The Pokémon TCG is kicking off the 30th anniversary celebrations in style with the First Partner Illustration Collections – Series 1, set to release on March 30, 2026. This is the first wave of three planned collections throughout 2026, each featuring stunning Illustration Rare promo cards of the original starter Pokémon from different generations. Series 1 spotlights the Kanto, Sinnoh, and Alola starters—nine gorgeous cards that capture the nostalgia and charm of your first Pokémon journey, illustrated by top artists with badge-themed backgrounds and vibrant, nostalgic artwork perfect for collectors and players alike.
Product Contents & Details
Each First Partner Illustration Collection – Series 1 box is a compact, anniversary-themed bundle designed for ripping fun and collecting:
- 1 Pokémon TCG pack containing 3 of 9 possible Illustration Rare promo cards – Randomly assorted from the starters lineup.
- 2 Pokémon TCG booster packs – From recent expansions, giving you a chance at current meta hits or chases.
- Price: Expected MSRP around $15–$20 (based on similar promo collections).
- Availability: Preorders likely starting soon via Pokémon Center and major retailers like GameStop, TCGPlayer, and Walmart; limited print run for exclusivity.
This format echoes past promo collections but elevates with high-quality Illustration Rares—perfect for completing the starter trio or hunting your favorite region’s badge art.
The 9 Revealed Illustration Rare Promo Cards
Wave 1’s promos are a nostalgic dream, each featuring a starter Pokémon with its region’s gym badges in the background, rendered in breathtaking Illustration Rare style:
| Starter | Generation | Artist/Notes | Why It’s a Chase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Kanto | Vibrant green with Grass badge glow | Iconic first partner; lush forest art evokes beginnings. |
| Charmander | Kanto | Fiery tail flame, Fire badge | Classic fire starter; dynamic pose, collector staple. |
| Squirtle | Kanto | Shell shine, Water badge | Adorable turtle; watery ripples for display pop. |
| Turtwig | Sinnoh | Leafy dome, Grass badge | Chunky cutie; earthy tones for Sinnoh fans. |
| Chimchar | Sinnoh | Flame tail, Fire badge | Energetic monkey; blazing expression. |
| Piplup | Sinnoh | Bubble crown, Water badge | Penguin prince; elegant waves. |
| Rowlet | Alola | Arrow owl, Grass badge | Sleepy archer; starry night art. |
| Litten | Alola | Fiery kitten, Fire badge | Sassy cat; ember glow. |
| Popplio | Alola | Balloon seal, Water badge | Clownish performer; bubbly joy. |
These promos are already generating massive buzz for their badge-integrated artwork—raw values predicted $20–$50 each at launch, PSA 10s $50–$100+ for low pops.
Why Series 1 is a 30th Anniversary Must-Have
As the kickoff to three waves throughout 2026 (future series likely Johto, Hoenn, etc.), Series 1 taps pure nostalgia—your first starter, now in Illustration Rare glory. With booster packs adding rip value and limited supply, these boxes will scalper fast; preorder alerts essential. Perfect gift for new collectors or anniversary completists.
Grabbed preorders? Pulled a fave starter promo? Share in r/CardChill on Reddit—let’s celebrate the 30th!
Three Trios
The Kanto starters trio (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle) in Wave 1 forms an unbeatable collecting cornerstone, united by their shared Grass/Fire/Water badge backgrounds that glow with retro Kanto gym motifs—Bulbasaur’s verdant Brock badge frame evokes the earthy roots of Pokémon’s origin, Charmander’s fiery Misty badge crackles with classic flame energy, and Squirtle’s watery Surge badge shimmers like a badge of honor. As the original first partners, these Illustration Rares carry immense nostalgic weight for OG collectors; raw values could hit $30–$60 each at launch, with PSA 10s soaring to $80–$150+ due to low anniversary print runs. Completing the trio creates a “badge rainbow” display that’s pure Gen 1 magic—perfect for binders or shadow boxes, and a must-slab set for long-term value appreciation.
Sinnoh’s Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup elevate the series with Diamond/Pearl badge designs that pulse with Gen 4 adventure vibes—Turtwig’s leafy Roark badge grounds it in rugged mines, Chimchar’s blazing Maylene badge bursts with fighting spirit, and Piplup’s elegant Crasher Wake badge flows like a tidal wave. These promos appeal to Sinnoh revival fans (post-BDSP hype), blending chunky, expressive art with emotional depth; expect $25–$50 raws, PSA 10s $70–$120. The matching badge harmony makes them a thematic slab trio—stack them for a “Sinnoh badge wall” that captures the region’s bold evolution, with scarcity driving 100%+ ROI potential by 2027.
Alola’s Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio bring tropical flair with Sun/Moon badge accents—Rowlet’s starry Hala badge twinkles like a night archer, Litten’s fiery Olivia badge smolders with cat sass, and Popplio’s bubbly Lana badge pops like a circus seal. As newer starters, they attract younger collectors while their playful, vibrant illustrations stand out; launch raws $20–$45, graded $60–$110. The badge trio symmetry creates a “Z-Move ready” display set—ideal for Alola completists, with anniversary exclusivity pushing values sky-high.
These 3-series-of-3 promos are 30th anniversary gold—matching badge designs scream “collect the full wave.” Slab ’em all for eternal nostalgia!
Perfect Start
Collecting the nine Illustration Rare promo cards from First Partner Illustration Collections – Series 1 is incredibly straightforward and beginner-friendly, making it the perfect gateway for new Pokémon TCG collectors dipping their toes into the hobby during this 30th anniversary year. At just $15–$20 MSRP per box, each one guarantees 1 random promo from the 9-card pool (Kanto’s Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle, Sinnoh’s Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup, Alola’s Rowlet/Litten/Popplio), plus 2 booster packs for extra hits and fun. Buy 3–5 boxes ($45–$100 total), and you’ve got a solid shot at 3–5 unique promos—complete the set with 9–12 boxes max, no need for expensive singles hunting or eBay markups. Retailers like Pokémon Center, GameStop, Walmart, and TCGPlayer will stock them widely starting March 30, 2026, with one-per-customer limits keeping it fair and accessible.
The structured 3-series-of-3 design (one generation per trio with matching badge backgrounds) adds that satisfying completionist joy without overwhelming newcomers—Kanto for OG nostalgia, Sinnoh for chunky charm, Alola for tropical flair. Each promo’s badge-integrated art is display-ready (slab a PSA 10 for $50–$100 long-term), and the booster packs mean you’re not just buying cards—you’re ripping for Ascended Heroes chases or meta staples. Low risk, high reward: even if you duplicate a few, trade values stay strong on Reddit/Discord, and anniversary scarcity ensures appreciation (50–100%+ in 12 months).
This is hands-down the easiest entry point for collectors in 2026—no massive booster box budgets, no scalper wars, just pure, nostalgic fun that hooks you for life. Grab a few boxes, build your starter rainbow, and you’re in the hobby forever.
Investing in First Partner Illustration Collections Series 1 Promos: The 9 Starter Cards Worth Chasing?
The First Partner Illustration Collections – Series 1 promos (releasing March 30, 2026) represent one of the most accessible and promising investment opportunities in the 30th anniversary lineup, with their nine Illustration Rare starter cards (Kanto: Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle; Sinnoh: Turtwig/Chimchar/Piplup; Alola: Rowlet/Litten/Popplio) offering low-entry collecting and solid ROI potential. At $15–$20 MSRP per box (1 random promo + 2 boosters), completing the set requires 9–12 boxes ($135–$240 total)—far cheaper than chasing SIRs from booster boxes. Raw values are predicted at $20–$60 each at launch (higher for Kanto icons like Charmander), with PSA 10 slabs hitting $50–$150+ due to anniversary scarcity and low print runs. The badge-themed artwork (e.g., Bulbasaur’s glowing Brock badge, Piplup’s elegant Crasher Wake frame) creates thematic trios perfect for slabbed displays, driving collector demand—similar to 25th anniversary starters that appreciated 100–200% in 3–5 years.
Is it worth investing? Absolutely for patient collectors—expect 50–150% ROI in 12–24 months as Wave 1 becomes the “gateway” anniversary item. Kanto trio leads ($40–$80 raws, $100–$200 slabs) for OG nostalgia, Sinnoh mid-tier ($30–$60 raws) for BDSP revival, Alola sleepers ($25–$50) for tropical appeal. Strategy: Buy 20–30 boxes at MSRP ($300–$600 total) for 3–5 duplicates to trade/flip; slab 6–9 near-mint promos (Economy tier $18/card, 60–70% PSA 10 rate). Risks: Dupe variance, grading queues (95+ days), overprint (low for anniversary). Boosters add EV (~$8–$12/box from Ascended/Perfect Order hits).
Just for fun or serious flip? Both—the low cost makes it beginner-proof fun (rip, complete trios, display), while scarcity ensures profits. Diversify: Hold 70% sealed boxes, slab 30%. With Waves 2–3 coming, Series 1 will be the rare “OG” wave.
Relaxing Collecting Chilling
I’ve been counting down the days to First Partner Illustration Collections – Series 1 like a kid waiting for Christmas, and honestly, it’s the kind of excitement that feels pure and unhurried—no frantic preorder drops or scalper wars, just the simple joy of knowing these nine starter promos are coming March 30. Every time I look at the revealed artwork—Bulbasaur with that glowing Brock badge, Charmander’s fiery Misty frame, Squirtle’s watery Surge shine—I get this warm rush of nostalgia. These are the Pokémon that started it all for me: my first Bulbasaur team in Red/Blue, the Charmander that carried me through gyms, the Piplup that made Diamond feel magical. It’s not about chasing $1,000 SIRs; it’s a gentle side collection that lets me relive those moments without the pressure.
What I love most is how relaxed it feels compared to the day-to-day hustle of normal TCG life—endless TCGPlayer alerts for Ascended Heroes ETBs, stressing over Chaos Rising leaks, or debating slab submissions during 95-day queues. With Series 1, I can just grab a few $15–$20 boxes at retail, rip for a random Kanto/Sinnoh/Alola starter, and build my badge-themed trios at my own pace. No FOMO, no bulk buying—just the satisfaction of completing a nostalgic rainbow on the shelf, maybe slabbing a PSA 10 Charmander for kicks. It’s the perfect breather, a fine side hustle that brings back the hobby’s heart without the grind.
I’m already planning my binder page for Wave 1, imagining the Sinnoh trio (Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup) glowing under LED lights next to my Alola Rowlet/Litten/Popplio. Waves 2 and 3 will make the full anniversary set epic, but Series 1 is my chill entry point—nostalgia therapy in promo form. Can’t wait to unbox and feel that first-partner magic all over again.
Got your preorder alerts set for Series 1? Which starter trio are you most excited for? Drop your nostalgia stories in r/CardChill on Reddit—let’s share the relaxed vibes!
For more anniversary previews and collecting tips, check our TCG Sets hub and investment guide. 🚀