Rediscovering Pokémon Cards: The Meme and Cultural Ritual
Where We Are Now
In 2023, you have definitely heard through either social media or casual conversations, something that must have already been defined as a meme by now: "Look for your old Pokémon cards." We didn’t always just find Pokemon cards though. We all have definitely found that one key you knew was important but could never figure out what it was for or that one pen you always loved but could never get to work. This goes beyond just a search for old cards though. It's become something we share as a cultural experience, a rite of passage, if I am so bold as to label it as such, especially for Pokemon fans. The people who haven't started this quest are seen as behind and not participating in something that seems very obvious to most of us by now (by us I mean Pokemon collectors) and if you haven’t looked, you’re effectively being "late to the party."
The Pandemic and Rediscovering of Hobbies
The pandemic era, with its mix of tension and downtime, inspired a lot of us to revisit things we valued from our youth, particularly Pokémon cards. This is something I think we all joked about at one point when we turned an incredibly expensive hobby into a profitable venture, turning childhood fun into sources of income in a messy global chaos. It also doesn’t escape me that these collections we find are always way more organized than our life today is at its best. How were we so organized?
The Surge in Collectibles Trading
The demand for Pokémon cards surged thanks to plenty of big-name personalities for better or worse. This all led to a boom in collectible trading. Pokemon which was a silly fun activity in our childhoods has become a huge catalyst for economic growth. The peak of this surge felt like a Black Friday in the early 2010s but for pretty cardboard instead of TV’s and Clothes. Auction houses and authentication services were swamped, and major retailers even had to pause sales due to the violent levels of interest, highlighting the cultural impact to the level of making national and even international news at times
Cultural Significance and Meme Culture
Searching for Pokémon cards became a symbol of broader cultural participation. "Look for your Pokémon cards" became a meme, prompting us all to collectively participate in nostalgia and a unifying activity during a period of global stress. Pokemon were genuinely a source of escape that helped thousands (maybe millions?) of people. We can see this still present in the post-pandemic era we’re in now. Pokemon is more popular than ever and shows no signs of slowing down.
Digital Shift in Collecting
As this resurgence gained momentum, digital platforms became crucial in connecting collectors worldwide. TCGPlayer, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace owe so much to Pokemon. Along with people sharing their experiences with finding old Pokemon cards on standard social media, people found platforms that provided a marketplace and a space for community, fostering connections in a physically distanced world.
Investment and Value Retention
The investment potential in Pokémon cards added to the excitement. Certain cards' soaring values turned this hobby into a money-making venture, underscoring the urgency of joining this cultural wave. Someone you know likely “got rich” on Pokemon. Because of this Pokemon was the catalyst for other collectibles’ big headline-making numbers. People were able to enhance their spending power and people definitely spent their money. This had a real and tangible impact on the US economy that made the pandemic much more financially feasible for people who were struggling.
The Pandemic Era: A Time of Rediscovery and Reflection
If we look back, the pandemic era will be remembered as a time of reconnecting through hobbies like Pokémon among many others. This time has become a reminder of the importance of preserving and revisiting our past. Not everyone was lucky enough to have had a Pokémon phase, and they might feel a bit left out now. And honestly, the real heartbreaker? The people who had the collection but lost it. A family could have tossed them out, not realizing they were valuable, or maybe we just didn’t see what they really had. That's the kind of moment that stings a bit. One step further in tragedy is the people who lost their collections to a fire or flood.
A toast to the most tragic of all though:
The people who threw out their own collection thinking that those cards were just a waste of storage space.
Personal Stories and Community Building
Each card tells a story for us, symbolizing our personal history and connections. We can likely remember where we were when we pulled our favorite cards and that feeling you got when you the holo pattern you were looking for. During the pandemic, these cards genuinely became more than just nostalgia; they represented comfort and a sense of community among collectors globally.
A Case in Point: The Financial Potential
Recent media highlight the potential financial boon lying dormant in old Pokémon card collections. These revelations serve as a big incentive to participate in this phenomenon and a reminder of what might be missed if left unexplored.
Our Collective Responsibility
As the person reading this, you probably already looked for your cards a long time ago but we have a collective responsibility to remind other people to search for these collections. Doing this could lead to a significant financial lifeline for someone who really needs it and reconnection with cherished memories. Feels like little to lose here.
Look for Your Pokémon Cards
"Look for your Pokémon cards" evolved from a simple suggestion to a cultural meme and shared ritual, it symbolizes rediscovery, nostalgia, and potential gain. This phenomenon has offered a way to reconnect with our history and offered a unique structure of community and solidarity that we really needed. If you haven't yet joined this cultural ritual, now is the time to dive in.
Seriously. Go find your cards.
Tag us when you find em @pixelandpanic ♡