Hundreds of Pokemon fans queued in Norwich this morning to purchase a special set of cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise. This collection of Pokemon trading cards, recently put on sale, has raised great hopes for collectors.
Long queues in Norwich
Many Pokemon fans stood in line for hours to obtain valuable cards, with some even camping outside stores the night before. These cards quickly sold out at various stores such as HMV and Game in Chantry Place shopping center in Norwich. One fan named James, who was in line at 5 AM, expressed hope of getting an Elite Trainer Box (ETB). He said, "This box includes nine packs, and I have a good chance of finding a good card."
Interest and nostalgia
Meanwhile, Daniel, another fan, camped outside the shopping center from 1:30 AM to increase his chances of obtaining his favorite card, known as "Treekachu," which can be worth over £700. He said, "I hope to get an ETB." In Leeds, Pokemon fans were also seen in long queues outside the Travelling Man store, with some bringing camping chairs to wait for the store doors to open at 10 AM.
The manager of the Travelling Man store in Leeds, Khalid Morton, stated, "A significant number of cards are available, so I expect them to sell out in the first few hours." He also noted that nostalgia and memories of the past play a significant role in attracting older collectors to these cards. He said, "Currently, the secondary market for these cards is very hot."
In Sheffield, the Forbidden Planet store was so crowded that staff had to implement a one-in, one-out system. Daniel Lyles, who was managing the queue and wearing a Pokemon hat, said fans had been waiting since 7 AM. In the French town of Flers-en-Escrebieux, hundreds queued outside a Smyths store to buy these cards.
Pokemon began in 1996 as a game for the Nintendo Game Boy console in Japan, and that same year, the Pokemon trading card game was launched. Now, after three decades, this franchise has become a global phenomenon, and collectors are on the lookout for cards they can sell.
