Without a doubt, you know someone who plays with / collects trading cards. And maybe that someone… is yourself!

Trading card games (or TCGs) have never been more popular nowadays. Whether you are a competitive player, collector, or investor, there are three titles that are dominating the hobby right now:

1. Pokémon;

2. Gundam, and;

3. One Piece.

We at MyPops.ca see a vast amount of collectors and players every day, looking for the newest releases, rare collectible cards, and sealed product from these fast-growing TCGs.

Let’s break down why these three card games are exploding in popularity and why collectors are paying very close attention.

Pokémon: The King of TCG

The Pokémon Trading Card Game has been THE global leader amongst all trading card games for decades. With millions of players and collectors worldwide, as well as constant new expansions, the company continues to be the most accessible and widely collected TCG of all time.

Why Is Pokémon Still On Top?

There are a plethora of factors that affect the trading card game’s popularity.

The first being the massive global fanbase it has garnered throughout the years. From the video game to the animated series (and, of course, the cards themselves), something intrigued multitudes of fans to join the fun in the TCG.

The Pokémon company itself has millions of fans around the world, all collectively loving the series and world as a whole. It’s no wonder the TCG has remained a craze across multiple generations for many years!

Another factor that drives this TCG to the top is the consistent release of new expansions and the wide variety of “chase cards” throughout the entire series. There is always something happening in the Pokémon card community; that said, the fans are never left waiting for more!

Pokémon cards, as well as sealed product, also hold strong resale and collectible value across the market. Many products in the past have gone up in value, despite their age.

Lastly, Pokémon TCG has a giant competitive tournament scene; fans of all ages compete against each other to find out who is the strongest trainer – some even going as far to Worldwide events to play!

What’s popular in the Pokémon market right now?

Popular Pokémon always reign supreme throughout the market – characters such as Pikachu, Charizard, and Eevee. Not only that, more rare cards continue to drive the demand amongst collectors (terms like alternate-art, secret art, or secret illustration rare are commonly used within the TCG community).

Sealed booster boxes and Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) are especially popular among collectors looking to hold long term. 

Some common product names you will see amongst all TCGs are:

• Booster Packs – sealed packages with cards inside (sometimes ranging from 5 to 12 cards depending on the franchise / language)

• Booster Boxes – sealed boxes that contain many booster packs, ranging from 12 to 36 packs each!

• Premium Collection Boxes (sometimes referred to as UPC, SPC, etc.) – specialty boxes that contain many booster packs, as well as extra promotional material.

• Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) – exclusive to Pokémon TCG, these boxes typically have nine (9) booster packs and extra promotional product.

• Graded Slabs – an appraised single card / product that has been evaluated for its quality and condition; these slabs are graded from a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the best).

For collectors and players alike, Pokémon remains one of the safest and most exciting hobbies in the trading card world.

Gundam Card Game: The Rising TCG From Bandai

Anime fans are quickly discovering the Gundam Card Game – a new TCG based on the legendary Mobile Suit Gundam franchise.

The Gundam universe contains decades of history alongside their massive global franchise. This renowned track record gives this TCG strong potential for the future of trading card games alike.

Why the sudden hype?

The Gundam community and fanbase alone is massive, dating back to generations of content. Not only that, the TCG features stunning artwork which feature iconic mobile suits seen throughout the series (such as RX-78, Zaku, etc.).

In addition to its beautiful art and raring-to-go fans, the Gundam TCG has a lot of early-stage collectible potential; especially due to its production through Bandai (a major TCG publisher).

Many collectors are getting into the Gundam TCG early, hoping the game follows the same trajectory as other successful anime card games.

With limited early print runs and strong demand, sealed product may become highly collectible over time.

One Piece Card Game: Fast Growing & Heavy Hitting

It is impossible to curate a list of outstanding TCGs without mentioning the One Piece Card Game. This TCG franchise exploded in popularity since its launch.

Based on the legendary manga and anime, One Piece, the game combines competitive gameplay with extremely collectible artwork.

Fan favourite characters like Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Portgas D. Ace appear on some of the most sought-after cards in the hobby.

The One Piece Explosion

The TCG blew up in popularity due its massive anime (and manga) fanbase worldwide, as well as its extremely collectible manga-style artwork on its cards.

Moreover, there is a strong competitive tournament scene within the One Piece TCG community. Not only that, there is an extremely high demand for sealed product!

Some alternate-art cards have already reached impressive secondary market prices, making the One Piece TCG attractive for both collectors and investors.

Why Trading Card Games Are Booming

Across all three games, several trends continue to drive growth within the TCG community:

Collecting Culture

Collecting as a hobby has always been prevalent throughout the years, but collectors of TCG love the games’ artwork, rarity, and nostalgia that these cards offer.

Investment Potential

Rare cards and sealed product have shown to appreciate in value over time, making the hobby worthwhile for some!

Community

Trading card games as a whole have brought together a community of individuals around the world. Through tournaments, trading, and collecting, this feeling of belonging brings people back for more.

Where to Buy Pokémon, Gundam, and One Piece Cards in North America

If you’re looking to start collecting or expanding your collection, MyPops.ca offers a wide selection of a ton of products that may strike your fancy!

We have a large inventory of booster boxes, booster packs, sealed product, and collectible valuable cards… all ready for you to take home!

Collectors can shop online or visit any of our retail locations across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to shop the latest releases, exclusive items, and even pre-order and reserve upcoming drops!

Conclusion: A Growing Community With Lots To Offer

Whether you plan to open packs, build a competitive deck, or collect rare cards, the world of TCG continues to grow and expand day by day.

Between the global powerhouse of Pokémon, the rapiding rising game that is One Piece, and the very promising Gundam card game, there has never been a better time to be a part of the hobby!

Stay tuned to MyPops.ca for the newest releases, rare and hard-to-find cards, and the latest TCG news!!