The 10 Most Expensive 30th Celebration Pikachu Rare Cards
Wondering what the most expensive Pikachu Rare cards from Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration are?
Pikachu Rare is the name given to the special Pikachu subset found within 30th Celebration booster packs. Instead of a regular rarity, these Pikachu cards are assigned a specific Pikachu Collection number and symbol. You’ll find one of these fireworks foil Pikachu cards in every pack, each featuring a massive 30th Anniversary logo behind the card text. With a total of 30 one Pikachu fireworks foil Pokémon card with a large 30th Anniversary logo behind the card text. There are a total of 30 unique cards. The goal? Collect ‘em all!
Of course, not all Pikachu Rare cards are created equal. Some are much more desirable than others. Already, we’re seeing that reflected on the secondary market.
And what is the single thing that dictates value above all else? This time, it’s the Pikachu’s illustarator that has the greatest impact on a given cards value.
#1 Shinji’s Pikachu (18/30)
Pikachu - 040/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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From the moment this Pikachu Rare was revealed, it felt destined for greatness.
Shinji Kanda has carved out a unique place in the world of modern Pokémon cards. Indeed, many of the modern greats were penned by Shinji’s masterful hand. Despite being second overall in value right now by market data, Shinji’s Pikachu feels like it has the most momentum.
Back when I wrote my original predictions for which cards in 30th Celebration would be most valuable, I had assumed one of them would be a Pikachu Rare. While that may not end up being the case, the standout Pikachu Rare is undeniably a card created by the one modern Pokémon artist who seems to embody the best of the era.
#2 Napping Pikachu (05/30)
Pikachu - 027/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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You know how I mentioned the Pikachu’s artist is what determines its Pikachu Rare value?
Well, this napping Pikachu is the exception that proves the rule. Its artist, Asako Ito, is known for artworks of crochet Pokémon. While it’s hard to beat that look in terms of uniqueness, Ito cards aren’t as valuable as Shinji cards. That alone makes me think this Napping Pikachu’s value is due more to volatile early prices and just affection for a sleeping Pikachu in general.
Shinji’s Pikachu Rare is the better long term value pick.
#3 Nighttime Pikachu 08/30
Pikachu - 030/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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Pikachu Rare cards tell their story through action and location as much as through the Pikachu depicted itself. In this nighttime Pikachu, we return to a more familiar pattern: Pikachu Rare cards created by Pokémon artist icons faring well in value. DOM is well known for a plethora of desirable Pokémon cards ranging from modern Special Illustration Rares to Pokémon Pocket eye-catchers, to even several of the iconic Mega Attack Rare cards.
#4 Running Pikachu (20/30)
Pikachu - 042/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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I don’t know why, but that scene of Dorothy walking through the deadly poppy field in The Wizard of Oz comes to mind when I see this card – only without the deadly part. That’s not probably the best correlation, though, because on further reflection, this card art really speaks to me of some of the things I like best about Pokémon – from my earliest memories of adventuring through its different worlds, to that feeling of hope of what its future might bring.
Beyond that, its artist, Akira, is no stranger to the Pokémon TCG spotlight, having designed epic cards like my personal favorite Starmie V from the Sword and Shield days, as well as the gorgeous Gengar Trainer Gallery card from Lost Origins.
#5 Pikachu No. 1 (01/30)
Pikachu - 023/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
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Pikachu No. 1 pays tribute to one of the first Pikachu cards ever printed in the Jungle set. It is designed by Ken Sugimori, 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
#6 Stuck Pikachu (14/30)
Pikachu - 036/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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You don’t need to have been designed by a legendary Pokémon artist to make this list – being ridiculously cute is also a good enough qualifier. But why not be both? OKACHEKE has designed some of the most memorable cards from the last few eras, including the Latias Special Illustration Rare from Surging Sparks.
#7 Window Pikachu (04/30)
Pikachu - 026/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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Of all the Pikachu Rare cards, this composition may be the most distinct. There’s something about it that catches your attention in a way unlike any of the fantastic other 29 cards from the collection manage. It also makes you ask a bunch of questions. Like…what is a Pikachu doing pressing its face in on a window? How did it get there? Is it looking down on you from your car windshield? From out a skyscraper window?
There’s definitely a lot more to this story. But whatever the answer, it’s pulled off swimmingly.
#8 Sunny Day Pikachu (03/30)
Pikachu - 025/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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satoma’s cards all have one thing in common: a clever usage of light to convey deep meaning. That plays particularly well into 30th Celebration’s day/night theme. But light has always played an important role in satoma’s creations. Whether its Fennekin looking out the window, Celebi pondering life deep in a forest, or Lillie looking surprised at you with her hair flowing in the wind, satoma knows how to convey meaning through natural light. For this wholesome Pikachu, the visual effect speaks for itself.
#9 Scared Pikachu (16/30)
Pikachu - 038/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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The Pikachu Rare cards in 30th Celebration depict a wide range of emotions all through the guise of the world’s most famous character.
In Pikachu 16/30 by Tetsu Kayama, we see Pikachu portraying one emotion that we don’t usually see on the plucky Pokémon: fear.
Honestly, it’s a nice change of pace. Fear is as much part of life as the other, more upbeat emotions expressed on this list. And without it, our Pokémon journeys would be much less meaningful.
Scared Pikachu’s artist, Tetsu Kayama, has an art style that lends itself to this surprisingly dramatic scene. Tetsu’s cards are often dreamlike in essence. Yet this Pikachu feels very real as it lets off small sparks, preparing itself for the attack.
#10 Chibi Pikachu (12/30)
Pikachu - 034/128
ME: 30th Celebration • Pikachu Rare
Market Value
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Last but not least we have a Pikachu that’s largely making the list no doubt thanks to one striking tie-in to one of the modern era’s most memorable chase cards: Bubble Mew.
Paldean Fates artist USGMEN uses heavy outlines and less detailed features to portray a 2D world to convey a chibi style artwork that is immensely popular amongst fans.
These are the 10 most valuable Pikachu Rare cards from Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration. While these prices and rankings are likely to fluctuate as more packs are ripped, we have a pretty solid baseline to work with here, and a good idea of which of the 30 Pikachu Rare cards are the most sought after by collectors and investors.
What’s really cool to me about looking at these cards through the market lens, however, isn’t just that Pikachu has an incredible emotional range for a character: it’s that this Pikachu Rare collection is as much a celebration of the often unsung heroes of the Pokémon TCG: the artists!
