With only 25 cards and every card priced in the dataset, the set is easy to approach as a complete visual run. Pikachu (mcd21-25) stands as the top-priced card here, while the broader selection remains modestly valued overall.
25 unique Pokémon · 25 Pokémon · Average market $0.45
McDonald's Collection 2021 presents a tightly edited 25-card lineup with no Trainer or Energy cards, keeping the focus entirely on Pokémon illustration. Across 16 artists, the set favors straightforward, balanced compositions and a bright, vibrant palette that stays readable at a glance. The dominant look is cartoonish and playful, with most cards framed as focused character studies rather than complex scenes.
Visual highlights include Chikorita (mcd21-2), Popplio (mcd21-23), and Squirtle (mcd21-17), each aligning with the set’s lighthearted tone and clean staging. Artist variety is a key pleasure here: Ken Sugimori and 5ban Graphics appear most often, while Akira Komayama and Kagemaru Himeno add distinct shifts in line, texture, and character presence. Overall, the collection maintains a consistent, cheerful surface while letting small stylistic differences carry the interest from card to card.
The set leans into vibrant color with warm and natural accents, pairing cheerful, lighthearted moods with clean, focused framing. Most illustrations are simple and balanced, often presenting a single Pokémon as the clear subject; occasional dynamic poses add energy without breaking the consistent, approachable tone.
Ken Sugimori and 5ban Graphics lead the set by appearance count, establishing much of its baseline clarity and character-forward presentation. Akira Komayama and Kagemaru Himeno also recur, providing subtle shifts in rendering and personality while staying aligned with the collection’s playful, colorful direction.
Editorial picks — by visual identity, mood, and the work that defines this set's character.
By the hands behind it, or by the Pokémon featured. Both threads continue across the wider Artchu catalogue.
