An obsessed Pokemon card collector has cornered the market on one particular card from the famous Japanese franchise — sending prices soaring 971% in just weeks.
The man known only as “Kabuto King” has been purchasing every first edition, mint-condition copy of the Pokemon card Kabuto from 1999 — eclipsing over 2,000 of the cards in a zany project that began in August.
In the last month alone, the price for a near mint first-edition card of the common crab-like character has shot through the roof, from as little as $4.39 in early November to an average sale of $42.66 in early December, according to data from popular card vending site TCGPlayer.
At least one of the cards listed for sale on that site on Dec. 10 for a hefty $84.99.
After the antics of Kabuto King became known online, trolls have listed their Kabuto cards on TCGPlayer for exorbitant amounts, including $10,000, $69,420.69, and even as high as $100,000.
If he sold all of his cards at the new average rate, Kabuto King would make $85,320 — a massive profit from the roughly $8,700 invested in the cards.
However, the obsessed collector claimed that he has no intention of selling anytime soon.
“Everyone thinks I’m gonna sell out … you have no idea what’s coming,” Kabuto King wrote on X.
His Kabuto focus has generated lots of buzz in the worldwide Pokemon card collecting community — with the King now boasting more than 33,000 followers on X as he often shares updates of his exploits.
The kooky Kabuto hijinks are even catching the eye of some gridiron greats.
Superstar Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, a noted Pokemon collector, was asked about the price of Kabutos during a media availability this month.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Burrow said after a big laugh.
One supporter was so impressed, they spent $51,000 on a single Kabuto signed by the collector himself, which was sold via eBay.
The proceeds of that shockingly large transaction were donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, according to Kabuto King.
Collectors estimate there are still tens of thousands of Kabuto cards throughout the world.
