Set Information
Overview of Scarlet & Violet 151
When Scarlet & Violet 151 dropped, it wasn’t just another Pokémon TCG release. It was a homecoming. For the first time in modern history, every single card in a set was dedicated to the original Kanto Pokémon. All 151, reimagined with today’s breathtaking artwork, layered foils, and cinematic Special Illustration Rares.
It’s the kind of set that hits collectors right in the heart. Nostalgia meets modern craftsmanship here, classic Pokémon rendered with the emotional weight and artistry that the Scarlet & Violet era has become known for. The pull rates can be tough, especially for the top-tier Illustration Rares, but that’s part of the thrill. 151 rewards persistence, patience, and a little bit of luck.
The cards below are the current standouts in value and collector demand, the ten most expensive and sought-after pulls from Scarlet & Violet 151.
#10 Charmeleon — IR (#169)
Charmeleon’s artwork burns with anticipation. The scene feels like a moment caught between innocence and power, the transition before everything ignites. Warm reds and orange embers fill the frame, perfectly capturing the restless energy of a Pokémon on the edge of evolution.
Collectors love this card for how it ties the starter line together. It’s the bridge between the beloved Charmander and the showstopping Charizard, making it a must-have for any complete Kanto evolution display.
#9 Pikachu — IR (#173)
Few Pokémon carry nostalgia like Pikachu, and this card reminds everyone why. The art feels personal, a quiet, playful moment that’s less about power and more about connection. There’s warmth in the palette, a softness in the light, and a feeling of calm that sets it apart from flashier cards.
Even with so many Pikachu prints over the years, this one stands out for its heart. It’s the kind of card that makes you smile before you even sleeve it.
#8 Bulbasaur — IR (#166)
Bulbasaur’s card captures pure beginnings, a small Pokémon exploring a world bathed in morning light. The composition is gentle, almost storybook-like, and it feels like the start of an adventure.
Collectors love it because it represents where the journey starts, card #1 in the Pokédex, and emotionally, card #1 in many childhood memories. It’s simple, soft, and impossible not to love.
#8 Squirtle — IR (#170)
There’s something endlessly joyful about Squirtle’s artwork. The rippling water, the happy motion, the crisp blues — it feels alive. The foil treatment makes the water sparkle when you tilt it, turning the card into a tiny moving scene.
It’s one of those cards that always has a place in a collector’s binder because it embodies the spirit of 151 perfectly: fun, bright, and timeless.
#6 Alakazam ex — SIR (#201)
Alakazam’s Special Illustration Rare radiates calm power. Floating spoons, swirling psychic waves, and muted colors give the artwork a dreamlike quality. It’s mysterious but peaceful — a beautiful take on one of Kanto’s most iconic Psychic-types.
Collectors are drawn to it because it blends nostalgia with a modern, cinematic finish. It’s a standout among ex cards, and one of the most visually striking in the set.
#5 Charmander — IR (#168)
Charmander’s card feels like a memory. The little flame in its tail glows softly against a dusky backdrop, and you can almost feel the warmth. It’s hopeful, simple, and emotional — a visual reminder of how every great story starts small.
Collectors often start their 151 binder pages with this card because it perfectly captures the heart of the set: beginnings, growth, and nostalgia.
#4 Blastoise ex — SIR (#![]()
200)
Blastoise ex is pure cinematic spectacle. The art gives it size and presence — a hulking figure rising from water with bursts of energy swirling around. It’s bold, dynamic, and everything you’d expect from one of the Kanto trio’s heavy hitters.
Collectors love the realism and weight in the artwork. It feels alive, as if you could almost hear the water roar around it. In display collections, it balances beautifully beside Venusaur and Charizard.
#3 Zapdos ex — SIR (#202)
Zapdos ex crackles with energy. The art style is sharp and jagged, perfectly mirroring the chaotic nature of lightning. There’s motion in every line — wind, sparks, feathers — and it gives the entire card a sense of electric life.
Collectors admire how bold it feels. It’s not just another legendary bird card; it’s a visual jolt that captures the raw essence of Zapdos in motion.
#2 Venusaur ex — SIR (#198)
Venusaur’s artwork feels like stepping into a jungle at sunrise. Layers of green, soft light filtering through the canopy, and Venusaur calmly watching over it all. It’s grounded and peaceful, a beautiful contrast to Charizard’s heat and Blastoise’s force.
Collectors value it not just for rarity but for balance. It’s a card that feels complete, mature, artistic, and true to the character’s nature.
#1 Charizard ex — SIR (#199)
The undisputed star of Scarlet & Violet 151. The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is everything a collector could want: dramatic lighting, cinematic composition, and that unmistakable flame that’s defined the Pokémon TCG for decade.
It’s more than just a chase card,R it’s a statement piece. The foil captures the fire perfectly, glowing across the artwork as if it’s alive. Every collector who opens 151 dreams of this pull. It’s the modern embodiment of everything Charizard represents: power, nostalgia, and legend.
Final Thoughts on Scarlet & Violet 151
Scarlet & Violet 151 is more than a Pokémon set, it’s a celebration of where it all began. It bridges generations of collectors, uniting those who remember the original Base Set with new fans discovering Kanto for the first time.
Every card in this list tells a piece of that story. From the humble starters to the mighty Charizard ex, 151 captures the full emotional range of collecting, excitement, nostalgia, wonder, and pride.
For anyone building their Kanto lineup, this is the set that makes it feel complete. And if you’re ready to start your own journey, you can explore Scarlet & Violet 151 booster packs, singles, and products right here at SM Poke Cards, where collecting isn’t just a hobby; it’s a story we all share.