A new line-up of Dream Figure Collections has been revealed for China, with the Eevee & Friends: Dream-Illustrating Collection releasing next month. Featuring common Eeveelution cards from Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions and combined with a figure matching the artwork, this is just another example of how China has some of the most exciting Pokémon TCG products right now.
Like previous Dream Figure collections, it emulates the traditional Pokémon TCG chase by having a secret option - this time it’s the sleeping Eevee promo from Prismatic’s ETB. They’re effectively premium display pieces, and it’s the same concept used for the Water and 151 collections that came before.
Chinese collectors are a little behind on Pokémon sets from the English and Japanese release schedule. While we’re actively waiting for 30th Celebration and Delta Reign, Chasing Glory Together was China’s most recent set, which combines Journey Together and Destined Rivals. However, to make up for this delay, China continues to get exclusive products that make me envious. I’m not afraid to admit I’m jealous.
China has gone from being behind on expansions to having some of the most interesting and experimental exclusives. Admittedly, they’re still behind, but a variety of unique and original cards, alongside products like the Dream Figures (which cost roughly $15) are more than enough to make up for the delay. China isn’t replacing the global releases; it’s getting those as well as entirely original products.
Rather than simply reprinting existing cards, Gem Packs introduced exclusive Illustration Rares that have become some of the most sought-after modern Chinese exclusives. The Pikachu hiding from Gengar, the loving Cubone cards, and more have all shot up in value recently in the West, but these are just a couple of examples that China has that we don’t.
Simplified Chinese cards have the same high quality as the Japanese ones, with an exclusive security stamp that makes counterfeits harder to produce, and best of all, they have transparency about the odds of getting an SIR equivalent. That’s something that booster packs worldwide should offer - having pull rates printed directly on booster packs would give collectors realistic expectations before they buy.
English and Japanese cards still dominate resale value, but value isn’t the only thing that makes a market exciting. Between original artwork, premium presentation, transparent pull rates, and products like the Dream Figure collections, China has become the Pokémon TCG market experimenting with ideas I’d love to see adopted worldwide.
Do you own any Chinese Pokémon cards? Or perhaps the Eevee figures will be the first of many in your collection. Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to sign up to our Kanto Post newsletter above.
