Pikachu #1 Revealed for 30th Celebration

Aug 11

30th Celebration spoilers are really heating up as we approach the simultaneous worldwide release for the hotly anticipated set dropping everywhere on September 16, 2026.

The latest spoiler is a big one: Pikachu #1 of the 30 unique foil Pikachu cards being included in packs was revealed and it is designed by original Pokémon designer, Ken Sugimori.

As I’ve shared before, 30th Celebration packs will include five foil cards, and one of the included cards will be a special Pikachu. There are 30 of these special, “fireworks” foil Pikachu cards in total – each one with a unique number in addition to the set number denoting their place within the 30th Celebration Pikachu Collection.

When writing my guide to what the most expensive 30th Celebration cards might be, I hypothesized that one of these special Pikachu Collection cards might be worth far more than the rest. Perhaps we’ve found it in this historic card designed by Ken Sugimori.

Who is Ken Sugimori?

To fully understand why this Pikachu #1 is such a big deal, we need to know a little Pokémon history. Not too much, however. Just that Ken Sugimori is the legendary artist behind the original 151 Pokémon. Friend of Pokémon’s creator, Satoshi Tajiri, Ken has long been involved with the Pokémon Company, and has illustrated some of the most iconic Pokémon cards of all time.

Want to know my favorite? It has to be the Mewtwo from the original Base Set: the very Mewtwo I pulled in my first-ever Pokémon pack when I was two years old that began my Pokémon card craze.

You can see the full list of Sugimori’s card artworks over at Serebii.

Pikachu #1 in 30th Celebration is a blast from the past

Given Sugimori’s affinity for his earlier days designing the original Pokémon, it makes sense that he would lean back into some of that experience when creating a more chubby and cute Pikachu.

Indeed, this Pikachu’s aesthetic is very much like some of Sugimori’s own earlier designs. Like this Pikachu from the Jungle set – one of Pokémon’s earliest.

Stay tuned for more Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration spoilers as we get closer to the big release day. And don’t forget to check my complete 30th Celebration card list often for latest updates on this most unforgettable set!