Every New Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration Card Revealed So Far, Ranked

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Even though a new main Pokémon game isn’t coming until 2027 with Pokémon Winds and Waves, 2026 is still a huge year for Pokémon fans. The Pokémon Company is planning a lot to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, including special releases of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. They recently shared details about the 30th anniversary collection, showing off some of the cards. The Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration set will be available globally on September 16th, and we’ve gotten a first look at several new and classic cards.

Similar to past “Celebrations” sets, this collection will include classic reprinted cards with promotional stamps. However, it also introduces entirely new card designs, including a brand-new rarity level and lots of special Pikachu promotional cards. The initial card list looks great, featuring both beloved Charizard designs and a cute new take on Espeon and Umbreon. I’ve decided to rank all 13 of the newly revealed cards for Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration, from the least to the most exciting. Here’s my ranking.

13) Greninja ex Double Rare

Greninja is a fan favorite, and this card is well-made. However, it resembles other Greninja cards that have come out before. Since Greninja and Mega Greninja were recently the focus of the Chaos Rising expansion, this new card doesn’t feel particularly exciting or unique.

12) Sylveon ex Double Rare

Okay, Sylveon looks super cute on this card, as always, and I’m really digging the pink and blue bubbles in the background. Honestly though, the design feels a little familiar – it’s pretty similar to other Sylveon cards I’ve seen. If you’re a big Sylveon fan or you’re trying to collect all the Eeveelutions, it’s a solid card to pick up. But, looking at everything that’s been revealed for the 30th Celebration so far, I think there are definitely some more exciting cards out there.

11) Lycanroc Illustration Rare

Lycanroc is one of the recently revealed full-art cards in the Pokemon TCG’s 30th Celebration set. While I appreciate the artistic direction, I think the card is too dark and doesn’t highlight the Pokemon as well as it could. It definitely has a spooky feel, but for this type of illustrated card, I prefer more contrast to make the Pokemon really stand out. Because of this, it’s currently my least favorite of the cards shown so far. However, it’s still great to see Lycanroc’s Midnight Form included!

10) Pikachu Promo #14

I really wanted to love this Pikachu card, and it has a lot going for it! It shows a delightfully chubby Pikachu struggling to get through some stairs, which is a cute idea. However, the way Pikachu’s face is drawn just doesn’t quite work for me, and the card doesn’t feel as charming as I’d hoped. Despite that, it’s still a fun and adorable way to reimagine Pikachu in a new promo card after three decades of Pokémon!

9) Pikachu Promo #15

A special Pikachu promo card will be included in every pack of the 30th Celebration collection! There will be 30 different designs to collect, and only 3 have been shown so far. This one, number 15, shows a cute Pikachu surrounded by sparks. While the design is fairly simple, it’s still a charming card and most collectors would be happy to receive it.

8) Espeon Common

This new card collection features both Espeon and Umbreon, and they both look really cute! However, these cards are common, so they don’t have special full-art designs. The Espeon card beautifully captures its daytime evolution from Eevee. It’s a nice scene, and I wish we could see more of the background, as it seems like a warm and inviting place.

7) Umbreon Common

I really love Umbreon, so I might be a little biased when I say I think it’s slightly better than Espeon. I especially like how this card shows Umbreon looking sleepy during the day – it’s a cute way to show that it usually prefers the night, and it contrasts nicely with Espeon’s bright and alert look. Plus, because Umbreon is a more commonly found Pokémon, these cards might be more affordable than the rarer, full-art versions.

6) Drifloon Illustration Rare

Drifloon has a surprisingly creepy backstory, but it’s also undeniably cute! I especially love this particular illustration, which shows it at a carnival surrounded by colorful balloons. As long as you don’t think too much about why it’s there, it’s simply charming.

5) Pikachu Promo #25

I admit it, I love a good-looking card, and this Pikachu promo is easily my favorite one revealed so far. It has such a sweet expression and looks like it’s happily running through a flower field. The artwork is softer and reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film, which I really appreciate.

4) Mewtwo ex Futuristic Rare

It’s perfect that Mewtwo and Mew are the first two special ‘Futuristic Rare’ cards shown off for the 30th anniversary Pokemon Trading Card Game collection. I much prefer this new rarity level to the previously released ‘Mega Hyper Rares’ because you can clearly see the Pokemon featured on the cards. This Mewtwo card is particularly striking, with a futuristic look and a metallic shine. The floating type symbols in the background add to the card’s mysterious feel, fitting for this classic Legendary Pokemon.

3) Mew ex Futuristic Rare

This card cleverly shows Mew becoming invisible, creating a cool, mirrored effect that highlights its mysterious power. I especially like how the bright colors contrast with the darker tones of the Mewtwo card, while still sharing a similar background with Pokemon types and a large Poke Ball. It’s a really creative design that feels fitting for such a rare collectible.

2) Lapras Illustration Rare

I’ve always loved Water-type Pokémon, and as someone who often deals with migraines, I have a special place in my heart for Psyduck. That’s why I’m so excited about the new Lapras Illustration Rare card! I really appreciate how it shows Lapras, Psyduck, and Spheal looking peaceful and at home in their natural environment. The artwork is incredibly calming, and I love how it feels like a little story is being told. I’m definitely hoping to get my hands on this one when the 30th Celebration set comes out.

1) Hisuian Zorua Illustration Rare

I’m really drawn to the atmospheric, moonlit feel of this Hisuian Zorua Illustration Rare card. The colors are beautifully contrasted, and I love the way the Pokémon appears to be floating. It really captures the Pokémon’s mysterious background with a peaceful yet eerie quality that I find captivating. Of all the cards revealed so far for the Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration, this illustration is definitely my favorite.

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2026-06-05 23:12