The Pokemon TCG market continues its 2025 surge, with Japanese exclusives and staff promos leading this week’s price increases. Metagross Gold Star from Japan’s Holon Research Tower set tops the list with a staggering 122% weekly gain, while modern staff promos and classic Gold Star cards dominate the rankings. These gains reflect ongoing Mega Evolution era hype, 30th anniversary speculation, and coordinated collector activity.
Top 15 Cards by 7-Day Percentage Increase
All prices reflect TCGPlayer Near Mint market prices. Cards filtered to $50-$800 range with release dates of 2003 or later.
Japanese Cards Lead the Pack
Seven of the top fifteen gainers are Japanese exclusives, signaling growing international collector interest in Japan’s historically lower print runs. Metagross Gold Star jumped from $226 to over $500 in a single week. This ex-era Gold Star benefits from both scarcity and nostalgia as collectors anticipate the 2026 Pokemon 30th anniversary.
The Japanese cards gaining this week span multiple eras, from the mid-2000s ex period to the 2015-2016 XY/SM transition and the pre-HGSS Platinum era. This diverse spread suggests broad-based demand rather than targeted speculation on any single subset.
Staff Promos Command Premium Prices
Two staff-stamped tournament promos rank among the week’s top performers. Lucario Staff SWSH186 jumped 87% to nearly $244, while Blastoise Staff from Crystal Guardians climbed 42% to $325. Staff promos have always commanded premiums over standard versions, but 2025 has seen accelerating demand.
The Lucario Staff card now trades at roughly 50 times the value of its non-stamped variant. This extreme multiplier reflects both functional scarcity and the prestige collectors attach to the staff designation.
Gold Stars Continue Their Climb
Three Gold Star cards appear in the rankings, with Suicune at $598. Gold Stars were produced exclusively from 2004-2007 and featured alternate-color artwork depicting shiny Pokemon. They remain among the most coveted modern-era chase cards.
The 2005-2007 Gold Star window coincided with Pokemon’s lowest global popularity, resulting in significantly smaller print runs. As these cards continue aging and supplies tighten, prices have shown consistent upward momentum throughout 2025.
What’s Driving These Gains
Several factors explain this week’s movements. The September 2025 introduction of Mega Evolution to Scarlet & Violet has renewed interest in original Mega EX cards from 2014-2016. With February 2026 marking Pokemon’s 30th anniversary, collectors are positioning in cards from milestone years. Pokemon TCG Pocket’s continued popularity is also driving new collectors to physical cards, particularly iconic Pokemon like Charizard, Gengar, and Rayquaza.
The Platinum-era Gengar LV.X specifically benefits from Gengar’s prominence in TCG Pocket, where it anchors one of the most popular deck archetypes.
Buyer Considerations
The December holiday period historically produces 10-20% price increases as gift-buying intensifies. However, the Metagross Gold Star’s 122% weekly jump stands out as potentially buyout-driven given its magnitude, warranting caution at current levels.
Japanese exclusive cards remain particularly volatile given their lower supply on English-language marketplaces. Collectors targeting these pieces should expect continued price swings as small inventory changes produce outsized percentage movements. For those looking to buy, prioritize cards with verifiable low population counts and strong thematic ties to the upcoming 30th anniversary celebration.
