SODA
SODA, which operates the authenticated marketplace "SNKRDUNK (SuniDan)," announced on September 17th that it has released a trend report on counterfeit Pokémon Card Game and related Pokémon products, based on its own transaction and authenticity appraisal data. They have confirmed not only counterfeit cards, but also unopened boxes, plush toys, and even the forgery and imitation of authentication stickers used on appraised products.
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the birth of "Pokémon," and also the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon Card Game's release. With a succession of commemorative and limited-edition products, including cards, merchandise, and apparel, the collector's market is heating up.
According to SODA, the number of Pokémon card transactions on SuniDan from January to August 2026 has increased approximately tenfold compared to January to August 2024.
Behind this popularity, counterfeits are becoming a growing concern. At the company's "SuniDan Appraisal Lab," in addition to products that imitate the cards themselves, they have confirmed so-called "re-shrinked items," which are products with altered outer films to make them appear as unopened boxes.
For "Mew ex FUR" and "Mewtwo ex FUR," included in the 30th-anniversary product "30th CELEBRATION," differences in color tone and surface relief processing were observed between genuine and counterfeit items. Regarding the energy section, while genuine products feature a special design exclusive to FUR, the confirmed counterfeits used a standard design.
Some differences are difficult to discern with the naked eye alone. SODA states that inspections using infrared cameras and UV lights revealed differences in reactions between genuine and counterfeit products. Aspects that cannot be fully replicated, such as printing and surface processing, even if the appearance is similar, serve as clues for authentication.
For "Umbreon ex SAR," differences were found in the accuracy of background color reproduction, the three-dimensional feel of the relief, and the clarity of the text. For "Mega Gengar ex SAR," differences were also confirmed in the illustration's outline, contrast, text bleeding, and surface processing.
The target of counterfeiting extends to boxes as well. For the "MEGA Dream ex" box, differences from genuine products were confirmed not only in the printing quality of logos and text but also in their reaction when exposed to UV light.
Counterfeit "Hajimari no Pikachu" plush toys have also been confirmed. Differences were found from genuine products in the overall form and shape of parts, as well as in the color tone, printing specifications of the product tag, and reaction to UV light.
Furthermore, methods of impersonating the company's "authenticated" status have also been confirmed. According to SODA, cases have been confirmed where the authentication stickers themselves, affixed to SuniDan's authenticated products, have been forged or imitated. They state that it is necessary to check the design, specifications, and placement of the sticker, rather than judging solely on the presence of a sticker.
SODA established the "SuniDan Appraisal Lab" in July 2025, and analyzes counterfeit products using X-ray transmission devices, infrared cameras, UV lights, microscopes, and more. However, all of these authenticity appraisals are proprietary to the company, and this report is not an official investigation or announcement by The Pokémon Company.
