Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2: Release Date, Price, and Complete Guide

Pokémon TCG First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2: Release Date, Price, and Complete Guide

The Pokémon Company is keeping the 30th anniversary celebration going strong. Right after Chaos Rising dropped, they announced the second wave of the First Partner Illustration Collection, and this time it is bringing back fan favorite starters from Johto, Unova, and Galar.

Here is everything you need to know about Series 2.

What Is the First Partner Illustration Collection?

If you missed Series 1 back in March, here is the deal. These are special anniversary collections celebrating the bond between Trainers and their first partner Pokémon. Each box contains a special booster pack with three Illustration Rare style promo cards, plus two regular booster packs and a sticker sheet.

The big difference from normal products is that the promo pack here guarantees you three Illustration Rare cards in every box. You just do not know which three you will get.

Which Starters Are in Series 2?

Series 1 gave us Kanto, Sinnoh, and Alola starters. Now Series 2 shifts the spotlight to three more regions, as announced on the official Pokémon product page.

Johto (Gold & Silver era)

  • Chikorita
  • Cyndaquil
  • Totodile

Unova (Black & White era)

  • Snivy
  • Tepig
  • Oshawott

Galar (Sword & Shield era)

  • Grookey
  • Scorbunny
  • Sobble

Each promo features the 30th anniversary stamp and artwork that shows each Pokémon in an abstract representation of its home region. The official Pokémon TCG account on X recently gave fans a first look, and they look every bit as stunning as the first wave.

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The Art Style

Each trio shares a cohesive color scheme and background vibe. The Johto cards feature iconic landmarks from the games like the Rainbow Wing and Silver Wing. The Unova cards showcase gym badges and region specific landmarks. And the Galar cards highlight familiar scenes from the Nintendo Switch games.

What Is Inside the Box

Here is exactly what you get with each First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 box, according to IGN's pre-order guide:

The Promo Booster Pack This is the main event. One special pack containing three random Illustration Rare promo cards from the set of nine. Since there are nine total promos and you only get three per box, you will need at least three boxes if you want to collect all of them.

Two Regular Booster Packs You also get two standard booster packs to open. These will be one pack from Perfect Order (released March 27) and one pack from Chaos Rising (released May 22), as detailed in the official March 2026 product roundup.

Sticker Sheet Each box comes with a sticker sheet featuring the first partner Pokémon from these three generations.

Release Date and Price

  • Release Date: June 19, 2026
  • MSRP: $14.99 USD (or £14.99 in the UK)

The collection will be available at the Pokémon Center and wherever Pokémon TCG products are sold. Retailers like Chaos Cards have already listed the product.

Where to Buy

Pokémon Center (US and UK) This is your safest bet for getting boxes at the actual retail price. Pokémon Center usually runs a queue system for big releases now. It can be annoying to wait, but it is the most reliable way to avoid scalper prices.

Target, Best Buy, and Local Retailers Great options if you want to pick up locally. If you cannot snag a pre-order online, it is worth checking the shelves on release morning.

Local Hobby Shops Keep an eye on smaller card shops in your area. Some retailers have purchase limits, such as limit 6 per customer at Miniature Market and limit 1 per customer at Alchemists Workshops.

Third Party Marketplaces (Last Resort) Sites like TCGplayer will have listings, but prices will almost certainly be higher than MSRP. Use these only if you absolutely cannot find boxes elsewhere.

Will This Be Hard to Get?

Series 1 focused on Kanto starters - Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. That is the holy grail for Pokémon nostalgia. Resellers went crazy for it. Some retailers like GameStop even marked up a $15 box to $50.

But here is the good news. Resellers usually swarm for Gen 1 or Gen 3 nostalgia. Since Series 2 focuses on Johto, Unova, and Galar, you might actually have a fighting chance to buy these at a normal price.

That does not mean you should wait around. Anniversary products have been moving fast all year. If you want these boxes, especially if you are trying to collect all nine promos, plan to grab them on release day.

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Collecting Tip

There are nine total promos in Series 2. Each box gives you three random ones. That means you will need at minimum three boxes to get a complete set, and even then, you might get duplicates. If you are a completionist, consider trading with other collectors or buying singles after release.

What About Series 3?

While a Series 3 has not been officially announced yet, it is all but guaranteed to round out the remaining starters.

Following the pattern, Series 3 should feature:

  • Gen 3 (Hoenn): Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
  • Gen 6 (Kalos): Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie
  • Gen 9 (Paldea): Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly

This is likely to drop in Fall 2026.

Final Thoughts

For $15, you are getting three guaranteed Illustration Rare promos plus two modern booster packs. That is a great deal in today's Pokémon TCG market. The artwork looks fantastic based on the early previews, and the 30th anniversary stamp adds that extra collector appeal.

Just do not wait too long to grab these. Series 1 disappeared fast, and while Series 2 might not have the same Kanto hype, anniversary products have been flying off shelves all year.

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Which starter trio are you most excited to collect?

Johto's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile? Unova's Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott? Or Galar's Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble?

Sources and References

All information is based on official announcements from The Pokémon Company International as of May 2026. Release dates and availability are subject to change.