Pokémon TCG Chaos: Prismatic Evolutions and Blooming Waters Face Shortages, Journey Together Sells Out Instantly

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) community has been abuzz recently as the release of Prismatic Evolutions and Blooming Waters, alongside preorders for the upcoming Journey Together set, sparked a frenzy among collectors. However, limited supply and scalping have left many fans frustrated and empty-handed.

Preorders for Journey Together – featuring the highly anticipated return of Trainer’s Pokémon – sold out in less than an hour on Pokémon’s official website. Meanwhile, Prismatic Evolutions, launched last Friday, has become a collector’s dream and a scalper’s goldmine. This special set, which celebrates Eevee and its evolutions, includes secret art rare cards for all Eeveelutions. Among these, Umbreon has fetched up to $1,950 on the resale market. The demand for Eevee-themed sets has always been high, as seen with Evolving Skies, but the exclusivity of Prismatic Evolutions has compounded the scarcity.

Unlike standard sets, Prismatic Evolutions is only available through Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) and Booster Bundles, which are pricier and produced in limited quantities. Scalpers have dominated the market, reselling ETBs for double their original price. Some fans have resisted supporting these secondary markets, hoping for an official restock.

Fortunately, The Pokémon Company has announced reprints of Prismatic Evolutions to meet demand. “We’re aware that some fans may experience difficulties purchasing certain Prismatic Evolutions products at launch due to high demand,” the company stated via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. “We are actively working to print more...as quickly as possible to ensure more fans receive opportunities to access Prismatic Evolutions.” This announcement has already influenced the resale market, with prices for ETBs dropping from over £100 to around £70-£80 as collectors opt to wait for the reprint.

While Prismatic Evolutions benefits from a planned restock, the Blooming Waters set hasn’t seen similar assurances. The last remnants of this set, tied to the 151 collection, have sparked chaotic scenes in stores. Videos from the U.S. show shoppers rushing Costco displays, tearing through shelves to grab as many products as possible. Such behavior mirrors previous controversies, such as the Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum collaboration, where scalpers overwhelmed distribution efforts, leaving many fans empty-handed.

As for Journey Together, apart from the lightning-fast preorder sellout, no further updates about restocks or additional print runs have surfaced. Fans are hopeful that The Pokémon Company will respond similarly to any shortages, ensuring accessibility for players and collectors alike. Until then, the community braces for another potential rush while navigating the ongoing challenges of supply and demand in the Pokémon TCG world.