Pokémon TCG: notable theft and production milestone

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has recently drawn both positive and negative attention. On one hand, the franchise has reached an impressive production milestone; on the other, a serious theft in Japan could damage its reputation.

Production milestones of the Pokémon TCG

In March 2026, The Pokémon Company announced that a staggering 85 billion Pokémon TCG cards have been produced since the game launched in 1996. The news arrives as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary. The Pokémon TCG originated in Japan, where the first sets were released on October 20, 1996.

In October 2024, a digital mobile version of the game called TCG Pocket was launched. The free-to-play smartphone app has helped fuel renewed interest in the physical TCG, resulting in a significant increase in card sales.

According to the owner of Serebii, a leading Pokémon wiki, nearly 12% of all Pokémon TCG cards were printed in the last fiscal year. That means roughly 10 billion cards were produced between April 2025 and March 2026.

Theft of Pokémon cards

A recent arrest of two suspects in Japan has put the Pokémon TCG back in the spotlight, but for negative reasons. In December 2025, a theft took place in Tokyo’s Chiyoda district, where 300 cards were stolen from a transport van. The stolen cards are worth more than 34 million yen, or around $213,000.

The theft came to light in part after it was discovered that the suspects may have sold cards worth 5 million yen before being caught. It appears that one of the suspects may have had insider knowledge of the transport van’s route, helping him plan the theft in advance.

The Pokémon Company’s response

The Pokémon Company has not publicly commented on the recent theft, but the impact on the collector and player community will undoubtedly be felt. Theft of rare cards has long been a problem for the gaming and collecting community. While incidents like this continue to happen, the company remains committed to protecting the integrity of the game and the shared interests of players and collectors.

The Pokémon TCG, now nearly three decades old, remains a major part of the entertainment industry, and the franchise’s cultural impact is undeniable.

Conclusion

The Pokémon Trading Card Game remains both a source of excitement and concern. Its impressive production figures are a testament to the franchise’s lasting appeal, while the recent theft is a reminder of the challenges collectors and companies can face. With ongoing innovation and passionate players, the future of the Pokémon TCG looks bright, but it also calls for extra attention to security and the protection of valuable assets.