Raikou V GG41 PSA 10 is the phrase collectors type when they look for the Crown Zenith print of Raikou V, and the Japanese card this guide covers is ライコウV (Raikou V) S12a 218/172, the secret-numbered print credited to the illustrator nagimiso in the official Japanese card database on pokemon-card.com. It sits in the high-class pack VSTAR Universe, alongside a regular-numbered Raikou V (038/172), while the Start Deck 100 print (SI 137/414) comes from a separate product; this page separates the three so you can tell exactly which one a listing or a slab label refers to.
We sell Japanese sealed boxes and PSA 10 singles from Tokyo. Every yen figure for our products below is linked to its product page and was read on October 29, 2026; dollar figures convert at ¥154/USD and are approximate.
- The official database lists four Raikou V rows: S12a 038/172, S12a 218/172 and two separate entries that are both printed SI 137/414. Only 218/172 credits nagimiso; the other three credit PLANETA Mochizuki.
- All four rows print the same ability and attack text, so the number over the denominator and the illustrator credit are what separate them.
- Our listing for the 218/172 print is a PSA 10 back order at ¥18,574 (~$121) — sourced to order; the product page shows the current terms.
- “GG41” is only the search phrase collectors use for the English Crown Zenith print. This guide gives no English card number, date or price as fact.
What “Raikou V GG41” Points To
Search interest around Raikou V splits into two kinds of buyers. One group types the search phrase “GG41” (Crown Zenith) and expects a single card. The other group looks at Japanese stock and finds three or four different cards that all say ライコウV on the face. Both groups run into the same problem: a name and an HP figure do not identify a print.
The Japanese side is easy to pin down because the official card database prints a set code, a number, an illustrator credit and the full card text for every row. For ライコウV the database holds four rows, and the secret-numbered print is S12a 218/172. The reason is visible in the number alone: 218 is higher than the 172 printed as the set’s main count, which the database shows for secret-numbered prints. The database does not print rarity letters, so this guide says “SAR” only where our own listing name says it.
Our listing for the card is named “PSA10 Raikou V SAR[s12a 218/172](High Class Pack "VSTAR Universe")”, which is where the SAR letters in this article come from (as our listing names it). The set itself, VSTAR Universe (S12a), is a high-class pack released on Friday, December 2, 2022, according to our existing guide to the three legendary beasts.
If you already know the card and only want the graded-card basics, our Raikou V PSA 10 guide covers the PSA side; this page is the print-by-print companion.
The Four Raikou V Rows in the Official Database
The official Japanese database lists these four rows for the exact name ライコウV. Image pages and card text were read on October 29, 2026.
| Set · number | Database id | Illustrator | HP | Number vs set count | Our listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S12a 038/172 | 42299 | PLANETA Mochizuki | 200 | Inside the 172 count | Not listed |
| S12a 218/172 | 42868 | nagimiso | 200 | Above the 172 count | PSA 10 back order, ¥18,574 (~$121) |
| SI 137/414 | 40379 | PLANETA Mochizuki | 200 | Inside the 414 count | Not listed |
| SI 137/414 | 40620 | PLANETA Mochizuki | 200 | Inside the 414 count | Not listed |
Two of the rows share a printed number, SI 137/414, with different database ids. The database does not say why it holds two entries, and nothing on the rows lets us describe a difference between them, so we treat them as one printed number with two database entries.
Raikou V 218/172: The nagimiso Print
The database page for this print shows Basic, HP 200 and the illustrator credit nagimiso. The number 218 sits above the set’s printed count of 172, the pattern the database uses for secret-numbered prints. That is the whole identification: if the card in your hand says 218/172 with the S12a set symbol, it is this print.
nagimiso is also credited on a different Raikou in the database, the regular Basic ライコウ SM12a 044/173 (HP 120). That is a separate card from a separate set, not a second copy of the V artwork, and it is mentioned here only so that a search on the illustrator’s name does not send you to the wrong card.
What the official database does not tell us about this print is as important as what it does: it prints no rarity letters, no set-level pull information and no market data. Anything beyond the credit, the number, the HP and the text on this page would have to come from somewhere else, so we leave it out. For the wider picture of how this card sits among all Raikou prints, our legendary beasts card guide is the broader reference.
Raikou V 038/172: The Regular-Numbered Print
The second S12a row is numbered 038 out of 172, so it sits inside the main set, and it credits PLANETA Mochizuki rather than nagimiso. It prints the same HP, the same ability and the same attack as the 218/172 print; the differences are the number, the illustrator and therefore the artwork.
This is the print to think of when someone says “the regular Raikou V from VSTAR Universe”. We do not currently list it as a graded card, and the database page gives us no rarity letter for it, so we describe it by its number only. Sourcing requests for a specific graded copy of a print we do not list go through Quick Order.
Comparing the two images shows the difference between the prints: the 038/172 shows the standard V card layout with the PLANETA Mochizuki artwork, while 218/172 is the nagimiso illustration. Because the two share every line of text, a seller who writes only “Raikou V S12a” has not yet told you which of them is on offer.
Raikou V SI 137/414: The Start Deck 100 Print
The third print comes from the SI set, the starter product スタートデッキ100 (Start Deck 100), which the official starter-deck timeline dates to Friday, December 17, 2021 at an official price of ¥790 for a random deck out of 100 kinds. The Raikou V in it is numbered 137 out of 414 and credits PLANETA Mochizuki, the same credit as the regular S12a print.
Whether the SI artwork is the same picture as the S12a 038/172 artwork is not established by the credit alone, and we do not claim it either way. The two image files in the database are separate files; the practical advice is to compare the card in hand with the images above and with the set symbol. For the starter-deck side of the story, including the later MEGA Start Deck 100 Battle Collection, see our Start Deck 100 Battle Collection guide.
The Card Text, Rendered in English
The official database prints Japanese text. The table below renders it in English; the renderings are ours, and the English attack and ability names are descriptive labels, not official names. All four database rows print identical text, so the table gives one line per distinct print.
| Print (rendering) | Ability しゅんそく | Attack ライトニングロンド | Rule box |
|---|---|---|---|
| S12a 038/172 (rendering) | Once during your turn, if this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, draw 1 card from your deck. | 20 damage, plus 20 more for each Benched Pokémon on both sides. | When a Pokémon V is Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards. |
| S12a 218/172 (rendering) | Same wording as above. | Same wording as above. | Same wording as above. |
| SI 137/414 (rendering) | Same wording as above. | Same wording as above. | Same wording as above. |
Two points follow from the text. First, the ability is a once-per-turn draw that works from the Active Spot only, so it is a different kind of ability from one that works from the Bench. Second, the attack rewards a crowded board on both sides, since it counts every Benched Pokémon, yours and your opponent’s. We state only what the printed text says; we make no claim about how any of this performs in play.
The same ability wording appears on the Entei V and Suicune V prints of the same set, with the attack named after each Pokémon’s element. That is a statement about those cards’ own database rows, not a rule for other V cards.
The Three Beasts in VSTAR Universe
Each of the three legendary beasts has a regular-numbered V and a secret-numbered V in S12a. Putting them side by side shows how the 218/172 print fits the set, and which numbers and credits to expect from the other two.
| Pokémon | Regular-numbered V | Secret-numbered V | Secret-print illustrator | HP | Our PSA 10 back order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| エンテイV (Entei V) | 019/172 — PLANETA Mochizuki | 213/172 | Shigenori Negishi | 230 | ¥15,525 (~$101) |
| ライコウV (Raikou V) | 038/172 — PLANETA Mochizuki | 218/172 | nagimiso | 200 | ¥18,574 (~$121) |
| スイクンV (Suicune V) | 024/172 — Ayaka Yoshida | 215/172 | Atsushi Furusawa | 210 | ¥18,620 (~$121) |
Three things stand out. The Raikou V has the lowest HP of the three at 200, against 230 for Entei V and 210 for Suicune V. The three secret-numbered prints carry three different illustrator credits, so there is no single “S12a secret-art style” in the database; each is its own artist’s work. And among the regular-numbered Vs, Entei and Raikou share the PLANETA Mochizuki credit while Suicune credits Ayaka Yoshida.
On our listings, the three PSA 10 back orders are all offered as back orders — sourced to order, with the product page showing current terms. As listed on October 29, 2026, the Raikou V back order sits ¥3,049 above the Entei V one and ¥46 below the Suicune V one. These are our listing prices on a single date, not a ranking of the cards’ worth. For the other two beasts, see our Entei V PSA 10 guide and the Suicune Japanese cards guide.
If you want one page that holds all the VSTAR Universe prints with their own images, the S12a card list is the place to browse, and the sibling article Raikou V 038/172 vs 218/172 goes deeper on the in-set comparison.
How to Treat the English “GG41” Search
Collectors searching in English look for the Crown Zenith print of Raikou V as “GG41”, the same way they search the Entei and Suicune prints by their own GG numbers. That is a search habit, and it is the only thing we take from it. Our sources do not give an English card number, release date, illustrator or price for that print, so this guide does not either.
What can be said safely is how to avoid mixing the two markets up. A Japanese slab label for the card in this guide reads ライコウV or Raikou V with the set S12a and the number 218/172; an English slab carries an English set name and its own number format. If a listing quotes “GG41” and a Japanese S12a number in the same breath, ask the seller which card is physically in the case before you pay.
| What you need to know | Where the answer comes from | In this guide? |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese number, set code, illustrator, HP, card text | Official Japanese card database | Yes, in the tables above |
| Rarity letter of 218/172 | Not printed by the database; our listing name says SAR | Yes, labelled “as our listing names it” |
| English Crown Zenith number, date, price | Not in our sources | No — search phrase only |
| Release date of SI 137/414’s starter product | Official starter-deck timeline | Yes, one date |
| Why the database holds two SI 137/414 entries | Not stated | No |
The PSA 10 Back Order for 218/172
The Raikou V 218/172 is offered as a PSA 10 back order at ¥18,574 (~$121) — sourced to order; the product page shows the current terms. The listing name reads “PSA10 Raikou V SAR[s12a 218/172](High Class Pack "VSTAR Universe")”, so the number, the set and the SAR letters are all printed in the name, and the slab photo on the product page shows what the label itself reads.
PSA 10 is the grade stated in the listing name, and a graded copy is sold with its slab label as the record of what was graded. When you receive or compare a slab, the three things to match are the card name, the set and the number. For this print that means ライコウV or Raikou V, S12a, and 218/172. The number over the denominator is the first check, because it is the one thing that separates this card from the 038/172 print.
We do not state how often this card appears in packs, how many graded copies exist, or what any marketplace is asking. None of that is in our sources, and a guide built on guesses would not help you choose between prints. If you want a different Raikou card, the back orders for two much older prints are covered in the section on Raikou cards we list below.
How to Tell Which Raikou V You Hold
A short checklist, in order:
- Read the number. 218/172 is the secret-numbered S12a print; 038/172 is the regular S12a print; 137/414 is the Start Deck 100 print.
- Read the set symbol or code. S12a means VSTAR Universe; SI means the Start Deck 100 set.
- Check the illustrator line. nagimiso points to 218/172; PLANETA Mochizuki points to 038/172 or 137/414.
- Compare the artwork with the images on this page. Check it against the image for the print you expect.
- Treat an unnumbered or name-only description as incomplete. “Raikou V” alone fits all four database rows.
| What the card or listing shows | Print it points to |
|---|---|
| 218/172, S12a, nagimiso | The secret-numbered VSTAR Universe print |
| 038/172, S12a, PLANETA Mochizuki | The regular-numbered VSTAR Universe print |
| 137/414, SI, PLANETA Mochizuki | The Start Deck 100 print (two database entries) |
| Raikou without the V, or Raikou ex | A different card; see our guides for the ex prints |
The Raikou ex prints from Storm Emeralda (M6) are a different family of cards from a different set, with their own numbers and credits; if that is what you are after, our M6 card list is the place to browse them. The round-up of the 2027 trademark names that collectors read as the three beasts is in our ex star and 2027 trademarks explainer.
Raikou and the October 29, 2026 Trademark Reports
On October 29, 2026 fan sites reported a Japanese trademark filing for 「イナズマの衝撃」 (working English translation: Lightning Impact; no official English name exists), which collectors read as a possible Raikou set; nothing is announced. Our Lightning Impact trademark explainer explains what is confirmed and what is not.
Where to Buy Raikou Cards from Japan
For the card in this guide, the Raikou V 218/172 is offered as a PSA 10 back order at ¥18,574 (~$121) — sourced to order; the product page shows the current terms. The Entei V and Suicune V prints of the same set are offered the same way at ¥15,525 (~$101) and ¥18,620 (~$121).
Two older Raikou cards are different cards, not alternatives to the V; each is offered as a PSA 10 back order — sourced to order; the product pages show the current terms:
| Listing (as named by us) | Our price |
|---|---|
| PSA10 Raikou :1ED [e4 039/088] (Expansion Pack Vol.4 "Split Earth") | PSA 10 back order at ¥264,600 (~$1,718) |
| PSA10 Raikou EX SR :1ED [BW4 071/069] (Expansion Pack "Dark Rush") | PSA 10 back order at ¥148,720 (~$966) |
If you would rather buy sealed product, the box that contains the Raikou ex prints is the Storm Emeralda booster box in the shop card earlier in this guide. It belongs to the Storm Emeralda set, not to VSTAR Universe, so it is a way into Raikou ex cards rather than into the V.
Browse every VSTAR Universe print on the S12a card list, send a sourcing request for a card we do not list through Quick Order, and see the Raikou special art prints comparison for how 218/172 stands next to the Storm Emeralda secret prints.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Japanese Raikou V prints are there?
Four rows in the official Japanese card database, as read on October 29, 2026: S12a 038/172, S12a 218/172 and two separate entries that are both printed SI 137/414. Only 218/172 credits nagimiso; the other three credit PLANETA Mochizuki.
What is the Raikou V SAR 218/172?
It is the secret-numbered Raikou V in VSTAR Universe (S12a), HP 200, credited to the illustrator nagimiso. The database does not print rarity letters; our own listing name calls it SAR.
How much is a Raikou V 218/172 PSA 10?
We offer it as a PSA 10 back order at ¥18,574 (~$121), sourced to order; the product page shows the current terms. This is our listing price on October 29, 2026, not a market figure.
Is Raikou V GG41 the same card as the Japanese 218/172?
“GG41” is only the phrase collectors use when searching for the Crown Zenith print. Our sources give no English number, date or price, so we do not say whether it matches the Japanese card; check the set name and number on the slab label.
How can I tell the 218/172 from the 038/172?
Check the printed number and the illustrator credit. 218/172 is numbered above the 172 count and credits nagimiso; 038/172 sits inside the count and credits PLANETA Mochizuki. The two print the same ability and attack text.
What does the Raikou V ability do?
In our rendering of the printed Japanese, しゅんそく lets you draw 1 card from your deck once during your turn if the Pokémon is in the Active Spot. The attack ライトニングロンド does 20 damage plus 20 more for each Benched Pokémon on both sides.
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