Charizard VMAX (Holofoil / Etched Texture) [Darkness Ablaze #020/189]

Charizard VMAX (Holofoil / Etched Texture) [Darkness Ablaze #020/189]

Set: Sword & Shield: Darkness Ablaze
Card Number: #020/189
Year: 2020
Rarity: Ultra Rare
Variant: Holofoil / Etched Texture
Illustrator: aky CG Works
Condition: Raw (Ungraded)

About This Card

This is the Ultra Rare printing of Charizard VMAX from Sword & Shield: Darkness Ablaze, illustrated by aky CG Works. This card holds a special place in TCG history as the first-ever English card to depict the massive, 91-foot-tall Gigantamax form of Charizard — making it the undisputed chase card of the entire Darkness Ablaze expansion. The distinct fingerprint-like etched texture across the entire front surface is both a premium aesthetic feature and a key authenticity marker. Counterfeit versions of this card are extremely common and are typically smooth and glossy with a vertical rainbow-sheet sheen rather than the authentic diagonal light refraction of a genuine copy.

Why This Card?

• Historic Chase Card: The first English depiction of Gigantamax Charizard — the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise — making this one of the most recognizable and sought-after cards from the Sword & Shield era.
• Etched Texture Authenticity: Genuine VMAX cards feature a tactile fingerprint-like etched texture across the full card face. If it feels smooth and glossy, it’s a counterfeit — always verify before purchasing.
• Raw & Gradeable: This card is ungraded, offering collectors the opportunity to submit it for grading. Inspect back corners for micro-nicks and check borders for centering, as the Darkness Ablaze print run frequently produced off-center copies with back-edge silvering.
• Charizard Collectibility: Charizard is the single most collected Pokémon in the hobby. Demand for high-quality copies of this card remains consistently strong across all grades.

All cards are shipped securely in a sleeve and toploader.