Mercari Shares Rebound After Pokemon 30th Anniversary Listing Curbs
Mercari shares rose more than 4% on September 18, 2026, rebounding from a selloff triggered by listing restrictions on Pokemon 30th anniversary merchandise announced on September 15 and effective September 16, when the stock closed down 6.4%. The shares gained 1.4% on September 17 and outperformed the Nikkei 225, which rose about 1%. Mercari said the curbs will remain while it cannot ensure a safe, reliable trading environment.
Mercari, the Japanese online second-hand trading platform, saw its shares rise more than 4% on September 18, 2026, extending a rebound after an earlier selloff. The company announced restrictions on listings of Pokemon 30th anniversary-related merchandise on September 15, after which its shares fell. The restrictions took effect on September 16, when the stock closed down 6.4%; on September 17 the shares recovered, closing up 1.4%. On the morning of September 18, the stock outperformed the Nikkei 225, which rose about 1%.
Mercari said the restrictions will remain in place as long as the company determines it cannot ensure a safe and reliable trading environment. Mercari and The Pokemon Company signed an agreement in 2023 to promote safer trading of Pokemon merchandise on its platform; in 2025 the company introduced a policy allowing it to restrict listings when fraud, transaction disputes or sharp price fluctuations threaten platform safety.
The global Pokemon card market continues to heat up. eBay said searches for "Pokemon" on its UK website exceeded 6 million in July 2026. An index compiled by Collectors, which owns card grading agency Professional Sports Authenticator, shows Pokemon card prices have risen 1350% since 2020. In February 2026, internet personality Logan Paul sold a rare Pikachu Illustrator card for more than USD 16 million, having bought it for slightly more than USD 5 million in 2021. New cards can sell out within minutes, with buyers coordinating through X and Discord to learn where purchases are available. In September 2026, a post on X said a Pokemon card sold at auction for USD 2.7 million.