Why Series 1 Could Be the Most Important First Partner Illustration Collection Release
The First Partner Illustration Collection Has a Clear Fan Favourite
As Pokémon's 30th Anniversary celebrations continue, collectors have been eagerly opening the First Partner Illustration Collection in search of their favourite starter Pokémon.
With Series 1 already available and Series 2 beginning to appear through early imports at time of writing, one question keeps coming up:
Which series will ultimately be the most desirable?
While every collector has their own favourite generation, there is a strong argument that Series 1 could become the most important release in the entire First Partner Illustration Collection lineup.
Here's why.
Series 1 Contains Pokémon's Most Iconic Starter Trio
The biggest reason is also the simplest.
Series 1 includes:
- Bulbasaur
- Charmander
- Squirtle
These three Pokémon are arguably the most recognisable starter Pokémon in franchise history.
For many collectors, they represent the beginning of their Pokémon journey.
Whether you started playing during Pokémon Red and Blue or joined the hobby years later, the original Kanto starters remain some of the most beloved Pokémon ever created.
Few Pokémon products can feature all three in a single release.
Series 1 does exactly that.
Charizard Effect Is Real
Whenever Charmander appears in a Pokémon product, Charizard is never far behind in the minds of collectors.
Charizard has consistently been one of the most popular Pokémon in the hobby for decades.
While the First Partner Illustration Collection focuses on starter Pokémon rather than evolved forms, the presence of Charmander alone gives Series 1 additional appeal.
Many collectors simply have a stronger emotional connection to the original Kanto starters than any other generation.
Series 1 Is More Than Just Kanto
The Kanto starters may grab the headlines, but they are not the only reason Series 1 stands out.
The release also includes:
Sinnoh Starters
- Turtwig
- Chimchar
- Piplup
Alola Starters
- Rowlet
- Litten
- Popplio
Several of these Pokémon have developed huge fan followings over the years.
Piplup remains one of the most popular Water-type starters ever introduced.
Rowlet has become one of the most beloved Grass-type starters in modern Pokémon.
Chimchar continues to be a favourite among Sinnoh fans.
Series 1 benefits from combining multiple strong generations into a single release.
Every Completion Collector Still Needs Series 1
This is one of the strongest long-term arguments for Series 1.
Imagine a collector discovering the First Partner Illustration Collection after all three series have released.
To complete the collection, they will need:
- Series 1 promos
- Series 2 promos
- Series 3 promos
There is no way around it.
No matter how popular Series 2 or Series 3 become, every collector pursuing a complete set will still need Series 1.
Because Series 1 is the first release, it may eventually become harder to find than newer products that are still readily available in stores.
The First Release Advantage
Collectors often place extra value on the first product in a series.
This isn't unique to Pokémon.
Across many hobbies, first releases often attract more attention because they represent the beginning of a collection.
Series 1 has the advantage of being the product that started the entire First Partner Illustration Collection journey.
For some collectors, that alone makes it special.
What About Series 2?
Series 2 is far from a weak release.
It contains:
Johto
- Chikorita
- Cyndaquil
- Totodile
Unova
- Snivy
- Tepig
- Oshawott
Galar
- Grookey
- Scorbunny
- Sobble
Many of these Pokémon have dedicated fan bases.
At the time of writing, some early imported Series 2 products have appeared on livestreams and secondary markets at prices above Series 1.
However, early premiums are often influenced by limited availability and the excitement of a new release.
Once official supply becomes widely available, collector demand will ultimately determine which series remains the most sought-after.
Why Many Collectors Are Starting With Series 1
For collectors planning to complete the First Partner Illustration Collection, Series 1 is often the logical starting point.
Not only does it contain the iconic Kanto starters, but it also serves as the foundation of the entire collection.
Waiting until Series 2 and Series 3 are released could mean competing with more collectors who are also trying to secure their Series 1 promos.
Of course, nobody can predict future prices with certainty.
But from a collector's perspective, Series 1 has several characteristics that make it particularly attractive.
Should You Buy Series 1 Now?
If you enjoy:
- Starter Pokémon
- Pokémon artwork
- Collection challenges
- Pokémon's 30th Anniversary products
then Series 1 is arguably one of the strongest releases in the entire lineup.
The combination of Kanto nostalgia, fan-favourite starters from Sinnoh and Alola, and completion-collector demand gives Series 1 a unique position within the First Partner Illustration Collection series.
👉 Shop First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1
Final Thoughts
Nobody knows for certain which First Partner Illustration Collection release will ultimately prove to be the most popular.
However, Series 1 enters the conversation with several advantages:
- The original Kanto starters
- Strong Sinnoh and Alola representation
- First release status
- Essential for collection completion
For many collectors, that's enough reason to prioritise Series 1 before focusing on later releases.
And if Pokémon history has taught us anything, it's that products featuring Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle rarely stay ignored for long.
Related Articles
- First Partner Illustration Collection Guide (Series 1, 2 & 3)
- Complete First Partner Illustration Collection Series 1 Card List
- How Many First Partner Illustration Collections Do You Need to Complete a Set?
- Should You Open or Keep the First Partner Illustration Collection Sealed?
- Is the First Partner Illustration Collection Worth Buying?