The Pokémon 151 card list has 207 cards: 165 in the main set and 42 secret rares. Released in September 2023 as a special set in the Scarlet and Violet series, 151 gives every one of the original Kanto Pokémon a card, from Bulbasaur to Mew. This guide explains how the card list is made up, ranks the Pokémon 151 chase cards and helps you choose between the 151 products still available.
Love the original Pokémon? Our 30th Anniversary Pokémon card list covers the 2026 celebration set, which also leans heavily on Kanto favourites.
Pokémon 151 at a glance
| Detail | Pokémon 151 |
|---|---|
| Full name | Scarlet and Violet: 151 |
| Set code | SV3.5 (printed MEW) |
| Release date | 22 September 2023 |
| Total cards | 207 |
| Main set | 165 cards |
| Secret rares | 42 |
| Set type | Special set |
| Japanese version | Pokémon Card 151, June 2023 |
What is Pokémon 151?
Pokémon 151 is a nostalgia set built around the first generation of Pokémon from Pokémon Red and Blue. The main set runs in Pokédex order, so card 001 is Bulbasaur and card 151 is Mew ex. Trainer cards such as Erika’s Invitation, Giovanni’s Charisma, Daisy’s Help and Bill’s Transfer bring in characters from the Kanto games too.
It came out in English on 22 September 2023, a few months after the Japanese version, Pokémon Card 151, was released on 16 June 2023. The English version was adjusted slightly, so the two card lists are not identical.
How the Pokémon 151 card list works
Cards 001 to 165 make up the main set. Cards 166 to 207 are secret rares. The secret rares break down like this:
| Card numbers | Rarity | Cards |
|---|---|---|
| 166 to 181 | Illustration Rare | 16 |
| 182 to 197 | Ultra Rare | 16 |
| 198 to 204 | Special Illustration Rare | 7 |
| 205 to 207 | Hyper Rare (gold) | 3 |
The main set also includes Pokémon ex such as Venusaur ex, Charizard ex, Blastoise ex, Alakazam ex, Zapdos ex and Mew ex, along with ex cards for Pokémon like Arbok, Ninetales, Wigglytuff, Golem, Kangaskhan and Jynx.
The Pokémon 151 Special Illustration Rares
There are seven Special Illustration Rares, and together they make up most of the Pokémon 151 chase cards:
- Venusaur ex (198/165)
- Charizard ex (199/165), the top card in the set
- Blastoise ex (200/165)
- Alakazam ex (201/165)
- Zapdos ex (202/165)
- Erika’s Invitation (203/165)
- Giovanni’s Charisma (204/165)
The three gold Hyper Rares are Mew ex (205), Switch (206) and Basic Psychic Energy (207).
Pokémon 151 chase cards
1. Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare (199/165)
The most wanted card in the set and one of the most famous cards of the whole Scarlet and Violet era. It shows Charizard in a full scene, and it has been the top Pokémon 151 card since release day.
2. Erika’s Invitation Special Illustration Rare (203/165)
The best-loved Trainer card in the set. Erika, the Celadon City Gym Leader, is shown in a flower-filled scene, and the card has become a favourite with collectors of character art.
3. Venusaur ex and Blastoise ex Special Illustration Rares
The other two Kanto starters complete the trio with Charizard. Many collectors chase all three side by side.
4. Mew ex Hyper Rare (205/165)
The gold Mew ex is the rarest Pokémon card in the English set. Mew is also the final Pokémon in the Kanto Pokédex, which makes it a fitting end to the card list.
5. The starter Illustration Rares
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Squirtle and Wartortle all have Illustration Rares. Their artwork continues into the Special Illustration Rares of their final forms, so a complete line tells one story across three cards.
The starter evolution lines
One of the most special parts of the Pokémon 151 card list is the way the starter Illustration Rares link together. Some very rare packs contain a full evolution line, such as Charmander, Charmeleon and Charizard ex, all as secret rares in the same pack. Pulling one of these packs is one of the best moments a 151 collector can have.
If you are building the lines from singles, collect the two Illustration Rares first and the Special Illustration Rare last, as it is usually the hardest to find.
What is in a Pokémon 151 booster pack?
Each English Pokémon 151 booster pack contains a mix of commons, uncommons and at least one rare, plus two reverse holo slots and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live. One of the reverse holo slots can be replaced by an Illustration Rare or better, which is how most of the secret rares are found.
The Pokémon Company does not publish pull rates. From experience, Illustration Rares turn up far more often than Special Illustration Rares, and the gold Hyper Rares are the hardest of all.
Japanese and English Pokémon 151
The Japanese set, Pokémon Card 151, has 210 cards and slightly different secret rares. It includes a Mew ex Special Art Rare that was not part of the English set, while English collectors get the gold Mew ex instead. Japanese packs have 7 cards each and come 20 to a box.
Many collectors pick up both versions, because the artwork on the Illustration Rares is shared. Browse our Japanese Pokémon cards if you want to compare.
Why the Pokémon 151 card list is so popular
Three things make Pokémon 151 stand out. It is the only modern set to include every original Kanto Pokémon, it brought back the feeling of collecting a full Pokédex, and its Illustration Rares are some of the most charming ever printed. Add one of the best Charizard cards of the era and it is easy to see why the Pokémon 151 card list remains one of the most collected of all time.
Pokémon 151 products
Because 151 is a special set, it was never sold in standard booster boxes. These are the Pokémon 151 products we stock:
| Product | Good for |
|---|---|
| 151 Booster Pack | A single pack to try your luck |
| 151 Mini Tin | Packs in a collectable tin, with random tin art |
| 151 Booster Bundle | Six packs, the best value way to open the set |
| 151 Zapdos ex Box | Packs plus a Zapdos ex promo card |
| 151 Blooming Waters Premium Collection | A premium box with promo cards and display pieces |
Which Pokémon 151 product should you buy?
- For the most packs: the 151 Booster Bundle gives you six packs.
- For a gift: the 151 Mini Tin is small, fun and easy to wrap.
- For a promo card: the Zapdos ex Box includes a Zapdos ex promo alongside packs.
- For collectors: the Blooming Waters Premium Collection is a premium box made for collectors.
Sealed 151 products have become harder to find since release, so if you want packs to open or keep, it is worth buying while stock is available.
Pokémon 151 and the 30th Anniversary
In 2026 the Pokémon 30th Celebration set returned to many of the same Pokémon, with its Classic Collection cards looking back at the history of the game. If you enjoyed 151, the 30th Celebration products are a natural next step. Browse the range in our Pokémon 30th Celebration collection.
How big is a Pokémon 151 master set?
A master set includes every card plus the reverse holo version of each main-set card. With 165 main cards that comes to well over 350 cards in total, which makes the Pokémon 151 master set one of the most rewarding, and most time-consuming, to finish. Secret rares do not have reverse holo versions.
Tips for collecting the Pokémon 151 card list
- Collect in Pokédex order. The main set follows the Kanto Pokédex, so a 9-pocket binder becomes a full Pokédex.
- Use a big binder. You need 19 pages for the main set alone.
- Group the starters. Keep each starter line together so the linked artwork stays complete.
- Buy singles for the top cards. The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare is usually cheaper to buy than to pull.
Is Pokémon 151 worth collecting?
Yes. Pokémon 151 is one of the most popular sets of the modern era. It covers every original Pokémon, has some of the best Illustration Rares ever printed and features one of the most iconic Charizard cards of recent years. Whether you grew up with Red and Blue or are new to the hobby, it is a set almost everyone enjoys.
Browse every English set in our English Pokémon cards range, or try single packs from many sets in English booster packs.
Pokémon 151 card list FAQs
How many cards are in Pokémon 151?
There are 207 cards: 165 in the main set and 42 secret rares.
When was Pokémon 151 released?
Pokémon 151 was released in English on 22 September 2023.
What is the best card in Pokémon 151?
The Charizard ex Special Illustration Rare, 199/165, is the top chase card.
Is there a Pokémon 151 booster box?
No. As a special set, 151 was sold in Booster Bundles, tins, Elite Trainer Boxes and collections rather than standard booster boxes.
Where can I see the official card list?
The Pokémon Company publishes set details on the official Pokémon TCG website.
