really.
Players of the Pokemon games will remember Grookey as one of the three Galar starters, along with Scorbunny and Sobble. The Sword & Shield era was a big moment for Generation VII, after all. Since then, our friend has also appeared in Scarlet/Violet, and the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero.
Surprisingly, Grookey has made rather few anime appearances to date. Its major arcs are limited to one episode (bonding with Goh). Minor appearances span 3 episodes, with brief showings of this Pokemon. A bit odd, given how it is Gen VIII, but that is a choice made by The Pokemon Company.
Why Did I Add This Card?
Honestly, I added Grookey to this binder page out of necessity first and foremost. The initial plan was to go with a Sneasel, which I didn’t have, so I needed a replacement. At the time, Grookey was pulled a few times from Japanese booster boxes, so it made sense to add it instead.
Additionally, this is a budget binder page. Therefore, I need to keep the common/uncommon card theme going on this page..On its own, the Grookey card is more than capable of telling whatever story the beholder wants it to tell. Plus, it adds a nice bit of silliness to this page, which is never a bad thing!
Next to the Salandit card from Gen VII, this Gen VIII card creates a contrasting mood. Salandit is being completely silly in this card, even though it still seems prepared to jump us at any moment. Grookey is just monkeying around, literally, which is a very different type of silly.
Grookey TCG Card History
When a Pokemon is introduced in the latter generations – Gen VIII or IX – it isn’t abnormal to not have a lot of TCG representation yet. For Grookey, its introduction to Pokemon was rather “late”, so it has received 9 different illustrations (although it exists across 11 different cards). That is a very healthy representation, all things considered.
Like Fennekin, this pocket monster has been featured across numerous promo cards. That list includes the SWSH Black Star Promos (001 and 070), the 2021 McDonald’s Collection, MEP Black Star Promos (052) and even its card in Pokemon Futsal (003).
Outside of being a regular in promo cards, Grookey isn’t that hard to find in other sets. It is a common card in every set, except for its shiny rendition in Shiny Star V/Shining Fates.Curiously, it has not received an illustration rare card, dispute being on so many promo cards. That situation may change in a future set, though.
Why This Specific Grookey Artwork
Given how Grookey was not even the first choice for this binder page slot, there wasn’t much choice in terms of illustrations either. I had 2 different renditions at the same, yet multiples of the one I ended up using. It makes sense to spread multiples of cards across different pages, and this seemed like a solid choice.
Additionally, the overall silliness of the card matches well with the Salandit in the previous spot. It also signals a nice transition from Fire energy to Grass, opening up the page a bit more. Plus, it sits nicely above the last of the wildcard slots, providing me with more visual flexibility overall.
Who is the Artist?
The person responsible for bringing this Grookey artwork to the world is kodama, an artist most Pokemon TCG fans will be familiar with. Their portfolio spans several dozen cards, dating back to Gastly from the Generations expansion. With over 100 illustrations to date, kodama has become a Pokemon TCG “staple”,and is also active as an illustrator for Pokemon Trading Card Game pocket.
Per ArtofPkm, kodama artwork spans almost 200 cards, which is quite impressive. Obviously, some illustrations have been reprinted in different sets and languages. Only 1 Grookey to date, but considering that Pokemon only has 9 total illustrations, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
That said, all of the artist’s work contains recognizable elements:
- Very expressive Pokemon,
- Centered Pokemon, often mid-action
- The Pokemon is “foreground” as if it “sits on top of the background”
- Strong focus on poses
Where Can You Find This Grookey Artwork?
For this particular binder page, I opted for the Jet Black Spirit common card because it is accessible and affordable. The Jet Black Spirit version is also printed in various other languages, both within Asia and beyond. Finding any card from this set should be a breeze, even if you are focused on one language only.
While this makes it part of an older set – from a previous era altogether – it isn’t too tricky to find this particular artwork. Jet Black Spirit cards, or Chilling Reign versions if you prefer English, are plentiful. Go through a bulk bin and you’re likely to find multiples of this card within an hour or two. Options to acquire this card include:
- Jet Black Spirit (JP): $0.02 – $0.05
- Jet Black Geist (KR) : $0.02 – $0.05
- Chilling Reign (EN): $0.03 – $0.05
Since this artwork originates from a regular set, good-condition copies remain relatively affordable. If you are looking for a Grookey to add to your collection, the acquisition process should be very smooth and painless. However, you can also opt for any of its other versions, including the promo cards.
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 Grookey card receives the following marks:
- 💰 Price: ★★★★★ (Very Cheap)
- 📦 Availability: ★★★★★ (Found in over half a dozen languages)
- 🌍 Languages: 6+
- 🎨 Artwork: 8/10 (subjective, of course)
- Beginner Friendly: Yes
Why Collectors Should Care
If you’re building a Generation VIII binder, an “unusual Pokemon” collection, or simply want artwork capable of telling a story in one image, this Grookey is a solid choice. It is a bit silly, mischievous, and clearly on a mission. Yet we don’t really know what mission is, making it a solid option for any themed page.
Regardless of the card’s purpose for your needs, Grookey won’t hurt you or your binder by including it. Plus, the artist responsible for this card has a well-established portfolio that spans dozens of Pokemon and several trainers. This card could be a nice addition to an artist-specific binder [page].
Budget Verdict for Grookey
There is a lot to like about this card, although that will always be a subjective topic. This Grookey rendition is a bit of a scamp, which I do like a lot. While it may not have any long-lasting recognition in the anime or movies, it is still worth adding it to any binder
| Artwork | 8/10 |
| Nostalgia | 4/10 |
| Availability | 10/10 |
| Budget Value | 10/10 |
| Overall Collector Score | 8/10 |
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 Grookey 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.
