The Early Days of the Hobby
Ten years ago, when I started collecting, the market was completely different. There were far fewer people interested in Pokémon — let alone big players with deep pockets. The hobby was young, and most collectors were fairly young themselves, with little disposable income to invest in Pokémon.
Back then, there were countless 1st Edition Charizard cards graded PSA 10 for around $200. Trophy cards like the Kangaskhan, TMB, and SB were available here and there. “To catch ’em all” really could have been your destiny — if you had the means.
But with low prices came high risks. It wasn’t all Butterfrees! Many auctions and Buy-It-Now listings in Japan didn’t include photos — or if they did, they were low-quality “potato photos” from sellers with zero feedback. Even though some cards were “cheaper” compared to today’s market, they were still inaccessible to most people, and the risk of fakes was much greater.
I experienced this myself with scams involving the Play Promo Umbreon and Espeon. Buying on platforms such as Yahoo! Japan meant no buyer protection — if you received a fake or damaged card, your money was gone. For a young adult, paying those amounts was a big risk with little guarantee of reward.
High-end items like trophies were also slow and difficult to sell, meaning your investment could stay illiquid for years.
Investing 101: Psychology and Market Behavior
Most people never become interested in an asset when prices are low. The majority only jump in after it makes headlines or when celebrities begin influencing the market. This is a key concept
of market psychology — understanding how human behavior drives trends.
People rushing into something because they just saw it on the news is a sign of FOMO (fear of missing out). It reflects greed, euphoria, and even a bit of delusion. These emotions often mark market tops or signal when a bubble is about to pop.
Although we’re talking about Pokémon, the same psychological principles apply to any market. Depending on rarity, quantity, and grade, some cards are naturally safer than others — but supply and demand always play their role.
How Market Bottoms Are Formed
Just as people jump in when they hear hype, the opposite happens when the hype fades. Once celebrities and influencers exit the scene, the new collectors who followed them often leave too. The market then becomes depressed, slow, and stagnant — people lose hope and confidence.
That’s when you should remember the classic quote:
“Be greedy when everyone is fearful, and be fearful when everyone is greedy.”
Understanding and controlling your own emotions — while recognizing the emotions of others — can make you the very best investor you can be.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes to investing and psychology, you usually buy something because you believe it will be worth more in the future. The difference between buying when no one else believes in it versus when everyone does is risk — but also potential reward.
Buying during periods of disbelief is like buying Bitcoin for a few cents or Pokémon cards when people dismissed it as “a child’s game.” Emotions are everything. The Pokémon boom wasn’t just about the pandemic or extra disposable income — it was about nostalgia. Pokémon connects us to a time when we were young and happy.
That feeling — that connection — will always be priceless.
I use psychology for everything in life, and my journey has truly made a Magikarp jump, getting closer than ever to evolving into a Gyarados.
Good luck in your journey — and have an electrifying adventure out there! ⚡️
