There hasn’t been a Japanese Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) release in recent times that has generated this much veracity and buzz. Last month, Pokémon Card 151 finally made its debut and has since been at the forefront of almost every Pokémon TCG discussion.

Beyond boasting the original 151 Pokémon from the Kanto region, the Pokémon Card 151 set also contains some of the most intricate and fascinating artworks the popular franchise has seen thus far. That explains the hype behind the set, and why it’s still one of the most highly desired TCG products right now.

These factors, along with the harsh Pokémon 151 pull rates resulting in some of the rarest Pokémon 151 cards in the current market, helped propel the value of the set. Today, we take a look at the top most expensive Pokémon Card 151 cards, derived from prices of listings on the SNKRDUNK App.

■ Erika’s Invitation SAR 206/165

It will come as no surprise to seasoned collectors that Erika’s Invitation SAR ranks first in terms of price and popularity. Female Trainer/Supporter cards have skyrocketed in both demand and price in recent time, causing the phenomenon within the community known as the “Waifu Tax“.

Combine that with one of Pokémon’s most famous characters ever and a special alternate artwork, and you get the most expensive card in the set. If you’re looking for one, a brand-new card in mint condition will cost you at least ~US$265.

■ Pikachu C: Master Ball Mirror 025/165

While technically not registered in the set list, the Master Ball Mirror variant exists in Pokémon Card 151 as a reverse holo. In terms of pull rates, only one reverse holo in the whole Booster Box will feature this Master Ball Mirror design, which goes to show how difficult it is to pull a Pikachu one in particular. It’s highly likely the company won’t ever release any new Pokémon Master Ball Mirrors in the future, hence why it goes for more than most of the URs, SARs, and SRs in the setlist, starting at ~US$223 on the SNKRDUNK App.

■ Erika’s Invitation SR 196/165

Based off the same reasoning on the popularity of female Trainer cards, it’s unsurprising that even this SR version of Erika’s Invitation also ranks as one of the most expensive in the Pokémon Card 151 setlist.

But there’s some good news: with a higher pull rate, the chances of finding this card are significantly higher than the SAR iteration. That being said, it’s not a walk in the park either—which is justified by it’s ~US$160 price tag.

■ Mew ex SAR 205/165

In our humble opinion, this Mew ex SAR is the best-looking card in the set, period. Featuring a town setting with the titular Pokémon Mew flying overhead, it’s a beautiful illustration that rightfully stands out as Pokémon Card 151’s highlight piece.

Designed by first-timer Natsumi Yoshida, the artwork also has a special feature: the holographic effect makes the sun in the background look like it’s rising at different angles. Talk about a real gem.

■ Charizard ex SAR 201/165

In any “most expensive” Pokémon list, a Charizard is never too far away. Similar to the Mew ex, this Charizard ex SAR card is one of the more unique Charizard cards to be released. Showcasing the famed Pokémon flying over a volcanic landscape, it’s yet another intricate illustration that strays away from the norm of having just the Pokémon at the forefront of the card.

■ Erika’s Invitation U: Master Ball Mirror 161/165

For the third and final time on this list, Erika makes a return. This time, it’s her normal U rarity Supporter card, but in the Master Ball Mirror variant.

As explained with the Pikachu C above, it’s incredibly hard to find Erika in this Master Ball Mirror alternative, to the point where some would even argue it’s tougher to find than her SR version. You’d have to part with at least US$106~ to secure this card.

■ Gengar R: Master Ball Mirror 094/165

The Master Ball Mirror variant is becoming a regularity on this list, but given how rare and hard they are to find, it’s not really a surprise. The third of its kind features Gengar, which has always been one of the most popular Pokémon in the series. This Gengar card is also illustrated by Tomokazu Komiya, who’s psychedelic aesthetic style sends a shiver down your spine.

■ Zapdos ex SAR 204/165

Zapdos ex was one of the first cards we were able to preview a month or so before the set released. While we have seen previous variations of the fabled “three birds” (Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno) before, this has got to be one of the coolest in terms of artwork. All three can be seen zooming across the skies, with Zapdos taking centerstage as lightning streaks from its’ wings.

■ Mew ex UR 208/165

The only gold UR card to feature on the list is the titular Mew ex. To note, Mew ex UR 208/165 carries the exact same design as its Mew ex SR 195/165 version, albeit with the iconic gold spiral background and gilded borders. It’s still incredibly hard to pull, with a 1-in-12 Boxes chance to find a UR.

■ Blastoise ex SAR 202/165

The last card on this list comes in the form of another SAR, this time as one of the main Kanto starter evolution lines. Blastoise ex’s special illustration sees the Pokémon determinedly treading deep underwater.

Compared to the more comic-style Charizard ex above, this artwork leans more towards the “serious” side of things, giving off a rather mysterious nature with the Pokémon seemingly in search of something. It might be the cheapest on the list, but it will still cost you around ~US$33 to grab one.

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And there you have it–the top 10 most expensive Pokémon cards you can find in the Pokémon Card 151 set. To try and complete your master set won’t be easy (or cheap), but that’s the price you have to pay for one of the most hyped sets of the year.

If you’re on the hunt, download the SNKRDUNK App and explore more on the Trading Cards tab. Rest assured that all TCG products sold on our app go through a rigorous TCG authentication process to ensure they’re real and reflective of their listed conditions.

You can also find sealed Booster Boxes and Packs if you enjoy the thrill of opening Pokémon packs. With the rampant issue of re-shrinked boxest in today’s market, it’s vital that you buy TCG products from trusted sources. Our team of experts ensures all TCG products are genuine and not re-shrinked, so you can be have peace of mind shopping with us!