Some cards are for playing. Full Arts are for showing off.
When Pokémon introduced Full Art cards back in the Black & White era of 2011, collectors immediately knew they were something special. Instead of small framed pictures, the entire card was artwork — colourful, textured, and bold. From then on, Full Arts have been some of the most chased, most loved, and most iconic pulls across every set.
This list counts down the 10 most iconic Full Art Pokémon cards of all time. Not just the rarest or most expensive, but the ones that have stuck in the community’s memory, filled binders, and made collectors stop and say wow.
1. Reshiram & Zekrom (Black & White, 2011)
The originals.
When Reshiram 113/114 and Zekrom 114/114 debuted as Full Arts in the first Black & White expansion, collectors were stunned. The textured holo finish, the minimalist backgrounds, and the sheer presence of two new Legendaries made them instant hits. These cards set the standard for every Full Art that followed. Even today, pulling one from a pack is pure magic.
If you love the artwork but not the price tag, these cards were reprinted in the 2021 Pokémon Celebrations set. Making them far more accessible and affordable compared to the originals.
2. Full Art N (Noble Victories, 2011)
N 101/101 was the first Trainer card to get the Full Art treatment, and it remains one of the most beloved. Known for its competitive dominance and striking design, Full Art N became a staple in both tournaments and collector binders. For many players, this was the card that proved Trainers could be as exciting as Pokémon themselves.
3. Mewtwo EX Full Art (Next Destinies, 2012)
Mewtwo has always been a fan favourite, and its Full Art (98/99) in Next Destinies was nothing short of iconic. This card wasn’t just beautiful — it was playable, too, dominating competitive decks of the time. The combination of legendary status, competitive strength, and gorgeous art made it one of the most memorable Full Arts of the early era.
4. Lugia EX Full Art (Plasma Storm, 2013)
Lugia’s Full Art 134/135 in Plasma Storm is still one of the most striking designs the TCG has ever seen. The dramatic colours and Plasma-themed artwork gave it a futuristic, almost electric energy. For collectors, this was a must-have, and it remains a shining example of how Full Arts can make a Legendary Pokémon feel larger than life.
5. Charizard Full Art (Flashfire, XY, 2014)
No list of iconic Pokémon cards would be complete without Charizard.
The Flashfire Full Art Charizard 100/106 cemented the dragon-like fire Pokémon’s place as the king of chase cards. With fiery artwork and a huge demand among collectors, it became one of the defining pulls of the XY era. If you opened a Flashfire pack and saw this, it was an unforgettable hit.
6. Cynthia Full Art (Ultra Prism, 2018)
When it comes to Trainers, Cynthia is top tier. Her Full Art in Ultra Prism 146/156 is still one of the most loved Trainer cards in the hobby. Not only was it gorgeous, but it was also highly playable, appearing in countless competitive decks. Even today, it remains a collector favourite, proving that Full Art Trainers can be every bit as iconic as Pokémon.
7. Pikachu (Full Art, Generations Radiant Collection, 2016)
Few cards capture Pikachu’s charm quite like the Full Art RC29/RC32 from the Generations Radiant Collection.
Released during the Pokémon 20th Anniversary, this card shows Pikachu surrounded by three of its friends in a joyful, storybook-style illustration. It became an instant fan favourite thanks to its cheerful artwork and anniversary tie-in, and it still holds a special place in many binders.
Sometimes it’s not about rarity or price — it’s about a card that makes you smile every time you see it.
8. Umbreon VMAX (Evolving Skies, 2021)
Known as “Moonbreon,” 215/203, this card exploded in popularity as one of the biggest chase cards of the Sword & Shield era. The artwork of Umbreon reaching for the moon, combined with its insane rarity, made it a grail card almost overnight.
The Evolving Skies set is most commonly known as Evolving Cries, because of how difficult it is to pull from a pack.
Prices skyrocketed, and even now it’s one of the most sought-after Full Arts ever printed. Moonbreon remains the most expensive modern Pokémon card, though it may be rivalled by the Umbreon ex from Prismatic Evolutions.
9. Giratina V (Lost Origin, 2022)
This alternate Full Art of Giratina 186/196 in Lost Origin became a modern collectors chase card instantly. Its intricate, almost chaotic artwork set it apart from anything else in the set. Collectors fell in love with the otherworldly design, and competitive players respected its strength in decks. It’s a perfect example of how Full Arts evolved into complex, almost surreal art pieces.
10. Lysandre’s Trump Card (Phantom Forces, 2014)
Few Full Art Trainers are as notorious as Lysandre’s Trump Card .
Released in Phantom Forces (2014), it became infamous for being so overpowered that it was banned from competitive play — a rare fate in the TCG world. The card’s striking design, featuring Lysandre in bold crimson tones, only added to its legendary status.
Today it stands as one of the most talked-about Full Art Trainers of all time, remembered not just for its artwork but for the impact it had on the game itself.
The Chase Never Ends
From Reshiram and Zekrom’s historic debut to the Moonbreons elusive reputation, Full Art Pokémon cards have been shaping collections for over a decade. They’re bold, textured, and instantly recognisable — the kind of cards that turn packs into memories.
The ten listed here are just the tip of the iceberg. But these iconic examples show why Full Arts remain some of the most loved cards in the entire Pokémon TCG.
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