Some of the most incredible cards in the entire hobby are Chinese exclusives, and they’ve quietly become some of the most sought-after cards around. They tend to run more expensive than their Western counterparts, likely because they’re harder to get hold of outside of Asia, and because you just see them around far less often, they carry an extra sense of rarity that’s hard to resist. Here are the Chinese exclusives we love most.
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Ponyta · Gem Pack Vol. 4
Ponyta rearing up in a glowing sunset meadow, with a Rapidash grazing behind it, is exactly the kind of warm, painterly art that makes these Chinese exclusives so special. It’s a soft, storybook take on a classic Kanto favorite, and the kind of card that quietly steals your attention.
Ponyta · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 4 #107 on eBay
Ceruledge · Gem Pack Vol. 3
One of the coolest cards in this whole list, Ceruledge glowing over a moonlit European style town is pure atmosphere, all rainbow-foil rooftops and eerie blue fire. Better yet, it’s one of the more affordable Chinese exclusives of the bunch, which makes it a great entry point if you’re just dipping into these cards.
Ceruledge · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 3 #1507 on eBay
Arcanine ex · CSV3C
Gorgeous, plain and simple. Arcanine mid-roar, erupting out of a blaze of golden fire and sparkling texture, gives this one a look that’s very Prismatic-esque, that same jewel-like shimmer collectors have fallen for. Gemi’s illustration turns a fan favorite into one of the most striking cards on this list.
Arcanine ex · Chinese CSV3C #155 on eBay
Captain Pikachu
Look at Pika, he’s the captain now. These Pokémon Horizons-themed Captain Pikachu cards with Professor Friede are as charming as they come. Two versions across different Gem Packs, both absolutely worth chasing.
- Captain Pikachu · Chinese Gem Pack #709 on eBay
- Captain Pikachu · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 5 #107 on eBay
Gengar · Gem Pack Vol. 3
Gengar up to no good in a spooky purple teatime scene is exactly the mischievous energy you want from it. Keep an eye out for the little Clefairy doll tucked into the scene too, making this a fun cameo card on top of a great illustration.
Gengar · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 3 #307 on eBay
Meowth · Gem Pack Vol. 3
Meowth perched on a rooftop beneath a huge full moon, with sky lanterns drifting up all around it, is one of the most beautiful scenes in the whole set. It’s peaceful and a little magical, and a lovely reminder of how much personality these Chinese exclusives bring to even the most familiar Pokémon.
Meowth · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 3 #207 on eBay
Cubone · Gem Pack Vol. 3
Honestly one of the prettiest scenes in the entire TCG. Cubone on a little stone bridge through a sunset-lit autumn village, all warm pinks and falling red leaves, is just stunning. We’ll be honest, this one got away from us, we clocked it early and didn’t act, and it’s climbed a lot since. If you’re lucky enough to pull or find it, it’s easily one of our favorite cards in the modern era.
Cubone · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 3 #407 on eBay
Chinese Exclusive Eeveelutions
These HYOGONOSUKE Eeveelutions are some of our absolute favorites, and a bit of a hidden gem for collectors outside of Asia. Umbreon, Sylveon, Eevee, and Leafeon all share the same sun dappled forest scene, so lining them up creates one continuous piece of art. Gorgeous individually, and even better together.
- Sylveon · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 2 #915 on eBay
- Umbreon · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 2 #615 on eBay
- Eevee · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 2 #115 on eBay
- Leafeon · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 2 #715 on eBay
Mew ex 151 Promo
We had to include this one, even if it’s on another level entirely. The Simplified Chinese Mew ex is a modern grail, changing hands raw for five figures. The reason comes down to sheer scarcity: it was handed out through a lottery system to mainland Chinese tournament participants and collectors, with only 1,510 copies ever printed. That tiny population is exactly why it commands the premiums it does. The satoma illustration, Mew drifting through a soft, sunlit flower field, is beautiful enough to deserve the hype.
Mew ex · Chinese Promo #3/SV-P on eBay
Maushold ex · CSV4C
A wonderfully chaotic home Pokémon card, and one of our favorites for pure charm. Yoshimi Miyoshi’s bold, flat-color art style packs the whole frame with a family of mice reading, snacking, and causing havoc across a cluttered living room. It’s busy in the best way, and totally unique among the cards on this list.
Maushold ex · Chinese CSV4C #158 on eBay
Larry · CSV5C
Larry is the everyman hero collectors can’t get enough of, and this card nails his whole tired-salaryman charm, briefcase in hand, framed against a neon Japanese street at dusk. It’s stylish, a little melancholy, and full of character, exactly the kind of trainer art that hits different.
Larry · Chinese CSV5C #157 on eBay
Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking · CSV7C
One of the more unique trainer cards you’ll come across, this Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking full art is bursting with personality, its green-haired sleuth mid-investigation with magnifying glass and notebook in a cool, blue-toned setting. It’s a fresh, stylish design and a great pick for collectors who love the character-driven side of the hobby.
Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking · Chinese CSV7C #245 on eBay
Pikachu · 151 Collect
Another batch that’s highly sought after, and for good reason. These Pikachu cards from the Chinese 151 Collect set have a gorgeous storybook art style, each one dropping Pikachu into its own little scene, running past a Mew, resting near a sleeping Snorlax, sneaking through a Gengar-filled night, and playing in a sunny meadow. With low pull rates and serious demand, they’re some of the harder Chinese exclusives to track down.
- Pikachu · Chinese 151 Collect #170 on eBay
- Pikachu · Chinese 151 Collect #171 on eBay
- Pikachu · Chinese 151 Collect #172 on eBay
- Pikachu · Chinese 151 Collect #173 on eBay
Chandelure · Gem Pack Vol. 3
Chandelure floating down a quiet, twilight-lit residential street is hauntingly pretty, all soft purples and blues with a warm glow spilling from its flames. It’s a lovely, atmospheric card that leans into Chandelure’s eerie but elegant vibe perfectly.
Chandelure · Chinese Gem Pack Vol. 3 #1107 on eBay
That’s our roundup of the best Chinese exclusive Pokémon cards! Got a favorite Chinese exclusive we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments below.
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