A Pokémon card was recently sold in a U.S. auction for more than 2.5 billion yen (around $22 million). The rush for Pokémon merchandise, especially rare trading cards, continues to surge, as collectors from all over the world seek to add value to their collections. This sale underscores the lucrative global market for Japanese pop culture collectibles.

In Japan, these auctions generate significant attention, as Pokémon is a pillar of modern Japanese pop culture, originating from the country itself. The pricing of such collectibles also prompts discussions around valuation and investment in pop culture artifacts.

Like in Japan, the collectibles market in the U.S. and EU also thrives on pop culture memorabilia. Items such as comic books, action figures, and trading cards can fetch high prices. However, the phenomenon of Japanese pop culture collectibles, like Pokémon cards, commanding such sums is a newer development in these markets.