Collector Nation: The Next Collectibles Boom Won’t Look Like the Last One and THIS is Why | Shivam Patel

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Ryan Alford
Guest: Shivam Patel (Content Creator, Collector, Social Media Storyteller)

Overview

In this episode of Collector Nation, host Ryan Alford sits down with renowned collector and content creator Shivam Patel. Together, they explore the rapidly changing landscape of collectibles—from trading cards and Pokémon, to the emerging impact of anime and digital tools. The conversation candidly dissects the current "boom" in collectibles, why this cycle is distinct from the last, how technology is reshaping the hobby, and what savvy collectors and investors should be thinking about as the next wave unfolds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Collectibles Market

Both Ryan and Shivam agree that the current collectibles boom feels more "organic" than the explosive and short-lived spike during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Institutional money, cultural celebrities, and mainstream attention continue to pour into the space, solidifying it as a long-term market rather than a fleeting trend.

Quote:
"This one feels a lot more organic...2020, you have Covid...everything just spiked tremendously...and then it just came down almost just as quick."
—Shivam Patel (04:12)

There's ongoing debate about whether trading cards should be considered "art" or legitimate assets, but both hosts stress how deeply scarcity and collectibility are rooted in human behavior.

2. Technology & Innovation in the Hobby

Traditionalists with pad and paper coexist with tech-forward collectors who leverage apps and scanning tools.
Modern collection management apps (Card Ladder, Ludx, Collector, etc.) are praised for making the hobby more accessible and organized.

Quote:
"If it's additive to a space or if it's additive to something, then that's always a good thing, as long as it's not subtractive." —Shivam Patel (07:53)

The democratization of information has resulted in nearly all participants being "dealers" with access to real-time data, which flattens the playing field but introduces new challenges for margin.

3. The Pokémon Market: Health, Scarcity, and Scalping

Pokémon remains robust, but scarcity fluctuates based on production. When printing doesn’t meet demand, value increases.
Recent expansion—like the new printing facility in North Carolina—could bring more access, but scarcity and the thrill of the hunt remain critical to the brand’s allure.
Shivam gives a nuanced take on reselling ("scalping"), citing economic pressures and brand strategy:

Quote:
"These corporations such as the Pokémon Company International, they love scalpers...because scalping is a direct indication of demand and value behind their brand." —Shivam Patel (12:16)

Scarcity (even if artificial) is what drives true collectability and brand equity.
Example given: XY Evolutions (printed to overcapacity in 2016–2019, then soared in value during the 2020 boom).

4. Global Perspective on Collectibles

The appetite for collectibles is global—especially strong in Japan, Singapore, and China.
Cultural differences reflect in valuation, but high-end vintage and supply/demand cycles exist everywhere.
Social media, especially Instagram, acts as a catalyst for international deals and exposure.

5. Advice for New Collectors and Content Creators

Put in your "10,000 hours": Watch, learn, ask questions, and stay open-minded.
Risk tolerance and passion should guide your collecting; don’t be seduced solely by hype.
Opening packs is entertainment and should be understood as such—more about experience than guaranteed profit.

Quote:
"There’s just like, no right way to collect." —Shivam Patel (24:40)

Buying singles or key pieces can be more financially sound than gambling on packs.
Content creation in collectibles should offer educational or community-focused value rather than just "ripping packs."

6. Where’s the Next Boom? Shivam’s Insider Perspective

Look where others aren’t—items with multiple layers of collectibility or those difficult even for dedicated collectors to obtain.
Memorabilia, animation cels (hand-drawn frames from anime), and artist sketches from iconic properties are underappreciated.

Quote:
"If it's very difficult for the average individual to collect, or if it's difficult for a collector to collect, that's kind of like something to pay attention to." —Shivam Patel (32:19)

Anime is flagged as an under-tapped collectible sector, citing massive cultural significance and parallels with how art is valued by new generations.
Yu-Gi-Oh! and One Piece are called out as franchises to watch, especially sealed or first-edition products—if the trading card line lasts five or more sets, it’s worth taking seriously.

Timestamp:
Discussion of anime/animation cels as future collectibles: 34:46 – 37:31
One Piece/Trading Card Game longevity metric: 40:08 – 41:47

7. Platform Preferences & Community Building

Shivam focuses on Instagram and YouTube for community and content, finding less value in TikTok’s transient engagement.
Social platforms play a crucial role in modern collecting for both buying/selling and connecting with the broader community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Scalpers and Demand:
"If everyone could get the same thing, then there's really no value behind, you know, that specific item or that brand. It kind of dilutes the brand."
—Shivam Patel (12:16)
On Pack Opening as Entertainment:
"Pack opening is entertainment...I know that that sounds like what a no shit thing to say, but I don't know that we talk about it enough like that."
—Ryan Alford (23:25)
On Future of Collectibles:
"Look where no one else is looking and apply the logic of whether or not that item has multiple layers of collectibility."
—Shivam Patel (32:19)
On Anime as the Next Boom:
"...animation cells and sketches...stuff like that is becoming hard and hard to come by...as a collector, to be able to own a piece of an episode that was very, very momentous and influential, that's what people are missing out on."
—Shivam Patel (34:46)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

State of Collectibles Market: 02:34–04:50
Technology & Innovation in Collectibles: 06:24–09:45
Scarcity and Pokémon’s Brand Strategy: 10:40–14:33
Advice for New Collectors: 21:08–24:40
Pack Opening as Entertainment: 23:25–25:39
International Collecting Trends: 25:57–30:00
Insider Investment Tips & What’s Next: 32:19–39:00
The Significance of Anime and Original Art: 34:46–37:31
Trading Card Game Longevity (One Piece, etc.): 40:08–42:13
Social Media Platforms & Collector Community: 43:48–44:58

Conclusion

This episode provides a holistic, expert-led breakdown of the present and future of the collectibles hobby, emphasizing the importance of scarcity, technological adaptation, and a global perspective. Shivam Patel’s advice underscores the value of seeking out the overlooked or “hard to collect” layers within the hobby, and he strongly champions anime-related art as a rising star in the next collectibles boom. Both speakers relay the enduring point: collect for the joy and the story, not just the price tag.

Where to Find Shivam Patel

Instagram: @notshivam
YouTube: @itsvaulted

Collector Nation/Host

Website: collectornation.com
Instagram: @RyanAlford

Collector Nation: The Next Collectibles Boom Won’t Look Like the Last One and THIS is Why | Shivam Patel

Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Ryan Alford
Guest: Shivam Patel (Content Creator, Collector, Social Media Storyteller)

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Collectibles Market

Both Ryan and Shivam agree that the current collectibles boom feels more "organic" than the explosive and short-lived spike during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Institutional money, cultural celebrities, and mainstream attention continue to pour into the space, solidifying it as a long-term market rather than a fleeting trend.

Quote:
"This one feels a lot more organic...2020, you have Covid...everything just spiked tremendously...and then it just came down almost just as quick."
—Shivam Patel (04:12)

There's ongoing debate about whether trading cards should be considered "art" or legitimate assets, but both hosts stress how deeply scarcity and collectibility are rooted in human behavior.

2. Technology & Innovation in the Hobby

Traditionalists with pad and paper coexist with tech-forward collectors who leverage apps and scanning tools.
Modern collection management apps (Card Ladder, Ludx, Collector, etc.) are praised for making the hobby more accessible and organized.

Quote:
"If it's additive to a space or if it's additive to something, then that's always a good thing, as long as it's not subtractive." —Shivam Patel (07:53)

The democratization of information has resulted in nearly all participants being "dealers" with access to real-time data, which flattens the playing field but introduces new challenges for margin.

3. The Pokémon Market: Health, Scarcity, and Scalping

Pokémon remains robust, but scarcity fluctuates based on production. When printing doesn’t meet demand, value increases.
Recent expansion—like the new printing facility in North Carolina—could bring more access, but scarcity and the thrill of the hunt remain critical to the brand’s allure.
Shivam gives a nuanced take on reselling ("scalping"), citing economic pressures and brand strategy:

Quote:
"These corporations such as the Pokémon Company International, they love scalpers...because scalping is a direct indication of demand and value behind their brand." —Shivam Patel (12:16)

Scarcity (even if artificial) is what drives true collectability and brand equity.
Example given: XY Evolutions (printed to overcapacity in 2016–2019, then soared in value during the 2020 boom).

4. Global Perspective on Collectibles

The appetite for collectibles is global—especially strong in Japan, Singapore, and China.
Cultural differences reflect in valuation, but high-end vintage and supply/demand cycles exist everywhere.
Social media, especially Instagram, acts as a catalyst for international deals and exposure.

5. Advice for New Collectors and Content Creators

Put in your "10,000 hours": Watch, learn, ask questions, and stay open-minded.
Risk tolerance and passion should guide your collecting; don’t be seduced solely by hype.
Opening packs is entertainment and should be understood as such—more about experience than guaranteed profit.

Quote:
"There’s just like, no right way to collect." —Shivam Patel (24:40)

Buying singles or key pieces can be more financially sound than gambling on packs.
Content creation in collectibles should offer educational or community-focused value rather than just "ripping packs."

6. Where’s the Next Boom? Shivam’s Insider Perspective

Look where others aren’t—items with multiple layers of collectibility or those difficult even for dedicated collectors to obtain.
Memorabilia, animation cels (hand-drawn frames from anime), and artist sketches from iconic properties are underappreciated.

Quote:
"If it's very difficult for the average individual to collect, or if it's difficult for a collector to collect, that's kind of like something to pay attention to." —Shivam Patel (32:19)

Anime is flagged as an under-tapped collectible sector, citing massive cultural significance and parallels with how art is valued by new generations.
Yu-Gi-Oh! and One Piece are called out as franchises to watch, especially sealed or first-edition products—if the trading card line lasts five or more sets, it’s worth taking seriously.

Timestamp:
Discussion of anime/animation cels as future collectibles: 34:46 – 37:31
One Piece/Trading Card Game longevity metric: 40:08 – 41:47

7. Platform Preferences & Community Building

Shivam focuses on Instagram and YouTube for community and content, finding less value in TikTok’s transient engagement.
Social platforms play a crucial role in modern collecting for both buying/selling and connecting with the broader community.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Scalpers and Demand:
"If everyone could get the same thing, then there's really no value behind, you know, that specific item or that brand. It kind of dilutes the brand."
—Shivam Patel (12:16)
On Pack Opening as Entertainment:
"Pack opening is entertainment...I know that that sounds like what a no shit thing to say, but I don't know that we talk about it enough like that."
—Ryan Alford (23:25)
On Future of Collectibles:
"Look where no one else is looking and apply the logic of whether or not that item has multiple layers of collectibility."
—Shivam Patel (32:19)
On Anime as the Next Boom:
"...animation cells and sketches...stuff like that is becoming hard and hard to come by...as a collector, to be able to own a piece of an episode that was very, very momentous and influential, that's what people are missing out on."
—Shivam Patel (34:46)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

State of Collectibles Market: 02:34–04:50
Technology & Innovation in Collectibles: 06:24–09:45
Scarcity and Pokémon’s Brand Strategy: 10:40–14:33
Advice for New Collectors: 21:08–24:40
Pack Opening as Entertainment: 23:25–25:39
International Collecting Trends: 25:57–30:00
Insider Investment Tips & What’s Next: 32:19–39:00
The Significance of Anime and Original Art: 34:46–37:31
Trading Card Game Longevity (One Piece, etc.): 40:08–42:13
Social Media Platforms & Collector Community: 43:48–44:58

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The Next Collectibles Boom Won’t Look Like the Last One and THIS is Why | Shivam Patel

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Summary

Collector Nation: The Next Collectibles Boom Won’t Look Like the Last One and THIS is Why | Shivam Patel

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Collectibles Market

2. Technology & Innovation in the Hobby

3. The Pokémon Market: Health, Scarcity, and Scalping

4. Global Perspective on Collectibles

5. Advice for New Collectors and Content Creators

6. Where’s the Next Boom? Shivam’s Insider Perspective

7. Platform Preferences & Community Building

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion

Where to Find Shivam Patel

Collector Nation/Host

Summary

Collector Nation: The Next Collectibles Boom Won’t Look Like the Last One and THIS is Why | Shivam Patel

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of the Collectibles Market

2. Technology & Innovation in the Hobby

3. The Pokémon Market: Health, Scarcity, and Scalping

4. Global Perspective on Collectibles

5. Advice for New Collectors and Content Creators

6. Where’s the Next Boom? Shivam’s Insider Perspective

7. Platform Preferences & Community Building

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Conclusion

Where to Find Shivam Patel

Collector Nation/Host