10 Pokémon Cards from the ‘151’ Set You Should Buy Before They Rise

Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare 199

Charizard remains the undisputed king of the 151 era. Market data shows this card reaching a market price of approximately $400, following a steady upward climb throughout the year.

The artwork by Miki Kudo is the final piece of a visual trilogy that tells a story of growth from the canyon floor to the volcanic heights.

Because it serves as the modern equivalent to the 1999 Base Set icon, it is the primary target for blue chip collectors.

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Blastoise ex Special Illustration Rare 200

Blastoise has recently emerged as the sharpest mover in the set, with its value jumping nearly $40 in a single month during early 2026.

Illustrated by the legendary Mitsuhiro Arita, this card features a breathtaking underwater perspective that highlights Arita’s mastery of light and texture.

At roughly $150, it is rapidly closing the valuation gap with Charizard as high-end collectors consolidate the Kanto big three.

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Venusaur ex Special Illustration Rare 198

If you are looking for the value play among the starters, Venusaur is your best bet. Historically undervalued, this card finally crossed the $100 psychological barrier in early 2026.

Yoriyuki Ikegami’s serene, top-down illustration of Venusaur in a sun-drenched forest clearing provides a magical atmosphere that resonates deeply with aesthetic-focused collectors.

As Charizard and Blastoise become less attainable, Venusaur is the natural next step for investors.

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Zapdos ex Special Illustration Rare 202

This card is a unique three-for-one asset. While it is a Zapdos card, the artwork by Shiburingaru features the entire Legendary Bird trio, Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres, soaring through a storm-ridden sky.

As the only Legendary Bird SIR in the expansion, it carries a prestige premium that makes it a smart entry point at its current market price of about $100.

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Charmander Illustration Rare 168

The story in evolution concept in 151 has made pre-evolutions more valuable than ever. Collectors who are priced out of the $400 Charizard often pivot to this lonely Charmander art by Miki Kudo.

Because owners of the Charizard SIR feel a completionist urgency to own the full evolution line, demand for this card has pushed it toward $90, with a new $100 floor looking likely in the near future.

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Squirtle Illustration Rare 170

Following a similar trajectory to Charmander, this Squirtle Illustration Rare benefits from the Arita factor.

As a Mitsuhiro Arita piece, it is part of the narrative that sees the Squirtle line moving deeper into the water as they evolve.

Its market value hit approximately $90 as of April, marking a significant $20 increase from the start of the year as collectors hunt for Arita’s modern masterpieces.

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Alakazam ex Special Illustration Rare 201

This is arguably the most historically significant card in the set. It represents the end of a 21-year absence for the Kadabra line in the TCG.

This card is a must-have for hobby historians, and its unique Dimensional Hand attack, which allowed it to strike from the bench, made it a meta-defining piece before rotation.

At $80, it is a quiet mover that is likely to retain value due to its unique backstory.

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Bulbasaur Illustration Rare 166

Currently priced around $70, Bulbasaur is the laggard of the starter Illustration Rares. In Pokémon economics, the cheapest card in a trio almost always sees a correction to catch up with its peers.

Yoriyuki Ikegami’s lush, floral environment for Bulbasaur perfectly matches the Venusaur SIR, making it an essential piece for anyone building a naturalistic binder set.

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Dragonair Illustration Rare 181

Dragonair is the aesthetic sleeper of 151. The illustration by Rika depicts the Pokémon submerged in the waters of an old ruin, capturing the magical stigma that surrounded Dragon-types in the original games.

It has quietly climbed from $25 in mid-2025 to over $51 in early 2026, proving that high-quality art can drive sustainable, organic growth independent of market hype.

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Poliwhirl Illustration Rare 176

Widely cited as one of the best-illustrated cards of the modern era, Poliwhirl staring at its reflection in the rain is a masterclass in light refraction and mood.

It represents a low-entry, high-upside asset. While it hasn’t seen the explosive growth of the Charizard line, its $30 price point is incredibly stable, making it a safe diversification pick for those who appreciate the art gallery side of the hobby.

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