September 2025 Pokémon Market Report

Ebeus33 | September 2025 Pokémon Market Report

Hey Trainers - Welcome back to the Monthly Pokémon Market Report!

I’m Josh – collector since before I could spell Charizard, seller for the past few years, and now running my own shop to keep things real in a hobby I love. No hidden fees, no shady shipping, just fair deals, careful packaging, and straight talk about the market.

This is only the second monthly report, but what a month it’s been. Japan brought Mega Evolutions roaring back with Inferno X. On top of that, I’ve got fresh PSA returns rolling in and updates on last month’s favorite pickups.

Every month, I’ll keep bringing you the inside scoop — the real trends, the sets worth chasing (or chilling on), my grading highlights, and the cards I’m most excited about right now

Market Trends & Hot Takes

Grading volume is still sky-high! PSA continues to post record submissions!

But what's interesting now is how buyers are treating the returns. High-end grails and iconic promos are commanding consistent premiums, while more common slabs (especially those under the $100 mark) are moving slower than earlier this year.

Translation: Collectors are getting picky, and the market's starting to separate "just slabbed" from "must have".

Values overall remain strong. Pokémon still outpaces a lot of traditional collectibles in 2025, with sealed boxes and scarce promos showing steady growth. But you can feel a real shift. Buyers are less willing to chase every spike, and more focused on quality, rarity, and art.

That's healthy -- it means the market is maturing past pure hype.

For collectors, this is the time to double down on the cards you truly love and not just chase what's trending. For investors, the safe plays are still iconic promos, vintage, and big-name alt arts - the kinds of cards that weather corrections and bounce back.

Main Takeaways:

• Grading is still booming, but the market's filtering hype slabs vs. true grails.
• Slabs under $100 are slowing; premium pieces are strong.
• Long-term growth is tied to scarcity and icon status, not quick flips.
• The market feels healthier than a bubble, maturing into a collector-driven space.

Set Radar: Inferno X

Japan closed out September with a bang: Inferno X officially dropped on the 26th, and here's what sets it apart:

Every single ex card in this set is a Mega Evolution.

There are no standard ex's. Just Megas all the way down. That makes Inferno X one of the clearest showcases yet of the new Mega block, and it puts a blazing spotlight on the set's star: Mega Charizard X ex.

🔥Mega Charizard X ex (SIR):  The Special Illustration Rare was leaked weeks before release, sending collectors into a frenzy. By release weekend, it became the chase, with early sales soaring into four figures for raw copies. Now that more packs are being opened, prices are beginning to cool, but it's still the centerpiece of Inferno X and one of the most talked-about Charizards in years.

🔥Mega Gengar ex (alleged SIR leak):  This card has shown up in some leaks and fan renderings, but it is not officially confirmed and has been flagged by many as likely fake or art-trickery. That said, don't discount the Gengar renderings entirely (sometimes leaks evolve and it could appear as a regular printed card or promo), but don't bank your strategy on it.

🔥Other Megas:  Mega Sharpedo ex, Mega Lopunny ex, and others  round out the lineup. They're not hitting Charizard-level numbers (nothing does), but they add depth to the chase and give collectors multiple entry points.

🔥Market Pulse & Predictions:  Early release spikes are giving way to a gradual dip as supply grows. Expect Mega Charizard X ex SIR to stabilize lower in the coming weeks, then see a second wave of demand once Phantasmal Flames hits English shelves on November 14, 2025.

🔥Josh's Take:  As much as I want to snag that Charizard right now, I’m holding off. Prices on new sets almost always come out inflated, and there will always be someone willing to pay a premium to get it early. The smarter play is patience — I’ll wait for the market to cool before I grab my copy. In the meantime, I’ll rip one box with my fiancée just for fun. Long term? This card’s got grail written all over it.

Main Takeaways:

• This set is 100% Mega Evolutions, with no standard ex cards.
• The Mega Charizard X ex SIR is going to be a grail. It was leaked ahead of time, spiked on release, is now cooling, but still the undisputed chase.
• Other Megas give the set more depth, even if Charizard dominates attention.
• Expect prices to dip as supply floods in, then rebound with the English release in November.

🔥Cards on Fire🔥

Every month there are cards that don't just rise, they absolutely ignite. Sometimes it's tournament play, sometimes it's a new set release, and sometimes it's pure card fever that lights the match. September gave us two huge examples of how fast this market can catch fire and why these cards are being seen as serious investment-grade assets.

Umbreon VMAX "Moonbreon" (Evolving Skies, 2021)

• Raw copies skyrocketed from about $1,300 to $2,000 (+54%) this month.
• PSA 10s surged from $2,800 to $3,700 (+32%), cementing Moonbreon as the modern grail that refuses to slow down.
• There are over 18,000 PSA 10s in circulation, yet demand is still so strong that prices continue to climb. That's the power of an iconic card.

Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat "Van Gogh" (Scarlet & Violet, 2023)

• One of the most unique crossover promos in recent memory, this card went wild!
• PSA 10s spiked from $1,100 to $2,500 at its peak before settling near $2,200 (+100%) which is double its starting price.
• Even with over 43,000 PSA 10s graded, collectors can't get enough of this artwork. The cultural crossover makes it a must-have piece, regardless of population.

These cards aren't normal market moves, they're explosions. When a card doubles or even spikes 50%+ in a matter of weeks, it shows the kind of momentum that makes Pokémon collecting one of the most exciting alternative investments out there.

My Recent Pick Ups & Highlights

I did more than just watch market spikes this month. I made some pretty cool additions to my own collection too!

Psyduck Pikachu (Chinese Exclusive) - PSA 9

This is my very first Chinese-exclusive card, and I couldn't be more excited about it. The Chinese Pokémon TCG market is still relatively young compared to Japan, the U.S., and Europe, but it's growing quickly. Region exclusives like this Psyduck Pikachu already command strong premiums and are gaining traction among global collectors who want something different in their binders and slabs.

A quick tip for fellow collectors: I've started targeting PSA 9s when PSA 10s are out of reach. Why? Because 9s are more liquid. They move faster, hold steady value and make smarter investments than raw cards. Pair that liquidity with the built-in scarcity of a Chinese exclusive, and you've got a pickup that's both fun and strategic.

Custom Umbreon Cards (Shiny & Normal) - TCG Pocket!

I also grabbed two custom Umbreon cards - one shiny, one normal - and they are absolutely gorgeous. What makes them extra special is that they're custom prints of official TCG Pocket Pokémon artwork!

Custom and proxy cards may not be official releases, but they're a big part of how the hobby keeps evolving. They celebrate creativity, let collectors enjoy unique takes on their favorite Pokémon, and add artistry and personality to any collection. For me, they're reminder that this hobby isn't just about value. It's about passion, expression, and community.

Shop The Drop

From raw singles to freshly graded slabs, the shop's always stocked with something worth chasing. Click through, explore, and snag your next pickup before it's gone.

Huge shoutout to Tyler one of the shop's MVP repeat buyers. Support like that keeps this place running and the connections built is what fuels me.

👉Shop Raw Cards

👉Shop Graded Cards

COMING SOON

October and November are going to be huge! I've got nearly 80 cards coming back from PSA across my own collection and client submissions. Big reveals are on the way, and I'll be sharing the highlights as they land.

Want to see them first? Follow along on Instagram for real-time updates, fresh slab photos, and my takes as grades roll in: @ebeus33