Collection

Illustration Rare Pokémon Cards

Buy Illustration Rare Pokémon cards in the UK — more than 500 IRs (art rares) from Scarlet & Violet and the Mega Evolution sets, on one page.

513 products

About Illustration Rare Pokémon Cards

What is an Illustration Rare?

Illustration Rares are secret rares that show an ordinary Pokémon — not an ex — in full artwork running to the card's edges, often by a guest artist and in a style unlike the rest of the set. They are marked with a single gold star. Collectors love them because they are the most affordable artwork cards in a set, and some IRs connect into a single scene when placed side by side.

Black Bolt and White Flare carry far more IRs than a normal set. The dearest IRs we list right now include Magikarp 203/193, Seismitoad 105/086 and Groudon 199/182.

Shop Illustration Rares by set

Pitch Black, Chaos Rising, Perfect Order, Ascended Heroes, Phantasmal Flames, Mega Evolution, 30th Celebration, Black Bolt, White Flare, Destined Rivals, Journey Together, Surging Sparks. Cards are sold raw and ungraded and condition-checked before they ship, for a flat £1.75 anywhere in the UK. Want the two-star cards? See Special Illustration Rares.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Illustration Rare Pokémon card?

An Illustration Rare (IR) is a secret rare showing an ordinary Pokémon, not an ex, in full artwork that runs to the card's edges. It carries a single gold star as its rarity symbol. The rarity began with Scarlet & Violet in 2023.

What is the difference between an Illustration Rare and a Special Illustration Rare?

An Illustration Rare has one gold star and features an ordinary Pokémon. A Special Illustration Rare has two gold stars, features a Pokémon ex or a Trainer, and is usually much scarcer and dearer.

Are art rares the same as Illustration Rares?

"Art rare" is the collectors' nickname, taken from the Japanese name for the rarity (AR). In English sets the same cards are printed as Illustration Rares.