Misty's Tears (カスミのなみだ) 1998 P.M. POKÉMON JAPANESE Hanada City Gym DeckTAG 8.5 Score 892/1000
This Trainer card, illustrated by Ken Sugimori, depicts Misty in a controversial original artwork that led to changes for international releases (replaced with Squirtle wiping her tears in the English Gym Challenge version). Released as part of the Japanese Leaders' Stadium expansion equivalent and included in the Hanada City Gym Theme Deck, it ties into Misty's character as the Cerulean City Gym Leader from the Kanto region, famous in the Pokémon Red/Blue games, anime, and early TCG lore. The card's unaltered Japanese version was never officially released in English due to the artwork, making it a notable piece of vintage Pokémon history among collectors interested in censored or 'banned' cards, early Gym-themed trainers, and 1990s Japanese exclusives that highlight Gym Leader stories.
Grading Details
TAG Grade: 8.5 NM MT+ (strong example with minor back wear)
TAG Score: 892/1000 — precise TAG evaluation
Protective TAG Sleeve: Included and applied to the slab
Full Transparency: Scan the QR code on the slab for the complete Digital Imaging & Grading (DIG) Report, including:
DINGS breakdown
High-res downloadable images plus 360 video
Leaderboard rank and population status
Notable Defects (Verified from DIG Report)
3 DINGS reported: 2 corner wear (Bottom Right and Top Right on back highlighted on the 5th image), 1 surface/play wear (Top Left on back)
No DINGS on front (0 across corners, edges, surface); back edges clean (0 DINGS)
Strong, well-centered card with solid alignment: Front 56L/44R 58T/42B, Back 40L/60R 57T/43B
High Fray/Fill scores (mostly 1000, one 999 on front right edge fill) and excellent corner/edge preservation despite back defects
Population & Rank (as of 1/31/2026) Total graded: 16 | NM MT+ graded: 3 Highest NM MT+: 1st | Highest overall: 3rd | Card rank: 3rd Graded 12/18/2025 (1st NM MT+ graded | 3rd overall card) A top-tier example!
Shipping & Handling
Free shipping via USPS Priority Mail with secure protection
Card ships in bubble pouch + extra padding inside a sturdy box
Handling within 2 business days, though shipped from an overseas FPO address (may add a few days). Thank you for your patience! :)
Misty's Tears (カスミのなみだ) 1998 P.M. POKÉMON JAPANESE Hanada City Gym DeckTAG 8.5 Score 892/1000
This Trainer card, illustrated by Ken Sugimori, depicts Misty in a controversial original artwork that led to changes for international releases (replaced with Squirtle wiping her tears in the English Gym Challenge version). Released as part of the Japanese Leaders' Stadium expansion equivalent and included in the Hanada City Gym Theme Deck, it ties into Misty's character as the Cerulean City Gym Leader from the Kanto region, famous in the Pokémon Red/Blue games, anime, and early TCG lore. The card's unaltered Japanese version was never officially released in English due to the artwork, making it a notable piece of vintage Pokémon history among collectors interested in censored or 'banned' cards, early Gym-themed trainers, and 1990s Japanese exclusives that highlight Gym Leader stories.
Grading Details
TAG Grade: 8.5 NM MT+ (strong example with minor back wear)
TAG Score: 892/1000 — precise TAG evaluation
Protective TAG Sleeve: Included and applied to the slab
Full Transparency: Scan the QR code on the slab for the complete Digital Imaging & Grading (DIG) Report, including:
DINGS breakdown
High-res downloadable images plus 360 video
Leaderboard rank and population status
Notable Defects (Verified from DIG Report)
3 DINGS reported: 2 corner wear (Bottom Right and Top Right on back highlighted on the 5th image), 1 surface/play wear (Top Left on back)
No DINGS on front (0 across corners, edges, surface); back edges clean (0 DINGS)
Strong, well-centered card with solid alignment: Front 56L/44R 58T/42B, Back 40L/60R 57T/43B
High Fray/Fill scores (mostly 1000, one 999 on front right edge fill) and excellent corner/edge preservation despite back defects
Population & Rank (as of 1/31/2026) Total graded: 16 | NM MT+ graded: 3 Highest NM MT+: 1st | Highest overall: 3rd | Card rank: 3rd Graded 12/18/2025 (1st NM MT+ graded | 3rd overall card) A top-tier example!
Shipping & Handling
Free shipping via USPS Priority Mail with secure protection
Card ships in bubble pouch + extra padding inside a sturdy box
Handling within 2 business days, though shipped from an overseas FPO address (may add a few days). Thank you for your patience! :)
