Pokémon 151: Ultimate Guide to 10 Amazing Kanto Chase Cards
Pokémon 151 is the set that brought the original Kanto Pokémon back to the modern TCG, and it has become one of the most loved releases of the Scarlet and Violet era. Released in English on 22 September 2023, Pokémon 151 gives every one of the first 151 Pokémon a new card, from Bulbasaur to Mew, with a run of Illustration Rares that recreate the feeling of opening packs in 1999. This guide explains how Pokémon 151 is built, which cards collectors chase, and which products are best to open or keep sealed in Australia.
Pokémon 151 sits between Obsidian Flames and Paradox Rift in the release schedule, but it plays by different rules as a special set. If you collect modern Kanto cards, it pairs perfectly with the Mega Evolution era and the 30th anniversary releases on our blog.
Table of Contents
Pokémon 151 at a glance
- English release: 22 September 2023
- Set type: Scarlet and Violet special set, sold without a standard booster display box
- Total cards: 207, made up of 165 main set cards and 42 secret rares
- Japanese source: Pokémon Card 151
- Pokémon ex: 12, led by Venusaur ex, Charizard ex, Blastoise ex, Alakazam ex, Zapdos ex and Mew ex
- Secret rares: 16 Illustration Rares, 16 Ultra Rares, 7 Special Illustration Rares and 3 gold Hyper Rares
The set also brought back a classic feel through its card frames. Every Pokémon uses the modern Scarlet and Violet layout, but the artwork leans heavily on the look of the original games, with soft colours, simple backgrounds and familiar poses. Many collectors say opening this set felt like being a kid again, and that emotional pull is a big part of its success.
How the Pokémon 151 card list works
The main set follows the original Pokédex order. Bulbasaur is card 001, and the list runs through all 151 Kanto Pokémon before finishing with Trainers and Energy at 165. That makes the main set easy to sort and especially satisfying to complete, because a full binder page by page mirrors the original Pokédex.
- 001 to 165: the main set, in Pokédex order, followed by Trainers and Energy
- 166 to 181: 16 Illustration Rares, including Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Psyduck and Dragonair
- 182 to 197: 16 Ultra Rares, including full-art Pokémon ex and Supporters such as Erika’s Invitation and Giovanni’s Charisma
- 198 to 204: 7 Special Illustration Rares
- 205 to 207: gold Hyper Rares of Mew ex, Switch and Basic Psychic Energy
The Illustration Rares for the starters and their evolutions form connected scenes, so many collectors aim to complete the full Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle lines in one go.
A useful sorting tip: because the main set follows the Pokédex, you can lay cards out in rows of nine as you open and spot gaps instantly. It is the fastest way to see which commons and uncommons you still need before buying singles.
Top 10 Pokémon 151 chase cards
Values shift all the time, so treat this as a ranking based on sales through 2025 and 2026 rather than a price list.
- Charizard ex, Special Illustration Rare 199/165
- Blastoise ex, Special Illustration Rare 200/165
- Venusaur ex, Special Illustration Rare 198/165
- Zapdos ex, Special Illustration Rare 202/165
- Erika’s Invitation, Special Illustration Rare 203/165
- Alakazam ex, Special Illustration Rare 201/165
- Mew ex, Hyper Rare 205/165
- Charmander, Illustration Rare 168/165
- Squirtle, Illustration Rare 170/165
- Bulbasaur, Illustration Rare 166/165
Charizard ex leads the set
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare shows Charizard soaring above misty plateaus and an erupting volcano. It has been the most valuable card in Pokémon 151 since release, and it remains one of the most wanted modern Charizard cards. The Charizard ex Ultra Rare at 183/165 is a more affordable alternative.
The Kanto starters
Venusaur ex and Blastoise ex join Charizard ex as Special Illustration Rares, and all three starters also have Illustration Rares of their first forms. Completing the trio across both rarities is one of the most popular goals in the set.
Erika, Giovanni and Mew
Erika’s Invitation is the most loved Trainer card in the set, with a Special Illustration Rare showing Erika in her perfume shop. Giovanni’s Charisma adds a darker Team Rocket touch, and the gold Mew ex closes the set as the most popular Hyper Rare.
Pull rates are never officially published, so any numbers you see online are community estimates. Each specific Special Illustration Rare is thought to appear only once in many hundreds of packs, while Illustration Rares are much more common. That is why most collectors open a few products for fun and then buy the remaining chase cards as singles.
Why Pokémon 151 is still so popular
Three things keep demand high. First, nostalgia: almost every collector has a favourite original Pokémon, and this set gives each one a modern card. Second, artwork: the 16 Illustration Rares are some of the most charming of the era. Third, scarcity: as a special set, Pokémon 151 had no booster box, so sealed products are limited and prized.
That popularity also means you should buy carefully. Stick to trusted stores for sealed Pokémon 151 product, check that shrink wrap and seals are genuine, and compare prices before buying expensive singles.
It also helps to think about display early. Many collectors frame the three starter Special Illustration Rares together, or set aside a single binder page for the Illustration Rares of their favourite evolution line. Planning your display before you open makes it easier to decide which singles to buy, which to trade and which duplicates to sell.
Finally, set a budget before you start. Special sets are exciting, and it is easy to keep opening long after buying singles would have been cheaper.
Pokémon 151 for players
Although Pokémon 151 is mainly a collector set, it produced several useful cards. Alakazam ex and Mew ex saw play, and Trainers such as Erika’s Invitation and Giovanni’s Charisma had their moments in competitive decks. Players can always use the main set versions, which are far cheaper than the premium printings.
Condition matters with this set because so many collectors want top-grade copies. Sleeve every Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare the moment it leaves the pack, keep the best cards in toploaders or magnetic cases, and store binders upright in a cool, dry room. Before grading, check centring, corners, edges and surface under bright light, since small flaws make a big difference to the final grade.
How to collect Pokémon 151
- Complete the 165 main set cards in Pokédex order
- Collect the 16 Illustration Rares, starting with the three starter lines
- Add the Ultra Rares, which include affordable full-art Trainers
- Buy the Special Illustration Rares as singles, one at a time
- Finish with the gold Mew ex and Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare
A master set with reverse holos runs to well over 350 cards. A 9-pocket binder with 20 or more pages is a good choice, and many collectors keep the main set in Pokédex order and the secret rares in a separate section.
Sealed collectors should store boxes flat, away from sunlight and humidity, and leave the shrink wrap untouched. Tins and premium collections can dent or scuff in transit, so buy from a store that packs carefully with plenty of padding.
For gifts, a mini tin or booster bundle is a friendly starting point. Kids and returning fans alike love seeing the original Pokémon again, and it is an easy way to share the hobby.
Best Pokémon 151 products to buy
- Pokémon 151 Elite Trainer Box: 9 packs, sleeves, dice and storage
- Pokémon 151 booster bundle: 6 packs and a simple gift
- Pokémon 151 Ultra Premium Collection: the flagship collector box
- Blooming Waters Premium Collection: a premium 151 box with promos and packs
- Alakazam ex collection and Zapdos ex collection: promos plus packs
- Pokémon 151 poster collection: packs plus a poster
- Pokémon 151 mini tin: packs in a collectable tin
- Pokémon 151 booster bundle display: multiple bundles for bigger openings
See everything in stock on our Pokémon 151 product page.
Pokémon 151 FAQ
How many cards are in Pokémon 151?
There are 207 cards: 165 in the main set and 42 secret rares.
What is the best card in Pokémon 151?
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare 199/165 has been the most valuable card since release.
Is there a Pokémon 151 booster box?
No. As a special set, it was released through Elite Trainer Boxes, bundles, tins and collections instead.
Where can I see the full checklist?
The Bulbapedia 151 page lists all 207 cards with numbers and rarities.
More Scarlet and Violet guides
Explore more sets from the era with our guides to Obsidian Flames, Paldea Evolved, Paldean Fates, Temporal Forces and Twilight Masquerade, or browse the Obsidia Collectables trading card blog.
Pokémon 151 is a celebration of where it all began. Whether you chase Charizard ex or simply want all 151 originals in one binder, it is a set that rewards every collector who opens it.