Home/Expansions/Sword & Shield Lost Origin/Giratina V Alternate Full Art
Giratina V Alternate Full Art Basic
#186/196Illus. Shinji Kanda
Ultra Rare

Giratina V Alternate Full Art

#186/196 · from Lost Origin · released September 9, 2022
Track this card
Holofoil
91/ 100
S-Tier Chase

Cardrake Chase Score

One of the most-chased cards of its era.

Does this score look right?

Quick take

  • The top chase card from Lost Origin
  • Powered one of the most dominant competitive decks in format history
  • Artwork by Shinji Kanda is widely considered among the best in modern TCG
  • Rare case where competitive and collector value aligned

Collector's readWhat it means for your master set

Set position
1 of 366
The single most expensive card in the set
Demand vs rarity Est.
343.1×
Well above its rarity · others at this rarity sell for about $2.47
Cost to complete
≈58%
of the ~$1453 to finish Lost Origin
Completion difficulty Est.
Very Hard
One of the hardest cards to complete
Where it sits in the price lifecycle
Release Hype
Post-Release Correction
Stable / Reprint Risk
End-of-Print Spike
Out-of-Print Maturation
Buy timingLost Origin is out of print, so supply only tightens over time. Buy a clean copy when you find one rather than waiting for a dip.
Out of print · pricing stable · estimated

Set landscapeWhere this card sits in Lost Origin

fewermore cards
Common
44
4
1
49
Uncommon
49
1
50
Rare
24
3
1
28
Rare Holo
12
4
1
17
Rare Holo V
5
1
6
Rare Holo VMAX
1
1
Rare Holo VSTAR
2
2
Ultra Rare
6
24
3
2
35
Secret Rare
10
8
3
21
Radiant Rare
1
2
3
Holo Rare
4
1
5
all
133
24
42
10
6
0
2
217
0.5
1
5
15
50
150
150+
Columns = resale price up to $X (log) · shade = cards in cell (log) · right & bottom = totals · white ring = this card

VariantsCard variants

Holofoil 186/196 · $847.55 — the only variant this card was printed in (no reverse holo or special pattern), so a master set needs just this one copy.

The Giratina V Alternate Art from Lost Origin shows the ghost dragon tearing through dimensions. Shinji Kanda's artwork depicts the moment Giratina breaks through from the Distortion World, and collectors consider it one of the best illustrations in modern Pokemon TCG. The card also dominated competitive play, which added to its reputation.

The storyCompetition and Collection Collided

Most of the time, the best competitive cards aren't the most collectible cards. Giratina V broke that pattern.

“The top chase card from Lost Origin”

The Lost Zone deck built around Giratina dominated tournaments for months. Players needed this card to compete at the highest level. At the same time, collectors wanted it because the artwork was genuinely impressive. Competitive demand and collector demand stacked on top of each other.

Even now that the competitive format has moved on, the card holds value. The artwork quality ensures ongoing collector interest. Being a tournament staple gave it a history that generic chase cards don't have.

By the numbersMarket analysis

Price context

The most valuable card in Lost Origin by a significant margin. Competes with Evolving Skies chase cards for top alternate art status in the Sword & Shield era.

Price trend

Competitive demand kept prices high during the deck's dominance. After rotation, prices corrected but artwork quality maintained collector interest. More stable than cards that were only valuable for competitive reasons.

Investment outlook

Competitive relevance fades, but artwork doesn't. Cards that were both competitively important and artistically strong tend to hold value better than those with only one attribute. Giratina's lore and design ensure ongoing interest.

Demand drivers
Artwork quality ranks among the best in modern TCGGiratina has a dedicated fanbase who like the darker aestheticCompetitive history adds to the card's storyDistortion World theme appeals to collectors who prefer creepy over cuteShinji Kanda has a reputation for exceptional work
Graded premium

PSA 10 copies sell for a solid premium over raw. Print quality is generally good but centering varies.

Approx. pull rate

Alternate art secret rares have very low pull rates, under 1% of packs. Getting this specific card requires either luck or buying it directly.

Rarity context

The clear chase card of Lost Origin. Other alternate arts in the set exist but don't have the same combination of artwork quality, competitive history, and Pokemon popularity.

ArtworkWhy the art matters

Card artwork
Artist · Shinji Kanda

Shinji Kanda is known for atmospheric, emotionally charged alternate art illustrations. The work doesn't just show Pokemon. It tells stories and creates moods. Fan favourite among Pokemon TCG artists.

The artwork

Giratina in Origin Forme tears through what appears to be a dimensional rift. The Distortion World spreads out behind it with its floating landmasses and alien geometry. Golden light pours from the tear. Giratina's red and gold wings extend as it emerges. Something ancient and powerful is breaking through.

Technical details

The textured holofoil enhances the portal effects and gives the Distortion World its otherworldly quality. The gold and red accents catch light, making the card dynamic when viewed from different angles.

What makes it special

This doesn't look like a normal Pokemon card. It looks like cosmic horror. Giratina isn't cute or cool in the conventional way. It's unsettling. The Distortion World feels wrong on purpose. That commitment to Giratina's actual nature, a banished god of antimatter, makes the artwork work.

BackgroundAbout Giratina V Alternate Full Art

Giratina appeared in Generation IV with Diamond and Pearl (2006), revealed fully in Pokemon Platinum where it served as the mascot. The lore is dark for Pokemon. Arceus created Giratina, then banished it to the Distortion World for violence. It represents antimatter in the creation trio, opposite to Dialga's time and Palkia's space.

Why fans love it
  • ›One of the most interesting legendary backstories
  • ›Unique, intimidating design in both formes
  • ›Pokemon Platinum made it the star
  • ›Appeals to fans who want darker, more mature Pokemon content
  • ›The ghost dragon aesthetic hits different
Notable appearances
  • ›Box legendary for Pokemon Platinum (2008)
  • ›Main antagonist in the Giratina and the Sky Warrior movie
  • ›Important role in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
  • ›Recurring appearance in main series games
Competitive relevance

The Giratina VSTAR deck dominated Pokemon TCG in 2022 and 2023. Star Requiem could knock out anything once you had enough cards in the Lost Zone. Multiple major championships went to Giratina decks. That kind of competitive history adds to the card's legacy.

Own it wellCollector guide

Condition notes

The darker portions of the artwork can show print inconsistencies. Centering varies. Check textured areas for print lines or surface issues.

Grading recommendation

Worth grading for clean copies given the value. Check centering before submitting. PSA and CGC both work well for this card. Read the grading guide →

Storage advice

Double sleeve immediately after pulling. Perfect fit inner sleeve into a rigid holder. Magnetic cases or graded slabs for long-term storage. Keep away from humidity and temperature swings. See the storage guide →

Buying advice

TCGPlayer and eBay are the main markets. Check seller reputation. For expensive purchases, graded copies provide authentication. Understand what condition you're paying for. See the singles buying guide →

Authentication tips

High value means counterfeits exist. Authentic cards have proper texture and correct cardstock feel. Print should be sharp with accurate colors. Graded copies from reputable companies remove authenticity concerns.

Word on the streetCommunity sentiment

Reception

Collectors and competitive players both claimed this card. It's regularly cited in discussions of best modern Pokemon TCG artwork. The competitive dominance gave it a story that most chase cards lack. Even people who didn't play the deck remember it.

Notable sales
  • ›PSA 10 copies perform consistently at auction
  • ›One of the most tracked cards on price monitoring sites
Social buzz

Regular feature in best alternate art discussions on Reddit and YouTube. Pull videos with this card get strong engagement. The artwork generates appreciation posts years after release.

Good to knowFrequently asked questions

The Lost Zone deck used Lost Zone mechanics from Lost Origin. Once you put enough cards in the Lost Zone, Giratina VSTAR's Star Requiem attack could knock out any Pokemon. The deck was consistent and powerful enough to dominate major tournaments.
The alternate art has completely different artwork showing Giratina emerging from the Distortion World. It's also much rarer, appearing as a secret rare with low pull rates. The unique artwork and scarcity make it worth significantly more.
Yes. Competitive relevance brought initial attention, but artwork quality keeps collectors interested. Cards with both competitive history and strong artwork tend to hold value better than cards with only one attribute.
If your copy looks clean, yes. Check centering before submitting. High grades provide authentication and sell for a premium. Lower grades on flawed copies don't help much.

Keep collectingRelated cards

Game data
Type
Pokémon
Element
Dragon
Stage
Basic
HP
220
Rarity
Ultra Rare
Artist
Shinji Kanda
CAbyss Seeking
Look at the top 4 cards of your deck and put 2 of them into your hand. Put the other cards in the Lost Zone.
GPCShred
160
This attack's damage isn't affected by any effects on your opponent's Active Pokémon.
Weakness
None
Resistance
None
Retreat
CC

Plan your Sword & Shield Lost Origin master set

Track every card, see what you're missing, and lay out your binder page by page.

Open the binder planner

More cards in Sword & Shield Lost Origin

See all 217 cards →

More from Shinji Kanda