TCG Card Investor  ·  Weekly Briefing

TCG Card Investor

Weekly market intelligence on the Pokemon TCG

Vol. 2026 · Issue No. 22  ·  September 12 – 19, 2026

Hey friend, welcome to the hobby.

The Big Story

AnonTCG estimates 2.5 to 3 million Prismatic Evolutions ETBs have yet to reach market, with another distributor wave expected mid-to-late October, and Millennium Print Group's new in-house packaging operation accelerating throughput. Prices have already fallen 30 to 50 percent from highs, dropping from nearly $200 to as low as $119 at some storefronts, with sell-through weakening to roughly 18 to 23 units per day on TCGPlayer.

Key Market Trends

1.Prismatic Evolutions ETBs face a multi-million-unit supply wave; floor still not in. AnonTCG estimates 2.5 to 3 million Prismatic Evolutions ETBs have yet to reach market, with another distributor wave expected mid-to-late October, and Millennium Print Group's new in-house packaging operation accelerating throughput. Prices have already fallen 30 to 50 percent from highs, dropping from nearly $200 to as low as $119 at some storefronts, with sell-through weakening to roughly 18 to 23 units per day on TCGPlayer.
AnonTCG 11:05  ·  AnonTCG 19:33  ·  Alpha Investments 18:53  ·  PokeNE 03:18
2.30th Anniversary singles are in freefall on release day; patient buyers should wait months. Multiple creators documented sharp single-day price collapses across 30th Anniversary singles: Futuristic Mewtwo (card 158) fell from $770 to a $250 low listing, Nighttime Pikachu dropped from $400 to $170-$180, and Moushold IR fell from the $140s to $35. Using Celebrations 25th anniversary as a precedent, chase singles took 7-12 months to bottom, with the Celebrations Umbreon Gold Star falling from $71.76 at launch to $20.41 by August 2022.
It Was Never A Phase Cards 09:01  ·  Danny Phantump 19:10  ·  Nostalgia Nomics 27:49
3.The 30th Anniversary demand freeze cost small retailers millions in lost summer revenue. Two independent store operators reported dramatic revenue declines they attribute directly to customers hoarding cash ahead of the 30th Anniversary release. PokeNE's store fell from $300,000-$350,000 per month to $150,000 in August, while a broader survey of six- and seven-figure-per-month operators confirmed the past month was the slowest in over a year. Small retailers also received tiny allocations while mass retail and botters are positioned to capture the bulk of supply.
PokeNE 09:46  ·  PokeNE 01:06  ·  Nostalgia Nomics 01:00  ·  It Was Never A Phase Cards 11:56
4.Ascended Heroes Mega Gengar SIR approaching all-time lows as Costco stock arrives. The Ascended Heroes Mega Gengar Special Illustration Rare (card 284) has dropped from an all-time high of $1,400 to a market price of $880, with lowest listings at $850 and its all-time low sitting at $828. Incoming Costco Ascended Heroes stock is expected to push prices further down, and Ascended Heroes ETBs have broadly fallen 20 to 30 percent from highs to the $130-$140 range.
It Was Never A Phase Cards 14:24  ·  Alpha Investments 25:20
5.TPC supply expansion signals a structurally higher-supply market heading into 2027. Multiple creators flagged converging signals of a major supply ramp: new distributors being added, English product no longer shipping to Latin America starting with the Mega Lucario set (freeing an estimated 5 to 10 percent of print runs for the US), and Millennium Print Group bringing packaging in-house. The Poke Plumber also noted Pokemon signed two new distributors, which he expects to force significant print run increases across modern sets including Prismatic Evolutions and Black Bolt and White Flare.
AnonTCG 01:09  ·  AnonTCG 15:14  ·  The Poke Plumber 08:27
6.Vintage and graded slab market showing manipulation signals as major collectors quietly exit. The Poke Plumber reports that two of the largest vintage Pokemon collectors he knows have stopped buying and are actively selling, with at least one predicting the coming correction will be worse than the post-COVID crash. He also flagged Call of Legends booster boxes jumping $20,000-$30,000 in a single week on what he characterizes as coordinated whale buying and shill auctions. Nostalgia Nomics separately noted some PSA-graded singles are down 30 to 50 percent from their highs.
The Poke Plumber 04:17  ·  The Poke Plumber 03:58  ·  Nostalgia Nomics 14:26

Consensus Calls

BUYSword and Shield era and early Scarlet and Violet sealed booster boxes (Silver Tempest, Paldea Evolved, Lost Origin, Temporal Forces) as affordable, reprint-unlikely long-term holds while capital is distracted by the 30th Anniversary.
BUYPrismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections over ETBs for long-term holds; SPCs are at a 6-month low (down roughly 29% from $355 to the mid-to-upper $250s), store more cleanly, and are less susceptible to packaging damage.
SELLIf you hold vintage Pokemon slabs or boxes with significant profits, consider reducing exposure now as major collectors are quietly exiting and manipulation signals are becoming more visible.
AVOIDAvoid buying 30th Anniversary singles or sealed at launch prices; multiple creators using Celebrations precedent expect cheaper cards to take 4-6 months to bottom and chase singles closer to a year.
AVOIDAvoid Ascended Heroes Mega Gengar and Mega Dragonite Special Illustration Rares as additional Costco stock is expected to push prices toward or below the all-time low of $828.

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

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

Pokemon Market Slop

Sep 19, 2026  ·  54m 20s

Investment Thesis

Rudy (Alpha Investments) surveys a sloppy Pokemon market dominated by Pokemon 30th anniversary hype while every other set erodes. He notes 30th ETBs are holding near $173 on TCG Player despite massive sell-through, while Prismatic Evolutions ETBs have fallen from nearly $200 to as low as $119, and Ascended Heroes ETBs have dropped 20-30% from highs. He sees the price weakness in non-30th sets as a buying opportunity for patient investors.

Datapoints

  • Pokemon 30th anniversary ETBs were selling for approximately $173 plus tax on TCG Player at time of filming, with sell-through described as astronomical, potentially over 1,000 to 2,000 units per day across eBay and TCG Player. 09:52
  • Prismatic Evolutions ETBs have dropped roughly 30% from their highs, falling from nearly $200 down through $180, $160, $140, and as low as $119 at some eBay and TCG Player storefronts. 18:53
  • Ascended Heroes ETBs have fallen 20-30% from their highs, with sellers now offering them around $130-$140, down from peaks near $170-$180. 25:20

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions ETBs now that prices are down roughly 30% from highs and buyer competition has largely evaporated, with approximately 6 months remaining in the product's retail life cycle. 36:06
AVOIDAvoid buying Pokemon 30th anniversary ETBs at current prices near $180-$200 for short-term flipping, as Rudy sees little upside beyond a few dollars in either direction over the near term. 34:45

View Source  →  YouTube

From Nostalgia Nomics

Pokemon Investing IS NOT COMPLICATED!

Sep 15, 2026  ·  12m 19s

Investment Thesis

Nostalgia Nomics reviews current sealed market price action, noting that several sets including Chaos Rising, Pitch Black, Phantasmal Flames, and Destined Rivals have bounced off their lows without hitting MSRP on the open market. The creator argues Pokemon investing rewards patient, long-term holders who dollar-cost average and resist analysis paralysis, drawing parallels to XY Evolutions and Crown Zenith as examples of delayed but outsized gains.

Datapoints

  • Chaos Rising booster boxes, after failing to hit MSRP on the open market, have rebounded to near $200 per box. Pitch Black is close behind at approximately $195 per box. 02:05
  • Destined Rivals booster boxes fell to around $400-$405 following a massive reprint, then rebounded to $435-$440, roughly a 10% recovery off their lows. Phantasmal Flames similarly dropped into the $300s before recovering to approximately $400 per box. 02:46
  • XY Evolutions booster boxes purchased for $80-$90 took roughly three to four years to begin appreciating, eventually reaching approximately $1,000 per box. Crown Zenith held flat for about two years before rising to $300-$350 in year three. 06:03

Recommendations

BUYStop overthinking product format differences within a set (booster box vs. ETB vs. booster bundle) and just make a purchase, as analysis paralysis is more damaging to long-term wealth building than picking a slightly suboptimal format. 11:00

View Source  →  YouTube

Is The Pokemon Market Is Dying?

Sep 13, 2026  ·  30m 45s

Investment Thesis

Alex from Nostalgianomics reports that the Pokemon market has seen its slowest month in over a year across all business segments, with sellers attributing the freeze to consumers hoarding cash for the 30th anniversary release. He forecasts massive sales volume at launch, expects 30th anniversary ETBs to hold above $100 and packs to stabilize at $10-$15, warns of manipulation in the vintage market, and maintains a long-term bullish stance on Prismatic Evolutions as a buy-and-hold position.

Datapoints

  • Across every facet of the hobby, including wholesale, game stores, singles, and streaming, the consensus among six- and seven-figure-per-month operators is that the past month has been the slowest in over a year, with consumers holding cash specifically for the 30th anniversary release. 01:00
  • The broader market outside of reprint/restock sets is flat to down: Scarlet & Violet sets are 5-15% down, Mega Evolution era is 5-15% down, and some PSA-graded singles are down 30-50% from their highs. Only reprinted or restocked sets like Prismatic Evolutions and Destined Rivals are holding. 14:26
  • Scarlet & Violet 151 ETBs 10x'd in price roughly one year after release, after a prolonged period of being dismissed by the community as underperforming relative to other sets. 23:09

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions and Destined Rivals sealed product now, as Alex argues these are the underappreciated sets worth accumulating while attention and capital are concentrated on the 30th anniversary. 26:22
HOLDPrismatic Evolutions ETBs through the accumulation phase; Alex expects significant price increases once the set rotates out of print (projected around April 2027), similar to the pattern seen with 151. 22:00
AVOIDAvoid buying 30th anniversary sealed product at launch if your goal is sealed investing; Alex recommends waiting one to four months for a better entry point after the initial release waves settle. 27:49

View Source  →  YouTube

From AnonTCG

Today I Chose PokeTube Violence

Sep 18, 2026  ·  19m 43s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] AnonTCG calls out several Pokemon community figures and market dynamics around the 30th anniversary set. He argues the Pokemon Company issued fixed allocations with no reprints for the 30th anniversary product, predicts Prismatic Evolutions ETBs will be reprinted heavily and drop to around $100, and expects Destined Rivals to face strong additional supply into weak demand. He also exposes Team Rocket Joey for ghosting a committed purchase of three cases of Attack of the Vine booster boxes.

Datapoints

  • The Pokemon Company told every distributor their 30th anniversary allocation was fixed: if product was lost or stolen, no replacement supply would be provided. 07:01
  • AnonTCG states Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are expected to be reprinted heavily through year-end, projecting prices will fall to around $100. 15:46
  • AnonTCG states Destined Rivals has significantly more supply coming, describing it as being reprinted into an absolute buzzsaw of demand into a very weak market. 15:54

Recommendations

SELLPrismatic Evolutions ETBs before year-end reprints drive prices down to approximately $100. 15:46

View Source  →  YouTube

The Pokémon Company has shown their hand for 2027 and beyond.

Sep 16, 2026  ·  13m 20s

Investment Thesis

AnonTCG argues that The Pokemon Company has telegraphed a major supply expansion for 2027 and beyond, pointing to three signals: new distributors being signed, English product no longer shipping to Latin America (freeing up 5-10% of print runs for the US market), and a new print facility ramping up. He frames the current market as a consolidation phase, not a bear market, and warns that bot demand for ancillary products is collapsing.

Datapoints

  • The Pokemon Company has removed its list of official distributors from its website, and credible sources suggest at least one or two new distributors are being added to the retail supply chain, implying The Pokemon Company is forecasting excess product supply heading into 2027. 01:09
  • Starting with the Mega Lucario set (February-March timeframe), English product will no longer ship to Latin America; AnonTCG estimates this represents 5-10% of the English print run, which will instead stay in the US market. 03:05
  • New booster boxes for upcoming sets are launching around $180-$200, and 30th Anniversary ETBs are coming out at $170-$180; AnonTCG characterizes this as a consolidation phase rather than a bear market, now roughly 6 months in. 12:33

Recommendations

AVOIDAnonTCG warns that bot demand for ancillary products (ETBs, booster bundles) is collapsing as margins shrink, signaling investors should avoid chasing these formats at current retail prices. 05:13

View Source  →  YouTube

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

Sep 14, 2026  ·  35m 11s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] AnonTCG covers the Pokemon 30th anniversary release logistics, predicting pack prices will hold above $14 due to extreme demand and supply constraints. He flags incoming Prismatic Evolutions ETB price pressure from Walmart drops, recommends Prismatic over Destined Rivals, and notes at least 1 million more Destined Rivals ETBs are coming. He also previews upcoming sets including Mega Lucario and a new factory speeding up pack-to-consumer timelines.

Datapoints

  • Destined Rivals ETB sell-through on TCG Player has come to a near halt, with only approximately 9 ETBs sold earlier in the day, and at least 1 million more Destined Rivals ETBs are set to drop at Walmart, adding further downward price pressure. 18:44
  • Approximately 3 million Prismatic Evolutions ETBs are expected to hit distribution around early November as Walmart has been dropping them for the past three weeks, which is expected to significantly compress pricing. 19:33
  • The RGB Muse chase card from the 30th anniversary set has appeared in only a handful of pulls worldwide despite tens of thousands (possibly hundreds of thousands) of packs already ripped globally, suggesting extreme scarcity and supporting pack prices staying above $14. 17:16

Recommendations

BUYPrismatic Evolutions ETBs over Destined Rivals ETBs at the same price point, as Prismatic Evolutions rotates out in April creating a shorter, cleaner investment runway. 20:06
HOLDDestined Rivals ETBs for now rather than averaging in aggressively, as another million-plus units hitting Walmart will push prices into double digits. 19:14

View Source  →  YouTube

The Only Pokémon News you need right now - RGB Mew (finally) confirmed and reprints...More reprints

Sep 13, 2026  ·  17m 37s

Investment Thesis

AnonTCG covers three major Pokemon market themes: the confirmed RGB Mew cards in the 30th Anniversary set (estimated one-in-10,000 pull rate), ongoing supply pressure on Destined Rivals and Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Boxes with millions more units still coming to market, and the expected price trajectory for Black Bolt and White Flare ETBs once Walmart drops them around Black Friday.

Datapoints

  • Destined Rivals ETBs are selling through at roughly 40 units per day on TCGPlayer (approximately $4,000/day), and the creator estimates at least another 1 million ETBs are still being packed and coming to market, with the price currently showing a dead-cat-bounce pattern after bottoming near $110.93. 03:41
  • Prismatic Evolutions ETBs have dropped 32% over the last 6 months, sell-through has weakened to roughly 18-23 units per day, and the creator estimates approximately 2.5-3 million ETBs have yet to reach market, with another distro wave expected mid-to-late October. 11:05
  • Millennium Print Group has brought mini tin, ETB, and hand-packed booster box assembly in-house, eliminating the third-party packaging bottleneck that had constrained supply; this is cited as the primary reason significantly more product is now reaching market. 15:14

Recommendations

BUYDestined Rivals and Prismatic Evolutions ETBs will be screaming buys going into November and the holiday season once 30th Anniversary attention fades and prices compress further. 17:03
AVOIDIf you are looking to build a position in Prismatic Evolutions ETBs, sit back and wait; the creator says today, tomorrow, and end of September are all too early given millions of units still coming to market. 12:40
AVOIDAvoid chasing Black Bolt and White Flare ETBs at current prices; the creator expects Walmart drops around Black Friday to push prices significantly lower, offering a better entry point. 14:14

View Source  →  YouTube

From PokeNE

Prismatic Evolution was My Biggest Mistake

Sep 16, 2026  ·  10m 48s

Investment Thesis

PokeNE pushes back on the wave of content criticizing Prismatic Evolutions investors, arguing that month-to-month price drops are irrelevant for genuine long-term holders. He notes PE ETBs are down 30-50% from peak amid ongoing reprints, and that Destined Rivals boxes have also pulled back, but contends that well-capitalized investors with full emergency funds have no reason to panic-sell.

Datapoints

  • Prismatic Evolutions ETBs have declined roughly 30-50% between approximately July and September, according to the creator's characterization of community sentiment. 03:18
  • Destined Rivals booster boxes pulled back to around $380 per box, disappointing investors who expected continued appreciation. 05:06
  • Prismatic Evolutions is reportedly near the end of its reprint cycle, with one final large print run expected before reprints cease. 01:05

Recommendations

HOLDPrismatic Evolutions ETBs if you are a well-capitalized long-term investor with emergency funds intact, as the creator sees no reason to fire-sell into crash-out content. 10:10

View Source  →  YouTube

Hyperbolic title about the 30th Anniversary being harmful for businesses because content or whatever

Sep 15, 2026  ·  5m 44s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] A small Pokemon card store owner argues that the 30th anniversary set has suppressed sales at independent retailers during summer 2025, as customers hold cash waiting for the product rather than buying other inventory. He contends that mass retail chains and botters will capture most of the 30th anniversary allocation, leaving small shops with reduced revenue and minimal compensation from their own limited allocations.

Datapoints

  • The creator reports his store sales dropped significantly during July through mid-September, attributing the decline to customers holding money in anticipation of 30th anniversary product rather than buying other Pokemon inventory. 00:39
  • Small Pokemon card retailers received very limited 30th anniversary allocation compared to mass retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, which are expected to receive the bulk of supply, with botters positioned to capture much of that stock. 02:22
  • The creator estimates a store doing $500,000 per month in sales could lose $400,000 across July and August due to the demand freeze, and would need $800,000 in 30th anniversary allocation just to break even for the year, an amount no small retailer is receiving. 01:06

View Source  →  YouTube

45 minutes of Pokémon card yapping and Q&A and nothing really important

Sep 15, 2026  ·  59m 04s

Investment Thesis

PokeNE's Brian runs a candid Q&A from his warehouse, arguing the 30th Anniversary set is quietly hurting small Pokemon businesses by freezing customer spending while allocations remain tiny. He reports a sharp revenue drop at his own store, warns against buying Japanese product at current volatility, and recommends Sword and Shield era and early Scarlet and Violet sealed as safer long-term holds over newer releases like Destined Rivals.

Datapoints

  • PokeNE's store revenue dropped from roughly $300,000–$350,000 per month to $150,000 in August and $180,000 in July, with the creator attributing the decline to customers hoarding cash ahead of the 30th Anniversary release rather than the typical summer slowdown alone. 09:46
  • Japanese suppliers are pre-selling 30th Anniversary boxes at approximately $180 per box, but the creator expects prices to fall significantly by the time shipments arrive, estimating potential losses of $25–$30 per box after shipping delays. 22:47
  • Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections are preferred over Elite Trainer Boxes for storage and investment purposes; the creator notes ETBs are prone to dents and packaging damage, while SPCs stack as perfect rectangular prisms. 39:52

Recommendations

BUYSword and Shield era and early Scarlet and Violet sealed product (specifically Silver Tempest, Paldea Evolved, Lost Origin, and Temporal Forces booster boxes) as they are affordable, old enough to make reprinting very unlikely, and the creator holds significant personal positions in them. 56:00
HOLDPrismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections over Elite Trainer Boxes, as SPCs store more cleanly and the creator expects similar percentage gains while being less susceptible to packaging damage. 40:01
AVOIDAvoid buying 30th Anniversary product at current secondary market prices to hold; the creator considers buyers holding at market price right now to be taking on excessive volatility risk. 44:01

View Source  →  YouTube

I bought some Bionicles - Time Travel to 2001

Sep 15, 2026  ·  10m 42s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] Creator briefly showcases recently acquired sealed Pokemon products including a Cosmic Eclipse booster box, Fusion Strike booster boxes, XY Evolutions booster boxes, and various Elite Trainer Boxes. He notes strong auction results on Cosmic Eclipse and shares his current inventory focus, expressing a bullish stance on Scarlet & Violet 151 and Prismatic Evolutions booster bundles while noting a lack of compelling buying opportunities at the moment.

Datapoints

  • A clean Cosmic Eclipse booster box the creator passed on selling at a convention for around $4,000 later saw three concurrent eBay auctions all close at $5,000 or more. 07:39
  • Clean Fusion Strike booster boxes are currently valued between $900 and $1,000, with the cleanest examples trending toward the $1,000 mark. 07:53

Recommendations

BUYScarlet & Violet 151 booster bundles and Ultra Premium Collections; creator is actively acquiring them and describes himself as mostly bullish on 151 right now. 09:39

View Source  →  YouTube

From The Poke Plumber

Pokémon 30th GREED AND CHAOS, WILL THIS DESTROY THE HOBBY WE LOVE?!

Sep 18, 2026  ·  15m 53s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber warns that widespread greed and market manipulation are signs of a coming correction. He cautions that 30th Anniversary ETBs are currently overpriced at $140-$170, notes that major vintage collectors are quietly selling, and flags heavy future printing as a headwind for modern sealed. He remains bullish on Sword and Shield and early Scarlet and Violet as safer long-term holds.

Datapoints

  • 30th Anniversary ETBs are currently trading in the $140-$170 range at retail and secondary, with the creator believing entry points are too high for strong gains; best-case scenario is a double-up, compared to 25th Anniversary ETBs which could be bought for $40-$50 after the hype subsided and later reached the high $300s to low $400s. 06:27
  • Two of the largest vintage Pokemon collectors the creator knows have stopped buying and are actively selling parts of their personal collections, with at least one predicting the coming correction will be worse than the post-COVID crash. 04:17
  • Pokemon signed on two new distributors, which the creator expects will force a significant ramp-up in print runs across modern sets including Prismatic Evolutions ETB reprints and Black Bolt and White Flare reprints. 08:27

Recommendations

BUYSword and Shield sealed product is the creator's preferred play given expected heavy printing of newer sets and relatively more favorable entry points. 08:56
SELLIf you hold vintage Pokemon slabs or boxes with significant profits, consider reducing exposure now as major collectors are exiting and manipulation is becoming more visible. 05:24
AVOIDWait for 30th Anniversary ETB prices to drop from current $140-$170 levels before buying, as entry points are too high relative to realistic upside. 06:51

View Source  →  YouTube

The Pokémon Bubble WILL BURST!! Insane Opening/Pulls At The End!

Sep 14, 2026  ·  25m 03s

Investment Thesis

The Poke Plumber warns that the graded slab market is showing signs of manipulation and bubble-like behavior, with whales coordinating buys and shill auctions to drive record prices. He favors Surging Sparks booster boxes and Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections as current buys, flags XY and Sword and Shield era sealed as undervalued long-term holds, and urges caution on buying 30th anniversary product at launch.

Datapoints

  • Surging Sparks booster boxes have seen over 500 units sold on TCG Player in the last three months, with prices peaking around $300 before dipping slightly; roughly 300-plus boxes remain listed. 05:27
  • Call Legends booster boxes jumped roughly $20,000-$30,000 in a single week, with the creator expecting a graded Lugia hitting auction to push prices another $30,000-$60,000 higher. 03:58
  • The creator reports widespread greed signals in the hobby: dealers are reneging on deals to sell vintage sealed to higher bidders, and hobbyists at shows report Pokemon comprising roughly 90% of their investment portfolios. 11:00

Recommendations

BUYSurging Sparks booster boxes at current prices of $250-$275, which the creator considers better value than a 30th anniversary Elite Trainer Box at the same price point. 05:54
BUYPrismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections, which the creator calls a 'no-brainer' at any current price given the low gem rate on the Umbreon card and long-term growth potential. 08:05
AVOIDAvoid buying 30th anniversary product at launch; wait one to two months for prices to settle before purchasing. 06:48

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

Predicting When 30th Anniversary Prices Will BOTTOM!

Sep 13, 2026  ·  25m 20s

Investment Thesis

Danny Phantump uses Celebrations (25th anniversary) price history as a benchmark to predict when 30th anniversary product will bottom. He walks through sealed and single price trajectories from 2021-2022, showing that Elite Trainer Boxes, Ultra Premium Collections, and chase singles all took 2-10 months to hit lows. His core message: avoid FOMO buying at launch and wait for multiple product waves to suppress secondary market prices.

Datapoints

  • The 30th anniversary Elite Trainer Box was already trading at approximately $173 on TCG Player in the pre-release window, with loose packs selling for around $17 each despite containing only five cards. 06:26
  • The Celebrations 25th anniversary Ultra Premium Collection launched near $500, bottomed around $225.58 roughly 2 months after release in December 2021, then climbed back to $400 by June 2022 and now sits near $1,500. 10:27
  • Chase singles from Celebrations took 7-12 months to bottom: the Celebrations Umbreon Gold Star fell from $71.76 at launch to $20.41 by August 2022, and the base-set Charizard artwork fell from $151.30 at launch to a low of approximately $63.58 by August 2022. 19:10

Recommendations

AVOIDavoid buying 30th anniversary singles at launch prices; cheaper cards typically take 4-6 months to bottom and chase cards closer to a year based on Celebrations precedent. 22:44
AVOIDdo not purchase loose 30th anniversary packs at current secondary market prices of $16-$17; wait for additional product waves to drive prices down over the following months. 23:36

View Source  →  YouTube

From It Was Never A Phase Cards

Is This the Bottom for 30th Anniversary Mew Prices?

Sep 18, 2026  ·  18m 07s

Investment Thesis

TJ covers the 30th Anniversary RGB Mew price stabilization around $3,500-$3,600 after day-one highs near $20,000, rising pre-order prices on sealed 30th Anniversary products, and several singles moving up or down. He also tracks Temporal Forces illustration rares gaining 20-47%, vintage Japanese cards surging, and Japanese Ascended Heroes (Mega Dream) chase cards continuing to slide.

Datapoints

  • The 30th Anniversary RGB Mew has settled to an average sale price of roughly $3,500-$3,600 on eBay after day-one highs of around $20,000; red variants appear less frequently in listings than blue and green. 00:49
  • 30th Anniversary booster bundles on TCGPlayer (releasing October 2) rose approximately 37% in pre-order pricing, from around $90 to roughly $123, while loose pack prices climbed from $16 on release day to nearly $18. 02:13
  • The Mega Gengar SAR #240 from Ascended Heroes (Mega Dream) has dropped 21% over three months, falling from $460 to around $360, with lowest listings near $330; 43,822 copies have been graded by PSA with 38,926 hitting PSA 10. 13:33

View Source  →  YouTube

Is The Pokemon 30th Anniversary Set Is HERE! Market Update!

Sep 16, 2026  ·  23m 16s

Investment Thesis

On the 30th Anniversary set release day, TJ tracks sealed and single prices across multiple products. Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Boxes dipped to $240-$250 before bouncing back to around $300. Standard ETBs settled near $150 (triple MSRP). Key singles are dropping sharply as generous pull rates flood the market, and the RGB Mewtwo mystery card has confirmed sales ranging from $3,500 to $4,000 raw.

Datapoints

  • Pokemon Center Elite Trainer Boxes for the 30th Anniversary set dropped to $240-$250 on release morning before bouncing back to approximately $300 on the secondary market. 01:04
  • Standard 30th Anniversary Elite Trainer Boxes are holding at around $150 on release day, roughly triple MSRP, down from $170 in the pre-release window. 02:07
  • Key 30th Anniversary singles are dropping sharply on release day: the Futuristic Mewtwo (card 158) fell from a $770 market price to a lowest listing of $250; the Nighttime Pikachu (card 150) dropped from $400 to lowest listings of $170-$180; and the Moushold IR (card 146) fell from $140s to a most-recent sale of $43 and a lowest listing of $35. 09:01

Recommendations

BUYThe Crystal Lugia classic collection card (card 149) is a personal must-have for the creator, who plans to wait patiently for the price to drop before picking up a copy. 15:36
SELLIf you pulled a high-value 30th Anniversary single on opening day, consider selling now and buying back at a lower price as the market continues to drop. 09:34
AVOIDWait on buying 30th Anniversary singles as pull rates are very generous and prices are actively dropping across the board on release day. 08:39

View Source  →  YouTube

The Top Performing Pokemon Cards Of The Past Year!

Sep 15, 2026  ·  20m 32s

Investment Thesis

It Was Never A Phase Cards reviews the top-performing Pokemon singles and sealed products over the past year. Highlights include a 62% gain on the Zekrom Black and White Rare from Black Bolt, a 172% gain on the unlimited Base Set Mewtwo, a 1600% gain on the Magikarp reverse holo from Rebel Clash, and strong sealed gains on the Heavy Hitters Premium Collection (141%) and Crown Zenith Seen Sky box (106%). The creator notes current market softness but frames pullbacks as healthy.

Datapoints

  • The Zekrom Black and White Rare from Black Bolt is up 62% over the past year, rising from $386 to a market price of $626, with lowest listings around $610. 00:31
  • The unlimited Base Set Mewtwo (card 10/102) is up 172% over the past year, from roughly $33-$34 to a one-year high near $90, with lowest listings at $70-$80. 05:09
  • The Magikarp reverse holo from Rebel Clash gained 1600% over the past year, rising from $0.83 to a peak of over $22 (up 2615% at peak), and is currently holding around $14. 07:22
  • The Heavy Hitters Premium Collection (half Black Bolt, half White Flare) is up 141% over the past year, from $78-$80 to $188, with lowest listings at $200 and up. 13:33
  • The Crown Zenith Seen Sky box is up 106% over the past year, from $188 to a new high of $387, with the creator expecting it to crack $400 in the near future. 14:30
  • The Scarlet & Violet 151 Poster Collection is up 106% over the past year, from $41-$42 to around $86-$89. 14:05

View Source  →  YouTube

More RGB Mews Pulled! These Are 100% Real! Pokemon 30th Update

Sep 14, 2026  ·  18m 44s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] TJ covers the RGB Mew secret rare cards from the 30th Celebration set, confirmed real by PokeBeach, with pull rates expected to be exceptionally rare and official Pokemon acknowledgment potentially months away. He also runs a market update covering First Partner pack singles, Ascended Heroes sealed and singles, Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections, and vintage Fossil cards, most of which are at multi-month or all-time lows.

Datapoints

  • RGB Mew cards (Red, Green, Blue) from the 30th Celebration set are confirmed real by PokeBeach; they are absent from the Elite Trainer Box card list booklet, and Pokemon may not officially acknowledge them for several months until the following set releases. 03:39
  • Ascended Heroes Mega Gengar Special Illustration Rare (card 284) has dropped from an all-time high of $1,400 to a current market price of $880, with lowest listings at $850, approaching its all-time low of $828; incoming Costco Ascended Heroes stock is expected to push prices further down. 14:24
  • Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collections are at a 6-month low, down roughly 29% from a high of $355 to the mid-to-upper $250 range, driven by heavy retailer supply hitting the market. 13:42
  • First Partner pack singles continue to fall to all-time lows: Sprigatito (card 61) is down 63% to around $5, Fuecoco is down 62% to around $6, and Mudkip (card 57) is at an all-time low of $15-$16, down from roughly $33. 05:30

Recommendations

AVOIDAscended Heroes Mega Gengar and Mega Dragonite Special Illustration Rares are likely to keep falling as additional Costco Ascended Heroes stock hits the market. 14:55

View Source  →  YouTube

What It's Like Owning A Pokemon Card Shop! Week 2!

Sep 13, 2026  ·  20m 46s

Investment Thesis

[Pokemon segment] A new Pokemon card shop owner recaps week two of operations, noting that sealed product is selling fast and sourced at market rates rather than wholesale, loose pack demand has far exceeded expectations, and singles demand is broader than anticipated. The shop received its largest sealed collection to date and is getting only a very small distribution allocation of the upcoming 30th Anniversary set.

Datapoints

  • The shop has not received any Pokemon product at wholesale/distribution pricing; all sealed inventory is acquired at or near market value, with the shop buying trade-ins at 80-85% of market price and reselling at TCG Player market rates. 10:17
  • Loose pack demand at the shop has vastly exceeded the owner's expectations, with customers regularly buying just one or two packs at a time, forcing the shop to break down sealed product to meet demand. 14:55
  • The shop is receiving only a very small allocation of the 30th Anniversary set through distribution, which the owner attributes to being a brand-new store; product is expected to be priced below market. 11:56

View Source  →  YouTube

Was this forwarded?

Subscribe for free, every Saturday →

One email per week. Unsubscribe anytime.

Subscribers also get the free Pull Rates Cheat Sheet: real odds for every rarity, set by set, updated as new sets ship.

Disclaimers

This week: 19 videos across 7 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 2026-09-19 13:09  ·  TCG Card Investor  ·  Editorial digest, not investment advice