How has the Pokémon card market moved through cycles?

When did the Pokémon card market begin?

Pokémon cards launched in Japan in 1996 and in English-language markets in 1999. The first English sets, such as Base Set, sold in very large numbers. Demand among children and teenagers was very high in the early years.

What happened after the first boom?

Interest in cards faded in the following years. Many collectors stopped buying, and many cards stayed in storage. For a long time, the market stayed small and quiet compared with later years.

This period matters. It shows that Pokémon prices have not moved in one direction only.

What drove the 2020-2021 surge?

Prices rose sharply in 2020 and 2021. Several factors came together.

• Adults who collected as children returned to the hobby.
• Time at home increased during the pandemic.
• Professional grading gained wide attention.
• Media and social platforms covered record sales.

Many of the highest-profile sales happened in this period. Prices for some cards rose very fast within a short time.

What happened after the surge?

Activity cooled in many segments in the years that followed. Grading backlogs eased and new supply entered the market. Prices of some cards fell from their peaks, while others held up better. Cards with real scarcity and strong condition grades generally did better than common cards.

Why did interest return around the 30th anniversary?

The franchise reached its 30th anniversary in 2026. Anniversary releases, wider media attention and a new wave of collectors lifted interest in parts of the market. This is a recent development, and it is too early to say how lasting it will be.

What should collectors and investors take from these cycles?

• The market has had booms, quiet years and corrections.
• Scarcity and condition matter more than a famous name alone.
• Recent price spikes may not last.
• A long holding period helps absorb cycles.

Splint Invest looks at long-term data and verified sales rather than short-term spikes when it assesses trading cards.

Capital at risk. Past price moves are not a reliable guide to future results. This article is for information only and is not personalised investment advice. Please review the full investment documentation before investing.