I think I know why this latest hype surrounding the TCG doesn't feel as organic this time around
During the Pokémon GO craze and the whole Covid frenzy, it wasn't just the TCG that saw a huge surge in interest
>Playing the newest video games
>Collecting the older video games
>Youtubers and streamers reaching record views
>Vintage seeing a massive surge in demand
Meanwhile this time around all Pocket TCG did was stir up a frenzy around the new TCG releases
Popularity for channels dedicated to Pokémon are much lower now than they were a few years ago
No mainstream "influencer" is doing a Nuzlocke or opening sealed product since it's no longer easy views
Pokémon Z-A is drumming up less interest than Pokémon Arceus did
Vintage still is nowhere near its 2021 peak
What is there to this latest boom period for the TCG aside from Pocket players starting to collect and scalpers hoping onto the bandwagon to profit?