S4 Amazing Volt Tackle 抽卡概率，最佳卡牌与盒装指南 (2026)
Released on October 16, 2020, S4 Amazing Volt Tackle (仰天のボルテッカー) is one of the most historically significant Japanese Pokémon TCG sets of the Sword & Shield era. It introduced a brand-new rarity — Amazing Rare — and gave collectors one of the most beloved Pikachu cards ever printed: the Pikachu VMAX Rainbow, affectionately known as “Chonky Pikachu” or “Fat Pikachu VMAX” for its unusually round, plush-like illustration. Five years later, sealed S4 boxes trade at ~¥55,000 ($390) — a 10× appreciation driven entirely by Chonky Pikachu demand.
S4 Amazing Volt Tackle: Set Overview
| Set Code | S4 |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 仰天のボルテッカー (Gyōten no Volt Tackle) |
| English Source | Vivid Voltage (swsh4) |
| Release Date | October 16, 2020 |
| Pack Configuration | 30 packs / box, 5 cards / pack |
| MSRP | ¥4,950 per box |
| Market Price (2026) | ~¥55,000 (~$390) |
| Total Cards | ~96 (base) + secret rares |
| New Rarity | Amazing Rare (AR) |
The “Amazing Rare” Innovation
S4 Amazing Volt Tackle introduced the Amazing Rare (AR) rarity to the Pokémon TCG — a unique holographic foil treatment applied to select Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. The AR cards have a distinctive fragmented rainbow pattern that looks like shattered glass or prismatic ice, creating a visual effect unlike any other rarity in the game. Amazing Rare only appears in S4 and its follow-up S4a Shiny Star V — making S4’s AR cards some of the most unique-looking cards in the entire S-series.
Top Cards in S4 Amazing Volt Tackle
Pikachu VMAX Rainbow (“Chonky Pikachu”) — The Crown Jewel
Pikachu VMAX
~¥42,000 (~$298)
Pull rate: ~1/12 boxes (est.)
“Chonky Pikachu” — the Pikachu VMAX Rainbow by aky CG Works — is one of the most beloved Pokémon cards of the entire Sword & Shield era. Collectors coined the nickname because of the illustration’s unusually round, plush-like rendering of Pikachu in its Gigantamax form. The rainbow foil treatment applied to this chubby pose created an instant cult favorite, and demand for the card has been unusually durable across years.
At ¥42,000 ($298), Chonky Pikachu is the most valuable S4 card and one of the highest-priced Pikachu cards from the Sword & Shield era. The card’s appeal transcends competitive value — it’s purely an illustration-driven collector item with memetic staying power.
Pikachu V SR (Full Art)
Pikachu V
~¥8,500 (~$60)
Pull rate: ~1/box (est.)
Saki Hayashiro’s Pikachu V SR (full art) is the V-form counterpart to Chonky Pikachu. The illustration captures Pikachu in a classic electric charge pose with standard V card proportions — a more traditional full art compared to the VMAX’s unique “chunky” style. At ¥8,500 ($60), it’s a strong mid-tier pull.
Rayquaza Amazing Rare
Rayquaza
~¥4,500 (~$32)
Pull rate: ~1/8 boxes (est.)
The Rayquaza Amazing Rare is the most valuable AR card in S4. The new rarity’s prismatic fragmented-glass foil pattern combined with Rayquaza’s perennial popularity makes this one of the most sought-after cards in the set after Chonky Pikachu. At ¥4,500 ($32), it’s an accessible way to add an AR card to any collection — and serves as a stepping stone toward the more expensive Rayquaza cards from S7R Blue Sky Stream.
Zacian Amazing Rare
Zacian AR (¥1,200 / $9) represents the Galar region’s current-era legendary in the Amazing Rare treatment. More affordable than Rayquaza AR but still features the distinctive AR fragmented holographic style.
Should You Buy S4 Amazing Volt Tackle?
For Pikachu Collectors
S4 is mandatory for Pikachu collectors. Chonky Pikachu VMAX Rainbow is one of the top 5 most iconic Pikachu TCG cards of the modern era. The Pikachu V SR pairs with it for a complete Pikachu subset from this release.
For Amazing Rare Collectors
S4 is the primary source for Amazing Rare cards (along with S4a Shiny Star V). If you’re building a complete AR collection — Rayquaza, Zacian, Jirachi, Celebi, and others — S4 provides the foundation.
For Sealed Investors
The 10× appreciation since launch (¥5,500 → ¥55,000) is among the strongest non-lottery S-series growth stories. The demand driver (Chonky Pikachu) has meme-level staying power — an unusually durable demand source that has not weakened over 5 years.
S4 Pull Rates & Box EV Breakdown
| Rarity | Rate Per Box |
|---|---|
| HR Hyper Rare (Rainbow) | ~0.08 (1/12 boxes) |
| AR Amazing Rare | ~0.125 (1/8 boxes) |
| UR Ultra Rare (Gold) | ~0.10 |
| SR Super Rare | ~1-2 per box |
| Category | Rate/Box | Avg Value | EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikachu VMAX Rainbow HR | ~0.08 | ¥42,000 | ¥3,360 |
| Amazing Rare cards | ~0.125 | ¥2,500 | ¥313 |
| Other HR / UR cards | ~0.20 | ¥4,000 | ¥800 |
| SR cards (Pikachu V SR + others) | ~2 | ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| RR / RRR cards | ~6 | ¥500 | ¥3,000 |
| Other cards | — | — | ¥1,500 |
| Estimated Total EV | ~¥13,973 | ||
| Market BOX price | ~¥55,000 | ||
| EV / Cost ratio | ~25% | ||
S4’s 25% EV ratio is one of the lower figures in the S-series — the box price has appreciated so heavily (10×) that EV has failed to keep up. This is typical for sets with meme-driven demand: the collector premium on Chonky Pikachu sets the box price, but pull rates dilute the EV math. For ROI-focused buyers, singles are significantly more efficient.
S4 Price History
- Oct 2020 (launch): ¥5,500
- Oct 2021: ¥7,500
- Oct 2022: ¥12,000 — Chonky Pikachu meme spreading
- Oct 2023: ¥22,000
- Oct 2024: ¥35,000
- Apr 2026: ¥55,000 — 10× from launch
Where to Buy S4 Amazing Volt Tackle
Browse S4 Amazing Volt Tackle →
Authenticated Japanese sealed boxes and Chonky Pikachu singles sourced directly from Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Chonky Pikachu”?
“Chonky Pikachu” (also called “Fat Pikachu VMAX”) is the community nickname for the Pikachu VMAX Rainbow card from S4 Amazing Volt Tackle (swsh4-188, artist: aky CG Works). The illustration depicts Pikachu in Gigantamax form with an unusually round, plush-like body shape that became a cult favorite. At ~¥42,000 ($298), it’s the most valuable card in the set and one of the most memetically famous Pikachu cards ever printed.
What is Amazing Rare rarity?
Amazing Rare (AR) is a unique holographic foil treatment introduced in S4 Amazing Volt Tackle. It applies a fragmented, prismatic rainbow pattern — similar to shattered glass or iridescent ice — to select Legendary and Mythical Pokémon cards. Rayquaza, Zacian, Jirachi, Celebi, Reshiram, and Yveltal are among the Amazing Rare Pokémon. The rarity only appears in S4 and its follow-up S4a Shiny Star V.
Is S4 the same as Vivid Voltage?
Yes, S4 Amazing Volt Tackle is the Japanese source for English Vivid Voltage (swsh4). The sets share nearly identical card pools, including Chonky Pikachu (named “Pikachu VMAX Rainbow Rare” in English) and the Amazing Rare cards.
Is S4 worth buying at ¥55,000?
S4 has a ~25% box EV ratio — one of the lower figures in the S-series because the 10× appreciation has outpaced pull value. For pure ROI, buying Chonky Pikachu singles is significantly more efficient. For the sealed experience or investment diversification, S4 has shown remarkably durable demand over 5 years.
Related Guides
Looking for iconic Pikachu cards? S4 Amazing Volt Tackle and S4a Shiny Star V are the core Pikachu-era Japanese sets.