Core Insights - The opening of the first official Pokémon trading card venue in Beijing has attracted significant consumer interest, with long queues observed even days after the launch [1][2] - The popularity of trading cards is expanding beyond traditional demographics, appealing to a wider audience including families and couples [1][2] - The capital market is responding positively to the trading card trend, with companies like Kai Zhi Le International seeing stock price surges following partnerships with Pokémon [2][5] Market Dynamics - The trading card market in China is projected to reach approximately 26.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 56.6% from 2019 to 2024 [7] - The market is currently dominated by game and cultural IPs, with significant growth potential due to low per capita spending compared to markets like the US and Japan [7][8] - The trading card industry is heavily reliant on IP, which can lead to volatility in company valuations based on the lifecycle and popularity of specific IPs [5][6] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly willing to spend large amounts on trading cards, with limited edition cards and exclusive events driving demand [3][4] - The Pokémon brand has a strong fan base and brand influence, which translates into consumer purchasing behavior and willingness to pay premium prices [2][3] - The current consumer demographic is primarily young adults and teenagers, with a focus on both entertainment and investment aspects of trading cards [12] Investment Trends - The trading card market is beginning to show signs of becoming a financial asset class, with trends in secondary markets indicating significant appreciation in card values [8][9] - The establishment of authoritative rating agencies and standardized auction platforms could accelerate the financialization of the domestic trading card market [12] - The potential for trading cards to serve as investment collectibles is growing, with notable sales in the secondary market reflecting high demand for rare cards [8][9]