Logan Paul spent July building anticipation for a livestream centred on a rare Pokémon card reveal. When the event finally arrived, the result fell well short of the outcome he wanted.
Earlier in the month, Paul said he had spent millions chasing some of the earliest Pokémon cards ever printed. His focus was a group of cards distributed with CoroCoro magazine in Japan one week before the official Pokémon Trading Card Game launch. The cards were printed on sticker sheets and had to be peeled away individually.
That claim came with an important qualification: the CoroCoro cards are not actually the first Pokémon cards ever produced. An earlier Bandai release holds that distinction, making the marketing around Paul’s purchase considerably less straightforward.
Paul had one final sticker sheet to open during the livestream. His goal was to uncover a card worthy of the highest possible PSA grade, a 10. Since stronger grades generally command higher prices, the condition of each card was central to the gamble.
The broadcast lasted four and a half hours and included various other collectibles, including sports cards. Paul saved the main Pokémon reveal for near the end, after thousands of viewers had waited through the rest of the event.
Condition problems appeared immediately
The first card was Jigglypuff, and it was firmly attached to the sticker sheet. Paul spent about five minutes attempting to separate it. Even before the card came free, its off-centre printing made a PSA 10 impossible.
Speaking to an audience of 31,000 live viewers, Paul acknowledged the risk: “Sometimes, when you take a big swing, you miss big, bro.” He suggested that a PSA 9 could still be worth approximately $150,000, although he had reportedly paid $400,000 to acquire the card.
The second reveal was a Pikachu CoroCoro card. It also suffered from imperfect centring and had a visible nick. Paul spent almost 10 minutes discussing the card’s dimensions before concluding that it should nevertheless receive a PSA 10, despite the damage and uneven layout.
A costly result for a high-profile collection
Paul closed the stream by saying he had “made Pokémon history, theoretically”. The outcome instead highlighted the risks of paying a premium for condition-sensitive collectibles before their grading is confirmed.
Critics argue that the purchases helped inflate Pokémon card prices and contributed to problems within the hobby. The reaction from some Pokémon fans has been severe, with critics already eating him alive.
For readers interested in collectible gaming culture beyond trading cards, the RETROCADE arcade blog covers arcade news and retro-gaming topics. Those considering a dedicated home setup can also compare arcade machines or review the arcade machine buying guide before choosing a cabinet.
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