The Pokémon Company recently shared its latest figures, and, surprise, the franchise is still on top! Since launching its trading card game (TCG) in 1996, it has printed over 85 billion Pokémon cards. Interestingly, more than 10 percent of those were printed in just the last year. But even that isn’t satisfying the demand.
As of May 2025, the company had distributed 75 billion cards. That means they produced another 10 billion in the past year alone, driven by popular expansions like Scarlet & Violet–Prismatic Evolutions. This surge shows just how profitable trading cards can be — just like video game giant Wizards of the Coast.
To put things into perspective, only two years ago in May 2021, there were about 34.1 billion cards in circulation. In just five years, over double that amount has hit the market. Yet, despite this massive increase, the chaos in the Pokémon TCG scene continues.
For fans, buying booster packs from stores like GameStop or Walmart is still a challenge. Many either resort to paying inflated online prices or brave the lines on restock days. Sadly, some have even turned to theft, resulting in alarming incidents lately.
A year ago, the Pokémon Company acknowledged the frustration among fans. They promised to ramp up production to meet the growing demand. But will that be enough? Will we need 15 billion more cards? Or perhaps 20 billion? Some even suggest implementing ID checks for buying packs, a move currently being considered in Japan.
Statistics show that trading card demand has surged due to the pandemic, with sales increasing by over 200%. This boom isn’t just a fleeting trend; it seems to be reshaping retail. Experts in consumer behavior suggest that a mix of nostalgia and the rise of online marketplaces is fueling this frenzy. As collectors hunt for rare cards, we might be seeing a shift where trading cards become more than just a game but a true investment.
Ultimately, the question remains: Can the Pokémon Company keep up with demand, or will the market eventually stabilize? Time will tell, but for now, fans are left navigating an unpredictable landscape.
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