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Collecting the 30th anniversary set: a strategy for your profile

The 30th Anniversary set comes in around twenty products, in French as well as Japanese, and it is easy to get lost. The right approach depends mainly on your goal: playing, completing a series of cards or keeping sealed products. We have split this guide by profile so you can get straight to the point.

First, ask yourself the right question

Before buying, ask yourself what you want to be holding in six months' time: a deck that works, a binder full of Pikachu, or a shelf of intact boxes? These three goals lead to very different products. Mixing all three without a plan often means ending up with duplicates, half-opened boxes and a scattered budget.

A useful reminder for everyone: every 30th Anniversary booster pack contains five holo cards, including one of the thirty rare Pikachu cards, plus a holo basic Energy. So everyone makes progress on the Pikachu series, whatever their profile.

Player profile: aim for playable cards

If you play, the set brings new Pokémon ex such as Sylveon ex and Greninja ex, as well as Pikachu ex, Mew ex and Mewtwo ex. Our advice:

  • The Espeon ex and Umbreon ex Battle Decks (announced for the fourth quarter of 2026) are a natural way in if you want to play straight away.
  • The Sylveon ex and Greninja ex boxes give you the playable promo card, its oversized version and four booster packs.
  • The Elite Trainer Box is very practical for a player: nine booster packs, 65 card sleeves, 16 holo basic Energy cards, dice and a coin.

Note: Classic Collection cards (such as the Base Set Charizard) are not legal in the Standard format. Don't count them in your tournament lists.

Card collector profile: completing your series

Collectors want cards, not boxes. Here, it is the number of booster packs that counts.

  • The Booster Bundle, with its six packs, is one of the most direct formats.
  • The Day and Evening Ultra-Premium Collections (fourth quarter of 2026) contain 29 booster packs and the only Classic Collection booster pack announced in French, with three cards from this sub-series.
  • Japanese is a serious option: the 30th Celebration set (M6a) offers six-card packs where every card is holo, with a guaranteed Pikachu.

Choose your goals: the 30 Pikachu (see our guide the 30 Pikachu), the Classic Collection, or the illustration rare cards. Trying to do everything at once quickly gets expensive in duplicates.

"Sealed" profile: keeping products intact

If you like keeping products unopened, the anniversary offers pieces with very polished designs. We make no promises about future value: you keep a product sealed first and foremost because you love it. A few ideas:

  • Strongly themed products: the Mew and Mewtwo Figure Collection (figures sculpted by Kaiyodo), the Ultra-Premium Collections, the Elite Trainer Box with the full-art Nidorina promo.
  • Visual series: the ten Mini Tin artworks form two images, Day and Evening, once put together.
  • Japanese exclusives: the Futuristic Box, the Espeon and Umbreon Premium Deck Set, or the First Partners boxes dedicated to the starters of each generation.

Think about storage from the moment you buy: away from light, humidity and knocks. Our guide to protecting and storing sealed products details best practice.

Mixed profile: our simple plan

Do you recognise yourself a little in all three profiles? So do many of our customers. A plan that works well:

  1. One product to open for fun and to kick off your Pikachu series (Booster Bundle or Elite Trainer Box).
  2. One product to keep sealed, the one whose design you really love.
  3. A small format from time to time (blister, Mini Tin) to fill gaps without breaking the bank.

Set yourself an overall budget before you start and stick to it: that is the best strategy, whatever your profile.

French, Japanese or Chinese?

French is the natural language for products in Belgium and remains the logical choice if you play. Japanese appeals for its print quality and exclusive products. Simplified Chinese offers its own version of the set and original First Partner products. Compare on our FR, JP and CN pages, or read our guide Chinese Pokémon cards.

FAQ

What is the best product to start with for the 30th anniversary set?

For a versatile first purchase, the Elite Trainer Box is a good compromise: nine booster packs and all the accessories you need to play. Our display vs ETB guide will also help you decide.

Should I open or keep my boxes?

Both are perfectly valid. Decide before buying what each product is for: it saves you opening a box you will regret or stacking up boxes you don't enjoy.

Have all the products been released yet?

No. The set was released on 16 September 2026, but several French products are announced for the fourth quarter of 2026. Add them to your request list or contact us to find out more.