ASIA-PACIFIC TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) MARKET FORECAST 2025-2032

The Asia-Pacific trading card game (TCG) market growth analysis includes a detailed evaluation of China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, and Australia.

Japan remains the global epicentre of the TCG industry, not only as the originator of most major franchises but also as a highly mature market. The country is home to PSA’s only non-U.S. or Canadian grading facility, opened in Tokyo in July 2023, to meet overwhelming domestic and international demand. PSA’s population data reveals over 122,000 slabs for just the 1996 Japanese Base Set which surpasses the entire French-language population across all sets.

Japan’s early access to mainline releases, which arrive 2–3 months before their English counterparts, coupled with chronic scarcity, makes Japanese printings the global price leaders. Booster boxes sell out instantly, often requiring a lottery just to purchase at Pokémon centre Japan. High-stakes “mystery pack” culture through gachapon machines has become mainstream in districts like Akihabara and Ikebukuro, reinforcing a sealed product economy and keeping even low-tier singles moving.

Australia, while lacking the historical foundation of Japan, is quickly emerging as a high-demand market, though it faces unique logistical and operational challenges. The April 2025 policy shift by PSA halted direct submissions from Australia, forcing collectors to rely on third-party forwarders like The Hobby Australia. This has led to delays, bottlenecks, and higher costs. Despite these hurdles, the demand for TCGs and card grading remains High. Events like XL have reached levels comparable to Comic-Con, highlighting the growing community. However, the limited domestic supply has intensified market pressures, leading to an alarming surge in criminal activity.

Melbourne has witnessed a wave of hobby store robberies, 16 reported in just eight months, with thieves stealing up to A$100,000 in some heists. Some shop owners are now considering halting Pokémon card sales or even closing entirely due to security concerns and lack of police response. Despite these issues, both Japan and Australia illustrate the strong regional demand and cultural integration of TCGs. While Japan sets the tone for global pricing and trends, Australia exemplifies both the passion and growing pains of an expanding collector base in a constrained supply environment.

The Asia-Pacific trading card game (TCG) market segmentation includes product type, TCG theme, and retail channel. The retail channel segment is further classified into specialty and hobby stores, superstores, and online.

Specialty and hobby stores play a vital role in the Asia-Pacific trading card game (TCG) market, serving as key retail hubs for both casual players and competitive enthusiasts. These stores offer curated selections of TCG products, including starter decks, booster packs, exclusive releases, and accessories such as card sleeves and playmats. Beyond retail, they often host in-store events, tournaments, and community gatherings, making them central to player engagement and brand loyalty. Markets like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have a particularly strong presence of such stores, where trading card culture is deeply embedded in youth and pop culture.

These retail spaces also function as discovery platforms for new and emerging TCG titles, allowing customers to sample gameplay, receive expert guidance, and connect with fan communities. Unlike mass retailers, specialty and hobby stores often carry region-specific or limited-edition products, which appeal to serious collectors and competitive players. Their role in building local communities and offering personalized service gives them a competitive edge, especially in cities with high player density. As TCG popularity continues to grow across the Asia-Pacific region, specialty and hobby stores are expected to remain a critical channel for both product distribution and brand-driven community development.

Some of the key players in the Asia-Pacific trading card game (TCG) market include Bandai Namco Holdings Inc, Bushiroad Inc, Kayou Inc, Konami Group Corporation, etc.

Bandai Namco Holdings is a major Japanese multinational entertainment conglomerate formed in 2005 through the merger of toy giant Bandai and video game pioneer Namco. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company functions as the strategic management hub for several core operating segments: Toys & Hobby (Bandai, Bandai Spirits), Entertainment (Bandai Namco Entertainment—home to game franchises like Pac‑Man, Tekken, Dark Souls), Amusement (include Namco‑operated arcades and amusement centers), Film & Music Production, and IP Creation. Bandai Namco’s diversified portfolio spans toys, video games, anime, theme parks, and live entertainment.