There is, quite literally, no shortage of Pikachu cards in the new Pokémon 30th Celebration set. There are 34 in total (35 if you include the Futuristic Rare), which makes picking a favourite even harder. As much as I love the set’s SIRs, though, I much prefer the Shinji Kanda Pikachu, one of the 30 cards you can find in the set’s dedicated Pikachu collection.
Let me get one thing straight: would I be happy to pull one of the Pikachu SIRs from the new Pokémon set? Absolutely. They’re among my top 30th Celebration chase cards, and I’m certainly not going to turn my nose up at an SIR. I’d be a fool to do so. However, I genuinely prefer Kanda’s take on Pikachu, and it isn’t particularly close.
For those unfamiliar with his work, Shinji Kanda is one of my favourite Pokémon TCG illustrators, responsible for some of my favourite cards ever. His Giratina V from Lost Origin is a personal favourite, while his Magikarp from Paldea Evolved has also become a collector favourite. Yes, that’s the same Magikarp that has now reappeared in 30th Celebration. Kanda’s art is trippy, vibrant, and instantly recognisable, which is why I find myself constantly drawn to his work.
His new Pikachu is no exception. Pikachu #040 (18/30) features the iconic Electric-type Pokémon surrounded by flowers, with bolts of lightning bursting around it. It’s wonderfully weird in that unmistakable Kanda style, and the colours really pop. I knew I loved it as soon as I pulled it from a pack, and having it in front of me only made me appreciate the artwork more. Digital photographs simply don’t do it justice; it looks even better when you see it for yourself.
The best part? Compared with many of the set’s more sought-after cards, this Pikachu is remarkably affordable. Collectr has been my reference point for tracking card prices, and at around £2, it costs about as much as a typical modern ex card. If you’re planning to collect all 30 Pikachu cards from 30th Celebration, I’d consider this one an essential addition. Trust me, it deserves a spot in your binder.
More generally, I’ve been surprised by just how much I love the entire Pikachu collection. I’ve managed to pull nine of the 30 cards so far, and opening a booster feels special when there’s another Pikachu waiting to be discovered. Alongside the generous pull rates, that little extra thrill has made 30th Celebration a particularly enjoyable expansion to open. Sure, I’d love to pull an SIR, but I’m just as happy to find another Pikachu to add to my collection.
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