A buyer-focused starter guide to the in-print Kanto Pokémon Funko Pops that make the strongest first shelf, with practical notes on box condition, fake-spotting, and display basics. Use it to choose one to seven Amazon.com-sold figures without drifting into scalped exclusives or third-party-only listings.

If you want to start a Kanto Pokémon Funko shelf without chasing scalped exclusives, this guide narrows the field to in-print, Amazon.com-sold picks that make sense for a first display. You’ll also get quick buying advice on box condition, fake-spotting, and how to avoid beginner mistakes.

If you want a clean first Pokémon Funko shelf, this page exists to help you buy smart instead of just buying fast. GeekSerious is doing the curation work for you: we’re limiting the list to in-print Kanto Pops that were Amazon.com ships-and-sold at check time, then adding collector judgment on which ones make the strongest starter buys, what to watch for in box condition, and which common beginner traps to skip. For more Funko coverage after this guide, start with the GeekSerious Funko category.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Before you click anything, set your scope. This is a starter shelf, not a completionist checklist, and it is intentionally built around currently available Kanto characters rather than scalped exclusives or third-party marketplace listings. Availability can change quickly, especially on older figures, so treat this as a buying guide for the moment you shop, not a permanent stock report. For a broader browse after this, see our Pokémon collectibles hub and the Pokémon Funko Pop guide.

Quick Picks

  • Pikachu (Waving) — best for a one-figure starter shelf and the easiest mascot anchor.
  • Charizard — best for a centerpiece that gives the shelf immediate presence.
  • Mewtwo — best for adding legendary weight without chasing exclusives.
  • Gengar — best for a darker silhouette and more visual variety.
  • Bulbasaur — best for starting the Kanto starter trio.
  • Charmander — best for a classic starter pick if it is in stock when you shop.
  • Squirtle — best for rounding out the starter trio and a safe fallback if Charmander is unavailable.

The best first-buy Kanto Pokémon Funko Pops

If you only want one to three figures, start with the characters that give you the most shelf presence and the clearest franchise identity. If you want a fuller display, build outward from the starter trio and then add the heavy hitters.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Pikachu (Waving)

Why it's awesome: Pikachu is the mascot, the pose is friendly, and it reads instantly as Pokémon even from across the room. If you only want one figure to anchor a shelf, this is the easiest yes.

Best for: Your first-ever Pokémon Pop, a desk display, or the one figure that makes the shelf feel finished fast.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Pikachu (Waving)

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Charizard

Why it's awesome: Charizard is the natural centerpiece. If you want one figure that makes the shelf feel bigger immediately, this is the one. It works especially well after you already have a starter or Pikachu in place.

Best for: A center-slot display, a shelf that needs a strong focal point, or a second buy after Pikachu.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Charizard

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Mewtwo

Why it's awesome: Mewtwo adds legendary weight without pushing you into chase-only territory. It’s a good second-wave buy once you’ve covered the starter trio or want a more dramatic centerpiece than a basic starter.

Best for: A shelf that needs a Gen 1 anchor with a little more edge than the starters.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Mewtwo

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Gengar

Why it's awesome: Gengar is the best personality pick on the list. The grin reads well on a shelf, and it gives your display a darker silhouette that helps break up a lineup of bright starter colors.

Best for: Adding contrast, balancing brighter figures, or giving your shelf a more playful ghost-type presence.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Gengar

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Bulbasaur

Why it's awesome: Bulbasaur is the cleanest starter-trio pickup because it gives you a Kanto starter without waiting to complete the set. It also balances the shelf visually if you later add Charizard or Squirtle.

Best for: Starting the starter trio, especially if you want a calmer green figure to offset the brighter fire picks.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Bulbasaur

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Charmander

Why it's awesome: Charmander is one of the most recognizable Kanto picks, but the research check noted low stock at the time. Buy it if it’s available, but don’t overpay or panic if you need to wait and swap in Squirtle first.

Best for: Completing the starter trio or grabbing a classic fire starter while it is still in print.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Charmander

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Squirtle

Why it's awesome: Squirtle is the water starter and a strong companion to Bulbasaur. If Charmander is out of stock when you shop, Squirtle is the easiest way to keep the starter trio moving.

Best for: Rounding out the starter trio or serving as the safer fallback if Charmander is unavailable.

Funko POP! Games: Pokémon – Squirtle

How to choose your first one to seven

If you want the simplest possible shelf, buy Pikachu first and stop there. If you want a display that feels like a deliberate collection, the best beginner path is Pikachu plus one starter, then the other two starters, then Charizard or Mewtwo as your centerpiece. Gengar is the best add-on if you want variety and a stronger visual mix.

A good beginner rule is to buy for shelf balance, not just character popularity. One mascot, one or two starters, and one larger or darker figure usually looks better than four similar poses lined up together. If you are trying to keep the budget under control, skip the urge to chase every version and focus on the in-print figures that are easiest to replace later.

What to check before you buy

For a first shelf, box condition matters more than it does for a loose display. If you want sealed boxes, look for clean corners, intact window plastic, and no crushing at the top flap or bottom seam. If you only care about the figure, you can be more flexible, but you should still avoid listings with obvious damage unless the condition is clearly reflected in the listing.

Because Funko and Pokémon are both heavily collected, bootlegs and swapped stock are worth watching for. Be cautious with listings that use blurry photos, generic stock images, or vague condition language. Compare the product name exactly against the listing title, and make sure the seller is the Amazon.com ships-and-sold offer when that is the standard you want to follow.

Reissues also matter. A figure being in print does not mean every listing is the same release window, and it does not guarantee the box will match older collector photos you may see elsewhere. If you care about matching boxes across a shelf, buy the figures close together and inspect them on arrival before the return window closes.

What beginners should avoid

Do not start with third-party-only buy boxes if your goal is a simple, low-friction shelf.

Also avoid overpaying for “rare” language when you are still learning the market. For a starter shelf, availability and condition matter more than hype. You can always upgrade later if you decide you want a harder-to-find variant or a more advanced chase path.

Display basics for a clean first shelf

Start with a flat, stable surface and enough depth for the box footprint if you are keeping figures sealed. If you are displaying loose, keep the figures out of direct sunlight and away from heat so the vinyl and paint stay cleaner over time. A simple riser setup can help Pikachu or Charizard stand out without forcing you to buy a full cabinet right away.

If you are building a box-forward shelf, keep the tallest or boldest character in the middle and use the smaller starters to frame it. If you are building loose, group by color or evolution line so the shelf looks intentional instead of random.

For a deeper next step, move from this starter shelf into a broader Pokémon Funko Pop guide. That is the right place to go once you know whether you want to stay with Kanto, expand into later generations, or start hunting harder-to-find variants.

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