SODA Reports Counterfeit Pokémon Cards, Boxes, and Plush Toys Ahead of 30th Anniversary
The counterfeit problem has moved past single cards into sealed boxes, plush toys, and the appraisal seals meant to settle authenticity, so buyers have fewer reliable signals to trust.
Reporting from 1 source: ASCII.jp.
SODA, which runs the authenticated marketplace SNKRDUNK, published a trend report on September 17 covering counterfeit Pokémon Trading Card Game products. The report describes fake cards, re-shrink boxes with altered outer film, counterfeit Beginning Pikachu plush toys, and forged Snidan appraisal seals. Snidan card transactions from January to August 2026 were roughly ten times the same period in 2024.
SODA runs the authenticated marketplace SNKRDUNK and its Snidan Appraisal Laboratory, established in July 2025 and equipped with X-ray transmission equipment, infrared cameras, UV lights, and microscopes.
The report covers specific fake items: Mew ex FUR and Mewtwo ex FUR from the 30th CELEBRATION product, where color tone, surface embossing, and the Energy design differ from genuine versions; Umbreon ex SAR, where background color reproduction and text sharpness differ; Mega Gengar ex SAR; and MEGA Dream ex boxes, which react differently under UV light. Counterfeit Beginning Pikachu plush toys differ in overall form, part shapes, tag color tone, and UV reaction.
SODA states that the appraisals are its own and that the report is not an official investigation or announcement by The Pokémon Company.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.