わるいヤドラン (Dark Slowbro)

Market outlook

Rising Outlook 8/10

Demand for early Japanese Pokémon cards, especially Old Back variants, continues to grow as collectors seek historical pieces. The scarcity of high-grade copies (graded 8–10) and the enduring popularity of Team Rocket cards drive price increases[3][5][9].

Next months. Prices expected to rise 5–10% over the next 3–6 months due to seasonal collector activity and auction demand[3].

Long term. 1–3 year outlook suggests continued appreciation of 10–20%, especially for graded 10 graded copies, as the market for vintage Japanese cards matures

History

Dark Slowbro (わるいヤドラン) is a corrupted version of the Pokémon Slowbro (ヤドラン), transformed by the Team Rocket (ロケット団) organization. In the Pokémon universe, Team Rocket alters normal Pokémon into 'Dark' variants with enhanced aggression and darker aesthetics. This card represents Slowbro at Level 27, evolved from Shellder (ヤドン), and features the Psychic type with the special ability 'Lift Up' (つりあげる), which allows the player to discard damage from opponent's Pokémon when this card is in play[7].

First released in Japan in 1997 as part of the 4th Expansion Pack 'Team Rocket' (第4弾拡張パック「ロケット団」), also known as PMCG4. It is numbered 080 in the set and features the 'Old Back' (旧裏面) design, indicating it is from the original Japanese print run with the older card back design[1][5][9].

• It is the only Dark Slowbro in the original Japanese Team Rocket set and features a holographic rare design (Rare Holo ☆)[5][8].
• The card is from the 'Old Back' (旧裏) variant, making it historically significant as one of the earliest Japanese Pokémon cards with the original back design[1][3].
• Dark Slowbro is a Level 27, 1-stage evolved Psychic-type Pokémon with 60 HP and the ability 'Lift Up', which removes damage from opponent's Pokémon when this card is active[7].

Rarity and print run

Tier

Rare Holo (☆)

Print run

Medium

First printed in

Team Rocket (第4弾拡張パック「ロケット団」 / PMCG4)

Demand

High

Supply

Scarce

• Original 'Old Back' print from 1997 is no longer in production
• Holographic foil is prone to wear, reducing the number of high-grade copies
• Dark Pokémon cards from Team Rocket are highly sought by collectors due to their unique lore and aesthetic

Collector notes

Condition. Key flaws include centering issues common in early Japanese prints, edge wear on the holographic layer, and surface scratches on the foil. The Old Back variant is especially prone to corner dings due to thinner cardboard. Check for 'foil peeling' around the holographic area and ensure the card back is the original 'Old Back' design (not the newer reprint)[1][3][5].

Storage. Store in a rigid top loader or semi-rigid sleeve with a card protector. Keep in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight to prevent foil fading. For long-term preservation, use acid-free sleeves and avoid humidity to prevent cardboard warping[3][5].

Authenticity. Fakes often have the wrong card back (New Back instead of Old Back), incorrect font spacing, or missing holographic texture. Authentic copies feature the original 1997 Japanese text, the 'Old Back' design, and a distinct holographic star (☆) rarity symbol. graded 8 and graded 10 graded copies are available and can be verified through graded's database[5][6][9].