Kanto Starter Trio #037–039 2026 Black Star Promos – ACE 10 Gem Mint Sequential

Pokémon TCG: Kanto First Partner Trio MEP 037–039 – ACE Gem Mint 10

Set: Mega Evolution Black Star Promos (MEP)

Source: First Partner Illustration Collection—Series 1

Cards: Bulbasaur MEP 037, Charmander MEP 038 and Squirtle MEP 039

Release Date: 20 March 2026

Language: English

Illustrator: Saboteri

Grading Company: ACE (Authenticated Card Experts)

Grade: Gem Mint 10 on all three cards

Certification Numbers: 1469207, 1469208 and 1469209

Presentation: Each slab remains inside its original sealed ACE sleeve, with the sleeve unopened

Overview

Bring together the three first partners that began the original Kanto journey. This matched graded set contains Bulbasaur MEP 037, Charmander MEP 038 and Squirtle MEP 039 from the Pokémon TCG: First Partner Illustration Collection—Series 1, with every card awarded an overall ACE Gem Mint 10.

The three holofoil Black Star Promos were created as illustration rare-style cards for Pokémon's 30th anniversary. Illustrated by Saboteri, their artwork is designed to be displayed together as a connected Kanto composition, combining the original first partners with colourful references to the earliest Pokémon adventures.

Across the artwork are recognisable Kanto-era details including Pokédex, Poké Ball, Bicycle and Gym Badge motifs, while the anniversary Pikachu stamp identifies each card as part of the 2026 milestone release. Collected together, the three cards read as a single display rather than three unrelated promotional cards.

The set is also sequential twice over. The card numbers run consecutively from MEP 037 to MEP 039, while the ACE certification numbers continue without interruption from 1469207 to 1469209.

Charmander and Squirtle each achieved a complete sweep of four 10 subgrades. Bulbasaur received 10s for Surface, Centering and Edges, with a 9 for Corners. Altogether, ACE awarded the trio its maximum category score in 11 of the 12 assessed areas.

Key Features

🏆 Three ACE Gem Mint 10 Grades: Every card in the set has received ACE's top numerical grade.

🔢 Sequential Cards and Certifications: Consecutive promo numbers MEP 037–039 are paired with consecutive ACE certifications 1469207–1469209.

🎨 Connected Saboteri Artwork: The three illustrations form a matched Kanto display filled with references to the original Pokémon journey.

✨ 30th-Anniversary Promos: Each card carries the commemorative Pikachu anniversary stamp associated with the 2026 release.

🖼️ Illustrated ACE Labels: All three slabs use ACE's bespoke illustrated label treatment, complementing the artwork beneath it.

🛡️ Original Sealed ACE Sleeves: Each graded slab will be supplied inside its original sealed ACE sleeve, which has not been opened.

Grade & Subgrades

🏆 Overall Grade: ACE Gem Mint 10 on all three cards

Every slab in the trio has achieved an overall Gem Mint 10. The certification numbers below identify the exact three cards included in this listing.

Bulbasaur MEP 037 — Certification 1469207

• 🔲 Surface: 10 — ACE's maximum surface subgrade.
• 📐 Centering: 10 — ACE's maximum centering subgrade.
• ✂️ Edges: 10 — ACE's maximum edge subgrade.
• 📌 Corners: 9 — One point below the maximum category score.

Bulbasaur achieved three 10 subgrades, with Corners the only assessed category across the complete trio not awarded a 10. The card nevertheless received an overall ACE Gem Mint 10.

Charmander MEP 038 — Certification 1469208

• 🔲 Surface: 10 — ACE's maximum surface subgrade.
• 📐 Centering: 10 — ACE's maximum centering subgrade.
• ✂️ Edges: 10 — ACE's maximum edge subgrade.
• 📌 Corners: 10 — ACE's maximum corner subgrade.

Charmander recorded a complete four-category sweep, with Surface, Centering, Edges and Corners all receiving 10.

Squirtle MEP 039 — Certification 1469209

• 🔲 Surface: 10 — ACE's maximum surface subgrade.
• 📐 Centering: 10 — ACE's maximum centering subgrade.
• ✂️ Edges: 10 — ACE's maximum edge subgrade.
• 📌 Corners: 10 — ACE's maximum corner subgrade.

Squirtle also achieved a clean sweep of four 10 subgrades, completing the trio with a second perfect category report.

Population Data

Bulbasaur MEP 037 — Certification 1469207

• Population with the ACE label at Grade 10: 3,950
• Grade 10 population across all labels: 4,014
• Population graded lower: 818
• Population graded higher: 0
• Total submitted: 4,833
• Gem rate: 83%

Charmander MEP 038 — Certification 1469208

• Population with the ACE label at Grade 10: 4,316
• Grade 10 population across all labels: 4,393
• Population graded lower: 513
• Population graded higher: 0
• Total submitted: 4,907
• Gem rate: 90%

Squirtle MEP 039 — Certification 1469209

• Population with the ACE label at Grade 10: 4,208
• Grade 10 population across all labels: 4,289
• Population graded lower: 595
• Population graded higher: 0
• Total submitted: 4,885
• Gem rate: 88%

For transparency, all three cards have high gem rates, so these are not being presented as rare Grade 10 outcomes. The value of this set lies in receiving the complete Kanto trio at the highest numerical grade, with two four-subgrade clean sweeps, a continuous certification run and the certainty of the exact graded cards shown.

Population figures are a snapshot from the supplied ACE grading reports and may change as further copies are submitted and graded.

About the Artwork

Saboteri's three illustrations are designed as a coordinated Kanto display. Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle each occupy their own energetic colour palette while the surrounding objects and graphic details connect them to the original Pokémon adventure.

References across the composition include familiar Kanto-era objects and symbols such as the Pokédex, Poké Ball, Bicycle and Gym Badge motifs. The commemorative Pikachu stamp on each card ties the trio directly to Pokémon's 30th-anniversary celebrations.

The consecutive numbering strengthens the intended presentation: Bulbasaur opens the sequence at MEP 037, Charmander continues it at MEP 038 and Squirtle completes the group at MEP 039.

About the Release

The First Partner Illustration Collection—Series 1 launched on 20 March 2026 and celebrated the first partner Pokémon of Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola.

Each collection contained a dedicated promo pack holding three of nine illustration rare-style promotional cards. This listing removes the uncertainty of assembling the regional group separately by presenting the complete Kanto trio together, already graded and matched.

ACE Labels & Sealed Presentation

Each card is professionally encapsulated in an ACE grading holder and uses the illustrated ACE Label treatment. These bespoke labels extend the visual theme of the card above the holder, giving the three slabs a stronger display presence when positioned together.

Following grading, each slab was placed inside an ACE protective sleeve. All three will be supplied in those original sealed sleeves, which have remained unopened. The graded holders have therefore not been removed or handled outside their ACE sleeves.

Product Details

• Cards: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle
• Card Numbers: MEP 037, MEP 038 and MEP 039
• Set: Mega Evolution Black Star Promos
• Source: First Partner Illustration Collection—Series 1
• Release Date: 20 March 2026
• Language: English
• Finish: Holofoil illustration rare-style promotional cards
• Illustrator: Saboteri
• Anniversary Mark: Pokémon 30th-anniversary Pikachu stamp
• Grading Company: ACE
• Grade: Gem Mint 10 on all three cards
• Label Type: Illustrated ACE Label
• Certification Numbers: 1469207, 1469208 and 1469209
• Quantity: 3 individually encapsulated graded cards
• Presentation: Each slab supplied inside its original sealed ACE sleeve, unopened

Summary

A complete graded Kanto first-partner display combining consecutive promo numbers, sequential ACE certifications, illustrated ACE Labels and three Gem Mint 10 grades. Eleven of the twelve assessed subgrades are 10s, including complete four-category sweeps for both Charmander and Squirtle.

Whether you're building a graded Kanto collection, displaying Saboteri's connected anniversary artwork, or securing the original first-partner trio at the top numerical grade without the uncertainty of submitting raw cards, this graded trio delivers.