🎨 First Partner Illustration Collection - Series 1, 2 & 3 Guide

Every Trainer's journey begins with a first partner. In 2026, The Pokémon Company is celebrating that moment with three dedicated collector sets - Pokémon TCG: First Partner Illustration Collection - Series 1, 2 & 3. Together they deliver 27 brand-new illustration rare-style promo cards showcasing the starter Pokémon from nine different regions.

What's inside?

Each box is a small collector product (not a full ETB), focused entirely on starter artwork. Every box contains:

• 1 promo booster with 3 of 9 illustration rare promo cards
• 2 standard Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 1 sticker sheet featuring first partner Pokémon

The cards use the MEP set code and fall under the Collection Box category in our sealed rankings.

Series 1 - Kanto, Sinnoh, Alola (March 20, 2026)

The first wave plays the nostalgia card while still pulling in modern fans. You get the classic Kanto trio (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle), the tropical Alola crew (Rowlet, Litten, Popplio) and the adorable Sinnoh starters (Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup). Charmander posing by a campfire and Rowlet resting on a branch are easily among the best illustration rare arts of the last couple of years.

Series 2 - Johto, Unova, Galar (June 19, 2026)

The second drop arrived three months later and completed the remaining three generations: Johto (Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile), Unova (Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott) and Galar (Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble). The artwork feels even dreamier this time - more landscape, more light, more personality. Sobble hiding in the rain or Cyndaquil between forest and volcano prove how strong today's TCG illustrators have become.

Series 3 - Hoenn, Kalos, Paldea (August 7, 2026)

The third wave closes the loop and adds the missing regions: Hoenn (Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip), Kalos (Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie) and the newest Paldea trio (Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly). Nine more illustration rare-style promos, this time leaning into busy urban backdrops - Fennekin poses in front of Kalos architecture, Quaxly struts around a Paldean schoolyard and Fuecoco parties among the sweets.

Box contents stay identical: 1 promo pack with 3 of 9 cards, 2 regular booster packs and a sticker sheet. Numbering continues as MEP 055-063.

Fun facts

• 9 + 9 = 18 brand-new arts. Nothing recycled - every card is exclusive to this collection and not available in regular booster packs.
• MEP set code puts these cards into the "black star" promo family, similar to the McDonald's promo line - but with much higher production value.
• The sticker sheet is often ignored, yet on sealed copies it bumps resale value - collectors want complete contents.
• Thematic continuity. Series 1 + 2 + 3 now cover starters from nine regions (Kanto → Paldea). Only Hisui is still missing.
• Distribution runs primarily through Pokémon Center and brick-and-mortar (Target, GameStop). Stock is tighter in Europe, which keeps prices higher locally.

Collector & investment angle

Illustration rare promos have shown some of the most stable growth of the last few years - collectors hunt them for the art, not the meta. For First Partner Illustration Collection, three extra tailwinds apply:

• Limited print run - nothing like the mass print of 151 or Surging Sparks.
• Cross-generation appeal - both Kanto purists and Galar fans want in, so demand is broad.
• Low sealed supply in EU - expect around €28-44 per box, raw singles €6-18 depending on the Pokémon (Charmander line and Sobble tend to top the list).

Holding sealed for 12-18 months should reasonably yield 30-60% upside. PSA 10 graded singles of the strongest arts (Charmander, Rowlet, Sobble) can go significantly higher.

TL;DR

• What: Three collector boxes with 27 new illustration rare starter promos.
• When: Series 1 - Mar 20, 2026, Series 2 - Jun 19, 2026, Series 3 - Aug 7, 2026.
• For whom: Art collectors, nostalgia hunters, mid-term holds (12-24 months).
• Tip: Buy sealed while it stays under €45 - above that, singles for grading make more sense.

Artwork source: pokemon.com