2021 marks the 25th Anniversary of the international phenomenon, Pokémon. Pokémon is a mega-successful franchise that has produced a multitude of television programs, movies, video games, and merchandise throughout the past 25 years. And with its popularity at an all-time high, it has never been easier to stream your favorite episodes and films, find unique products, or get the chance to find the holy grail in an originally sealed Pokémon booster box.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a climb in collecting which may have had an effect on the rise in popularity of Pokémon cards. Since everyone has been stuck inside, people have turned to collecting. This has not only affected Pokémon cards but all aspects of collectibles whether it be comics, video games, other trading cards, or memorabilia. An article by Smithsonian Magazine explains how nostalgia plays a big part in this rise.

In honor of the anniversary, Heritage Auctions held a special online auction on March 25th, 2021. Rare Pokémon auction items include sealed booster boxes, graded single cards and graded card sets. There are even a few additional popular trading card items from other franchises like Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Nintendo Screen, Battletech, Garbage Pail Kids, and other rare sets.

The auction produced some impressive results. A sealed First Edition Base set sold for $360,000.00, the day’s highest bid. The Pokémon Tropical Mega Battle Lucky Stadium Trainer Promo card (graded PSA MINT 9) was the highest selling single card at the auction, at $38,400.00. A Charizard #4 First Edition Base Set Rare Hologram Trading Card (graded BGS NM-MT+ 8.5) sold for $16,800.00.

Many of the sealed booster boxes were some of the highest bidded items. Sealed boxes are popular with collectors because of the potential that can be pulled from each box. They provide a chance to catch that rare Pokémon (card) which can be worth a hefty price tag in mint condition. Each type of sealed box will also produce different types of cards. For example, a Charizard #4 Shadowless Base Set Rare Hologram can only be pulled from a Shadowless Base Set box, while the Unlimited box can only have the Unlimited version of the same card. The card potential changes and also depends on which type of Pokémon booster box you choose.

Based on past Heritage Auction sales, grading plays a big part in the value of Pokémon cards. A PSA 9 graded Unlimited Charizard #4 card sold for $2,280.00 in February 2021, while a PSA 10 card sold for $12,000.00 just a month later.

Previous Pokemon auctions at Heritage have also fetched some impressive sale numbers. Notable sales of a sealed First Edition Base Set booster box include:

$78,000.00 in February 2019
$198,000 in September 2020
$360,000.00 in November 2020
$408,000.00 in January 2021

There were also significant sales of single cards from a January 2021 auction:

Charizard #4 First Edition Base Set Rare Hologram Trading Card PSA GEM MT 10 sold for $300,000.00
Blastoise #009/165R Commissioned Presentation Galaxy Star Hologram (Wizards of the Coast, 1998) CGC NM/Mint+ 8.5 sold for $360,000.00.

Youtubers are capturing the resurgence in nostalgic hobbies and collecting, especially with Pokémon cards. They’re buying sealed boxes and opening them on their live streams for their viewers, sometimes even for charity. Youtuber Logan Paul opened a sealed 1999 Pokemon Box on a live stream for a 300k audience. DJ Steve Aoki also opens up packs on his own live streams. Rapper Logic spent $220,000 on a first edition Charizard at auction. Influencers are bringing even more attention to the hobby by being a driving force in the market by buying rare boxes and cards as well as showcasing their hauls to their viewers.

Besides card collecting, various events are commemorating the 25th anniversary and bringing more attention to the franchise. Pokémon has created a website dedicated to celebrating the anniversary. It's filled with different events, music, products, and announcements on all things Pokémon. Pokémon has also teamed up with Universal Music Group and music superstars Post Malone, Katy Perry, and J Balvin for some new music. (Watch the Post Malone and Pokémon concert here).

A new Pokémon animated film called Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle comes out this year, plus new Nintendo video games New Pokémon Snap and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.Another game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, releases in 2022. Other merchandise collaborations include McDonald's Happy Meals that came with a booster pack of Pokémon trading cards, Build-A-Bear providing Pokemon plushies to build, and select General Mills cereals containing special booster packs.

Investing In The 25th Anniversary of Pokémon