First Partner Illustration Collection Guide: Series 1, 2 and 3 Explained

The First Partner Illustration Collection is one of the most charming ways Pokémon has marked its 30th year. Released across three series in 2026, it celebrates the starter Pokémon from every main region with illustration rare-style promo cards, regular booster packs and a sticker sheet in each box. Every series covers three regions, so by the end you can collect the first partners from all nine.

In this guide we explain exactly what comes in each First Partner Illustration box, which first partners appear in Series 1, 2 and 3, and how to approach completing the full set of 27 promos. We also cover the related First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection. For the bigger picture of everything released this year, see our Pokémon 30th Anniversary pillar guide.

What Is the First Partner Illustration Collection?

The First Partner Illustration Collection is a compact box built around first partner Pokémon, the starters you choose at the beginning of each main series game. The product is marketed under the banner “30 Years of First Partner Pokémon!”, which ties it neatly to the anniversary. Each series of the illustration collection brings nine new promo cards covering the three first partners from three regions.

The promos are part of the Mega Evolution Black Star Promo series, numbered with the MEP prefix, and they are not found in regular booster sets. That makes the boxes the main way to collect them sealed. The artwork leans into each region’s history: early reveals showed Gym Badges and a Pokédex on the Kanto cards, and Z-Crystals on the Alola cards.

A follow-up to the 2021 First Partner Packs

Long-time collectors will remember a similar idea from the 25th anniversary. In 2021, The Pokémon Company released First Partner Packs and a Collector’s Binder, with oversize cards of each region’s first partners. The 2026 Pokémon First Partner Illustration Collection picks up that idea at standard card size, so the promos slip straight into sleeves and binder pages.

What’s Inside Each Box

All three series of the First Partner Illustration Collection share the same format, so once you know one box, you know them all. Only the featured regions and promos change between series, which makes it easy to plan your collection. According to the official product details reported by PokeGuardian, each box contains:

• One special booster pack containing three of the nine illustration rare-style promo cards for that series
• Two Pokémon TCG booster packs
• One sticker sheet featuring first partner Pokémon

The official listing does not name an expansion for the two regular booster packs, so think of them as a bonus rather than the main event. The promo pack is the real draw. Because each box gives you three of the nine promos in a series, you will need more than one box to complete a series, which we cover in detail further down this guide.

Using the sticker sheet

The sticker sheet is easy to overlook, but it adds a lot of fun for younger collectors. Use the stickers to decorate a binder spine, a deck box or a school book, or keep the sheet flat in a top loader if you want it to stay pristine. If you are keeping a complete first partner illustration set, consider storing one sticker sheet per series alongside the promos.

Why collectors love this format

The boxes are compact, easy to gift and simple to collect. There are no oversize cards or bulky accessories, just promos, packs and stickers. That makes the Pokémon First Partner Illustration Collection a great entry point for younger fans, as well as a satisfying binder project for adult collectors who want every starter from every generation in matching artwork.

Series 1: Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola

The First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 box kicked things off in March 2026 and set the template for the whole First Partner Illustration line, from the box design to the promo pack format. Its nine promos cover three regions, with one trio of first partners from each:

• Kanto: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle
• Sinnoh: Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup
• Alola: Rowlet, Litten and Popplio

Series 1 is the natural starting point for nostalgia collectors, because the Kanto trio goes all the way back to Pokémon Red and Green. Early reveals showed region-specific details in the art, with Gym Badges and a Pokédex in the Kanto cards, badges and gadgets in the Sinnoh backgrounds, and Z-Crystals for Alola. The promos are numbered MEP 037 to MEP 045, starting with Bulbasaur.

Who Series 1 suits

This series suits anyone who started with the original games or the Base Set, fans of the Diamond and Pearl era, and players who grew up with Sun and Moon. It is also the best pick if you only want one First Partner Illustration box for a gift, as Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur are instantly recognisable even to casual fans.

Series 2: Johto, Unova and Galar

The First Partner Illustration Collection Series 2 box followed on 19 June 2026, bringing the illustration collection to the second, fifth and eighth generations of the games in the same box format as Series 1. It features the first partners from Johto, Unova and Galar:

• Johto: Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile
• Unova: Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott
• Galar: Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble

Reports on the reveal describe the Series 2 art as featuring iconic locations, items and themes from each region, continuing the style of Series 1. The promos follow straight on in the MEP numbering, from Chikorita at MEP 046 through to MEP 054. That consistent numbering makes it easy to file all three series in order once you have them.

Who Series 2 suits

Series 2 is a favourite with Gold and Silver fans thanks to the Johto trio, while the Unova and Galar starters appeal to players who joined during the Black and White or Sword and Shield years. If you have a soft spot for Cyndaquil or Sobble, this is the box to start your first partner illustration set with.

Series 3: Hoenn, Kalos and Paldea

The First Partner Illustration Collection Series 3 box arrived on 7 August 2026, as confirmed in PokeGuardian’s Series 3 report. It rounds out the First Partner Illustration Collection with the last three regions, covering the third, sixth and ninth generations:

• Hoenn: Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip
• Kalos: Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie
• Paldea: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly

With Series 3, all nine main regions are covered, giving 27 promos in total. The numbering continues from MEP 055, starting with Treecko. Kalos fans will notice a nice link to the wider anniversary range, because Froakie’s final evolution stars in its own box, covered in our Sylveon 30th Anniversary guide.

Who Series 3 suits

Ruby and Sapphire fans will love the Hoenn trio, and the Paldea starters make this the most recent generation in the line, so it appeals to newer players who started with Scarlet and Violet. If you are buying for a younger fan who knows Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly from the anime or games, Series 3 is a safe bet.

All 27 First Partner Illustration Promos at a Glance

Here is a quick reference for the whole First Partner Illustration Collection. Use it as a checklist to keep track of which regions you already have and which you still need. The dates shown are as reported for the English release, and all three series are out now.

Series	Released	Regions	First partners	Promo numbers
Series 1	March 2026	Kanto, Sinnoh, Alola	Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Rowlet, Litten, Popplio	MEP 037-045
Series 2	19 June 2026	Johto, Unova, Galar	Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble	MEP 046-054
Series 3	7 August 2026	Hoenn, Kalos, Paldea	Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly	MEP 055-063

Each box has the same contents: one promo pack with three of the nine promos for its series, two regular booster packs and a sticker sheet. All three series of the illustration collection are released and available now at Ozzie Collectables, so you can start with any region you like.

How to Complete the First Partner Illustration Collection

Completing the full First Partner Illustration Collection is a fun challenge. With nine promos per series and three in each box, the absolute minimum is three boxes per series, or nine boxes for all 27 promos. In practice you should expect to need more, because you cannot choose which promos come in your promo pack, so duplicates are likely.

Tips for finishing the set

• Pick a priority. Decide whether you want a full series, a single region or all 27 promos before you start buying.
• Buy a few at once. Opening several boxes of the same series gives you the best chance of filling gaps quickly.
• Trade duplicates. Doubles make great trade bait with friends or at your local league. Starter promos are popular, which helps when arranging swaps.
• Track as you go. Use the table above as a first partner illustration checklist and tick off each promo when it lands.
• Store by series. A nine-pocket page holds one full series, so three pages hold the whole set.

Going beyond the 27 promos

Once the illustration promos are sorted, many fans keep building. The Deluxe Pin Collection below adds three more starter promos, and the wider anniversary range includes plenty of first partner faces too. Adding these to your binder turns a simple promo set into a full first partner collection that tells the story of 30 years of starter Pokémon.

Displaying your finished set

The Pokémon 30th binder collection comes with a nine-pocket binder and five booster packs, which makes it a natural home for a completed first partner collection. Lay each series out on its own page, with each region’s trio in a row of three, and you have a neat display that runs through every generation of the games.

The First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection

If you love first partners, the Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection is a great companion piece. It is part of the Ascended Heroes range rather than the illustration line, and its contents are different. Product listings describe the contents as:

• Three foil promo cards featuring Chikorita, Tepig and Totodile
• One deluxe pin featuring the same three Pokémon
• Five booster packs from that expansion

The mix of a Grass-type from Johto, a Fire-type from Unova and a Water-type from Johto makes this a fun cross-region trio. With five booster packs, it also offers more pack opening than a single illustration box, and the pin is perfect for a lanyard, bag or display board.

Which Series Should You Start With?

If you cannot decide where to begin, match the series to the games you grew up with. Your first partner collection does not have to start with Series 1, so use this quick guide to pair each box with the type of collector it suits best:

• Original-era fans: Series 1, for Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.
• Gold and Silver fans: Series 2, for Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile.
• Ruby and Sapphire fans: Series 3, for Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip.
• Newer players: Series 3, for the Paldea trio from Scarlet and Violet.
• Completionists: All three, ideally a few boxes of each.
• Gift buyers: Series 1 is the most recognisable, but any series makes a great stocking filler.

There is no wrong answer, and many collectors simply start with their favourite starter and branch out from there. Because every box is the same size and format, the First Partner Illustration Collection boxes also look great lined up on a shelf before they are opened.

Is the First Partner Illustration Collection Worth Collecting?

For most fans, yes. The First Partner Illustration Collection is one of the most approachable products of the anniversary year, and it suits a wide range of collectors, from kids opening their first packs to long-time fans finishing a generational binder. Here is why it stands out:

• Every generation is covered. Together, the three series give you a matching promo for all 27 main-series first partners.
• Standard-size cards. The promos fit normal sleeves and binder pages, unlike the oversize cards from the 2021 packs.
• Great for gifting. The boxes are small, colourful and easy to wrap, and they suit kids and adults alike.
• Packs included. The two booster packs in every box add a little extra excitement on top of the promos.

The main thing to keep in mind is duplicates. Because you get three of nine promos per box, finishing a series takes patience, trading or several boxes. If you just want your favourite starters, one or two boxes of the right series may be enough. Collect for fun first, and the full illustration collection will come together over time.

Caring for Your Promos in Australia

Illustration rare-style promos deserve a little care, especially if you plan to keep your first partner illustration set for years or pass it on one day. These simple habits help protect the cards and the sticker sheets in the Australian climate:

• Sleeve them straight away. Put each promo in a penny sleeve as soon as it comes out of the pack.
• Keep them out of the sun. Australian sunlight can fade card art and sticker sheets quickly, even through a window.
• Watch the humidity. Store binders and boxes in a cool, dry place, especially in humid parts of the country.
• Store binders upright. Keeping binders upright and not overpacked helps stop pages and cards from bending.

All products at Ozzie Collectables are 100% authentic and officially licensed, prices are in Australian dollars, and orders ship Australia-wide. If you are collecting the rest of the anniversary range too, our Mew 30th Anniversary Pokémon guide covers the Mew, Mewtwo and Ditto boxes.

First Partner Illustration Collection FAQ

What comes in a First Partner Illustration Collection box?

Each box contains one special booster pack with three of the nine illustration rare-style promos for that series, two Pokémon TCG booster packs and a sticker sheet featuring first partner Pokémon. The format is the same across Series 1, 2 and 3, so only the featured regions change.

How many promos are there in total?

There are 27 promos across the three series of the illustration collection: nine per series, covering the three first partners from each of the nine main regions. Series 1 covers Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola, Series 2 covers Johto, Unova and Galar, and Series 3 covers Hoenn, Kalos and Paldea.

How many boxes do I need to complete a series?

At least three, because each box gives you three of the nine promos in a series. Most collectors will need more than that, as you cannot choose which promos you get and duplicates are common. Trading doubles with friends is the easiest way to fill the last few gaps.

Are the promos available in booster packs?

No. The promos are Mega Evolution Black Star Promos and are not part of any regular booster set. The two booster packs in each box are ordinary Pokémon TCG packs, so the illustration promos only come from the special promo pack included in each First Partner Illustration Collection box.

Is the First Partner Illustration Collection part of the 30th Anniversary?

Yes. The boxes are marketed under the banner “30 Years of First Partner Pokémon!” and were released in three waves during 2026 as part of the anniversary celebrations. The promos themselves are Black Star Promos, so the line sits alongside the main 30th Anniversary Celebration expansion rather than inside it.

Is the First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection part of the same line?

Not quite. It belongs to a different expansion’s range and includes three foil promos of Chikorita, Tepig and Totodile, a deluxe pin and five booster packs. It suits first partner fans well, but its promos are separate from the 27 cards in the First Partner Illustration Collection.

Ready to start your first partner collection? Pick up Series 1, Series 2 or Series 3, browse more Pokémon Special Collections, or read more guides on the Ozzie Collectables blog. Have a question about any product? Contact us and we will be happy to help.