Pokémon 30th Celebration Japan: Chase Cards and Rarities Revealed

Mewtwo ex (134/103)

Illustrated by YOSHIROTTEN.

Mewtwo ex is one of the two cards in the set's new Futuristic Rare rarity. The art is by YOSHIROTTEN, who also designed the set's Energy cards, so it carries that same light-wave look. Mewtwo gets a dark, cosmic treatment that plays against the brighter Mew ex, which fits the day and night theme running through the set.

Mew ex (135/103)

Illustrated by YOSHIROTTEN.

Mew ex is the other Futuristic Rare, and it is built to pair with Mewtwo ex. Where Mewtwo goes dark, Mew is done in soft, iridescent pastels. The two are meant to be collected together, and the light and dark split lines up with the set's day and night theme.

Fuecoco ex (124/103)

Illustrated by Atsushi Furusawa.

Furusawa packs this festival street with balloons, bunting and a full cast of background Pokémon, and Fuecoco ex barrels straight through the middle of it. The scene rewards a second and third look, which is exactly what you want from a full-art. Fuecoco has become one of the most popular starters in years, so this one will be on a lot of want lists.

Greninja ex (125/103)

Illustrated by GIDORA.

GIDORA goes sharp and angular here, putting Greninja ex under stage lights in front of a crowd of Pokémon like it's headlining a show. It's a striking departure from the soft, painterly style most SIRs lean on. Greninja cards carry serious collector demand on name recognition alone, and this art style makes it stand out in a binder.

Pikachu ex (126/103)

Illustrated by kantaro.

kantaro puts Pikachu ex at the front of a daytime Pika-Pika Parade, and the whole scene reads like a celebration built around the set's anniversary theme. This is the day half of a day/night pair, which means collectors will be hunting both to display side by side. Pikachu SIRs are always among the top chase cards in any set, and a matched pair doubles the appeal.

Pikachu ex (127/103)

Illustrated by kantaro.

The night half of kantaro's pair moves the parade to a fireworks show, with Eevee and Umbreon joining Pikachu ex under the lights. Displayed next to its daytime counterpart, the two cards tell one continuous story, and that's the kind of connected art that drives chase demand. Adding Eevee and Umbreon to a Pikachu card stacks three fan favorites into one piece.

Sylveon ex (130/103)

Illustrated by You Iribi.

You Iribi places Sylveon ex in a sunlit greenhouse surrounded by flowers, and the soft lighting suits the Pokémon perfectly. Eeveelution SIRs are reliably among the hardest pulls to buy cheap after release, and Sylveon sits near the top of that group. This is the kind of calm, pretty scene that ends up in a lot of display cases.

Jirachi ex (132/103)

Illustrated by Akira Egawa.

Egawa places Jirachi ex inside a swirl of cosmic, starry light, which suits a Wish Pokémon. Egawa has a strong track record with collectors, so this is one a lot of people will be after. Jirachi does not get premium art often, and that adds to the pull here.

Salamence ex (133/103)

Illustrated by Ryota Murayama.

Murayama sends Salamence ex soaring over a town sky filled with hot-air balloons, and the sense of scale is the whole point. Salamence rarely gets premium alt-art treatment, so this fills a gap for fans of the line going back to Bagon. It's one of the more peaceful dragon scenes you'll find on a modern card, and that makes it memorable.

Pikachu (136/103)

Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.

Mitsuhiro Arita returns to the Base Set Pikachu, redrawn in that original chunky-cheeked style. This is the artwork that started it all for a lot of collectors.

Charizard (137/103)

Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.

This is the Base Set Charizard, the card that started it all for most collectors, brought back by Mitsuhiro Arita, the artist who painted the original. Owning a reprint of this card with the original artwork intact is the closest most of us will get to the real thing. It anchors the entire Classic Collection lineup.

Misty (138/103)

Illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

The classic Misty Trainer card is back, with Ken Sugimori's original art intact. Vintage Trainer cards like this rarely get modern reprints, so this one stands out.

Erika's Jigglypuff (139/103)

Illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

Erika's Jigglypuff brings back the old Gym-series owned-Pokémon format. Sugimori's soft artwork fits the character perfectly.

Sneasel (140/103)

Illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

The fan-favorite Neo-era Sneasel holo gets a fresh printing here. If you collected during that period, this card needs no introduction.

Shining Celebi (141/103)

Illustrated by Hironobu Yoshida.

Shining Pokémon were some of the hardest pulls of the Neo era, and Celebi was among the most beloved of the bunch. Hironobu Yoshida's sparkling artwork returns here for collectors who never managed to land the original. Shining reprints are rare in modern sets, which makes this one worth chasing.

Lugia (142/103)

Illustrated by Naoyo Kimura.

Crystal-type cards from the e-Card era sit near the top of many collectors' grail lists, and Crystal Lugia is one of the most sought-after of them all. Naoyo Kimura's crystalline artwork gets a fresh printing here, decades after originals became prohibitively hard to find. This is a real treat for e-Card era fans.

Delcatty (143/103)

Illustrated by Atsuko Nishida.

Delcatty and its Energy Draw power return from the early EX era. Atsuko Nishida's art gives it a gentle look that contrasts with how hard this card worked in decks back then.

Dark Tyranitar (144/103)

Illustrated by Nakaoka.

Dark Tyranitar revives the villainous Dark Pokémon style that defined a whole stretch of the early game. A great pick if you have a soft spot for the shadier side of the TCG.

Scizor ex (145/103)

Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.

Scizor ex brings back the lowercase-ex mechanic, one of the most collected card styles of its time. Arita's take on Scizor is a highlight of the classic lineup.

Metagross δ (Delta Species) (146/103)

Illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda.

Metagross Delta Species returns from the Delta Species era, when Pokémon showed up with unexpected typings. The little 'd' next to the name is a real throwback for veteran players.

Palkia LV.X (147/103)

Illustrated by Ryo Ueda.

Level-X cards defined the Diamond & Pearl era, and Palkia LV.X brings that mechanic's distinctive look back to a modern set. Ryo Ueda's artwork captures the era perfectly. If you started collecting during DP, this one will hit you right in the nostalgia.

Uxie (148/103)

Illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

Uxie with Set Up was a Diamond & Pearl era staple, and seeing it reprinted will hit home for anyone who played competitively back then. This card saw play in nearly everything.

Crobat G (149/103)

Illustrated by Makoto Imai.

Crobat G revives the Platinum-era SP Pokémon, a card that saw heavy competitive use in its day. The G designation marks it as one of Team Galactic's Pokémon.

Gengar (150/103)

Illustrated by Takashi Yamaguchi.

Prime cards were the premium chase of the HeartGold & SoulSilver era, and Gengar Prime was one of the most memorable thanks to Takashi Yamaguchi's menacing artwork. Gengar collectors are a dedicated bunch, and this reprint gives them a piece of HGSS history without the vintage price of entry. The Prime card frame alone makes it stand out in a modern binder.

Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND (151/103 & 152/103)

Illustrated by Shinji Higuchi and Noriko Takaya.

LEGEND cards from the HGSS era were printed across two separate cards, and this is the top half of the Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND. The split-artwork design by Shinji Higuchi and Noriko Takaya remains one of the most distinctive treatments the TCG has ever done. Displayed together with its partner, the full image is a showpiece.

This is the bottom half of the Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND, and you need both halves in hand to actually play the card. Completing the pair is part of the appeal, and the two cards lined up in a binder recreate one of the coolest visual gimmicks of the HGSS era. Chase both or the artwork stays incomplete.

N (153/103)

Illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

N is one of the most iconic Supporter cards ever printed, and this full-art version brings back Ken Sugimori's artwork from the Black & White era. Trainer full arts from that period remain heavily collected, and N sits at the top of that list. This is a smart inclusion that both players and collectors will appreciate.

Rayquaza EX (154/103)

Illustrated by Eske Yoshinob.

Full-art EX cards were the flashy chase of their day, and Rayquaza is one of the most collected Pokémon in the game. Eske Yoshinob's artwork gets a fresh printing for anyone who missed it the first time. Rayquaza cards stay popular across every era, so this is a strong pickup.

Genesect EX (155/103)

Illustrated by Eske Yoshinob.

The Plasma-era Genesect EX returns in full-art form. Eske Yoshinob's artwork made this one a standout when EX full arts were the chase cards of the format.

Mega Gardevoir EX (156/103)

Illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

Mega Gardevoir EX represents the XY era's Mega Evolution mechanic in full art. The 5ban Graphics rendering captures that era's clean 3D style.

Greninja BREAK (157/103)

Illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

BREAK cards, with their sideways gold foil design, are one of the most visually distinctive mechanics the TCG has produced, and Greninja BREAK was the standout of the bunch. It saw serious competitive play in its day, which gives this gold reprint appeal for players and collectors alike. Greninja remains one of the most popular Pokémon in the hobby.

Solgaleo GX (158/103)

Illustrated by PLANETA.

Solgaleo GX gets a full-art reprint from the Sun & Moon era. PLANETA's artwork made the original a popular pull, and it holds up here.

Buzzwole GX (159/103)

Illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

Buzzwole GX brings Ultra Beasts into the classic lineup, straight from the Sun & Moon era. A fitting pick given how much of an impact this card had on its format.

Pikachu & Zekrom GX (160/103)

Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.

Tag Team GX cards brought some of the most dynamic artwork of the Sun & Moon era, and Pikachu & Zekrom GX was a fan favorite from the start. Mitsuhiro Arita's action-packed illustration returns here in full. It was a competitive powerhouse in its day, which adds a layer of history to the reprint.

Zacian V (161/103)

Illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

Zacian V returns in full art from the Sword & Shield base set. It anchored competitive decks for years, so its spot in this collection is well earned.

Raikou (162/103)

Illustrated by Hideki Ishikawa.

Amazing Rares were a short-lived rarity from the Sword & Shield era, and their rainbow-splashed artwork made them instant collector favorites. Hideki Ishikawa's Raikou is one of the best examples of the treatment. Because the rarity only existed briefly, any Amazing Rare reprint gets my attention.

Mew VMAX (163/103)

Illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

Mew VMAX from Fusion Strike became one of the defining cards of the Sword & Shield era, both as a competitive deck and a collector favorite. This reprint gives anyone who missed the original another shot at one of the most recognizable modern cards. Mew's collector base runs deep, so expect demand.

Arceus VSTAR (164/103)

Illustrated by 5ban Graphics.

Arceus VSTAR was the chase card of Brilliant Stars, and it backed up the hype with real competitive results. This reprint puts one of the defining cards of the VSTAR mechanic back in circulation. As the card featuring the creator of the Pokémon universe itself, it fits a 30th anniversary set perfectly.

Magikarp (165/103)

Illustrated by Shinji Kanda.

A full-art Magikarp splashing up a waterfall is a fun inclusion for a celebration set. Shinji Kanda's artwork plays on the old story of Magikarp fighting its way up the falls to become Gyarados. Magikarp has a devoted collector following, and this is one of the standout reprints in the set.

Alolan Exeggutor (104/103)

A full-art Illustration Rare of Alolan Exeggutor, and the long-necked regional form gives artists a lot of canvas to work with.

Moltres (105/103)

Moltres gets the full-art Illustration Rare treatment here, the first of the three Legendary birds in this set.

Lapras (106/103)

This is a full-art Illustration Rare of Lapras, a Pokémon collectors have chased since the original Base Set era.

Articuno (107/103)

Articuno lands its own full-art Illustration Rare, so the Legendary bird trio is fully represented in the set.

Zapdos (108/103)

Zapdos rounds out the Legendary birds with a full-art Illustration Rare of its own.

Toxtricity (109/103)

A full-art Illustration Rare featuring Toxtricity, one of the newer Galar faces mixed in among the classic Kanto lineup.

Morpeko (110/103)

Morpeko picks up a full-art Illustration Rare here, a fun pull for anyone who collects the smaller electric Pokémon.

Drifloon (111/103)

This full-art Illustration Rare stars Drifloon, a Pokémon that consistently produces some of the moodiest card art in the hobby.

Chandelure (112/103)

Chandelure appears as a full-art Illustration Rare, completing the ghostly pairing with Drifloon in this section of the set.

Lycanroc (113/103)

A full-art Illustration Rare of Lycanroc, giving the Alolan wolf a spot in the celebration lineup.

Nidorina (114/103)

Nidorina gets a full-art Illustration Rare, which is a rare treatment for a middle-stage Pokémon. In English, a full-art Nidorina is the promo packed with the 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box, so this is one plenty of collectors will end up owning even if they never open the Japanese set.

Alolan Meowth (115/103)

This full-art Illustration Rare shows Alolan Meowth, the first piece of a Meowth form trio running through the set.

Scraggy (116/103)

Scraggy stars on its own full-art Illustration Rare, a small character card tucked between the bigger names.

Galarian Meowth (117/103)

Galarian Meowth continues the Meowth trio with its own full-art Illustration Rare.

Gholdengo (118/103)

A full-art Illustration Rare of Gholdengo, one of the Paldea additions to this anniversary lineup.

Meowth (120/103)

The original Kanto Meowth closes out the three-form Meowth trio with this full-art Illustration Rare.

Hisuian Zorua (122/103)

Hisuian Zorua gets a full-art Illustration Rare here, and the ghostly Hisui form tends to draw strong collector interest.

Maushold (123/103)

Maushold wraps up the Illustration Rares with a full-art card of the whole mouse family, a fitting group shot for a celebration set.

Pikachu (017/103)

Illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

Ken Sugimori opens the subset with a recreation of his own Pikachu art from the Jungle set. The full-card fireworks holofoil gives that classic illustration a look the original never had. If you are chasing all 30 Pikachu, this is a natural place to start, and I expect it to be one of the most wanted cards in the run.