YouTuber and wrestler Logan Paul recently concluded a livestream event where he opened a collection of rare Pokémon cards, a gamble that appears to have fallen short of expectations. Paul had spent millions of dollars in pursuit of what he believed to be the first Pokémon cards ever printed, sourced from sticker sheets included in early CoroCoro magazine issues, predating the official trading card game launch in Japan.
However, the premise of these cards being the first ever printed has been contested, with evidence suggesting that earlier cards published by Bandai hold that distinction. This revelation casts doubt on the core marketing narrative surrounding Paul's acquisition.
The livestream, which spanned over four hours, featured the opening of various trading cards, including sports memorabilia. The main event, the Pokémon card opening, was saved for near the end of the broadcast. Paul's attempt to unveil a Jigglypuff card from a sticker sheet immediately encountered difficulties, as the card was deeply adhered to the sheet. Even before separation, it was apparent that the card's centering was off, a critical factor for high-grade collectibles. After a five-minute struggle to free the card, Paul acknowledged the setback, noting that while a PSA 9 grade might be worth around $150,000, he had paid $400,000 for the sheet.
Further attempts to grade a Pikachu CoroCoro card also proved disappointing. This card exhibited imperfect centering and a visible nick. Despite these flaws, Paul declared it a PSA 10 grade during the stream, a claim made after an extended discussion about the card's dimensions.
The event concluded with Paul stating he had "made Pokémon history, theoretically." For many Pokémon fans, however, the outcome represents a significant financial loss and a perceived detriment to the collecting hobby, with Paul's investment yielding assets worth a fraction of their purchase price.