The Pokémon 151 set is a love letter to Kanto, a celebration of Gen 1 nostalgia that reimagines the original lineup with dazzling new artworks and sought-after chase cards.
With so many classics returning, collectors have been vying to snap up the rarest pulls – cards that have commanded substantial fees since their very release back in 2023. They are, after all, the concepts that first captivated much of the Pokémon community.
Each of these chase cards stands out not just for rarity, but for the artistry and storytelling behind its design. That includes evolution lines that come together to tell a story and fan favourites finding homes in a range of terrains.
So let’s find out what the most valuable cards in the 151 set are, with the clamour from collectors showing no sign of slowing down.
1. Charizard ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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Hardly a surprise to any collectors given the Pokémon’s everlasting and profound popularity, the Special Illustration Rare Charizard ex is the set’s undisputed centerpiece. It’s the must-have chase from the must-have set.
The card features Charizard in a dramatic, action-packed pose, wings unfurled and its flamed tail hanging behind it as it takes to the skies above canyons and volcanoes. A fiery backdrop for the second stage that ignited many fans’ passion for Pokémon. All of this comes in the distinctive art style of Miki Kudo, who creates Special Illustration Rares for all three stages of the Fire Pokémon’s evolution in the 151 set.
2. Venusaur ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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Up next is the second stage two starter evolution from Kanto, Venusaur. The Venusaur ex Special Illustration Rare, beautifully illustrated by Yoriyuki Ikegami, captures the Pokémon standing majestically in a vibrant forest clearing, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers that highlight its connection to nature. Sunlight filters gently through the canopy above, casting soft, dappled light across Venusaur’s massive form.
The top-down perspective emphasizes the Pokémon’s impressive size and calm demeanor, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere. Again, 151 delivers a masterpiece where one of the franchise’s most iconic Pokémon is found in its natural habitat; Venusaur owns the land, Charizard patrols the skies, and Blastoise takes to the water.
For those lucky enough to pull this chase, you’ll be the proud owner of a card that sits in the upper echelons of 151’s most valuable cards.
3. Blastoise ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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The third on the list is the Blastoise ex Special Illustration Rare, illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita. Arita presents Blastoise submerged just below the water’s surface, viewed from a dramatic, slightly angled perspective. Blastoise’s cannons are poised and ready, with bubbles and ripples surrounding its massive shell, creating a sense of gravitas and depth.
The aquatic palette, rich in deep blues and shimmering highlights, makes Blastoise look both majestic and formidable. The interplay of light filtering through the water and the detailed rendering of Blastoise’s features showcase Arita’s mastery of texture and atmosphere. This card is a visual powerhouse, perfectly capturing the essence of one of Kanto’s most iconic starters.
Like Charizard and Venusaur, big man Blastoise comes with a certain fanfare. For that reason, it’s little surprise to see that this glorious print has fetched prices of almost £70 raw since its release.
4. Zapdos ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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The Zapdos ex Special Illustration Rare from Pokémon 151 is a true showstopper, both for its value and its breathtaking design.
Illustrated by Shiburingaru, this card captures Zapdos in a high-energy scene as it bursts through a stormy sky, wings crackling with electricity. What sets this card apart is the inclusion of Articuno and Moltres in the background, uniting the legendary bird trio in a single, action-packed composition. It’s like a snapshot straight from Pokémon The Movie 2000, so no wonder this set evokes nostalgia.
The card is not too far behind Venusaur and Blastoise in terms of value, which is quite the achievement given the popularity start lines typically hold. That is surely testament to the quality of this legendary card – one that has us staring down the wingspan of one of the region’s most powerful Pokémon.
5. Charmander (Illustration Rare)
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If Charizard is the most iconic stage two starter from Kanto, then Charmander, by association and through its own blazing popularity, makes the list as the first early-stage evolution.
The artwork on this Illustration Rare captures Charmander standing on rocky ground, gazing upward toward a cavern’s opening, where light filters in, creating a dramatic contrast between the dark, textured cave walls and the bright outside world. Evoking a sense of wonder and exploration, the scene highlights Charmander’s curious spirit in a beautifully detailed natural setting.
In gameplay, the card slots naturally into the popular Charizard ex deck, though, obviously, its main appeal lies in the evocative and immersive artwork from Miki Kudo. For this reason, it’s hit pretty impressive heights.
6. Charizard ex (Ultra Rare)
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Nothing quite sums up Charizard’s popularity among collectors like a list that contains multiple Charizard ex prints as well as its evolution stages too. And here, as the sixth most valuable card in the set, we have the Charizard ex Ultra Rare.
This full art card showcases Charizard in a powerful, battle-ready pose, claws primed while it's captured mid-roar. The vibrant orange and red backdrop amplifies the sense of intensity, perfectly capturing Charizard’s reputation as a fierce combatant and one of Gen 1’s strongest Pokémon.
It’s a uniquely different take on the Fire-type compared to the Special Illustration Rare. But the use of clean lines by illustrator PLANETA Mochizuki gives it a design that meets the high standards of the collecting community. Not quite as expensive as its counterpart, but still a card you’d want to sleeve and throw in a toploader in an instant.
7. Squirtle (Illustration Rare)
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The second starter straight from Professor Oak’s lab is Squirtle, brought to life in an Illustration Rare by Mitsuhiro Arita.
The artwork depicts Squirtle standing in the shallow, crystal-clear waters of a sunlit beach, with gentle waves softly swirling around its feet. The sparkling water reflects a warm sunlight, creating a shimmering effect that contrasts with Squirtle’s vibrant blue shell and curious eyes. It’s another installment of the starters in natural habitats.
It’s not huge in competitive TCG, but that doesn’t matter. Its artistic appeal and nostalgic value mean that the Squirtle Illustration Rare commands impressive prices on the secondary market.
8. Alakazam ex (Special Illustration Rare)
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Alakazam has done well to oust its way onto a list almost entirely composed of the Gen 1 starter Pokémon lines, with a legendary for good measure. That, as much as anything, is a good insight into how popular this pull is.
A card of allure, the Alakazam ex Special Illustration Rare depicts the Pokémon seated in an elegant, dimly lit room filled with arcane and mystical objects. The blues of psychic energy contrast against the golden background, creating a striking contrast that highlights the Pokémon’s mind-bending abilities. It’s a perfect display of telekinesis as Alakazam holds the two spoons mid-air with a fixed stare.
From a gameplay perspective, Alakazam ex offers some level of novel utility with its Dimensional Hand attack, which can be used even when it’s on the bench. This unique ability allows players to maintain offensive pressure without risking the Pokémon in the active spot, adding a strategic layer to deck building. But this largely remains outside of the main meta; it’s just another quirk for a card with a cutting-edge design.
The strength of this set is truly highlighted by the fact that this card, even after initial market corrections, is still worth over £40 raw.
9. Bulbasaur (Illustration Rare)
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Bulbasaur doesn’t miss out, but comes in slightly after Charmander and Squirtle. That said, you’d be hard pressed to pick a favourite between the three – just as it always has been.
This Illustration Rare shows Bulbasaur in the heart of a lush, verdant forest, beautifully capturing the Pokémon nestled among green foliage, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and dappling the ground around it. The Pokémon’s bright blue-green skin and the bulb on its back pop against the rich, natural backdrop, creating a sense of harmony with its surroundings. A scene alive with detail.
Similar to Squirtle, it’s a card that holds value because of its artwork and popularity rather than competitive viability. But that’s done the Grass-type starter just fine. The Bulbasaur Illustration Rare commands notable prices on the secondary market with sales between the £30–£40 mark.
10. Charmeleon (Illustration Rare)
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Last on a list alive with big-cost cards is Charmeleon – the only middle stage starter from Kanto, again reflecting the Fire line’s popularity.
But that’s not the only reason this is significant. Placed next to Charmander and Charizard, Charmeleon works to complete a set of connective artwork, taking fans from the depths of a cavern all the way to the skies over Kanto.
Specifically, the art on this Charmeleon Illustration Rare shows the Fire-type Pokémon perched precariously on a cavern ledge, staring down out of frame to the space where you’d find Charmander. This visually arresting interpretation places Charmeleon in a dramatic, natural setting. The cavern’s textured rock formations and shadows create a sense of depth and adventure, while the subtle play of light highlights Charmeleon’s expressive eyes and the flickering flames of its tail. It’s a design that breathes life into the fiery middle stage evolution.
It comes in just below Bulbasaur value-wise, but is nonetheless beautiful. Pokémon really set out its stall with the 151 set, giving longtime fans a glimpse back to the beginning.
What else should you look out for?
In a set so full of fan-favourites, it comes as little surprise that there are plenty of cards worth double figures. After all, there’s so many Pokémon from Kanto that evoke fond memories for trainers.
Pikachu (Illustration Rare)
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Pikachu Illustration Rare shows the mascot Pokémon bounding through a suburban scene. The card’s artwork features many other Pokémon too, such as Nidoran, Jigglypuff, Slowpoke, Gengar, and even a quite domesticated Blastoise sitting under a parasol.
Dragonair (Illustration Rare)
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Another card worth watching out for is a radiant-looking Illustration Rare of Dragonair. The backdrop, a flooded room complete with pillars and obelisks, truly harks back to locations such as the Dragon’s Den from the earlier generations.
Final Thoughts
Every trainer will have their own penchant for Pokémon, so it may be that a water-colour Psyduck or a Poliwhirl transfixed on a puddle appeals. The beauty of this set is there’s so much to chase beyond the big hitters.
Shop 151 and all things Pokémon TCG, including booster boxes and elite trainer boxes right here at Gathering Games.
