On October 16, 2026, Japan released one of the most nostalgic products of the entire 30th anniversary: the 30th Celebration Card Sets, better known among collectors as the First Partner Card Sets. Nine boxes, nine regions and 27 brand-new full-art promos featuring every starter Pokémon, from Bulbasaur all the way to Quaxly.
Unlike the English First Partner Illustration Collections, where you pull three random promos from a pool of nine, every Japanese Card Set gives you a fixed trio from one generation. No duplicates, no guessing: pick your region and you know exactly wich three cards you get. In this guide we cover the box contents, the complete 27-card checklist with promo numbers, the differences from the English version and which generation is the best pick for your collection.
Set Specifications Overview
Before we get to the cards themselves, here are the key facts about the Japanese 30th Celebration Card Sets at a glance:
| Specification |
30th Celebration First Partner Card Set |
|
Official Name |
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set |
|
Language |
Japanese |
|
Release Date |
October 16, 2026 |
|
Number of Boxes |
9 (one per generation, Kanto to Paldea) |
|
Promos per Box |
3 foil full-art promos (fixed trio, same generation) |
|
Total Promos |
27 cards, numbered 101/M-P to 127/M-P |
|
Booster Packs per Box |
2x 30th Celebration (M6a) booster packs |
|
Extras |
3-card paper display stand |
|
Japanese Retail Price |
¥1,200 per box |
|
Price at Card-Binder.com |
From €24.95 (Gen 1: €39.95, Gen 2: €29.95) |
Every box is more than just three promos. Each set also includes two 6-card 30th Celebration expansion packs, and the card set arrived a month after the main 30th Celebration booster box and Premium Deck Set, which both released on September 16. So besides your fixed First Partner trio, every box gives you two chances at the main set's chase cards, including the new Futuristic Rares and the 30 Pikachu cards. Want to know more about these chase cards? Read our Pokémon 30th Celebration TCG Set: Everything We Know blog for the full set breakdown.
The Complete 30th Celebration First Partner Checklist: All 27 Promos
Each of the nine Card Sets contains the Grass, Fire and Water starter trio from one region. Together they form a 27-card set, numbered 101/M-P to 127/M-P. Use this checklist to track your collection or find the generation you're missing:
|
Gen |
Region |
Grass |
Fire |
Water |
Card Set |
| 1 | Kanto | Bulbasaur 101/M-P | Charmander 102/M-P | Squirtle 103/M-P | Gen 1 Card Set |
| 2 | Johto | Chikorita 104/M-P | Cyndaquil 105/M-P | Totodile 106/M-P | Gen 2 Card Set |
| 3 | Hoenn | Treecko 107/M-P | Torchic 108/M-P | Mudkip 109/M-P | Gen 3 Card Set |
| 4 | Sinnoh | Turtwig 110/M-P | Chimchar 111/M-P | Piplup112/M-P | Gen 4 Card Set |
| 5 | Unova | Snivy 113/M-P | Tepig 114/M-P | Oshawott 115/M-P | Gen 5 Card Set |
| 6 | Kalos | Chespin 116/M-P | Fennekin 117/M-P | Froakie 118/M-P | Gen 6 Card Set |
| 7 | Alola | Rowlet 119/M-P | Litten 120/M-P | Popplio 121/M-P | Gen 7 Card Set |
| 8 | Galar | Grookey 122/M-P | Scorbunny 123/M-P | Sobble 124/M-P | Gen 8 Card Set |
| 9 | Paldea | Sprigatito 125/ M-P | Fuecoco 126/M-P | Quaxly 127/M-P | Gen 9 Card Set |
Because every box contains a fixed trio, completing the full 27-card set is simple: buy all nine Card Sets and you´re done, with no duplicates and no random pulls. Want them all at once? the Complete Set of 9 bundles every generation in one order.
Gen by Gen: Every First Partner Trio Explained
Gen 1 - Kanto: Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle
The trio that started it all in Pokémon Red & Green (1996). Kanto starters have the highest demand of any generation, with Charmander leading the way, which is why the Gen 1 Card Set carries a premium. If only you buy one box for nostalgia, this is it.
Gen 2 - Johto: Chikorita, Cyndaquil & Totodile
Introduced in Pokémon Gold & Silver (1999), the Johto trio is a favourite among collectors who grew up with the second wave of Pokémon. Cyndaquil and Totodile in particular have a loyal fanbase, making this the second most sought-after box.
Gen 3 - Hoenn: Treecko, Torchic & Mudkip
Hoenn's starters debuted in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (2002), and Mudkip has been an internet favourite ever since. A must-have trio for fans of the Game Boy Advance era.
Gen 4 - Sinnoh: Turtwig, Chimchar & Piplup
The Sinnoh trio from Pokémon Diamond & Pearl (2006) brought the series to the Nintendo DS. Piplup is one of the most popular Water starters ever, and it gives this box strong appeal.
Gen 5 - Unova: Snivy, Tepig & Oshawott
Introduced in Pokémon Black & White (2010), the Unova starters are often underrated, which makes this box a smart pick for collectors looking for value. Snivy has a strong following among fans of the Grass type.
Gen 6 - Kalos: Chespin, Fennekin & Froakie
The Kalos trio from Pokémon X & Y (2013) marked the jump to 3D. Froakie, te pre-evolutions of the hugely popular Greninja, is the star of this box.
Gen 7 - Alola: Rowlet, Litten & Popplio
Pokémon Sun & Moon (2016) brought us the Alola starters, with Rowlet becoming an instant fan favourite. A cheerful, colourful trio that looks great on display.
Gen 8 - Galar: Grooky, Scorbunny & Sobble
Introduced in Pokémon Sword & Shield (2019), the Galar starters are the first partners of a whole new generation of trainers. Sobble's popularity among fans makes this a fun pick.
Gen 9 - Paldea: Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly
The newest trio comes from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (2022). Fuecoco quickly became a meme favourite and for younger collectors this is often their first partner trio.
Japanese Card Set vs English First Partner Illustration Collection
If you've been following the 30th anniversary, you've probably seen the English First Partner Illustration Collections (Series 1, 2 & 3). Both products feature the same 27 starter illustrations, but they work very differently:
| Feature |
Japanese 30th Celebration Card Set |
English First Partner Illustration Collection |
|
Number of Products |
9 Boxes (one per generation) | 3 Boxes (Series 1, 2 & 3) |
|
Regions per Box |
1 Region | 3 Regions |
|
Promos per Box |
3 Fixed Promos (complete trio) | 3 Random Promos from a Pool of 9 |
|
Duplicates Possible? |
No | Yes |
|
Promo Numbers |
101/M-P - 127/M-P | MEP 037 - MEP 063 |
|
Booster Packs |
2x 30th Celebration (M6a) | 2x assorted Pokémon TCG Boosters |
|
Extras |
3-card paper display stand | Sticker Sheet |
|
Release |
October 16, 2026 | Series 1: March 2026 · Series 2: June 19, 2026 · Series 3: August 7, 2026 |
|
Language |
Japanese | English |
The biggest difference is control. With a Japanese Card Set you choose your region and get exactly that trio. With an English Illustration Collection you open a promo pack and find out which three of the nine starters you got. That's more of a surprise, but completing a full set can take several boxes.
Which one should you choose?
- Want a specific trio or the complete set without duplicates? Go for the Japanese 30th Celebration First Partner Card Sets
- Prefer English cards, or enjoy the thrill of opening packs? Check out the First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3.
- Serious Collector? Many collectors go for both. The Japanese and English promos have different card numbers, so they count as separate cards in your collection.
Which Generation Should You Buy?
With nine boxes to choose from, picking the right one depends on what kind of collector you are. Here's our advice at a glance:
| You are... |
Our Pick |
Price |
|
A Nostalgic Fan |
Gen 1 - Kanto | €39.95 |
|
Looking for the best Value |
Gen 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 | €24.95 |
|
Collecting your own first Game |
The generation you started with | From €24.95 |
|
A display Collector |
Any box (each includes a stand) | From €24.95 |
|
A Completionist |
Complete Set of 9 | €199.95 |
For the nostalgic fan: Gen 1 Kanto
If Pokémon started for you with Red, Blue or the original Base Set, the Kanto trio is the obvious choice. Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle are the most recognisable starters in the franchise and that's reflected in demand: the Gen 1 Card Set has the highest price and sold out first.
For the best value: Gen 5 to Gen 9
Every box contains the same thing: three full-art promos, two 30th Celebration booster packs and a display stand. That means the newer generations give you exactly the same contents for €24.95. Fans of Froakie, Rowlet or Fuecoco get a complete trio plus two chances at the main set's chase cards, at the lowest price.
For the personal collector: your own first partner
For many collectors, the best box is simply the one from their first game. Did you start with Ruby & Sapphire? Go for Hoenn. Grew up with Sword & Shield? Galar is yours. These cards are about your own trainer journey, and that's what makes them special.
For the display collectors: build your shelf
Each box comes with 3-card paper stand, so every trio is ready to display straight out of the box. Start with one or two regions and expand over time, or line up all nine for a complete "30 years of first partners" display.
For the completionist: the Complete Set of 9
Want all 27 promos in one go? The Complete Set of 9 costs €199.95. Buying all nine boxes separately would cost €244.55, so the bundle saves you almost €45.
Protecting Your First Partner Promos
All 27 First Partner promos are foil full-art cards, and foil card sar ethe most vulnerable to scratches, whitening edges and curling. Whether you keep them on display or store them away, a few simple steps keep your cards in mint condition.
Sleeve them straight away
Put every promo in a penny sleeve as soon as you open the box, before it goes anywhere else. Sleeves protect the foil surface from fingerprints and scratches. Pulled something great from the two 30th Celebration booster packs? The same rule applies. Browse our card sleeves.
Toploaders for your favourites
For your most valuable cards, like Charmander or any big hit from the booster packs, add a toploader on top of the sleeve. This keeps the card rigid and protects the corners and edges. It's especially useful if you plan to send your cards for grading later. Check out our toploaders.
The perfect 9-pocket binder layout
Here's a fun detail: the 27 First Partner promos fill exactly three pages of a 9-pocket binder. Put one generation in each row (Grass, Fire, Water from left to right) and every page shows three regions:
-
Page 1: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn
-
Page 2: Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos
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Page 3: Alola, Galar, Paldea
That gives you a clean, chronological overview of 30 years of first partners, matching the checklist above. A zippered binder with side-loading pockets keeps dust and moisture out. Discover our Zippered Card Binders.
Displaying with the included stand
The paper stand in each box is great for showing off your trio, but it doesn't protect the cards themselves. Sleeve your cards before placing them in the stand, and keep your display out of direct sunlight to prevent the foil and colours from fading.
New to collecting? Read our How to Collect & Protect Your Pokémon Cards: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide for everything you need to know.
Product Lineup & Buying Options
Ready to add the First Partners to your collection? Here's everything available at Card-Binder.com:
Japanese 30th Celebration First Partner Card Sets
Each box contains 3 foil full-art promos, 2 30th Celebration booster packs and a display stand.
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Gen 1 - Kanto: Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle
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Gen 2 - Johto: Chikorita, Cyndaquil & Totodile
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Gen 3 - Hoenn: Treecko, Torchic & Mudkip
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Gen 4 - Sinnoh: Turtwig, Chimchar & Piplup
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Gen 5 - Unova: Snivy, Tepig & Oshawott
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Gen 6 - Kalos: Chespin, Fennekin & Froakie
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Gen 7 - Alola: Rowlet, Litten & Popplio
-
Gen 8 - Galar: Grookey, Scorbunny & Sobble
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Gen 9 - Paldea: Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly
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Complete Set of 9: all 27 promos in one order
Prefer English?
The First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1, 2 & 3 feature the same illustrations in English, with 3 random promos per box.
Protect your collection
Why order from Card-Binder.com?
-
100% Authentic: factory sealed products from verified distributors
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Fast shipping from the Netherlands: orders placed before 12:00 (Mon-Fri) ship the same day
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Worldwide shipping
- 14-day returns on sealed products
Watch It Live on Stream
Want to see these boxes opened before you buy? We open 30th Celebration products live on our Rip & Ship streams on TikTok and Twitch. Watch the First Partner promos up close and see what comes out of the 30th Celebration booster packs.
How live breaks work: buy your products directly from our store, add your stream name to your order, and we'll open them for you live. Your cards are then carefully packed and shipped to you.
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