TCG Card Investor  ·  Weekly Briefing

TCG Card Investor

Weekly market intelligence on the Pokemon TCG

Vol. 2026 · Issue No. 08  ·  June 6 – 13, 2026

Hey friend, welcome to the hobby.

The Big Story

An estimated 1 to 1.5 million Phantasmal Flames booster boxes left the factory in March and have not appeared in distribution, with Destined Rivals ETBs similarly held back, pointing to a coordinated release window timed to the 30th anniversary. Pokemon Company is also reportedly delaying Perfect Order booster box distribution until mid-July to protect secondary market prices, while Chaos Rising wave two boxes are already holding at $235 to $300. Digital rip-and-ship platforms are paying out as little as 50 to 60 cents on the dollar and offering only 75 cents of market value when a winning card is out of stock, all while PSA sits on a nine-month grading backlog that legitimate operators cannot overcome.

Key Market Trends

1.30th Anniversary is triggering a coordinated sell-now, buy-later rotation. Multiple creators are actively liquidating legacy sealed holdings including 151 ETBs, Evolving Skies boxes, Cosmic Eclipse boxes, and Pikachu PSA 10 slabs to build cash for 30th anniversary product, which is expected to launch at 2x to 5x MSRP. AnonTCG is targeting roughly $2 million in liquidity; Collect Pokemon plans to liquidate $50,000 to $100,000 in existing holdings. The consensus is that the buying window will be at or shortly after launch when early scalper prices normalize.
AnonTCG 01:44  ·  Collect Pokemon 04:08  ·  Collect Pokemon 10:18
2.Pokemon is structurally curtailing booster box supply in favor of smaller SKUs. Both Danny Phantump and The Poke Plumber report that Pokemon has communicated to distributors a shift away from booster boxes toward sleeve boosters, check-lane blisters, and booster bundles, with booster box print runs limited to one or two waves before production pivots to ancillary product for two to three years. Perfect Order boxes are trading at $240 to $260 secondary, roughly $80 to $100 above MSRP, and Chaos Rising boxes sold out in approximately 10 minutes at $164. AnonTCG corroborates that Perfect Order box distribution is being deliberately held until mid-July to protect secondary prices.
Danny Phantump 05:04  ·  The Poke Plumber 14:43  ·  AnonTCG 02:16
3.Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are broadly flagged as undervalued versus comparable special sets. Nostalgia Nomics shows Prismatic Evolutions ETBs at roughly $170 while comparable special sets (Crown Zenith, Paldean Fates, 151) now trade at $340 to $560 per ETB, with Prismatic booster packs at $14.39 versus $25 to $30 for those peers. Christy Holds reports her Prismatic regular ETBs have already 3x'd from roughly 53 GBP to 160 GBP, while Pokemon Center ETBs went from 150 GBP to 400 GBP. The Poke Plumber and Nostalgia Nomics both cite no further print runs as a structural floor.
Nostalgia Nomics 06:02  ·  Christy Holds 09:27  ·  The Poke Plumber 10:18  ·  Collect Pokemon 09:14
4.Pitch Black pre-order prices are severely inflated ahead of a July 17 release correction. Pitch Black booster boxes are pre-ordering at roughly $260, about $100 above MSRP, while Pokemon Center ETBs are listed on TCGPlayer at $520 to $600 despite eBay secondary prices sitting at $210 to $220. Both It Was Never A Phase Cards and Danny Phantump note that sellers listing pre-orders have not secured stock, and prices are expected to drop materially on release day. ETB MSRP is $49.99 and booster box MSRP is $161.
It Was Never A Phase Cards 05:03  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 02:38  ·  Danny Phantump 10:18
5.30th anniversary announcement is already moving specific singles sharply higher. The Pikachu and Zekrom GX from Team Up nearly quadrupled from $266 to $278 in late May to over $1,000 after a 30th anniversary reprint announcement, per Top 10 Pokemon. It Was Never A Phase Cards separately documents Rayquaza V alternate art from Evolving Skies up 53% in three months and 108% on the year to $445, with only 15 VMAX copies listed, as anticipation for a Rayquaza set builds. Collect Pokemon reports from Tokyo that Pokemon Centers have no packs on shelves and every Japanese booster box is sitting at roughly double or triple MSRP.
Top 10 Pokemon 07:00  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 04:07  ·  Collect Pokemon 04:57
6.Sword and Shield era sealed is breaking out while newer sets stay flat. Alpha Investments reports Silver Tempest booster boxes broke past their prior $4,500 all-time high and are heading above $600 per box, with a patron sale of SV1 two-box bundles clearing a full pallet of roughly 6,700 boxes in 30 minutes. AnonTCG holds 100 Silver Tempest boxes acquired at $70 to $85 each, now approaching profitable exit territory. Ketchum All Collectibles notes the Umbreon VMAX has risen roughly 4x its prior all-time high to $4,000 to $4,500, while Nostalgia Nomics flags that most Sword and Shield boxes have only barely recovered to prior October highs with little net movement over eight months.
Alpha Investments 7:02  ·  AnonTCG 08:58  ·  Ketchum All Collectibles 25:44  ·  Nostalgia Nomics 11:19

Consensus Calls

BUYPrismatic Evolutions ETBs as a long-term hold; multiple creators cite the set's top-hit value (Umbreon EX SIR raw at $1,500 to $1,600 with a sub-30% PSA 10 gem rate), ETB price well below comparable special sets at $340 to $560, and no further print runs expected.
BUYSurging Sparks booster boxes as a long-term hold; It Was Never A Phase Cards and The Poke Plumber both call it a major sleeper, with boxes up roughly 34% year-over-year to $288 even as booster bundles pulled back 18%, suggesting the box format is the right vehicle.
BUYBlack Bolt and White Flare ETBs (currently $140 to $150) as a near-term opportunity; Nostalgia Nomics cites top PSA 10 hits at $1,300 to $1,600 and superior percentage upside versus Sword and Shield sets, while The Poke Plumber and It Was Never A Phase Cards both flag low illustration rare pop reports and specialty-set scarcity as price drivers.
BUYJapanese sealed products and Pokemon Center exclusive boxes for upcoming sets including the Rayquaza set and 30th anniversary releases as early as possible; Collect Pokemon reports from Tokyo that all booster packs have disappeared from Pokemon Center shelves and every Japanese booster box is already at roughly double or triple MSRP regardless of set.
AVOIDAvoid buying Pitch Black booster boxes or Pokemon Center ETBs from TCGPlayer pre-orders at current prices of $260 to $600; both It Was Never A Phase Cards and Danny Phantump warn that sellers have not secured stock and prices will drop significantly at the July 17 release.

If you found this useful, forward to a fellow collector or investor. Sharing helps the briefing reach the right audience.

Quote of the Week

“It took me 10 years to build meaningful returns, with the first 6 to 7 years showing little visible progress before gains became apparent in years 7 to 8.”

— Collect Pokemon  ·  08:40

Section 01

Market Commentary

Per-creator notes from market-commentary channels. Each section reflects one channel's published view; consensus across all channels is summarized in the briefing above.

From Alpha Investments

Uncomfortable Conversation.

Jun 10, 2026  ·  1h 20m

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] Rudy observes the Pokemon market has shifted from broad bull-market gains to selective, targeted spending on older and out-of-print sets. Silver Tempest, Chilling Reign, and Crown Zenith are breaking out while newer sets like Ascended Heroes and Prismatic Evolutions stay flat. A patron sale of SV1 two-packs sold a full pallet of 6,700 boxes in 30 minutes, confirming strong appetite for older sealed product.

Datapoints

  • Silver Tempest booster boxes broke past their prior $4,500 all-time high and are heading to $600-plus per box, moving sharply after a long period of little activity. 7:02
  • A patron sale of SV1 (Scarlet and Violet base) two-box bundles priced at $590 sold an entire pallet of approximately 6,700 boxes within 30 minutes, demonstrating strong demand for older out-of-print Pokemon sealed product. 15:07
  • Surging Sparks booster boxes remain around $250 even as the set is now several releases old (SV8-9 range), while every Pokemon restock arriving at local game stores is immediately flipped and sold rather than held. 12:07

Recommendations

BUYOlder out-of-print Sword and Shield and early Scarlet and Violet sealed sets such as Silver Tempest, Chilling Reign, Crown Zenith, Brilliant Stars, Fusion Strike, Battle Styles, Lost Origin, and SV02 (Paldea Evolved) instead of current-print sets. 16:14
AVOIDAvoid buying Ascended Heroes (Mega Evolution 2.5) cases at current prices, as Rudy expects the set to be reprinted for the next two years with limited upside. 15:36

View Source  →  YouTube

From Nostalgia Nomics

Pokemon & Collectibles Speculation And Changes Coming?

Jun 12, 2026  ·  1h 11m

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] Three investors discuss sealed Pokemon product as a long-term hold, noting 2x-4x gains in one to one-and-a-half years on select sets. They identify popular characters like Charizard, Pikachu, Gengar, and Rayquaza as reliable targets in new sets, compare the Pokemon market favorably to sports for predictability, and highlight Phantasmal Flames boxes doubling from $225 to $450 in under a year.

Datapoints

  • Sealed Pokemon product the creator recommended to Judge Collector has already 2x-4x in value within one to one-and-a-half years. 23:39
  • Phantasmal Flames booster boxes launched at approximately $225 and are now selling for around $450, roughly doubling in under a year. 45:06
  • The Umbreon card from Prismatic Evolutions is currently valued at approximately $6,000, up from the Evolving Skies Umbreon peak of $4,000-$5,000. 44:52

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions, Evolving Skies, Ascended Heroes, Destined Rivals, and base set unlimited sealed product as long-term sealed holds. 43:24
BUYAny new set that features Charizard, Pikachu, Gengar, Rayquaza, or Mewtwo as the top-rarity chase card, as these characters have consistently appreciated across every set release. 54:10

View Source  →  YouTube

Why Your Pokemon Investments Are SAFE!?

Jun 11, 2026  ·  18m 23s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics argues that Pokemon TCG investments are structurally safe by zooming out to the broader collectibles market, where hundreds of smaller TCGs and sports card products sustain high price points. He notes that most Sword and Shield era boxes have merely recovered to prior highs rather than breaking out, Scarlet and Violet gains have been modest, and PSA singles from Phantasmal Flames are seeing price erosion, but contends that demand depth across the entire hobby makes a Pokemon-first collapse implausible.

Datapoints

  • Sword and Shield era boxes have recovered from their October 2024 drop: Fusion Strike is just over $1,000, Evolving Skies is back in the high $2,000s, but most boxes are only barely above their prior October highs, meaning little net price movement over roughly eight months. 11:19
  • Destined Rivals booster box prices saw a notable downturn after booster box reprints in Europe put a halt on price appreciation. 12:47
  • PSA graded singles from Phantasmal Flames, including Mega Charizard, Mega Gengar, and Forest Pikachu, as well as red Victini, white Reshiram, and black Zekrom, are experiencing price erosion from their all-time highs as more copies reach the market and hype fades. 15:56

View Source  →  YouTube

The REAL Reason The Pokemon Market WILL NOT CRASH!

Jun 09, 2026  ·  16m 42s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics argues the Pokemon market has structurally reduced its crash risk because wealthy investors and capitalized hobbyists now backstop dips of 20-30%, buying up supply and setting price floors. He uses Destined Rivals booster boxes and the Umbreon EX from Prismatic Evolutions as examples, contending that even significant reprints or corrections no longer return prices to release-level lows.

Datapoints

  • Destined Rivals booster boxes are experiencing a major reprint wave in the UK/Europe, causing a market correction, but prices remain well above MSRP and have not approached the $200-$300 release-price range. 06:42
  • The Umbreon EX from Prismatic Evolutions ran up from the $3,000s to $6,000; a 30% correction would only bring it back to roughly $4,200, still far above earlier entry points. 05:42
  • Pokemon 151 received repeated booster box and booster bundle reprints yet its price stabilized, dropped only slightly, and continued to rebound, attributed to large investors consistently buying available supply. 08:08

Recommendations

BUYDestined Rivals booster boxes during the current reprint-driven correction, as the creator argues prices will not return to release-level lows and the dip represents a buying opportunity. 06:42

View Source  →  YouTube

The Pokemon Investments I Am Investing In NOW!

Jun 08, 2026  ·  17m 24s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics makes a data-backed case for holding Prismatic Evolutions ETBs and Scarlet & Violet era product over Sword & Shield. He compares ETB prices, booster pack prices, top-hit PSA 10 values, and population reports across Crown Zenith, Paldean Fates, 151, Paldea Evolved, and Prismatic Evolutions to argue Prismatic is significantly undervalued relative to comparable special sets that now trade at $340-$560 per ETB.

Datapoints

  • Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are currently selling for approximately $170 with shipping, roughly flat versus their February price of $165-$170, representing no meaningful growth over four months. 01:03
  • The Umbreon EX Special Illustration Rare from Prismatic Evolutions is the most expensive PSA 10 set card (no promos) printed across the Sword & Shield, Scarlet & Violet, and Mega Evolution eras; raw it trades at $1,500-$1,600, while comparable top hits like the Umbreon VMAX (raw $2,000+) come from Evolving Skies booster boxes now valued at $2,750 with ETBs at $525-$600. 03:11
  • Comparable special sets that launched one to two years before Prismatic Evolutions now trade at $340-$560 per ETB with booster packs at $24-$30: Crown Zenith ETBs are $340-$350, Paldean Fates ETBs are $460, and 151 ETBs are $550-$560. Prismatic Evolutions booster packs currently sit at $14.39, while packs from Paldean Fates, 151, and Crown Zenith are all $25-$30. 06:02
  • The Umbreon EX from Prismatic Evolutions has a PSA 10 gem rate of under 30%: 18,700 submitted with only 5,594 tens. By contrast, the Umbreon VMAX has a nearly 70% gem rate (21,000 tens from 29,000 submitted) and the 151 Charizard has roughly 27% (27,710 tens from nearly 100,000 graded). 07:34

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions ETBs; the creator is actively accumulating toward 1,000 units and argues the set is the easiest double-up in the hobby given its top-hit value, low gem rate, and ETB price well below comparable special sets. 09:16
BUYBlack Bolt and White Flare ETBs (currently $140-$150) for superior percentage gains versus Sword & Shield sets like Crown Zenith, citing deep card value with top PSA 10 hits at $1,300-$1,600. 13:00
AVOIDAvoid Sword & Shield era sets such as Chilling Reign, Silver Tempest, and Astral Radiance; the creator argues value is concentrated in one or two cards per set, print runs were heavier, and Scarlet & Violet booster pack prices are already eclipsing them. 12:24

View Source  →  YouTube

From AnonTCG

A very fired up TCG Market update: hitting almost every game with current news!

Jun 11, 2026  ·  31m 43s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] AnonTCG covers several Pokemon market developments: Chaos Rising wave two is shipping with booster boxes holding around $235-$300; he debunks the rumor that Pokemon Company is discontinuing booster boxes, pointing to a large Pitch Black restock on Pokemon Center as evidence; and he asserts that Pokemon Company deliberately delayed Perfect Order booster box distribution until mid-July to protect secondary market prices.

Datapoints

  • Chaos Rising wave two is now shipping (ETBs, booster bundles, booster boxes) and booster boxes are holding at approximately $235-$300. 00:38
  • A large quantity of Pitch Black booster boxes dropped on Pokemon Center, contradicting viral claims that Pokemon Company is discontinuing booster box production. 01:35
  • Pokemon Company is reportedly holding back Perfect Order booster boxes until at least mid-July to avoid tanking secondary market prices; Perfect Order and Chaos Rising are printed in the same facility. 02:16

Recommendations

AVOIDignore the rumor that Pokemon Company is ending booster box production; the creator calls it fiction and points to the Pitch Black restock as direct evidence. 01:02

View Source  →  YouTube

Pokémon and TCG Grifting has Leveled up with Billions at Stake.

Jun 10, 2026  ·  18m 15s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] AnonTCG argues that digital rip-and-ship platforms are selling synthetic Pokemon card assets they do not physically hold, paying out as little as 50 cents on the dollar and then offering only 75 cents of market value when winners try to redeem. He warns the sector is completely unregulated, that physical Pokemon card supply is extremely tight, and that the model will eventually implode.

Datapoints

  • Physical Pokemon card inventory is extremely difficult to source right now; people at card shows are sweeping slabs from tables the same way shoppers rush restocked Ascended Heroes or Prismatic Evolutions at retail. 13:00
  • Digital rip-and-ship platforms are reportedly paying out as little as 50-60 cents on the dollar to participants, and when a winning card is out of stock they offer only 75 cents of market value as a cash-out alternative. 13:40
  • PSA has roughly nine months of grading backlog, creating a massive shortage of slabbed cards that legitimate physical rip-and-ship operators cannot overcome. 12:43

Recommendations

AVOIDavoid digital rip-and-ship platforms for Pokemon cards; the creator says participants are lighting money on fire given unregulated payout odds and no guarantee of physical card redemption. 18:06

View Source  →  YouTube

This week's Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, One Piece and other TCG Distribution Update!

Jun 08, 2026  ·  21m 56s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] AnonTCG's weekly distribution update includes a brief Pokemon segment covering recent SKU activity around the 30th anniversary, an upcoming Japanese deck set featuring Umbreon and Sylveon with promo cards expected to hit English, Pitch Black arriving in roughly six weeks, and Wave 2 Chaos Rising booster boxes beginning to land at distributors with the Perfect Order Wave 2 scheduled for mid-July.

Datapoints

  • A Japanese deck set featuring Umbreon and Sylveon has been announced; the creator expects those promo cards to eventually release in English, and if they follow the pattern of prior battle deck promos (Gengar/Diancie the year before, Steven/Marnie the year before that), demand for these battle decks would exceed all previous battle deck releases combined. 20:04
  • Pitch Black is approximately six weeks out from release, and the creator expects 30th anniversary product orders to begin dropping within two weeks. 21:00
  • Wave 2 Chaos Rising booster boxes have begun landing at distributor warehouses, with the Perfect Order Wave 2 scheduled for mid-July; the creator notes TPCi is doing everything possible to support the price of that product. 21:10

View Source  →  YouTube

My Pokemon 30th Anniversary Strategy

Jun 07, 2026  ·  15m 57s

Investment Thesis

AnonTCG outlines his 30th Anniversary strategy: sell legacy holdings like 151, Silver Tempest, Crown Zenith, and Ascended Heroes now to build roughly $2 million in liquidity, then deploy aggressively at 30th Anniversary release. He believes The Pokemon Company is deliberately holding back Phantasmal Flames and Destined Rivals booster boxes to release near 30th Anniversary and dilute consumer spend, creating a secondary-market buying window at launch.

Datapoints

  • Ascended Heroes booster packs are selling for approximately $14.50 each, with all product waves now shipped from distribution and the set receiving strong market reception. 02:55
  • An estimated 1 to 1.5 million Phantasmal Flames booster boxes left the factory around March but have not appeared in distribution, and Destined Rivals ETBs have hit big-box retail but not distribution channels, suggesting a coordinated hold for a future release window near 30th Anniversary. 04:47
  • Sword and Shield sealed product is in the middle of another price leg up; AnonTCG holds 100 Silver Tempest booster boxes and roughly 60 ETB cases each of Twilight Masquerade and Surging Sparks, acquired at $70-$85 per box, which are now approaching profitable exit territory. 08:58

Recommendations

BUY30th Anniversary product from secondary-market scalpers and local flippers at release, as prices are expected to spike then normalize the way 151, Prismatic Evolutions, and Ascended Heroes did. 06:13
HOLDCash and available credit targeting roughly $2 million in liquidity going into 30th Anniversary to capitalize on distribution opportunities when other stores are illiquid. 09:08
SELLLegacy sealed holdings including 151 ETBs, Crown Zenith, Silver Tempest booster boxes, and Ascended Heroes now to maximize liquidity ahead of 30th Anniversary, even if it means giving up some future upside. 01:44

View Source  →  YouTube

From Christy Holds

Is This the END of Pokemon Investing?

Jun 12, 2026  ·  16m 50s

Investment Thesis

Christy Holds argues that Pokemon investing is not oversaturated, contending that most buyers are flippers or casual participants rather than genuine long-term holders. She points to persistent sell-outs, above-MSRP pricing, and growing hobby participation as evidence of strong demand, while acknowledging larger print runs and a new production facility as factors to watch but not as death knells for the hobby.

Datapoints

  • Ascended Heroes Pokemon Center ETBs more than doubled in value in a short period after release, with some buyers tripling their money within a couple of months. 05:02
  • Products on the Pokemon Center website are still selling out within roughly 5 hours of going live, and UK local card stores continue to face severe allocation issues, sometimes receiving only two cases of booster boxes for hundreds of customers. 11:29
  • A new Pokemon printing facility exceeding one million square feet is due to open next year, significantly expanding production capacity. 10:44

Recommendations

HOLDLong-term sealed Pokemon product positions, as the creator remains bullish on demand driven by nostalgia and growing hobby participation despite saturation concerns. 13:47

View Source  →  YouTube

What I Got WRONG About Pokémon Investing

Jun 07, 2026  ·  12m 56s

Investment Thesis

Christy Holds reflects on six-plus years of Pokemon TCG investing, sharing key mindset shifts: separating collecting from investing, favoring sealed product over singles for long-term holds, and learning from a costly Sword and Shield Charizard UPC pre-order mistake. The central thesis is that patience outperforms market-timing, and that modern collectors increasingly reward exclusivity, as shown by Prismatic Evolutions Pokemon Center ETBs outpacing regular ETBs in absolute price.

Datapoints

  • Prismatic Evolutions regular ETBs purchased at an average of £53 each are now worth approximately £160, a roughly 3x return in just over a year. 09:13
  • Prismatic Evolutions Pokemon Center ETBs were £150 on the secondary market at time of purchase and are now worth approximately £400 each, while no further Pokemon Center ETBs for that set are expected; additional regular ETBs are expected to reprint in summer, which may pressure their price. 09:27
  • The Sword and Shield Charizard UPC was heavily over-printed at launch, flooding the market and causing prices to tank shortly after release, illustrating how supply can overwhelm demand when hype outpaces actual collector depth. 07:10

Recommendations

BUYPokemon Center ETBs for specialty sets, as modern collectors demonstrably pay a significant premium for exclusive, non-reprinted products over standard retail equivalents. 10:34
HOLDSealed Pokemon product for multi-year time horizons rather than flipping within months, since patience has historically been the most reliable edge in this market. 11:24

View Source  →  YouTube

From Collect Pokemon

Are you newto Pokemon or One Piece? Investing 101

Jun 13, 2026  ·  11m 41s

Investment Thesis

CollectPokemon uses his One Piece investing experience as a teaching framework for newcomers to Pokemon TCG investing. He observes that money is rotating between Pokemon and One Piece, with the ultra-modern Pokemon sector cooling. His core strategy: buy multiple copies of a product, sell enough to cover your cost basis, and hold the remainder as free inventory indefinitely, scaling up as confidence grows.

Datapoints

  • The creator observes a cooldown in certain high-end Pokemon cards as collector money rotates into One Piece, particularly affecting the ultra-modern sector. 03:15
  • The creator notes that money cycles between Pokemon and One Piece in waves, meaning selling Pokemon during a dip to chase One Piece on the way up risks missing the reversal. 03:40
  • The creator states it took him 10 years to build meaningful returns, with the first 6 to 7 years showing little visible progress before gains became apparent in years 7 to 8. 08:40

Recommendations

BUYUse a cost-basis-recovery strategy when entering Pokemon products: buy three or more copies, sell enough to cover your total cost, and hold the remainder as free inventory for long-term upside. 06:27
HOLDDo not trade Pokemon holdings for One Piece; the creator explicitly states he would not swap his Pokemon inventory for One Piece anytime soon. 03:50

View Source  →  YouTube

How I adapt to the changing pokemon market

Jun 12, 2026  ·  18m 16s

Investment Thesis

Collect Pokemon reflects on how his sealed-product investment strategy has evolved, noting that Elite Trainer Boxes have outperformed booster boxes in the Scarlet and Violet era. He shares that he is currently selling Evolving Skies and Cosmic Eclipse boxes to free up capital for 30th Anniversary products, and argues that buying in bulk and adapting strategy per product type is essential in today's market.

Datapoints

  • Scarlet and Violet Elite Trainer Boxes have appreciated roughly 50% over the past year, while booster boxes from the same era are up only around 20%, suggesting ETBs are outperforming as sealed investments. 04:10
  • Evolving Skies booster boxes have been hovering between $2,500 and $3,000 USD for an extended period with little upward movement, while Cosmic Eclipse booster boxes climbed to $4,000, pulled back to around $3,000, and have since recovered to $4,000. 10:45
  • A Munch black-label Psyduck card auctioned for approximately $78,000 both two weeks ago and roughly two to three months prior, showing price stability at that level. 15:43

Recommendations

HOLDAscended Heroes and Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Boxes as sealed products rather than opening them. 09:14
SELLEvolving Skies and Cosmic Eclipse booster boxes now to redeploy capital into higher-conviction 30th Anniversary products. 10:18

View Source  →  YouTube

The best time to buy the Japanese 30th Pokemon products!

Jun 09, 2026  ·  13m 56s

Investment Thesis

Collect Pokemon reports from Tokyo that the Japanese Pokemon card market is showing unusually strong demand signals: Pokemon capsule toys are sold out across the city, booster packs have disappeared from all major Pokemon Centers, and high-value singles are moving daily at stores like Sneaker. The creator recommends buying sealed Japanese products early, with a preference for English 30th anniversary products and Japanese Pokemon Center exclusive boxes.

Datapoints

  • Pokemon capsule toys (gashapon) are sold out across Tokyo, including at JR stations and general retail locations. The only available units are at official Pokemon Center outlets and outlet malls, signaling unusually broad consumer demand. 01:47
  • Pokemon Centers in Tokyo (Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Mega Tokyo DX, Skytree) no longer display the availability sheet listing recent sets. Packs are absent from shelves entirely, with the creator attributing the shortage partly to oripa (blind-pack gambling) operations absorbing booster supply. 04:57
  • Every Japanese booster box released in the past year is sitting at approximately $100 USD, which the creator notes is double or triple MSRP regardless of set. 12:39

Recommendations

BUYJapanese sealed products (booster boxes and singles) for upcoming sets including the Rayquaza set and 30th anniversary releases as early as possible, since prices rise quickly after launch. 11:54
BUYJapanese Pokemon Center exclusive boxes, which the creator considers a strong play compared to standard booster boxes. 13:30

View Source  →  YouTube

Will Chinese Pokemon Cards investing have a future?

Jun 08, 2026  ·  14m 57s

Investment Thesis

Collect Pokemon breaks down why he avoids simplified Chinese Pokemon cards as investments, citing three core issues: resealing fraud suppressing sealed product prices, the high cost of exclusive/alternative art singles making bulk buying impossible, and a broader thesis that wealthy Chinese collectors prefer Japanese and English cards over locally produced ones. He sees the current boom as hype-driven and unsustainable.

Datapoints

  • Simplified Chinese 151 Collect booster boxes have been hovering around $90-$100 USD for an extended period, with prices stagnant due to widespread consumer distrust around resealing and repacking. 03:46
  • Almost everything in the simplified Chinese Pokemon card market doubled in price over roughly two weeks, driven by news of the upcoming Threshold Festival set featuring an exclusive Sylveon alternative art. 05:24
  • The creator believes that even if the Chinese Pokemon market grows, wealthy Chinese collectors are more inclined to buy Japanese and English cards rather than simplified Chinese products, citing a cultural preference for foreign-produced goods. 13:49

Recommendations

AVOIDThe creator explicitly states he will not invest in simplified Chinese Pokemon cards, citing sealed product trust issues, prohibitive prices on exclusive singles, and cultural demand dynamics favoring Japanese and English cards instead. 09:11

View Source  →  YouTube

Collecting 30th is not hard! Here is how you can prepare!

Jun 07, 2026  ·  6m 35s

Investment Thesis

Collect Pokemon, filming from Tokyo, outlines his strategy for the Pokemon 30th anniversary release. He expects all anniversary products to sell at 2x-5x MSRP and plans to liquidate $50,000-$100,000 worth of existing holdings, including Pikachu PSA 10 slabs, Evolving Skies boxes, and Cosmic Eclipse boxes, to fund new 30th anniversary purchases. He also flags that lower-end PSA 10 cards will spike as PSA bulk grading ends.

Datapoints

  • 30th anniversary Pokemon products are expected to sell at 2x, 3x, or even 4x-5x MSRP at launch, with no realistic chance of securing product at retail price. 00:48
  • PSA bulk grading is ending, which the creator believes will cause lower-end PSA 10 cards to skyrocket in price because they will no longer be submitted in volume going forward. 06:00
  • Pikachu PSA 10 cards across all tiers are expected to spike in price over the next one to two months ahead of the 30th anniversary, driven by collector demand and limited supply of graded copies. 01:52

Recommendations

BUYReinvest proceeds from liquidated holdings into 30th anniversary sealed products (both Japanese and English) before or at launch, accepting above-MSRP entry prices. 03:28
HOLDHold lower-end PSA 10 cards until summer and monitor card show prices before selling, as the end of PSA bulk grading is expected to drive significant price increases. 06:23
SELLLiquidate non-grail Pikachu PSA 10 slabs, Evolving Skies boxes, Cosmic Eclipse boxes, and Japanese booster boxes now to raise cash before September for 30th anniversary product purchases. 04:08

View Source  →  YouTube

From Ketchum All Collectibles

Reacting to a Poketube Investor Bro Dummy

Jun 08, 2026  ·  40m 01s

Investment Thesis

Ketchum All Collectibles revisits a 2022 video in which he predicted 14 Pokemon cards had seen their all-time highs, scoring himself roughly 5 right, 6 wrong, and 2 pushes. Highlights include the PSA 10 Evolutions Charizard down from $6,000+ to $5,300, the Umbreon VMAX up roughly 4x from its prior peak, the PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator selling for $16 million, and low-pop mid-era cards broadly outperforming expectations during the current boom.

Datapoints

  • PSA 10 first-edition Jungle Eevee peaked around $1,500 during the 2020-2021 boom; its current price is approximately $575, with the PSA pop growing from roughly 150-200 pre-boom to 1,843 today, only a 50% increase since the last peak. 03:28
  • PSA 10 Evolutions Charizard (holo, #11) peaked above $6,000 during the prior boom and currently sits around $5,300, with a pop of only 602, reflecting a sub-25% PSA 10 grade rate; the card is still below its prior all-time high. 18:10
  • PSA 10 Umbreon VMAX peaked around $1,200-$1,300 in the prior cycle, bottomed near $867, and has since risen to approximately $4,000-$4,500, roughly 4x the prior all-time high, with the PSA pop growing 10x to around 21,000. 25:44

View Source  →  YouTube

From The Poke Plumber

Pokémon Panic….?

Jun 12, 2026  ·  20m 20s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber argues the current sealed market stagnation is healthy, not a crash, and urges collectors not to panic. He highlights Sun and Moon slabs skyrocketing while sealed stays flat, calls out Black Bolt White Flare and Celebrations ETBs as strong buys, and warns against chasing cards at all-time highs. Sword and Shield alt arts and full arts are his long-term sleeper picks.

Datapoints

  • Sun and Moon alt arts have surged sharply: the Sylveon Gardevoir went from roughly $2K to $4K and the ADP went from roughly $2K to $6K in PSA 10, though some bid histories suggest possible price manipulation. 07:55
  • Black Bolt White Flare packs have skyrocketed since the creator first covered the set, with illustration rare PSA 10 pop reports remaining low and prices hitting all-time highs. 11:14
  • Celebrations UPCs, which the creator flagged as a pick when they were around $800, are now trading at approximately $12,300, driven by the gold Charizard. 12:41

Recommendations

BUYCelebrations ETBs at $350 to $400, citing Generations as a comparable set that has already appreciated and expecting Celebrations to follow suit. 12:29
BUYBlack Bolt White Flare ETBs while they remain relatively affordable, as low illustration rare pop reports and specialty-set scarcity point to continued price appreciation. 11:47
AVOIDAvoid chasing Sun and Moon slabs like Mew Mew at current all-time highs; the creator explicitly says he does not recommend buying Mew Mew now after it roughly doubled in price. 08:50

View Source  →  YouTube

The Pokémon Bubble Is About To POP?!💥

Jun 10, 2026  ·  25m 47s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber draws parallels between the COVID boom and the current Pokemon market cycle, arguing that products in abundance today will be sought-after tomorrow. He reveals an industry tip that booster box print runs are being curtailed in favor of ancillary product for the next two to three years, and highlights specific sealed products he considers strong long-term holds including Prismatic Evolutions UPCs, Mega Evolution booster boxes, and Surging Sparks.

Datapoints

  • The Charizard UPC from the Sword and Shield era, which was once available in cases for around $280, now sells for approximately $600 per unit, putting case prices above $2,400. 10:42
  • According to sources the creator spoke with, Pokemon plans to limit booster box print runs going forward: retailers will receive a first wave and sometimes a second wave, after which production shifts entirely to ancillary product for the next two to three years. 14:43
  • Sword and Shield alt arts are surging: Tina (Cynthia's Garchomp) is over $3,000 and Moonbreon (Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art) is over $5,000, with sealed Sword and Shield product following chase cards higher. 14:09

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions UPCs while they remain abundant and underappreciated, as the creator expects them to follow the same multi-year appreciation path as the Sword and Shield Charizard UPC. 11:00
BUYMega Evolution base set booster boxes now, given the creator's belief that no further reprint waves are coming and supply is already tight. 24:28
BUYSurging Sparks booster boxes, which the creator calls the biggest sleeper in the current lineup and urges collectors to pay attention to immediately. 24:24

View Source  →  YouTube

There’s NO TIME LEFT When It Comes To These Pokémon Items!!! ACT NOW!

Jun 08, 2026  ·  22m 47s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber argues that sealed booster boxes across all modern eras are a strong buy right now, citing no reprints on the horizon and Pokemon's printing focus locked onto the 30th anniversary set. He calls out Prismatic Evolutions, Destined Rivals, and Phantasmal Flames as specific buys, warns that Perfect Order boxes should wait for a second wave, and flags Cosmic Eclipse as an undervalued Sun and Moon sleeper.

Datapoints

  • Chaos Rising is receiving a second print wave while Perfect Order is not, because Pokemon left Chaos Rising on the printers to avoid the time cost of switching. The creator expects this second wave to represent the lowest prices seen on Chaos Rising booster boxes, ETBs, and bundles. 04:00
  • Pokemon is raising the MSRP on Winds and Waves booster boxes, with rumors pointing to either $179.99 or $199.99. Current street prices already exceed those levels: Chaos Rising boxes are running ~$240, Mega Evolution base ~$300, and Phantasmal Flames ~$425. 09:10
  • Paldean Fates single packs jumped $7 each, attributed to the Bubble Mew manipulation situation inflating demand across the market. 19:40

Recommendations

BUYChaos Rising booster boxes, ETBs, and bundles now during the second print wave, which the creator says represents the best prices we will see on this set. 05:06
BUYPrismatic Evolutions sealed product, as the creator believes no further print runs are coming and current prices may be the floor. 10:18
BUYPhantasmal Flames booster boxes even at current high prices, and Destined Rivals booster boxes including sourcing from the UK to save roughly $100 per box. 08:25

View Source  →  YouTube

Section 02

Singles & Auction Prices

Latest singles and auction price changes from channels that track specific cards, eBay sales, and grading population shifts. Data-heavy by design; recommendations only where the creator made one.

From Danny Phantump

Allocations for Pitch Black Pokemon Cards Left Me SHOCKED

Jun 12, 2026  ·  22m 11s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump breaks down allocation numbers for Pitch Black, the next main-series Pokemon TCG set releasing July 17. His LGS is receiving the same booster box count as Chaos Rising, 10% more Elite Trainer Boxes, the same booster bundle quantity, 55% more three-pack blisters, and 5% more total packs overall. Pre-order prices are running roughly double MSRP across most SKUs, and no second-wave reprints of Chaos Rising or Perfect Order booster boxes have arrived yet.

Datapoints

  • Pitch Black booster boxes are pre-ordering at roughly $100 above MSRP ($162); no second-wave reprints of Chaos Rising or Perfect Order booster boxes have been received by distributors, leaving the secondary market very dry and pushing booster box prices higher. 10:18
  • One LGS's Pitch Black allocations show: same booster box count as Chaos Rising (~1,000 units across two waves), 10% more Elite Trainer Boxes (roughly 40% more than Perfect Order), same booster bundle quantity as Chaos Rising, 55% more three-pack blisters than Chaos Rising, and 5% more total packs overall versus Chaos Rising. 11:06
  • Pitch Black Elite Trainer Boxes have an MSRP of $49.99 but are pre-ordering at around $123; booster bundles (MSRP ~$27-$28) are pre-ordering at ~$55.84; three-pack blisters (MSRP ~$15) and sleeve boosters (MSRP ~$4.50-$5) are also well above MSRP on pre-order listings. 13:38

View Source  →  YouTube

Not Bulk ANYMORE!

Jun 10, 2026  ·  22m 13s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump walks through a roster of formerly bulk Pokemon cards that have surged in price, driven by competitive playability, fairy-typing scarcity, artist popularity, and limited secondary-market supply. Cards from Lost Thunder, Cosmic Eclipse, Stellar Crown, Temporal Forces, and other sets are highlighted, with percentage gains ranging from 140% to over 4,800%, and the creator urges collectors to audit their bulk boxes and sell or trade excess copies now.

Datapoints

  • Dunsparce from Journey Together rose over 1,600% from a 9-cent bulk card to roughly $3, driven by competitive playability in Alakazam and other standard-format decks requiring a two-two line for consistency. 09:00
  • Slowpoke from Stellar Crown jumped over 4,800% from an 8-cent card to $3.98, fueled by the rise of Slowking in competitive play ahead of the North American International Championships. 13:00
  • Misty Energy from Temporal Forces rose 1,500% from 13 cents to a peak of $3.63 after seeing competitive use in Japan, and has since retraced to approximately $2.26. 20:21

Recommendations

SELLExcess copies of Dunsparce from Journey Together sitting in bulk boxes, as competitive demand has pushed the card up over 1,600% and prices may not hold once supply catches up. 09:07
SELLSlowpoke from Stellar Crown out of bulk boxes at current prices near $3.98, trading them to players who need them for competitive Slowking decks before the NAIC. 13:12
SELLExtra copies of Misty Energy from Temporal Forces on TCGPlayer or into a local game store, as the card is up 1,500% and any remaining bulk copies represent meaningful cash toward collection goals. 20:54

View Source  →  YouTube

The Inevitable Downfall of Pokemon Booster Boxes...

Jun 08, 2026  ·  16m 31s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump argues that booster boxes have become impractical for collectors and openers alike. Pokemon has not meaningfully restocked booster boxes in roughly a year, allocations are tightly capped, and secondary-market prices on sets like Perfect Order and Chaos Rising are running $80-100 above MSRP. He suggests collectors pivot to 36 loose packs or smaller SKUs as a more cost-effective alternative.

Datapoints

  • Pokemon has not issued a meaningful restock or reprint of booster boxes in approximately one year, with the last notable reprint being Surging Sparks roughly 12 months ago. 04:58
  • Perfect Order booster boxes are trading on the secondary market at $240-$260, roughly $80-$100 above MSRP, and Chaos Rising booster boxes sold out in approximately 10 minutes at $164 per box. 10:14
  • Pokemon has communicated to distributors that it is shifting focus away from booster boxes toward higher quantities of smaller SKUs such as sleeve boosters, check-lane blisters, and booster bundles; vending machines are also reportedly moving away from stocking booster boxes and ETBs. 05:04

Recommendations

AVOIDAvoid buying booster boxes to open; purchasing 36 loose packs of the same set is significantly cheaper than a booster box at current secondary-market premiums. 09:19

View Source  →  YouTube

The Charizard UPC Has Gone CRAZY...But Is It Still Worth Buying?

Jun 07, 2026  ·  22m 18s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump breaks down the Charizard Ultra Premium Collection's price trajectory, showing the sealed box has risen roughly 98% over the past year to around $582, while its internal contents (packs plus promos) now total approximately $533. He details individual promo card performance, Sword and Shield loose pack price appreciation, and PSA grading gem rates for the three Charizard promos, concluding that opening the UPC at current prices is a losing proposition.

Datapoints

  • The Charizard UPC has seen approximately 98% sales growth over the past year on TCG Player, rising from around $291.89 in June 2025 to approximately $581.98 currently; a September 2025 buyout event saw roughly 70 units sell in a single week versus a typical weekly average of about 20 units. 05:31
  • Evolving Skies loose booster packs included in the Charizard UPC are now selling for approximately $44.41 each; with three packs per box that alone accounts for roughly $132 in value. Total pack contents across all Sword and Shield packs in the UPC are now valued at approximately $311.29, up from about $212 six months ago, representing roughly 33% growth in pack value alone over that period. 18:04
  • The total contents of the Charizard UPC (packs plus promos plus ancillary items) are now valued at approximately $533.13, up from about $344.81 six months ago. The Charizard V Star promo has a PSA 10 gem rate of only about 16%, with 9,000 PSA 10 copies out of 56,000 graded, and a PSA 10 price of approximately $1,485. 20:24

Recommendations

AVOIDthe creator explicitly states that opening the Charizard UPC at current prices will result in a loss regardless, and that grading submissions are inadvisable given PSA's backlog and poor gem rates. 21:45

View Source  →  YouTube

From It Was Never A Phase Cards

These Pokémon Cards Just Dropped in Price - Here's Why

Jun 12, 2026  ·  21m 11s

Investment Thesis

TJ surveys singles and sealed products that have pulled back in price amid an otherwise hot market, covering promos, Chaos Rising singles, Ascended Heroes chase cards, and sealed product from Paldean Fates, 151, Destined Rivals, Evolving Skies, and Surging Sparks. He frames most drops as healthy consolidation after strong runs, flags a few cards near all-time lows as worth monitoring, and notes the summer slump may be mild given overall market strength.

Datapoints

  • The Froakie illustration rare (Chaos Rising IR #88) hit a new all-time low of around $15 before bouncing to ~$16, down roughly 70% from its May 15th peak of $54; supply on TCG Player reached over 900 copies listed before pulling back slightly above 800. 01:22
  • Paldean Fates booster boxes dropped ~12-13% from a May 15th price of nearly $570 to under $500, while 151 ETBs fell ~8-9% from $670-$680 to a current market price of $600; both are still up over 140-170% year-over-year. 13:00
  • Surging Sparks booster bundles fell 18% over the past month from ~$77-$78 to ~$57, while Surging Sparks booster boxes are up ~10% over the same period and sit at $288, compared to $215 a year ago. 16:42

Recommendations

BUYSurging Sparks booster boxes as a long-term hold, given the set was heavily printed but boxes are trending up and TJ sees significant opportunity across the product. 17:34
HOLDAscended Heroes Pokemon Center booster boxes; a restock is possible but appears less likely, and TJ expects the box to continue performing well long term. 05:19

View Source  →  YouTube

The Pokemon Center Drop Was A DISASTER! + Market Update

Jun 11, 2026  ·  20m 44s

Investment Thesis

TJ recaps the chaotic Pokemon Center drop for Pitch Black, which saw widespread errors, site crashes, and mixed results for buyers. He warns the experience signals rough waters ahead for the 30th anniversary and Rayquaza set drops. A market update covers surging prices on Celebrations products and a post-announcement spike and pullback on the Pikachu and Zekrom card from Team Up.

Datapoints

  • Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Boxes for Pitch Black are listed on TCG Player at a market price of $600 and lowest listed around $520 during the pre-order period, inflated by brick-and-mortar sellers; eBay secondary market prices are closer to $210-$220. 05:03
  • The Celebrations Metal Charizard is up 151% year-over-year, rising from roughly $120 to over $300, with only 17 copies listed on TCG Player and 11 sold over the past month. 12:34
  • The Celebrations Ultra Premium Collection box has climbed from around $500 a year ago to a current market price of $1,300, with lowest listings around $1,340-$1,350 and some listed as high as $1,800-$2,000; 20 units sold in the past month with 32 available. 14:06

Recommendations

AVOIDAvoid purchasing Pitch Black Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Boxes on TCG Player at current pre-order prices of $520-$600, as prices typically drop on release day (July 17) when more sellers can list. 05:07

View Source  →  YouTube

These Cards Are Climbing FAST! Pokemon Market Update

Jun 09, 2026  ·  21m 15s

Investment Thesis

TJ covers a broad Pokemon market update spanning singles, graded cards, and sealed products. Highlights include the Mega Venusaur SIR from Mega Evolution base set up 54% in three months, the Sylveon SIR from Prismatic Evolutions breaking $500 after a 66% run, Rayquaza cards from Evolving Skies continuing to climb ahead of an anticipated Rayquaza set announcement, tag team cards from Cosmic Eclipse and Unified Minds posting strong year-over-year gains, and sealed products like Shrouded Fable ETBs and Vivid Voltage booster boxes hitting new price highs.

Datapoints

  • The Mega Venusaur SIR (number 177) from Mega Evolution base set is up approximately 54% over the past 3 months, with a current market price around $183, a most recent sale at $217, and an all-time low of roughly $117 back in March. Its PSA 10 averages around $310 across the last five sales. 00:26
  • The Sylveon SIR (number 156) from Prismatic Evolutions is up approximately 66% over the past few months, breaking $500 after sitting sub-$300 three months ago. Most recent raw sale is $540 with only 19 copies listed on TCGPlayer. Its PSA 10 has climbed roughly 63%, averaging near $1,700 versus roughly $1,000 previously. 01:55
  • The Rayquaza V alternate art (number 194) from Evolving Skies is up 53% over 3 months and 108% on the year, moving from roughly $200 a year ago to a current market price of $445, with only 15 copies of the VMAX listed on TCGPlayer and just 9 copies sold over the past month. The VMAX raw current market price is approximately $1,000, up 46% over the past 3 months. 04:07

Recommendations

BUYThe Heavy Hitters Premium Collection box (featuring Black Bolt and White Flare packs) at current prices around $160, as the creator expects it to look cheap in hindsight given both sets are still underappreciated and the product has only trended upward since its December release at $78. 15:09

View Source  →  YouTube

These Pokemon Cards Just Hit INSANE Price Levels

Jun 08, 2026  ·  20m 34s

Investment Thesis

It Was Never A Phase Cards surveys a broad range of rising Pokemon singles, graded cards, and sealed products. Highlights include the Bubble Mew SIR from Paldean Fates hitting a $928 raw all-time high (up 217% year-over-year), the Lugia V alternate art from Silver Tempest climbing steadily to over $500, and several Sun and Moon era Pikachu promos and vintage cards posting triple-digit annual gains. Sealed products from Paldea Evolved and Mega Evolution PCETBs are also trending upward.

Datapoints

  • Bubble Mew SIR (number 232) from Paldean Fates hit a new all-time high raw price of $928, up 38% over the past 3 months and 217% over the past year (from $292 a year ago). PSA 10s average $3,600 across the last five sales; BGS 10s average $4,800; CGC 10s average $1,500; TAG 10s average $3,400. 00:26
  • Alternate art Lugia V from Silver Tempest has climbed steadily from $370 to over $500 in 3 months, setting a new all-time high (previous high was $466). PSA 10s average $1,500; BGS 10s average $3,100; CGC 10s average $788; TAG 10s average around $1,400-$1,500 with recent sales at $1,600 and $1,750. 05:33
  • Paldea Evolved standard Elite Trainer Box broke $200 for the first time, currently priced around $210, up 124% year-over-year from roughly $93 a year ago. The Paldea Evolved Pokemon Center ETB is priced at $580, more expensive than the booster box at $504, an unusual market dynamic. 15:01

Recommendations

BUYThe Gardevoir version Mega Evolution PCETB is over $100 cheaper than the Lucario version at $224 (up only 28-29% vs. 82%) and includes what the creator considers the better Alakazam promo, making it the relatively undervalued pick in the Mega Evolution PCETB lineup. 14:18

View Source  →  YouTube

Pitch Black Could Be Dropping Tomorrow! Get Ready!

Jun 07, 2026  ·  20m 06s

Investment Thesis

The creator previews the expected Pokemon Center pre-order queue for Pitch Black (Abyss Eye English release), warns against buying inflated TCG Player pre-orders near $600, and reviews Japanese singles and sealed pricing. He also covers Kanto starter promo sales data and graded comps, and notes the First Partner Illustration Collection Series 3 is confirmed for August 7th.

Datapoints

  • Pitch Black (Abyss Eye) booster boxes are trading around $260 on TCG Player and eBay pre-orders, up from roughly $250 on May 23rd; MSRP through Pokemon Center is $161 for a booster box and $60 for an ETB. 02:38
  • The Mega Darkrai special art rare (number 114) from Abyss Eye launched near $600 on the Japanese market and has settled to a current market price of around $554, with a PSA 10 copy currently at auction for $1,500 with 41 copies graded and 40 hitting PSA 10. 04:31
  • The Kanto starter promos show strong graded comps: Charmander PSA 10 averaging $587 on the last five sales; Bulbasaur PSA 10 averaging $514 after a buyout pushed it from $23 to $44 before settling around $37; Squirtle PSA 10 averaging $470. 14:54

Recommendations

AVOIDDo not buy Pitch Black booster boxes or Pokemon Center ETBs from TCG Player pre-orders at current prices near $600, as sellers have not secured stock and prices will drop significantly at release on July 17th. 03:16
AVOIDWait before buying early graded Japanese Abyss Eye singles, especially with PSA discontinuing value tiers, as prices are elevated and the high gem rate means supply of PSA 10s will grow. 06:00

View Source  →  YouTube

From Top 10 Pokemon

These Cards Are Seeing MASSIVE Gains Right Now!

Jun 11, 2026  ·  8m 00s

Investment Thesis

Top 10 Pokemon surveys roughly a dozen graded cards that have surged in value over the past one to six weeks, spanning Crown Zenith, Celebrations, Brilliant Stars, XY Evolutions, and Sun and Moon Team Up. Highlights include the Pikachu and Zekrom GX nearly quadrupling after a 30th-anniversary reprint announcement, and several Team Up alt arts posting 60-80% gains.

Datapoints

  • Crown Zenith Giratina VSTAR PSA 10 rose from roughly $580 in early May to over $800, with recent sales at $800 and $860. 01:23
  • Sun and Moon Team Up Pikachu and Zekrom GX PSA 10 jumped from $266-$278 in late May to over $1,000, with sales at $1,126 and $1,275, attributed almost entirely to a 30th-anniversary reprint announcement on the Pokemon website. 07:00
  • XY Evolutions reverse holo Charizard PSA 10 nearly doubled from roughly $1,000 last month to sales of $1,875 and $2,025; the Gengar and Mimikyu GX Alt Art from Team Up surged from $5,100 to as high as $9,000 PSA 10 within two weeks. 05:43

Recommendations

SELLMisty's Determination full-art trainer from Unified Minds if you own a copy, as it has crossed $1,000 in recent sales after sitting at $760 last month. 04:33

View Source  →  YouTube

10 Pokemon Investments That NEVER RECOVERED…

Jun 09, 2026  ·  10m 42s

Investment Thesis

Top 10 Pokemon reviews 10 cards that peaked during the 2020-2021 boom and never fully recovered. The list spans three Charizard VMAXs from Darkness Ablaze, Champion's Path, and Shining Fates; Amazing Rares from Shining Fates; the Celebrations Classic Collection Blastoise holo; the 25th Anniversary Chikorita McDonald's promo; the Evolutions Charizard PSA 9; the Champion's Path Charizard V promo; and the Pikachu VMAX rainbow rare from Vivid Voltage.

Datapoints

  • The Charizard VMAX from Darkness Ablaze peaked at $500-$555 PSA 10 in late 2020, crashed to ~$41 in 2024, and now sells at auction for ~$144 with buy-it-now around $175. Its PSA 10 pop is 23,326 out of 32,209 graded, reflecting high supply that has suppressed recovery. 01:33
  • The Pikachu VMAX rainbow rare from Vivid Voltage sold for $1,175-$1,224 PSA 10 in early 2021, dropped to ~$137 in 2024, and has since recovered to only ~$400 at most recent auction. 09:31
  • The Charizard V Black Star promo from Champion's Path ETBs now holds the largest PSA 10 population on this list at 50,419 out of 89,435 graded; it fell from ~$185 in 2021 to ~$15 in 2023 and currently sells for ~$94-$100. 08:40

View Source  →  YouTube

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Disclaimers

This week: 31 videos across 10 channels. Browse the public archive at tcgcardinvestor.com.

Sponsorship enquiries or feedback: hello@tcgcardinvestor.com

Creation of this newsletter is assisted by AI and may contain mistakes. Always verify each claim against the source video before acting on any recommendation.

This report is editorial commentary based on publicly-available content from independent creators. It does not constitute investment advice, an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security or collectible, or a recommendation of any particular allocation. Trading-card markets are speculative, illiquid, and subject to material price swings driven by reprint cycles, grading-population changes, and shifts in collector sentiment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Ratings (BUY / HOLD / SELL / AVOID) reflect the cited creator's view at the timestamp linked, not the publisher's view. Citation timestamps deep-link to the moment in the source video where the claim is made.

Compiled 2026-06-13 13:09  ·  TCG Card Investor  ·  Editorial digest, not investment advice