Igglybuff Is Quietly Stealing the Show in Pokémon's 30th Celebration Set

Two Igglybuff callbacks in the 30th Celebration set reach back to 151 and Neo Discovery. Here's where to find them.

The 30th Celebration set is full of big chase cards. But one tiny pink Balloon Pokémon is packing some secret nostalgia. Igglybuff shows up twice, and in both instances we see a nod towards Pokémon TCG history.

Following in Jigglypuff's footsteps

Put Kanami Ogata's new Igglybuff (120/128) next to Saino Misaki's Jigglypuff from the 151 set (039/165). The resemblance is hard to miss.

Both babies sit in a big field of flowers and look up at the viewer with huge shiny eyes. It feels like Igglybuff is trying on its evolution's portrait for size, and it's kind of adorable. The Pokédex entry fits the vibe too. Igglybuff likes to sing but isn't good at it yet, and it'll get better with encouragement. That's the little sibling looking up to the big star!

Spot the stowaway in Fuecoco ex

The deeper cut is in the Fuecoco ex illustration rare (147/128). Fuecoco is front and center at a festival full of streamers and bunting. Now look at the bunch of balloons on the right side of the art. Igglybuff is hiding in there, floating along with them.

That's no random cameo. It points straight back to Miki Tanaka's Igglybuff from Neo Discovery (40/75), where Igglybuff drifts through a sky full of colorful balloons. That was one of the most charming baby Pokémon cards of the Neo era. Tucking Igglybuff into the balloons again for the 30th anniversary is a lovely nod for longtime collectors.

Then vs. now

The Neo Discovery Igglybuff had the old Baby Pokémon rules and a Pokémon Power called Gaze. The new one hits with Bouncy Circle, which scales off your Benched Pokémon that have a max HP of 30. Same puffball, very different era of the game.

Have you spotted any other hidden callbacks in the 30th Celebration set? Let us know on Instagram (opens in a new tab), we're keeping a running list!