It’s a time for goodbyes as Pokéfans prepare to bid farewell to the franchise’s favourite protagonist, Ash Ketchum, as well as the smash-hit Sword and Shield TCG Series. Enthusiasts are flocking to eBay to celebrate, causing an increase of over 60% in searches for ‘Ash’ and almost 200% for beloved partnership, ‘Ash and Pikachu’ on the marketplace*.
This comes alongside a rush for those searching for Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith - the highly anticipated final set in the Sword and Shield Series. Since the announcement of Crown Zenith as the final set of the iconic era, searches for ‘Pokemon Sword and Shield’ shot up over 130% on eBay UK as fans scramble to get their hands on the cards they need to complete the series**.
Since pre-orders opened on 20th December, the Crown Zenith Elite Trainer Box is far outpacing the last special set to drop (Pokemon Go) as fans rush to celebrate and complete the era of PokémonV. The Elite Trainer box includes must-have cards with Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith booster packs, an etched foil promo card featuring Lucario VSTAR and 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards, along with a selection of additional goodies.
This first release of 2023 will be available via general release from the 20th January, but Pokémon enthusiasts are getting ahead of the game and snapping up the Crown Zenith special set on pre-sale at eBay now. Searches for ‘Crown Zenith’ on eBay were up over 11,000% in the month of the game’s announcement.**
Kevin Aloe, Collectable Card Game Manager at eBay says, “As a whole, the Sword and Shield era has been fantastic for collectors with lots of large sets and new Pokemon VSTAR cards, and I’m sure that Crown Zenith will bid an appropriate farewell to Galar as we all prepare for exciting new things to come.
“The horizon in 2023 looks set to bring innovative new decks and characters into the universe, which we also expect to create nostalgic demand on eBay for classic collectables of the beloved Ash and Pikachu, alongside more retro card decks.”
The Elite Trainer Box is available for pre-order on eBay here.
ENDS
*eBay internal search data December 2022 vs November 2022
**eBay internal search data November 2022 vs October 2022
NOTES TO EDITORS
Elite Trainer Box - £45.95, eBay
The Legendary heroes Zacian and Zamazenta shine with new VSTAR Powers, and an all-star assembly of Pokémon and Trainers arrive to celebrate the era of Pokémon V! Discover dazzling special illustrations in the Galarian Gallery, and wield the strength of rare and powerful Pokémon, including Charizard as both a Pokémon VSTAR and Radiant Pokémon. Many more Pokémon have their own tales to tell in battle as the Sword & Shield Series reaches its towering peak in the Pokémon TCG: Crown Zenith expansion.
The entire Pokemon TCG Crown Zenith set available to collect contains:
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Over 160 cards
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3 brand-new Radiant Pokémon
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5 colossal Pokémon VMAX
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8 shining Pokémon VSTAR
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17 powerful Pokémon V
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70 cards with special artwork in the Galarian Gallery