There was a period where I assumed that the craze surrounding the TCG would eventually calm down and this portion of the franchise would find a happy medium between eccentric and sensible. Years later, the situation just keeps getting worse with no signs of improvement.
When I was younger, I was a passive collector of Pokemon cards. I never had the interest to learn the rules of the game, and I treated the cards the same way that some people passively enjoy fine art. A Darkrai full art was something I could put on display and admire as a testament to my appreciation of this Pokémon. I got scammed in trading a Tyranitar for Nincada, since I was having a Nincada phase and didn't understand what the Tyranitar was worth. Such is life, and this makes for a good story.
The TCG used to be a healthy branch of the multifaceted tree that is the Pokemon franchise. It was a wholesome and quirky interest that many might not have understood, yet was not worthy of mocking.
In 2026, the TCG is a joke. Not due to anything intrinsic and the hobby having changed all that much, but because of its mainstream appeal and the ability to turn said hobby into a lucrative business. What was once a passive enjoyable activity is now a testament to how late-stage capitalism (yes, we're going there) destroys everything it touches.
I wholeheartedly support the idea that people should keep their childhood interests if they still serve them, and that people shouldn't feel bad for enjoying something that genuinely brings them happiness. That said, grown adults strongarming kids of out of a hobby where they are the target demographic is shameful.
I think it's worth noting that the biggest problems here likely aren't genuine Pokemon fans in any sense, TCG or otherwise. They're grifters who will latch onto anything that can be turned into a moneymaking opportunity. Content creators also make up a huge slice of the problematic pie, by hoarding stock and opening packs as a way to have an endless series of low-effort content to cover, which in turn yields mass profit, which in turns provides enough liquid assets to hoard more stock.
Then there's the distribution side of things. It's abundantly clear that nobody in the supply chain is interested in stopping this chaos, and that everything is all good so long as the stock is sold. They don't care if it's going to genuine fans who represent the future of this franchise, so long as they get their money.
I stopped collecting Pokemon cards long ago, and instead opted for the video games and broader merchandise, namely figures. Despite this, I still remember my days as a TCG collector with fondness and how this brought me joy. At the same time, I'm grateful that I got out when I did and that I didn't have to deal with nightmare that TCG fans, both young and not so young, have to endure now.