Treecko

The Treecko card, numbered 003 within the Nintendo Black Star Promos series, was released in 2003 as a promotional tie-in for the third generation of the Pokémon video game series, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. It was distributed through the Pokémon Organized Play program and select retail outlets to build anticipation for the debut of the Hoenn region creatures on the Game Boy Advance. As a grass-type card, it served as an introduction to the updated mechanics and artistic evolution of the Pokémon Trading Card Game under Nintendo's direct management following the transition from Wizards of the Coast.

The illustration is credited to Ken Sugimori, the primary character designer for the Pokémon franchise and a foundational figure in its visual identity. Sugimori’s approach to the Black Star Promos often focused on clean, minimalist backgrounds that emphasized the character’s form and personality, adhering to the iconic style established in the early 2000s. The card was received by collectors as a foundational piece of the Gen III era, valued primarily for its status as an early promotional release and its representation of one of the series' most recognizable starter Pokémon.