Jirachi Card Prices Surge Following Pokémon 30th Anniversary Tribute After Loss

For those involved in the buying and selling of Pokémon cards, the time right after a new set drops can be quite hectic. Prices for illustration cards tend to fluctuate wildly, usually trending downward. However, the recent release of the Pokémon 30th Anniversary trading card set has seen one surprising exception: the average asking price for the Jirachi ex Special Illustration Rare card has nearly doubled in just a few days.

The reason behind this surge is a tragic one. Earlier in September, the Pokémon community mourned the loss of 12-year-old influencer Avery The Poke Kid, who passed away after a long battle with cancer. Avery’s infectious positivity, even in the face of adversity, made him a cherished figure among fans. He often shared messages encouraging others to appreciate their cards, regardless of their worth, and emphasized the importance of living life to the fullest, all while undergoing chemotherapy and surgeries.

Before his passing on September 18, Avery’s parents recorded a touching final video of him opening one last Pokémon pack. To his joy, the final pack contained the Jirachi ex #155 card, illustrated by Akira Egawa. This bittersweet moment quickly went viral, largely due to the significance of the card he pulled.

Jirachi, a legendary Pokémon from Ruby and Sapphire, is known for granting wishes. According to its Pokédex entries, this Metal/Psychic Pokémon sleeps for a thousand years, awakening for just one week to fulfill three wishes before returning to slumber. Legend has it that Jirachi can be awakened by those with pure hearts.

This connection made Jirachi a poignant final pull for Avery. The story gained traction, fueled by a heartfelt response from card artist Akira Egawa, leading to increased awareness of the card. Demand surged on platforms like TCGPlayer and eBay.

On September 17, just a day after the 30th Anniversary set launched, the Jirachi card was priced at around $81. By September 23, following Avery’s passing, that price skyrocketed to approximately $118, marking a 45% increase. Some Jirachi cards on TCGPlayer have even sold for between $140 and $198, depending on their condition and centering.

While price fluctuations are often hard to pinpoint, many fans attribute this sudden interest in the card to Avery. Numerous individuals have stated they purchased the card in his honor, referring to it as Avery’s Jirachi.

However, the price surge has not been without its downsides. In a particularly distasteful incident, an eBay seller attempted to capitalize on Avery’s name by listing the Jirachi card for an outrageous $20,000, though the listing has since been removed.

“Avery possessed a rare generosity of spirit,” his obituary states. “He gave cards and gifts to other children, brought happiness into hospital rooms, and used his own journey to bring hope to families facing their own challenges. He never wanted the world to feel sorry for him; he wanted everyone to share in his joy.”

In a related note, a Canadian youth has become the first to discover a fully golden ‘God Pack.’