Wow, that’s quite the compliment haha! Be assured my funds are nowhere near big enough for any trophies, so this thread will stay clear of them for the foreseeable future 
Thanks a ton and I’m glad you enjoy it! 
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So it’s been a few weeks since I updated this thread and frankly, there aren’t many dramatic new additions. I got outbid more often than I would’ve liked to. Competition is getting tougher on the Japanese side.
So I thought I just post some art appreciation with my favorite illustrators. Here we go.
Masago, because no one else made their Pokemon as fierce and savage.
Komiya, because he kept a distinct style for 20+ years and yet you still find yourself excited and refreshed when you find a card of him in a new set.
Kusube, because she makes the most organic and full-fleshed feeling artworks.
Himeno, because she (almost) single-handedly made Jungle my favorite set and is my personal nostalgia queen.
Arita, because he’s the OG when it comes to giving Pokemon a realistic background context.
Sugimori, because he’s the OG of everything. Nothing is more “Pokemon” than his original 90’s work.
To round it up, some miscellaneous cards that didn’t yet get the attention they devserve in this thread.
I really need to expand my Komiya and Kusube collection further, but I hope you liked what I had ready to photograph so far.
Thanks for stopping by 
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Once again, I find myself thinking “I should pick some of those up”. I think you are my collecting counterpart in terms of taste, nice additions!
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@muk, @lamplamp stole the words out of my mouth. Dibs on the trio inclusion??? Muk, your post just stole my heart away. I LOVE YOU.
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@muk I really like how you did your collection. Also, it’s funny how squirtle is schiggy in German.
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Nice displays and great cards, @muk!
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@muk I think you have my favorite collection update posts on this forum, please don’t stop posting them
I’ve noticed the same… competition for Japanese cards is noticeably tougher on ebay the last month or two compared to any time before… makes me sad, always used to be much easier to win Japanese lots on ebay
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@lamplamp, @brendantheclayboy, @nickofturl, @taizokai, @seafoamarticuno thank you so much guys! It means a lot to me that my humble collection thread is appreciated!
It’s also nice to see some other afficionados who enjoy the same Japanese niche
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If you like Shining Imakuni, behold GOLD STAR IMAKUNI! (which technically isn’t a Gold Star at all, but …) This “Dance Imakuni?” CD promo is the first - and up until the release of the Gold Stars only - card that has its artwork expanding out of the frame. Plus with 2000 HP it’s the strongest card ever by a landslide. 120 HP Charizard? Powercreep? Don’t make me laugh!
Now the funny thing is, I was under the impression that I was bidding on a sealed promo card plus the opened CD. However now that I received it, it looks like I got a sealed promo PLUS a sealed complete CD (presumably with another copy of the promo still inside!). That would be quite incredible for the price I paid. Can somebody confirm that the promo is in the inside of the CD package? (<- Edit: DEBUNKED)
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. I might have some more things in a few days
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Mama mia, that’s a spicy meatball! Meatballs actually. I can’t say with absolute certainty, but I think you have 2 cards on your hands. Great pickup
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Awesome update!
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What a fantastic thread @muk!
Couldn’t agree more with pretty much everything, from Masago to the vending, the Corocoro’s, the gift set, the VHS packs… Even the breakdown of the “big” illustrators and how they are brilliant in their own category.
Japanese “promo” sets are an absolute treat and the fresh (yet 90’s style) artwork is truely enjoyable.
You might enjoy the JR rally promo in a somehow similar style, as well as the Vs or less recognized theater Vs set!
Anyway, keep up collecting such brilliant artworks, it’s a delight to see/read!
Thank you so much, @drago! Good to see that others also enjoy what I enjoy
I’m very aware of the awesome VS set and JR rally. Once I complete my current goals, I’ll start to chase them for sure.
Cheers!
For my 1000th post, I have a confession to make. I collect humans.
A few weeks ago I discovered these very weird, very niche cards. While it was mainly for amusement at first, I developed a genuine fascination and deep love for these absolute oddballs. There’s simply nothing quite like them.
Enjoy (or don’t, I guess it’s not for everyone):
Actually, apart from two cards which I hope to acquire in the near future, this is basically the entirety of artworks that use real photos of human faces - not counting trophies and 1/1 cards. The cards I still need are the AD TV Pikachu and the allmighty PokeDude. Those two shall be the final pieces to the greatest first page of a binder ever:
I have some more unusual stuff coming in, so stay tuned 
As always, thanks for stopping by!
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Absolutely LOVE your collection! So many underrated cards, and so much beautiful art! I am looking forward to what you pick up next, (and I can be sure I’m going to want to buy it after seeing yours )
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@cbd1235, that’s so nice to hear coming from an OG like you! Thanks!
btw you should 1001% update your own collection thread, it’s the absolute god tier! Last update was 6 years ago, that’s kinda unacceptable 
It would be soo nice to see up-to-date high quality images of your trophies and rare promos!
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I will certainly think about it
Also, I looked back through all my Pokemon CDs…I seem to have extracted the card from every one, so I can’t confirm where the card lies. But my recollection is that it’s on the outside of the contents, just under the cello (visible from the outside)
They reseal really easily, like lunchmeats . I would be quite surprised if there was another Imakuni in the packaging. They likely just took it out so the card would have less likelihood of getting damaged.
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(don’t open it up on my count though…It may be that it’s under the paper insert. I can’t clearly remember and I don’t have an untouched example to compare to)
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Love it amigo. A fine addition! Collect humans 'til your heart’s content!
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The Single Pokemon Collections have evolved to the next level.
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