Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile in 2026: Comparing the Johto Starter Collector Markets
By Dexhaul Team · August 26, 2026
Three starters, three very different collector markets.
When Gold and Silver launched in 1999 in Japan (2000 in North America), it introduced the franchise's second starter trio: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. In 2026, each has taken a distinct path in the collector market, with different strengths across plush lines, vintage TCG singles, and current official releases.
This article compares all three by category to help you decide where to focus, whether you collect one starter or all of Johto.
Chikorita: Affordable TCG Entry With Modern Ties
Chikorita has an unusually clean price ladder in the TCG.
The Neo Genesis unlimited set (2000) includes Chikorita at card numbers 53/111 and 54/111. The non-holo 54/111 unlimited copies are available from around $3, making it one of the most accessible vintage entries for any Johto starter.
First-edition copies of 53/111 run $18 to $24 depending on condition. Neither price point requires a significant commitment.
Modern options are equally approachable. The Mega Evolution Promo #046 holofoil costs $8 from current merchant listings. It is a genuine holofoil from the Mega Evolution era at a low price, which is rare for that product line.
In plush, Chikorita's Pokémon fit figure ($17) and Sanei ALL STAR COLLECTION PP40 ($21) are the standard picks. The Super Mofugu version ($44) is the premium option. The Action Series Plush from Joe's Japan Plushies ($35) adds a larger, poseable variant to the lineup.
Chikorita is also one of two Johto starters to appear in the Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection (launching August 28). That distinction matters for collectors building around the current Mega Evolution release arc.
Cyndaquil: The Broadest Plush Range of the Three
Cyndaquil offers more plush variety than either of its Johto counterparts.
The entry points are the Hopepita Plush ($16, Anime Pop) and the Pokémon fit model ($17, Ichiba Japan). The Cyndaquil and Victini combo plush ($24, Anime Pop) is a cross-character piece worth noting if you collect both.
The medium-size Gacha Hobbies plush ($43) and the All Star Collection 6-inch at $24.99 (Bitjump Games) cover the upper range. Five distinct styles across four price points gives Cyndaquil the widest plush selection of the Johto trio.
On the TCG side, the Expedition Base Set (2002) included Cyndaquil at 100/165. The Mega Evolution Promo #047 holofoil runs $24 from current listings, which is the highest of the three ME promo starters.
One notable gap: Cyndaquil does not appear in the Ascended Heroes First Partners Deluxe Pin Collection. That product pairs Chikorita and Totodile with Tepig (the Unova fire starter), not Cyndaquil. If you want a current Mega Evolution-era Cyndaquil single, the standalone ME promo is the primary route.
Totodile: Strong Vintage Entry Points and a Solid Plush Range
Totodile is the pick for vintage TCG collectors on a budget.
Neo Genesis 81/111 in 1st Edition prints are available at $8 from current merchant listings (HFX Games). For a first-edition card from a 26-year-old set featuring a starter Pokémon, that is a genuinely affordable entry.
Unlimited copies run lower. The ME Mega Evolution Promo #048 holofoil sits at $16 from some listings, making it the least expensive ME starter promo of the three.
Pokémon fit ($17, Ichiba Japan) and the Jazwares 8-inch ($12, Lowkey Stock) are the budget tier. The Sitting Cuties plush ($30) and Banpresto Mega Mofugutto at 13 inches ($37.99, HiFi LoFi) handle the larger formats.
Totodile also appears in the Ascended Heroes First Partners pin collection alongside Chikorita, giving it a current-release tie-in that Cyndaquil lacks.
The Mega Evolution Promo Trio: One Set, Three Starters
All three Johto starters appear as holofoil promos in the Mega Evolution promotional set.
Chikorita #046 ($8), Cyndaquil #047 ($24), and Totodile #048 ($16) form a natural three-card sub-set within that promo lineup. The price spread comes partly from the Ascended Heroes First Partners pin collection, which includes Chikorita and Totodile promos but skips Cyndaquil in favor of Tepig (the Unova fire starter). That makes the standalone Cyndaquil ME promo the most independently sought piece of the trio, since there is no current product bundle that pairs it with the other two in the same way.
For collectors who want all three Johto starters together at the lowest possible price, the Johto Jumbo First Partner Set ($4, Mastercoins) includes jumbo-format cards for all three. It is the most affordable single purchase that covers the complete Johto first-partner lineup.
Pokemon TCG - Johto Jumbo First Partner Set (Cyndaquil, Chikorita, Totodile)
$4.00 USD
Which Johto Starter Fits Your Collection?
Each starter suits a different collector profile.
Chikorita: best for the Mega Evolution launch arc
The combination of a $3 Neo Genesis entry, an $8 ME promo holofoil, and inclusion in the Ascended Heroes pin collection gives Chikorita the most complete story for collectors building around the current Mega Evolution TCG era. The Sanei ALL STAR COLLECTION PP40 ($21) rounds out the plush side without stretching the budget.
Cyndaquil: best for plush-first collectors
Five plush styles across $16 to $43 means Cyndaquil has an option at almost every spend level. The $24 ME promo card is the premium modern single, and the Pokémon fit at $17 covers the core plush slot. The trade-off is that Cyndaquil sits outside the current Ascended Heroes pin collection, so its TCG arc is standalone rather than part of a bundle.
Totodile: best for vintage TCG buyers
A Neo Genesis 1st Edition card at $8 is the standout data point in this comparison. That price is rare for a starter Pokémon from a 26-year-old set. The $12 Jazwares plush and the Sitting Cuties at $30 add a range from very affordable to mid-tier, and Totodile's inclusion in the Ascended Heroes pin collection gives it current-release visibility alongside Chikorita.
All three together in jumbo card form costs $4. That is one reasonable place to start before deciding which starter to go deeper on.
Browse Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile plush, singles, and current official releases from independent shops at DexHaul. Search any starter name to see what is in stock right now.