Japan, the birthplace of the Pokémon franchise, has run out of Pokémon cards. It may seem like a trivial issue, but for many collectors and fans, it’s a devastating blow.
The Pokémon Company released a new expansion pack for the trading card game on April 14. The pack, which centers around Scarlet and Violet’s four Treasures of Ruin within the game’s Paldea region, contains some cool EX cards. The expansion also merges the Japanese Triple Beat set into one set known as Paldea Evolved.
The new pack, named Clay Burst and Snow Hazard, is designed as a double-set, much like the mainline Pokémon games, but it’s distinctly different because of the cards available in each pack. For example, the Pokéfluencer Iono can only be acquired in Clay Burst. And it’s that fact that has collectors going wild in Japan, as Iono now has a Special Illustration Rare card, which, according to YouTuber Ptcgradio, is “the most expensive card we’ve basically seen” to date.
The hype around the new packs is so high that players lined up at midnight for their release in the Akihabara district of Tokyo. According to the Pokémon Deals Community Twitter account, initial quotes for cases of Clay Burst and Snow Hazard are going for $3,600, with Iono running for some $1,255 (down from its initial $2,000 price tag) in Japan.
Folks who managed to snatch up packs are posting about getting “no crazy hits.” It’s clear that things are getting out of hand, so much so that The Pokémon Company issued a statement on the matter. The company took to the official trading card game’s Japanese website to drop some unfortunate news about the situation, admitting that it’s currently out of stock of all Pokémon card game products at the moment.
The blog post, which was translated via Google, had an apology for the inconvenience to customers and a promise to bolster the production systems to promote the reproduction and shipment of its products going forward. “We will continue to do our best so that everyone can enjoy the Pokémon card game,” The Pokémon Company said. “Thank you for your understanding.”
It’s unclear when things will return to normal for the Pokémon trading card game scene, especially since the Snow Hazard pack comes with a Special Illustrate Rare of Grusha. It’s no doubt that collectors are trying to collect them all. So, if you’re in Japan hunting for Pokémon cards right now, good luck.
The Pokémon trading card game has been around since 1996 and has amassed a huge following of collectors and players worldwide. The game’s popularity has only grown over the years, with new cards and sets being released regularly. The trading card game is a significant part of the franchise, and for many fans, collecting and playing the game is an essential aspect of their love for Pokémon.
The fact that Japan has run out of Pokémon cards is a testament to the game’s popularity and the dedication of its fanbase. The Pokémon Company’s statement on the matter shows that they’re aware of the situation and are working to rectify it. However, for collectors and players who have been waiting eagerly for the new expansion packs, the news is undoubtedly disappointing.
The Pokémon trading card game has had a massive resurgence in popularity in recent years, with cards selling for thousands of dollars at auction. The pandemic has only added to the game’s popularity, with many people turning to hobbies such as collecting and gaming to pass the time. The trading card game has also seen a surge in popularity due to high-profile celebrity collectors, such as Logic and Steve Aoki.
The Pokémon trading card game is more than just a game or a collection of cards. It’s a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions worldwide
