The 30 Pikachu of 30th Celebration: how to collect them all

The Pokémon TCG's 30th Celebration expansion contains 30 different "Pikachu rare" cards, each drawn in its own style, and every booster pack includes one. Collecting them all is therefore mostly a matter of how many packs you open, how organised you are and how well you trade. Here's how we recommend going about it.

What exactly are these 30 Pikachu?

To mark its thirtieth birthday, the Pokémon TCG handed Pikachu to thirty different illustrators. Among the officially revealed names are OKACHEKE, Yuu Nishida and Atsuko Nishida. The result is a run of thirty Basic Pikachu cards, all of them foil, ranging from very classic artwork to much freer interpretations.

These thirty cards sit one after another in the set list. In the international version (English and French), they take numbers 23 to 52 of the main set; in the Japanese 30th Celebration version (M6a), they run from number 17 to number 46. Be careful not to confuse them with the set's two Pikachu ex cards, which are separate cards.

A Pikachu in every booster

This is the set's big talking point: every 30th Celebration booster contains five foil cards, one of which is always one of the thirty Pikachu rare cards, plus a foil Basic Energy card. The Japanese booster follows the same logic, with a guaranteed Pikachu.

In practice, every pack you open moves you forward in the set. However, nothing guarantees you won't pull the same Pikachu more than once: the closer you get to thirty, the more frequent duplicates become. It's a classic collecting phenomenon, and that's exactly where trading comes into its own.

Which products to open to progress quickly

Since the Pikachu is guaranteed in every booster, the main criterion is simple: the number of boosters per product. Here are the official figures for the French range.

If you're aiming for the complete set, booster-heavy formats such as the Booster Bundle, the Elite Trainer Box or the Ultra-Premium Collections make the most sense. Smaller formats are still perfect for filling the last gaps or for gifting. You'll find the full range on our 30th Celebration page.

French or Japanese: which set to choose?

The illustrations are the same, but the numbering and language differ. Mixing both languages in a single binder is possible, but most collectors prefer a consistent set. Our advice: pick one "main" language for your thirty Pikachu and keep the other for trade duplicates or a second set.

The Japanese version has the advantage of a compact booster format (six cards, all foil) and the same release day as the French version, since the expansion launched simultaneously worldwide on 16 September 2026. To weigh up the pros and cons, see our guide Japanese or French booster box, and browse products by language via FR or JP.

Organising your set and handling duplicates

• A numbered checklist: note the numbers you pull as you open (23 to 52 in French, 17 to 46 in Japanese). You'll see straight away what's missing.
• A dedicated binder: thirty cards fit on just over three nine-pocket pages. Storing the Pikachu in number order makes the set very easy to read. Our binder guide will help you choose.
• Protect them as soon as you open them: all these cards are foil and mark easily. Sleeve them immediately, then put your favourites in a toploader. See our accessories section.
• Trade smartly: your duplicates are your best currency with other collectors chasing the same set.

The other Pikachu not to forget

If you're "team Pikachu", the set goes further than the thirty rare cards. It also contains two Pikachu ex and their rarer versions, as well as the Base Set Pikachu reprinted in the Classic Collection, recognisable by its "30" Pikachu stamp. The Ultra-Premium Collections also put Pikachu ex in the spotlight alongside Espeon ex or Umbreon ex. Plenty to keep the hunt going well beyond the main set.

FAQ

Can you get two Pikachu rare cards in the same booster?

The official information guarantees one Pikachu rare per booster. We have no official data on possible exceptions: count on one Pikachu per booster for your estimates.

Are the 30 Pikachu the same in French and Japanese?

Yes, they use the same illustrations. Only the language and card numbers differ between the French version and the Japanese M6a version.

Which product should I choose to start the set?

If you want to progress quickly, go for a booster-heavy format such as the Booster Bundle or the Elite Trainer Box. Add them to your request list, or contact us to check availability.

Are these Pikachu playable in tournaments?

They are cards from the main expansion. For questions about Standard format legality, always refer to the official Play! Pokémon announcements in force at the time of the tournament.