This early Japanese card presents Geodude not as a generic specimen, but specifically as Takeshi’s (Brock’s) Geodude, tying it directly to the world of the anime and the Pewter City Gym. The artwork captures Geodude suspended against a swirling sky, its rocky form highlighted by soft gradients that contrast with its otherwise harsh, mineral composition. As one of the earliest personalised trainer‑linked cards, it represents a moment when the TCG began exploring character‑driven storytelling through card design.
Card Details
Card Name: タケシのイシツブテ (Takeshi’s Geodude)
Type: Fighting
Level: 15
HP: 50
Set: Japanese Gym Series (Gym 1)
Card Number: (varies by print run; not shown on front)
Illustrator: Ken Sugimori
Year of Release: 1998–1999 (Gym series era)
Language: Japanese
Card Text & Attacks
いしなげ — Rock Throw: 10×
Flip 3 coins. This attack does 10 damage for each heads.
Pokédex Data:
Rock Pokémon
Height: 0.4 m
Weight: 20 kg
Collector’s Notes
Takeshi’s Geodude is a quintessential Geological Pokémon card, rooted in the mineral identity of the species and the rock‑type heritage of Pewter City. The Gym series is notable for its narrative framing — each card is tied to a specific trainer, giving the Pokémon a sense of belonging and context. In this case, Geodude is presented as part of Takeshi’s disciplined, stone‑focused team.
The artwork by Ken Sugimori retains the clean, illustrative style of the early TCG, emphasising Geodude’s boulder‑like texture and floating posture. The muted sky behind it creates a sense of elevation, as if the Pokémon has been hurled upward or is preparing to strike — a subtle nod to its attack, Rock Throw.
The card back confirms its vintage status with the 1996 Pocket Monsters Card Game design, used exclusively in early Japanese releases. Together, the front and back form a complete historical artefact from the formative years of Pokémon card collecting.
