Pokémon: In a League of Its Own

Some brands never die, and Pokémon is a prime example of how something so fun can both last and evolve across generations, especially on the web. A product of the late 90s, Pokémon  – like many other kid-oriented brands at the time – exploded in popularity alongside the rise of early commercial internet access. This meant that the TV shows, movies, toys, and games were the lifeblood of the brand, connecting us with a common mission: catchin’ em’ all! This simple, yet highly effective, goal jumpstarted junior collectors to buy, trade, and sell their way to becoming the best trainers on the playground. This ultimately led to the main product that has kept Pokémon alive to this day: the trading card game – or TCG. But how could a simple card game generate so much internet traffic? The answer can be found in a few places. It mainly boils down to nostalgia, pop-nerd culture, and the astronomical value of these cards today.

It’s All About the Cards and Web Traffic
As those who grew up watching the show became influencers on the web, things they valued from their childhood naturally became topics of fascination and nostalgia. From grunge rock to shows like Friends, people began to collectively look back at the 90s and say: “Hey, those things still make me feel good today.” Naturally, Pokémon could not be ignored. What was once considered niche or uncool suddenly became absorbed by mainstream internet pop culture. Anime, cosplay, D&D, comic books, and even gaming became cool to everyone, not just a minority of youth. 

Nerd culture is now pop culture, and this TCG has ridden that wave of coolness. But the most important thing that keeps Pokémon going strong on the web is the value of the cards. Like all collectibles, things tend to gain value over time, but vintage Pokémon prices have skyrocketed in the past 20 years. Single Base Set packs can run anywhere from $300 to $700, depending on their weight and edition. Sealed boxes ...