The second Pokemon in my Gen 1-9 budget binder page challenge is none other than Larvitar. Although that may be a surprising choice to some, it is a pretty prominent Gen 2 Pokemon. Fans of the anime will recall this friend from the Johto region, as it is one of the more emotional episodes of the series.
Meet the Pokemon: Larvitar
Pokemon fans who have followed the anime, the TCG, or both for a while now will be quite familiar with Larvitar. It is not on the same level as Clefairy, but it is still one of the most memorable Pokemon from the Johto region. Therefore, it has one of the longest tenures in the trading card game, even if it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves..
As a Rock/Ground type, Larvitar has some very interesting aspects to it. Not only is it fairly short – just 2 feet – but it somehow weighs over 150 pounds! Then again, if your diet consists of primarily rocks and dirt, you will develop these intriguing physical dynamics. Moreover, Larvitar’s digestive system turns this “sustenance” into pure elemental energy, making it a tricky foe.
Although you can say there are more iconic Gen 2 Pokemon out there, I think Larvitar deserves more love. It is a very interesting creature, it has some powerful abilities in the anime/TCG/games, and is also part of a cool evolution line. While Pupitar, its first evolution, is not necessarily a fan favorite, its final stage is. Tyranitar is a pseudo-legendary with the nickname of “Walking Calamity”. That is quite the moniker to live up to.
One thing potentially holding Larvitar back is its evolutionary position. A lot of people favor the final forms, like Tyranitar, in this case. Stage 1 and stage 2 Pokemon do not get as much love, unless they are “cute”. Unfortunately, you can’t really quantify this Pokemon as cute in the traditional sense. It is still very hug-shaped and a friend, though!
Why Did I Add This Card?
I have a good selection of Gen 2 Pokemon in my collection today. That is mainly because I collect cards in Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and English, in that order. As such, I wanted to try and incorporate all four languages into this specific binder page. Larvitar was always going to be my choice because I knew I had one, so it was an overall easy decision to make.
As a common card, the Battle Partners version of Larvitar is exactly as you’d expect. Keep in mind this is a Pokemon that spends its life underground and in isolation. The card showcases the creature looking up from the underground, hesitant to go to the surface unless absolutely necessary.
In addition, this common card from Battle partners is easy to obtain. The set – either in Japanese or Korean – is a very common set, so finding a copy of this card for a few cents is not a challenge. That makes it a perfect fit for the Gen 1-9 Pokemon Budget Binder Challenge.
Larvitar TCG Card History
Unlike Clefairy, with over 100 TCG cards including reprints, Larvitar is a very different case. Although the creature has been around since Gen 2 and debuted in the TCG in 2001, there are only 33 unique cards. The Delta Species stamped version is the most expensive, although not in the triple-digit range. More recent sets have also introduced rare Larvitar cards.
As such, it is hard to say if you will find Larvitar in virtually every Pokemon era, either as a main character or a side character. It does not have the main character vibe of a Pikachu or even Psyduck, but is rather considered a side character. That is not a bad thing, but getting 33 TCG cards in 25 years makes it more of a “yearly guest appearance” rather than anything else.
Another crucial factor about this Pokemon is how it very rarely receives an expensive card in any TCG set. That is not to say there haven’t been any, but it is very modest compared to an Eevee or Pikachu. Another reason why this Pokemon (card) is a fantastic choice for a budget page.
Why This Specific Larvitar Artwork
When building a themed binder page, I always look for cool artwork hidden in a common or uncommon card. This depiction of Larvitar checks a lot of the right boxes. It is colorful, yet also a bit dark, because we are underground. There’s the moon in the background, and the Pokemon is looking up at it as if to say “I should go out, but I don’t really want to”.
Given the lore of this creature, the card is exactly how one would picture a Larvitar. It is still in the middle of consuming all the soil around it to prepare for its evolution into Pupitar. Did you know a Larvitar cannot even see its own parents before this evolution is complete? That must be a very lonely existence indeed….
Who is the Artist?
The person responsible for illustrating this specific card is Dsuke, a name that most TCG fans will have seen at least once or twice. Dsuke has appeared on 33 cards – the same number as total Larvitar cards in the TCG today. Other well-known illustrations by this artist include Scyther, Farigiraf, Exeggutor,Alolan Dugtrio, Pawniard, Sawk,Salazzle, and Electrike. Dsuke artwork has been around since Cyber Judge was released, and some cards recently received reprints as part of the Start Deck 100 Battle Collection.
Interestingly, this was the first time they rendered a Larvitar Pokemon TCG card, and it hasn’t happened since. Dsuke’s art style often involves lesser-known Pokemon, although they can draw all types of creatures, emotions, and backgrounds well. This Larvitar fits the overall style and pattern quite well:
- Suitable environment based on the Pokemon’s lore
- Very colorful to make the scene feel alive
- a sense of hesitation and purpose on the Pokemon’s face
- It always feels like you caught the creature in the middle of something important
Where Can You Find This Specific Larvitar Artwork?
For this particular binder page, I opted for the Battle Partners common card because it is accessible and affordable..In addition, it is also the only Larvitar card in my collection at this time. However, the same artwork can be found in other sets to potentially bring the card down a bit.
As mentioned before, it is part of Battle Partners, a set I have opened in both Japanese and Korean. For those who prefer an English version, the exact same artwork can be found in Journey Together. That set has also been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
- Battle Partners (JP): $0.02 – $0.05
- Battle Partners (KR) : $0.02 – $0.05
- Journey Together (EN): $0.10 – $0.15
Since this artwork originates from a regular set, good-condition copies remain relatively affordable. If you are looking for a Larvitar 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: 8+
- 🎨 Artwork: 9/10 (subjective, of course)
- Beginner Friendly: Yes
Why Collectors Should Care
If you’re building a Generation II binder, a “forgotten Pokemon” collection, or simply want artwork capable of telling a story in one image, this Larvitar is a very affordable addition and one that belongs in more people’s collection.
Regardless of the card’s purpose for your needs, Larvitar represents one of the most emotional episodes of the Pokemon anime show. It is not as-well-remembered as the Butterfree episode, but it isn’t any less impactful either.
Budget Verdict for Larvitar
There is a lot to like about this card. While it doesn’t qualify as “cute” to most onlookers, one can only admire the sheer dedication to its evolution. Living a life of solitude until you meet specific requirements sounds awful, yet this Pokemon shoulders that burden with ease. It is a valuable life lesson for everyone.
| Artwork | 9/10 |
| Nostalgia | 9/10 |
| Availability | 10/10 |
| Budget Value | 10/10 |
| Overall Collector Score | 9.5/10 |
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 Larvitar 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.
