Independent Research on the Business of Trading Card Games
How we researchOrganization
IP Holder in Pokémon TCG.
GAME FREAK inc in Pokémon TCG; mostly in product development.
GAME FREAK inc.
IP Holder
IP holder: Pokémon franchise and characters
Others on this stage
Manages game and brandGame operatorPublisher
outside Asia, outside Asia; regional publisher and operator attribution in existing research and user-confirmed
IP holder: Pokémon franchise and charactersHolds trademark rights: Pokémon names and character names
GAME FREAK inc. has no documented role on this stage.
Others on this stage
GAME FREAK inc. has no documented role on this stage.
Others on this stage
Provides player account and event locatorSupports event registration and player profiles
Japan
Digital platform:
GAME FREAK inc. has no documented role on this stage.
Others on this stage
Marketplace operatorSupports marketplace category for game
Dark: GAME FREAK inc in Pokémon TCG. Below it, other businesses on the same stage of Pokémon TCG. Acting in the same game or stage is not a business relationship; documented partners are shown in orange.
Master data as the cited sources state them.
The latest 2 briefs naming GAME FREAK inc.
1 relationship record, each with its sources.
Details: Ownership and trademark rights
Research note: joint copyright credit; shares not asserted
Rights and publishing; Geography unspecified
Confirmed · 6 sources
Packages cards for gamePrints cards for game
Manufactures product for game
IP holder: Pokémon franchise and characters
Operates shop: Pokémon CenterDirect salesSells game direct to consumer
USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia and New Zealand
Primary-market retailer
Primary-market retailer
Primary-market retailer
Offers game product
Primary-market retailer
Primary-market retailer
Primary-market retailer
Offers game product
Primary-market retailer
Primary-market retailer
Primary-market retailer
Offers game product
Digital platform: Pokémon Card Players Club
Digital platform: Pokémon TCG Live
Governs program: Pokémon Card Masters tournaments
Governs program: Pokémon Card Game Korean League
Worldwide
Operates secondary market service: Mercari Japan
Offers auction access for gameAuction operator
Worldwide, United States and international
Offers auction access for gameAuction operator
Worldwide, United States and international bidding
Offers auction access for game
Offers auction access for game
Goldin's Pokémon 30th Anniversary auction on October 25, 2026 totaled over $28 million in sales with 18 record prices; a PSA 10 Art Academy Mudkip promo sold for $4.88 million and a PSA 8 1997 Trophy Pikachu for over $3 million.
At the 2026 World Championships in San Francisco, The Pokémon Company International said the 2027 event will be held at Singapore EXPO. It also revealed an animated film, new TCG cards and an upcoming ex★ card series.
Also reported byAvatar Press (Bleeding Cool) (opens the original report)