10 Coolest Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Cards You’ll Want In Your Collection

Published Sep 24, 2026, 10:01 AM EDT

Carrie is a Senior Writer at ScreenRant who previously managed Geek to Geek Media and wrote for SwitchRPG. She is particularly knowledgeable when it comes to WoW, Diablo, and cozy games. She has a passion for supporting the indies and always enjoys sharing her passions with others through her writing.

The new Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG): 30th Celebration set is here and is a fantastic way to recognize this anniversary for the popular game and its characters. Whether looking at how Pikachu has changed and evolved over the years, or looking at the futuristic approach that Mew and Mewtwo can show off, the set is filled with stunning artwork on its cards.

This Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration set is more focused on cards for collectors than on having any cards that are groundbreaking for players of the game, but that doesn't mean some of these cards aren't just plain cool. The artists have gone all out for these pieces, particularly where the Secret Rare cards are concerned, as well as the uniquely numbered 30 Pikachu cards.

While these may not be the most valuable cards in the set, here are ten of the coolest cards you'll want to get your hands on from the 30th Celebration set.

Gholdengo

Illustration Rare Card 142/128

It's probably difficult not to look incredibly cool while striking a pose in front of a glittering golden disco ball while gold coins are thrown at you. Gholdengo is certainly in their element here, with strobe lights from the dance party coloring the background as they are clearly enjoying themselves.

It may not be one of the Pokémon TCG cards worth the most money from the set, but don't tell Gholdengo that. At least they're getting to enjoy the gold thrown their way.

Pikachu 30th Special Card 25/30

Pikachu Rare card 047/128

As I mentioned earlier in this article, within this Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration set, there are 30 special Pikachu cards that feature their own numbering within the base set. Cards 023 to 052 all showcase images of classic Pikachu, each with a different artist to show off a variety of versions of the electric mouse.

This card, numbered 047/128 for the set, is illustrated by Atsuko Nishida. Nishida was the original designer behind Pikachu, as well as the artist of the most expensive Pikachu card of all time, the Pikachu Illustrator Card. While Nishida created the original artwork for Pikachu, Ken Sugimori then finalized the design and has illustrated a separate Pikachu for this set.

Galarian Meowth

Illustration Rare Card 141/128

This artwork for Galarian Meowth is so charming in its simplicity, while also giving a cool look into the lives of three Meowth Pokémon. Meowth, Alolan Meowth, and Galarian Meowth are all visible on this card, looking off at the sunset on top of a tall building.

As an added bonus, if you get this card as well as the Alolan Meowth Illustration Rare card 139/128 and Meowth Illustration Rare card 144/128, the images blend together to form a story. While Galarian Meowth is shown with the three feline Pokémon on top of the building at sunset, Meowth presents them all sleeping on the balconies in the sunshine, with Alolan Meowth showing that night has fallen and the trio is heading down the building.

Toxtricity

Illustration Rare Card 134/128

Several of the full card artwork Secret Rares in Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration show off that these Pokémon are clearly having a big party, as they should.

Perhaps this artwork of Toxtricity is showing them in a dance battle against the Gholdengo shown above. Where Gholdengo had a shower of golden coins, Toxtricity's lightning bolts add to the colorful flair of the dance floor. Even their poses are fairly similar, and they would look good next to each other.

Sylveon ex

Special Illustration Rare Card 153/128

Eeveelutions are always popular, and the beautiful Sylveon ex is certainly a fan favorite. This well-known Eeveelution is shown here with a colorful assortment of flowers surrounding it, to match the "Colorful Harmony" attack listed on the card. The coolest part, however, is that this card is also a powerful one if you play it right.

Each different type of Basic Energy attached to all of your Pokémon will give an additional 50 damage to the attack, meaning that if you play your cards right, this card could bring in a whopping 400 damage.

Pikachu ex

Special Illustration Rare Card 150/128

Clearly, you can't leave Pikachu out of the dance party that Gholdengo and Toxtricity seem to be having. Pikachu and numerous other Pokémon appear to be enjoying themselves under a sky full of fireworks on this beautiful card.

Though this isn't part of the 30 special Pikachu cards in the set, this Pikachu ex does have a companion card as well. While card 150/128 shows Pikachu ex and others enjoying a night scene, card 149/128 shows a different cast of Pokémon surrounding the little yellow mascot in a daytime scene.

RBG Mew Cards

ME:30C R/RGB, G/RGB, B/RGB

Okay, I realize this is technically three cards, so I'm kind of messing up the "ten cards" list. These are just too similar to warrant separating into three spots, so I thought it would be okay to combine them.

Although not as rare and expensive as originally predicted, this beautiful trio of Mew cards is still not only valuable but just plain cool to see. The "RBG" set includes three copies of the Mew card, one with a red/blue design, one with blue/green, and one with green/red. If you're lucky enough to get even one of these cards, it will be a stunning addition to your collection.

Mew ex

Special Illustration Rare Card 152/128

Mew always has a purely magical and impressive look to them, and this Mew ex card adds a touch of cottagecore beauty. While still appearing to be suspended in the air as though in a scientific tube, here Mew ex is shown in front of a tree trunk, with glowing white flowers climbing up around them.

It's a rare nature-focused look for the Mythical Pokémon, and one that would make a great centerpiece for any collection.

Gengar ex

Special Illustration Rare Card 154/128

As the calendar inches ever closer to spooky season, Gengar is naturally coming back out into the limelight. This pseudo-mascot for Pokémon's Halloween collections always has a massive fanbase devoted to them, with Gengar statues, cards, and plushies always being highly sought-after.

This card's artwork looks perfectly suited for a Halloween night, with Gengar ex smirking as they race away from some mischief they probably got into under a full moon. Now we just wish we knew the rest of the story... or maybe it's better we don't.

Mewtwo ex

Special Illustration Rare Card 151/128

If we're talking about cool-looking cards, it's impossible for Mewtwo ex's Special Illustration Rare to not top the list. Almost as if in contrast to the futuristic Mewtwo that's also in this set, Mewtwo ex card 151/128 looks as though it is an ancient mural come to life. The line art surrounding the Psychic-type Pokémon seems to be glowing and moving as Mewtwo ex rises up off the card with a halo of energy.

Of course, there are many cool cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game: 30th Celebration set, and even more that have been around for the past 30 years. Everyone will have their own favorites, which is part of the joy in a set like this one.