# 30th Anniversary First Partner Illustration Collections (Series 1 March 30, 2026 | Series 2 June 19, 2026 | Series 3 August 7, 2026) **URL:** \ **Category:** News & Links\ **Tags:** 30th-anniversary, promo, tpci\ **Created:** [January 8, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064 "2026-01-08T03:09:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/1 "2026-01-08T03:09:22Z")
[“First Partner Illustration Collections” to Release Throughout 2026 for Pokemon’s 30th Anniversary! - PokéBeach](https://www.pokebeach.com/2026/01/first-partner-illustration-collections-to-release-throughout-2026-for-pokemons-30th-anniversary) > To celebrate Pokemon’s 30th anniversary, we can reveal a series of “First Partner Illustration Collections” will release throughout 2026, beginning with Series 1 on March 30th. > > Each collection will include a **special promo booster pack containing three of nine Illustration Rare promo cards** , two regular booster packs, and a sticker sheet. > > Series 1 will feature the Starter Pokemon from Kanto, Sinnoh, and Alola: > > - Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle > - Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup > - Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio > > We first reported about the existence of the product [last month](https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/12/first-partner-booster-pack-collection-releasing-in-march-for-pokemons-30th-anniversary). No images have been revealed yet. > > Japan will be getting a [_Celebration Collection_](https://www.pokebeach.com/2025/11/celebration-collection-set-name-trademarked-for-the-pokemon-tcg) set at some point this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise or the TCG itself. It’s possible these cards will originate from that set or its associated products. - Potentially all 27 Basic starters will have an Illustration Rare - Possibility of a separate promo lineup for JP containing all AR starters in addition to _Celebration Collection_ - 25th JP had _S8a 25th Anniversary Collection_ and _S8a-P 25th Anniversary Promo Pack_ ### Series 1 ![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/9/0972791e5b96d91ade431a2a61c4d888682828b2.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![slowqueen](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/slowqueen/32/213066_2.png) [@slowqueen](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/slowqueen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/2 "2026-01-08T03:47:26Z")
@citriina More piplup??? ---
**Author:** ![citriina](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/citriina/32/212928_2.png) [@citriina](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/citriina)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/3 "2026-01-08T03:50:37Z")
OH YES I’m so excited for these!!! I was really hoping they’d do something similar to the starter promotions they’ve done in the past! I wonder if they’re going to be all new IRs or if they’ll reuse the IRs that some starters have already gotten? The different promo campaigns are intriguing as well- I’ll be following these super closely for the next few months! ---
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/4 "2026-01-08T04:12:58Z")
For consistency’s sake and for 30th it should be all new illustrations. I believe Popplio is the only starter without a new card in the last 8 years ---
**Author:** ![cryingatnight](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/cryingatnight/32/174393_2.png) [@cryingatnight](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/cryingatnight)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:15am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/5 "2026-01-08T04:15:25Z")
I wonder if they’ll do all western languages…last time they excluded Spanish for the first partner pack jumbos ---
**Author:** ![citriina](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/citriina/32/212928_2.png) [@citriina](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/citriina)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:20am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/6 "2026-01-08T04:20:44Z")
I hope it’s new artwork! I wouldn’t put it past TPC to reuse art though, hence my musings. I’m trying to keep expectations low, haha. Thank you for keeping us all up to date as always with these threads! ---
**Author:** ![dromanyte](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dromanyte/32/155987_2.png) [@dromanyte](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/dromanyte)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:31am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/7 "2026-01-08T04:31:36Z")
> [@cryingatnight](#): > > last time they excluded Spanish Regarding Spanish … there are 3 possibilities … - Release it in both types of Spanish: Spain Spanish & Latin American Spanish - Release it only in Spain Spanish (cards that arrive to Latin America are Spain Spanish … Case similar to Prize Packs) - Exclude both types of Spanish (like Jumbo First Partner Collection) :meowth: ---
**Author:** ![dromanyte](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dromanyte/32/155987_2.png) [@dromanyte](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/dromanyte)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/8 "2026-01-08T14:19:22Z")
_Series 1_ … 🙃 ![Screenshot_20260108_140954_X](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/c/9/c9dc4351da7d9ee3572cc3630decceb5eb522fbb.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:21pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/9 "2026-01-08T14:21:06Z")
![image](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/6/4/64d86a716c09ad58e4aa26bd76ebf9ced01c2788.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![eeveeteam](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/eeveeteam/32/2219_2.png) [@eeveeteam](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/eeveeteam)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/10 "2026-01-08T14:45:55Z")
So obviously 27 starters for 9 generations. 3 series of 9 each covers the 27. Would be cool if Pikachu and Eevee were secret rares or something to bring in the “special” starters ---
**Author:** ![Quuador](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/quuador/32/237215_2.png) [@Quuador](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Quuador)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/12 "2026-01-08T16:04:58Z")
> [@eeveeteam](#): > > So obviously 27 starters for 9 generations. I think it’ll make more sense to have a gen 10 release to get to 30 starters for the 30th anniversary. 🤔 Weren’t the 25th First Partner Jumbo cards also released per gen over the course of the entire year, starting with the Pikachu & binder and three Kanto starters? I’m gonna predict we’ll see gen 10 leaks on Pokémon Day (Feb. 27th, 2026), and then gen 10 starter Jumbo cards near November/December, since November was also the month most other gens were officially released. Just my 2c. Greetz, Quuador ---
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:35am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/13 "2026-02-09T10:35:57Z")
Announced first in Simplified Chinese, Art Rare promos for the First Partner Illustration Collections vol. 1 will release in bundles. They will be expected in EN, JP and other languages eventually Release Date: March 20, 2026 Content: - 1 AR-style 30th promo - 1 acrylic magnetic card display - 1 pack of CSV8C 璀璨诡幻 ![1](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/7/078785d90c791941a82a165e8d024c65ccafd6da.jpeg) > 001/30th-P Bulbasaur (illus. Saboteri) > 002/30th-P Charmander (illus. Saboteri) > 003/30th-P Squirtle (illus. Saboteri) ![001:30th-P Bulbasaur](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/0/f/0fcf4acebd89affe83bbc44ef6cae6557730d599.jpeg) ![002:30th-P Charmander](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/4/a42628ad3954c2bfa2a02ef7d5ff23692456d5da.jpeg) ![003:30th-P Squirtle](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/e/d/eded7dfcb45274965f25c6e5ea265f5deb00f1f2.jpeg) > 010/30th-P Turtwig (illus. Saboteri) > 011/30th-P Chimchar (illus. Saboteri) > 012/30th-P Piplup (illus. Saboteri) ![010:30th-P Turtwig](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/4/3/435daf5469b6f9dee6667e68e1ea43cf32e76ff3.jpeg) ![011:30th-P Chimchar](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/2/8/2845548bfa2d8b6c4812b7378f02b4a16e7b1e78.jpeg) ![012:30th-P Piplup](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/f/7/f71c33f0ff012201881cc6973b307be24c98c875.jpeg) > 013/30th-P Rowlet (illus. Saboteri) > 014/30th-P Litten (illus. Saboteri) > 015/30th-P Popplio (illus. Saboteri) ![019:30th-P Rowlet](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/9/d/9d7c5a3aeaf91c412250b150d3a438929f4a9f22.jpeg) ![020:30th-P Litten](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/9/39b877a393cbacbaaf54f57fb3027f965b047545.jpeg) ![021:30th-P Popplio](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/3/9/39a337283b3c08e6b2fb562bd6647b6ee2a99582.jpeg) - Popplio’s first card since _SM7a Thunderclap Spark_ / _Lost Thunder_ (2018) - Because Simplified Chinese cards are printed in Japan, one can speculate that the JP & SEA versions will have the same 30th Pika stamp * * * _Connected Artwork_ ![1](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/1/f/1f8fd74ad603f09b2784bd3e76f1038684acb7d1.png) ![2](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/d/c/dc6bacdf7857aae17d6c6a0eb3cecbacff9e09cc.png) ![3](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/1/e/1e03b3bf50da3e925fb5c4eadda52a24f7497e61.png) * * * > **[2026-02-09 一路同行，此刻欢聚！ 30周年庆典 最初的伙伴特别插画闪卡套装 Vol.1即将发售 | The official Pokémon...](https://www.pokemon.cn/tcg/product/20725.html)** > > 2026-02-09 一路同行，此刻欢聚！ 30周年庆典 最初的伙伴特别插画闪卡套装 Vol.1即将发售 ---
**Author:** ![Bellsprout](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/bellsprout/32/198969_2.png) [@Bellsprout](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Bellsprout)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:40am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/14 "2026-02-09T10:40:06Z")
Haha that’s pretty bad. And this is how the hype for the 30th dies down. I hope the market crashes too 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:41am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/15 "2026-02-09T10:41:04Z")
> [@Bellsprout](#): > > Haha that’s pretty bad What’s bad about it? ---
**Author:** ![Bellsprout](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/bellsprout/32/198969_2.png) [@Bellsprout](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Bellsprout)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:45am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/16 "2026-02-09T10:45:16Z")
Obviously the colour palette is unpleasant to say the least. The depiction of the starters is very generic, there is no personality into it. The various collage of nostalgic elements feels a bit artificial. The only good thing is the connected artworks that makes it for a good binder page. I will still get it though. It’s just…not great. Underwhelming. 25th was also the case. ---
**Author:** ![Silphnaut](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/silphnaut/32/242895_2.png) [@Silphnaut](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Silphnaut)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:48am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/17 "2026-02-09T10:48:18Z")
not a fan of these, I do like the various land marks and specific easter eggs of each gen but have never been liked Saboteri’s art (with the exception of 2 of their cards) These all look thrown together and all the starters look souless. I really hope the ARs for the other 2 starter sets have a different artist per set to salvage the other starters ---
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:49am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/18 "2026-02-09T10:49:45Z")
Art has a very strong Worlds x JR stamp rally feel with a collage of in-game references. I think they’ve done a good job of making it feel like a 30 year roadtrip album ---
**Author:** ![genosha](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/genosha/32/40439_2.png) [@genosha](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/genosha)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 10:51am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/19 "2026-02-09T10:51:41Z")
Can’t wait to not be able to buy this! ---
**Author:** ![patrickcollects](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/patrickcollects/32/242787_2.png) [@patrickcollects](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/patrickcollects)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 11:03am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/20 "2026-02-09T11:03:28Z")
Looks good! Shame I just upgraded my Binder to a 4x3 lol ---
**Author:** ![joponnes](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/joponnes/32/267759_2.png) [@joponnes](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/joponnes)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 11:21am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064/21 "2026-02-09T11:21:45Z")
I like them a lot! Love it that with new releases there has been loads of effort in connected artworks lately 🙂 with 9 sets we’ll see some beautiful full binder pages of these when more sets get revealed [Next page](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/30th-anniversary-first-partner-illustration-collections-series-1-march-30-2026-series-2-june-19-2026-series-3-august-7-2026/60064.md?page=2)