Update Log
*24 Febuary 2024 - overhaul of thread format, collapsing all sections into one post, adding table of contents and adding new cards into collection.
*9 January 2024 - new cards in collection and rearranging cards into respective sections
*17 November 2023 - added new Classics cards and Sabrina’s Gengar
*22 October 2023 - added new Raging Surf cards
*17 September 2023 - added final card to Pokemon 151 section (considered complete), new cards in collection + reorganizing sections and added Fire type section
*28 July 2023 - placed 151 set images at slideshow format, thanks to @muk for the tutorial!
26 July 2023 - new cards in collection, new Pokemon 151 section
10 April 2023 - new cards in collection, reorg of certain cards to new sections
Hello all! Mada0 here, was inspired by many other collectors who have created threads to showcase their collections and finally sitting down to do my own! I am a binder kinda guy, and focus purely on JP cards. I like shiny holo things and have a particular love for eye-catching artwork, so that is the makeup of my collection! I’ll update this post as my collection grows, thank you in advance for viewing!
Feel free to leave a comment if you have questions or want to chat about anything! If you are interested, here is my technical catalogue for my collection, and there’s also some statistical breakdowns if you are into that kinda stuff 
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For mobile users, you can access quicklinks to the various sections in the dropdown below!
Quicklinks
Favourite Pokemon
Starter Trios
Daily Life
Legendaries
Aviary
Adorable
Evolutions
Psychic
Electric
Water
Fire
Grass
Dark
Fighting
Dragon
Misc
Pokemon 151
Onto the collection!
Favourite pokemon
Gengar Section
My favourite pokemon deserves to head the collection!
^Look at that orb /chef’s kiss
^My dream is that one day a holo version with a spot UV on the moon is printed
^Even in the early days, there were concepts of texturing on the cards, the paint texture really blends with the cosmos holo pattern!
^One of my favourites, such a cheeky pose!
^Better believe we have a Baba Gengar in the collection!
^I always wondered if this artwork features a shiny Gengar haha
^This card reminds me of the Gengar in this picture book that I have called ピカチュウと よるのたんけん (Pikachu’s Night-time Exploration), it’s incredibly cute. Book is illustrated by まつおりかこ (Matsuo Rikako)
^I admit I debated a long time on whether to get this card because it’s quite pricey for a non-holo, but the art is too good.
^Sometimes I tell myself it kinda looks like a holo even though its not.
^I was very sad when initially this artwork was on a EN card and had no JP release at the time. Luckily I didn’t get one and it eventually released in VStar Universe!
^This artwork is REALLY growing on me, super dynamic
^I finally got this card after putting it off for so long. I always felt kinda meh about it, though it has interesting history what with the JP art being censored for other releases. I don’t know why but I just kept thinking about it and I caved and bought a copy. Also look at him holding his orb???
^I know this isn’t a Gengar card, but it deserves a spot in here no?
^Likewise for this card, I mean Morty definitely means Gengar.
Bonuses
I know these are Tag teams with Mimikyu (another favourite pokemon), but hey it still has Gengar.
Mimikyu Section
Second favourite pokemon!
Rotom Section
I just felt like the artworks for Rotom and its forms told a very interesting story, PLUS it happened that the holo finishes match for most of them. So I have collected as 2 sets by mixing cards.
Categorized Collections
Starter Trios Section
I actually like the Hoenn starters best, and so it began with wanting a Sceptile holo, then I went okay, I like Blaziken too, then I might as well have Swampert. Then if I have those I guess I’ll get the Kanto ones…and yea you get the drift.
^I really enjoy Chiaki’s art, you’ll see a fair bit in my collection
^look at all the holo - spirals, orion’s belts, orbs!!!
^This is the only Charizard I bought on purpose, the rest were either from packs or books.
^This was from the artbook, I wanted to sell it off mint in wrapper at first but was being lowballed all the time so I broke it open and its now in my album forever.
^I really do enjoy looking at this card, it reminds me of a nature documentary
Daily Life Section
This part of the collection began when I saw ポケモン育て屋夫婦 (Pokemon Day Care Couple House). Then I set out to get as many cards that had similar slice-of-life artwork as possible!
^The card that started it all, it’s really beautiful and serene…
^I enjoy this artwork as it really shows that the Professors do have work beyond their labs, they go out into the field and do research!
^One day I might get the Hoothoot AR artwork…one day…
^And that day has come!
^I appreciate how they didn’t assign twin pokemon to the kids, it shows they have individual personality.
^I just feel like the full art slaps harder
^It’s us isn’t it lol
^You know the level of trust is there when you let a flaming pokemon near the books in your library
^It really looks like the trainer took a photo of their Fletchinder while camping
^just had to add these two into my collection, they even match their trainers!
^There needs to be a game focused on pokemon and people helping each in the city/wild.
Legendaries Section
You know that feeling when you were playing the games and you were chasing the legendaries, well this is something like that.
^Also gotten from a pack, but can’t complain!
^The holo really blends into the artwork and makes the pokemon pop!
^Nice to have paired artwork in the 25th anniversary, also lovely foil treatment.
^Also love these ukyio-e/woodcut type artworks
^The finish on these Legend cards is quite stunning. Lot’s of foil on this pair! Ironically it is so bright in person it obscures the cosmos which you see here.
^This card is VERY pretty in person, lots of textures!
^Lot’s of cosmos holo on this pair in person but conversely the foil obscures the cosmos in the scan!
^Another paired artwork for the 25th anniversary, loving the woodcut effect!
Aviary Section
I have a dedicated section in my binder filled with bird-types, no particular reason just out of convenience. Cool art still!
^I always feel like in a pokemon-world setting this could be in a bathhouse as a wall mural
^The holo treatment really makes the sunlight pop in this artwork
^I hope the moving service didn’t lay off the Doduo lol
^Looks like an elderly person taking a walk in a garden
Adorable Section
This section is dedicated to artwork that is cute and doesn’t sit in the other categories, so they are in a standalone section.
^My favourite is the one in the middle that fell over in the snow.
^I didn’t buy this card, came in a pack but I do like the homely vibes so I kept it.
^Another card I didn’t buy but kept in my collection since it’s cute.
^Parking this here because why not?
^My favourite is the sleepy one.
Evolutions Section
I rarely purchase cards just because I want to complete the evolution, so most of them are just coincidentally “complete” in that sense - some are not but I am okay with it haha. I have my own canon for which card evolves to which, so they are displayed in that order! I’ll describe some of them but leave some to your imagination for the pairings 
. As of the September update I have also moved most cards over to the various type sections! For now only keeping evolution lines which have type changes across the line.
^You can’t really see it, but there IS a holo pattern on this card.
^Got this while searching for reverse holos, bonus, it has the same Art Director as the Scizor card in my collection!
^I really love this artwork, it is super-dynamic and narrative especially when read with the flavour text.
Pokemon Types
Psychic Section
^A little bit ominous but at the same time also kind of peaceful?
^I caved in.
^One day I might cave to nostalgia and get the EX Sandstorm Dusclops and Duskull.
^I just love this artwork so much, the Haunter looks so mischevious! It also really reminds me of this old mascot that used to appear on some candy…if I remember it I will edit this!
^My wife says it looks like it’s taking a dump. I thought it was just stressed out by the tiny worm. What do you think?
Electric Section
Most of this category started off from me chasing the old school cosmo holo cards - there just happens to be more electric types that had such amazing artwork!
^I like to imagine this Electrode is intimidating Giovanni.
^I did not know this card was textured until I got it, so that was a big bonus! I do like the design of Charjabug so definitely was a successful chase for me.
^One of my favourite pokes from the Sword Shield era, so this full art really shows the punk rocker aspect!
^Here’s a pro-tip for you Marnie fans, this is a great affordable way to get somewhat full-art Marnie artwork that is super interesting!
^Newly acquired in September 2023, I think it looks as mischevious as the Dark Raichu so it’s the perfect pair. Also, it has an Orion’s belt (credits to the term by @xileets) lined up on the left and mini-orb in the paw as well, matches the Dark Raichu!
^Yes, I wanted Dark Raichu, and luckily it also has a conveniently placed orb. I like to think that the happy Pikachu above evolved and just became somewhat mischevious. It definitely was mischevious all along!
^I took a long time to decide which Pikachu to pair with the Raichu I wanted below. I contemplated on getting one by Atsuko Nishida but the only artwork I like was the Summer Vacation promo which is well…not the easiest to get. So I decided to go against the norm and pick another artist, relatively uncommon, and chose this! I like how it’s enjoying the berries so it’s a really happy card. Now I have another pikachu, headcanon is this happy one evolved into the Aiolian Raichu…
^…and became a surfer poke!
^This art is quite special since it is a cameo, can you figure out where? Also it’s a beautiful holo.
^This duo is somewhat iconic to me at this point, and while I didn’t buy the card cause it just came in a pack, I kept it cause it’s still dynamic and interesting.
^The holo in person makes it look like it’s glowing, really slick
Water Section
^Look at how happy the little fella is!
^If you have played the new Pokemon Snap, you will know how cute this is in motion.
^The moment I saw the announcement for this artwork winning runner-up and getting a card I HAD to get it. I hope Taiga illustrates more cards in future!
^This alt art was the chase for me, so I bought it when I didn’t pull it from the packs lol.
^Another extremely dynamic artwork and the cosmos holo makes it look like bubbles.
^Actually at this point you might notice I have quite a few cards which have this slice-of-life theme going on, I really like it a lot. Side note, I contemplated on the Machamp for a long time - you know which one, but decided against it.
^Bought this as a pair with the Arita Gyarados, really glad to have found both!
^I wanted this card first, the holo is just so unique! Then I found there was a cosmos holo Froslass as well, and I chanced upon the cute Komiya artwork Snorunt so I just caved and bought the Pokekyun Snorunt to round off 2 evo pairs.
^I always wanted this card but without the holo I wasn’t a fan of the background colors, with holo though…it’s perfect
^City slicker
^Country bumpkin (also the city is in the background)
Fire Section
^The reverse mirror holo really makes the artwork pop like it’s holographic even though it isn’t.
^I get reminded of cooking battle anime when I see this artwork. Anyway, I got it on a recent holo-finding spree since it is meant to be in a pair with the Saito art Arcanine!
^A good pupper taking a nap…
^Said Saito art Arcanine!
^Good pup that evolved into a vigilant poke
^Took me a long time but I finally caved and bought this card. Holo here reminds me of fireflies.
^The framing of this artwork for Houndoom really caught my eye, more than the classic card from Awakening Legends. Also you cannot see it but there IS a spiral by the head!
^I wish this card was a holo, it is already amazing but would be crazy with a holo!
Grass Section
Dark Section
^At first I didn’t really like Absol, thinking it was just an edgy pokemon since it was tagged “Disaster type”. Then I realised it’s called that because it protects others from impending disaster that it senses and so I was like that’s really neat. In this art it looks so stoic and watchful, as if it senses an avalanche that is about to occur. Of course, the holo gives a snowy effect, perfect!
^Look at this badass, flinging beach furniture everywhere, making people climb up trees.
^Persona 5 vibes.
^This will forever be moonbreon to me.
Fighting Section
^I just love how the trio are really fighting for their lives haha
^What’s not to love about this artwork!
Dragon Section
Misc Section
This category section is a placeholder, when I have enough cards to go in other new categories I will shift the cards over to those!
^I have real nostalgia for this card since I used to own the english print when I was younger
^And of course, I had to buy this together with Seviper!
^Funnily enough I like the holo on this card even in scanned form, works really well!
^Background reminds of a Chiaki artwork with the Japanese cloud motif but it is kinda smog-like too.
Pokemon 151 Section
As mentioned, my idea of a complete set is completely based on holos! So, I collected every card in the pokeball reverse holo, along with all the ARs and SARs of pokemon, less the trainer cards.
I’ve decided to show a comparison between the new art and original art - it’s interesting to see the similarities, references and complete makeovers between generations. A shoutout to the Pokellector website for the scans of the original Japanese cards! If viewing this on mobile, I suggest you pinch and zoom in to see the artwork, I tried the best resolution without filesizes being too crazy but do enjoy!
The starter trio, with a random FA that I pulled lol. Notice the similarities in the background scenery, you will find this is a recurring theme in the artwork for the 151 set.
Across evolution lines in the 151 set, you’ll notice there’s a dawn to dusk or vice versa treatment to the background.
Everyone’s favourite, the tower artwork.
Intermission message, it’s quite amazing that the OG set had less than 5 artists involved. They really laid the groundwork for the whole future of the TCG, we are really lucky to experience this period in the hobby!
When I compare the old Clefairy/Clefable to the new ones, I’d like to think ryoma interpreted what the cosmo holo would be as an illustration since there was no real background, and so it appears as star-like flowers against the forest in the 151 set…really clever! This happens quite a lot across the set as well.
I wonder if the Abra is the same one that just teleported to another location in the savanna haha. Also I really struggled to decide on placing the SAR Alakazam with the OG cards but I just didn’t want to break the layout…hope it does not bug you all as much as it does for me.
The Ponyta and Rapidash really looks like reimagined artwork from the OG one, its such a nostalgia trigger!
I remember as a kid I had the Electrode but it was from a fake booster, and I always wondered if it didn’t actually have the rainbow background because I always thought that’s a funny way to show an explosion. This was from before internet was readily available btw…
As a kid, looking at the artwork of the rare cards, I would always imagine how amazing it would be if they were bigger. Fast forward to now and we get full arts like this, amazing!
thanks for sharing!