Cute Pokémon cards don’t have to drain your wallet, and the Scarlet & Violet: Journey Together set proves it big time. Sure, the flashy Special Illustration Rare ex cards steal the spotlight and the price tags to match, but a bunch of secret rares in this set are just as adorable for way less cash.
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Think cozy snow scenes, gentle character moments, and soft pastel art that just makes you go “aww.” If you’re building a binder full of charm without emptying your bank account, these ten picks are exactly where to start looking.
10. Dunsparce (120/159)
Dunsparce holds down the base of the set as your everyday Normal-type Basic Pokémon. Artist Asako Ito gives it a cozy, clay-like texture that makes the little Land Snake Pokemon feel almost touchable. It’s not built for competitive fireworks, but it evolves into the much scarier Dundunsparce line down the road. For collectors chasing a full set, this cute little card is an easy and affordable favorite to snag.
9. Iono’s Bellibolt ex (172/159)
This Special Illustration Rare puts Paldea’s electric streamer Iono front and center with her buddy Bellibolt. The art leans into bright, broadcast-style colors that feel like you just tuned into her show. Its Ability charges up energy for other Iono-tagged Pokémon on your bench, making it genuinely useful too. It’s one of the bigger chase cards on this list, but still a total charmer.
8. Lillie’s Clefairy ex (173/159)
Lillie’s Clefairy ex captures one of the sweetest character moments from the Alola story arc. The soft, dreamy art shows Lillie wrapping Clefairy in a warm hug, perfect for anyone who loves nostalgia-packed pulls. Its main attack gets stronger the more Benched Pokémon are on the field, so it’s not just a pretty face either. Thanks to Lillie’s popularity, this one’s a highly sought chase pull for the set.
7. Maractus (160/159)
Maractus finally gets its moment to shine as a bright, desert-themed Illustration Rare. Warm floral tones frame the little Cactus Pokemon mid-dance, giving off major sunny-day vibes. Its Exploding Needles Ability strikes back at opponents who knock it out, dropping revenge damage counters right on the attacker. It’s proof that even the more overlooked Pokémon can get a gorgeous glow-up.
6. Swinub (165/159)
Nakamura Ippan’s artwork turns Swinub into a storybook-worthy winter scene, all soft lines and muted snowy colors. It’s the kind of card that feels calm just to look at, as Swinub snuffles happily through the snowdrifts. On the battlefield, its Call for Family attack lets you grab two extra Basic Pokémon straight to your bench. Simple, sweet, and easy on the wallet, this one’s an underrated cutie.
5. Hop’s Wooloo (170/159)
Galar’s rival trainer Hop gets a heartwarming full-art spotlight alongside his fluffy partner Wooloo. The scene captures a quiet, humble moment back in Postwick before Hop’s big adventure kicks off. It’s less about battle stats and more about the warm friendship shining through the artwork. For fans who love story-driven pulls, this is one of the most nostalgic and affordable picks around.
4. Iono’s Kilowattrel (163/159)
Kilowattrel gets its own Illustration Rare showing it soaring over coastal winds with Iono’s signature streaming style woven into the background. It’s a fast Stage 1 attacker that pairs nicely with Iono’s energy-acceleration strategies. The art alone makes it worth grabbing for any electric-type fan. It’s a solid mid-tier pull that rounds out the Levincia gym collection nicely.
3. Lillie’s Ribombee (164/159)
This full-art Illustration Rare gives the delicate Bee Fly Pokémon a soft, glowing spotlight. Ribombee flits through a pastel garden that matches Lillie’s gentle color palette perfectly. Its Inviting Wink Ability lets you peek at your opponent’s hand and boot their Basic Pokémon back to the Bench when it evolves. It’s a rare mix of pure cuteness and genuine battlefield usefulness.
2. Noibat (169/159)
Noibat swoops into the spotlight with a dramatic, dark-backdrop secret rare that shows off its oversized ears and purple wings. The high-contrast lighting makes it feel like you caught it mid-echolocation deep in a cave. As a clean Colorless-type card, it keeps the visual focus on Noibat instead of cluttered energy symbols. Dragon-type fans especially love adding this one to their binders.
1. Furret (168/159)
Artist REND gives Furret a warm, three-dimensional glow as it weaves through a lush forest scene. The lighting and texture work make its fur look almost lifelike, which is no small feat for a Pokémon known for being, well, long. While bigger names like Lillie’s Clefairy ex hog the spotlight, Furret quietly wins hearts with pure Johto nostalgia. It’s easily one of the cutest and most affordable secret rares in the whole set.
Journey Together landed in a crowded stretch of Scarlet & Violet releases, so it’s easy to see how these gems slipped under the radar at first. Sets built around beloved trainers and their Pokémon tend to age like fine wine, gaining fans and value as nostalgia builds over time. Right now, though, these budget-friendly cards are still an easy and adorable way to start your collection.
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