E4's Favorite 30th Anniversary First Partner Illustration Promo [Closed- RESULTS]

[inertgeometry]

Preface

Hey yall, I know it’s been far too long, but I thought in light of the 30th anniversary and those awesome First Partner Pokemon special arts promos that have been coming out, we could do another poll to see which ones we like most as well as which trio is the fav. Now that we know all of them, we can do some somewhat early impressions, and then maybe come back to this after a while to see if our opinions have changed.

For this poll in particular, we’ll be doing a rating system, different from my previous polls. For that reason, this will be a sort of stand-alone.

Rating System

1 - Strongly Dislike (Can’t find anything you like)

2 - Dislike (You can appreciate some aspects, but not a fan overall)

3 - Indifferent (It’s fine. Nothing you dislike or particularly like)

4 - Like (You’re a fan of certain aspects, but you may not go out and buy it)

5 - Strongly Like (You’re going to be adding this to your collection)

Results

Placement within the generation’s trio

Overall top placements

Overall winner

Individual Cards

- (or worse)

27th - Quaxly 2.77/5

26th - Popplio 2.79/5

25th - Grookey 2.83/5

24th - Chespin 2.88/5

23rd - Sobble 2.9/5

20th-22nd - Fennekin , Froakie , Sprigatito 2.96/5

+

18/19th - Litten , Fuecoco 3.02/5

17th - Chimchar 3.04/5

16th - Tepig 3.1/5

15th - Scorbunny 3.15/5

14th - Turtwig 3.24/5

-

13th - Oshawott 3.25/5

12th - Snivy 3,27/5

11th - Piplup 3.49/5

+

10th - Rowlet 3.5/5

9th - Charmander 3.55/5

8th - Bulbasaur 3.72/5

-

7th - Squirtle 3.76/5

6th - Totodile 3.96/5

5th - Treecko 3.98/5

+ (or better)

4th - Torchic 4.02/5

3rd - Cindaquil 4.08/5

2nd - Chikorita 4.12/5

1st - Mudkip 4.18/5

Card Sets

- (or worse)

9th - Galar 2.85/5

8th - Kalos 2.95/5

+

6/7th - Alola, Paldea 3.05/5

-

4/5th - Sinnoh, Unova 3.32/5

-

3rd - Kanto 3.83/5

+

2nd - Hoenn 4.05/5

- (or better)

1st - Johto 4.33/5

Overall Concept of this Promo Series

+ 3.6/5

Polls

Individual Cards

Bulbasaur

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Charmander

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Squirtle

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Chikorita

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Cyndaquil

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Totodile

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Treecko

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Torchic

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Mudkip

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Turtwig

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Chimchar

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Piplup

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Snivy

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Tepig

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Oshawott

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Chespin

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Fennekin

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Froakie

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Rowlet

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Litten

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Popplio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Grookey

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Scorbunny

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Sobble

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Sprigatito

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Fuecoco

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Quaxly

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Card Sets

If anyone would like to do a better job combining the cards into one image, I’ll update them. I don’t have a photo editing software anymore :')

Kanto Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Johto Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Hoenn Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Sinnoh Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Unova Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Kalos Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Alola Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Galar Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Paldea Trio

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Overall Concept of this Promo Series

Execution as a Series

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

I would like to hear general perspectives, like why you think some trios are strong while others are weak. For example, I find some of them like Kalos and Galar to be a mess, but I like the way some like Paldea and Johto flow together.

[inertgeometry]

My overall thoughts about the series is that it’s certainly a cool idea and for those who played through the games, each card is loaded with nods to the region including what seems to be progression from grass being towards the start of the game to water being the end of the game (at least for the regions i’m familiar with).

however, I’m not a fan of pop-art, so for the most part, aside from maybe mudkip bc it is so incredibly aesthetic and has the latis, and/or if I can come across these at a decently cheap price, I’ll just be admiring them from afar.

[kingtutt28]

I think these are really nice concepts but i too will be admiring from afar–more than likely. Thanks for putting this poll together. it was cool to see everything together.

[decoypalmette]

I have some doubts regarding the art style and composition, especially considering how messy they get in the late gen trios (Galar, Paldea). It feels a bit crowded with elements that have different shapes and colors.
I understand the idea behind them though, and I think it’s genuinely interesting seeing game references in the TCG.

I also think some of them lack identity a bit: unfortunately the art style gets a bit repetitive after a while, and not every Gen has an iconic vibe, landmarks or palettes that are easy to capture. Kanto, Johto and Unova are probably the best ones (for me).

So overall, I’m not going to collect the set, but If I had to choose these 3 would be my favorites :

[ddk]

I think the biggest issue with the art direction is it looks like the starter Pokemon was just plastered on top of the background, rather than being a part of it. That seems like a very deliberate choice and while neither good nor bad, does limit these cards visually for me.

The Mudkip and Rowlet are the best of the lot, as it looks like they are actually part of the scene. The color compositions are also pleasing to look at and less of a sensory overload.

[DarthEevee]

Generally I think they’re awesome but will not attempt to pick any up

[rapidash]

These feel like the mario movie of promos, bright and fun but so full of references simply for the sake of it that they lose their appeal. I would’ve liked to see some sort of conceptual art tied to 30 years of history rather than a literal representation but, I may just not be the audience for these.

[inertgeometry]

yeah maybe instead of a literal collage, something like the pokemon in a part of the region with some references in the background. like for the squirtle, it could be on a beach with the ss anne behind it or something and probably squeeze in one or two nuggets.

[inertgeometry]

i was thinking at most, i might collect one from each generation, but even that is doubtful

[thatpikachuguy]

I plan on putting the set together so this rating system didn’t allow for much consideration - 5s across the board even though I agree some generations are better than others!

I do like them as a concept better than the 2021 Jumbos - but the fact that Pikachu wasn’t included this time around and that they can’t easily be picked up off the shelves are both bummers

[Silphnaut]

This is what I thought it would be and was so excited prior to them being revealed. Also wanted each gen done by the same artist or preferably have each card be done by a different artist.

Mudkip is the best one imo and the only one I will pick up at some point.

[lyleberr]

Fan of them as a whole set, i enjoy how happy they all look, many of the colors are pleasing, some of the pokemon poses are boring individually, i like the color theme and all the references but some flow better than others. I agree there is some good and bad in them but im gonna need lots of the mudkip, torchic, and bulbasaurs.

[Zaku]

Looks like Squirtle finally learned how to ride a bike.

[koala]

It’s a unique attempt at a roadtrip “JR stamp rally” album, looks great for a 3x3 binder, and the easter egg discoveries are a lot of fun, as the 30th anniversary should be. I think Saboteri nailed it

[bk2021]

None of them really stand out on their own, but since that wasn’t the design brief, it’s hard to judge them on that. I gave them all individually a 4 and a 5 for overall concept.

I think it’s quite nice to see a celebration of all the generations and nods to their respective games. The price point for the JP ones also makes it, in theory, accessible.

Compare that to the 20th and 25th where only the TCG was really acknowledged means it’s also an improvement and a celebration of the whole franchise.

The only alternative I could think of (for those who dislike the style) would’ve been a more understated mini set for each generation but that would grow pretty unwieldy quickly. And technically both Pokemon 151 and Black Bolt and White Flare had the chance to do that but I think feature almost no or actually no art referencing the games.

edit: It would be a nice to have for me, but given the current market environment, I doubt that I will end up getting any. English is already manipulated and JP sees massive markups outside of Japan so it is what it is.

[mrbubbles]

For me they absolutely look much better as a trio next to each other than individual cards. I think the whole connecting artwork which completes the puzzle is really great touch. As someone who has never played mainline games, it is great to learn about the Easter eggs and read about them.

This is my favourite individual card

This is my favourite trio set. I just love the black and white contast in the background.

Cheers!

[Quuador]

There isn’t really one I prefer over the others. I like all of them about equally. I like how every trio connects, and I also like all the easter eggs of the games and Pokémon cameos, even though I’ve never played any of the games.

Anyway, I’ve voted 4 on every single one of the polls:

@inertgeometry

4 - Like (You’re a fan of certain aspects, but you may not go out and buy it)

I like them, despite the somewhat too vibrant colors, but I’m not gonna buy any of them.

Greetz,
Quuador

[inertgeometry]

one more day left on this!

[inertgeometry]

Results are in and posted

some data:

• First, a big caveat: participation was fairly low, with only 54 people at most voting on any one particular poll

• Average score for individual cards came out to 3.13 ranging from 2.77 - 4.18, so the average ended up being a decent bit lower than the median (3.48)

• Card sets also varied by quite a bit, but higher overall with the average ending up at 3.42 ranging from 2.85 - 4.33, so not as far off from the median (3.59)

• Trio rankings didn’t quite follow generational order aside from gen 4, 5, and 7, but it wasn’t far off:

Placement	Generation
1st	2
2nd	3
3rd	1
4/5th	4/5
6/7th	7/9
8th	6
9th	8

• Individual cards also seemed to not completely succumb to gen1 boomers, but I think it is hard to deny that as the later generations come along, the art gets more complicated (likely correlating to the games also being more vast and having more elements that they wanted to put onto the art.

  • For individual cards, I do think pokemon popularity played a roll, especially in the later generations when the background becomes more and more busy.

    • Top voted card for each generation:
      1. Squirtle
      2. Chikorita
      3. Mudkip
      4. Piplup
      5. Snivy
      6. tie - Fennekin, Froakie
      7. Rowlet
      8. Scorbunny
      9. Fuecoco

• Finally, the overall rating of the concept as a whole ended up being 3.6

  • Unfortunately I’m not able to see how many people voted 5/5 or 1/5, so I can’t say how wide the interest varies, but the average does seem to match the common sentiment in the comments of thinking they’re cool, but maybe not going through the trouble of collecting them

@inertgeometry

3 - Indifferent (It’s fine. Nothing you dislike or particularly like)

4 - Like (You’re a fan of certain aspects, but you may not go out and buy it)