Mercari’s anniversary restrictions leave singles on a separate track

What the restriction covers

In its September 15 report, PokéBeach says Mercari’s temporary measure covers anniversary booster packs, booster boxes and Japan’s equivalent of the First Partner Collections. The publisher reports no fixed end date: Mercari will assess when safe trading conditions permit lifting it.

For a collection built around Pikachu, that distinction is practical. Jungle’s Pikachu, Crown Zenith’s Pikachu and Generations’ Pikachu (Full Art) illustrate a collecting goal defined by individual cards rather than unopened products.

Read the reporting: PokéBeach ↗

Keep the marketplace boundary in view

The reporting concerns Japan’s marketplace. It does not establish a worldwide restriction across every resale service. We could read PokéBeach’s article, but Mercari’s linked announcement was inaccessible during our checks.

Before placing an order, check the rules on the service you actually use and establish whether the listing is for an individual card or a sealed product. If a listing disappears, that alone cannot tell you how many copies exist or what another seller should charge.

Read the reporting: PokéBeach ↗

Three Pikachu cards, three reference points

Our latest card snapshot, dated September 16, puts Pikachu 60/64 from Jungle at $25.67, Pikachu GG30/GG70 from Crown Zenith at $44.72, and Pikachu (Full Art) RC29/RC32 from Generations at $158.98.

These are card-market estimates, not available offers or guaranteed checkout prices. Together they total $229.37. The Jungle and Crown Zenith pair totals $70.39, giving someone considering all three a concrete way to divide the project into stages.

Each set contributes a separately identified card to the same Pokémon collection. The price spread describes this snapshot; it does not establish differences in demand, condition or availability.

Decide what you want to receive

Write down whether the next purchase is meant to add a specific Pikachu or provide an opening experience. A named single makes the intended addition explicit; a sealed purchase serves a different collecting activity.

For the three-card project, record each set and number beside an acceptable total purchase cost, including shipping and tax. Then compare actual offers against that list. A marketplace restriction can change where a purchase is possible without changing which card belongs in your collection.