It feels like it connects directly to me, with a dreamy vibe but also a sense of darkness and lost in thoughts, thinking about difficult questions.
The swirl makes this more so, looking like it´s in a permanent state of confusion, and/or cooking up it´s next plan. I was team Espeon back in Gold/Silver so the nostalgia helps too.
My parents wouldn’t buy us cards, but we had access to the movies and tv series, so I’m more attached to the voices I remember than any particular card.
Movie promos like Entei 34 or Ancient Mew would be 2nd and 3rd cards to keep.
This was the first Japanese card I ever bought directly from Japan. It was around the time I got back into the hobby in early 2020, and I was trying to track this card down in a gradeable condition. I ended up messaging a Japanese seller on ebay asking if he knew where I could potentially find one, and he basically told me that there were none available that he could find. This was before I learned how to search and purchase throughout the Japanese market places.
He told me he wouldn’t give up and would keep an eye out in person and online. For a few months he would give me updates whenever he may have found something. Eventually this popped up, but he said it might be a bit risky as it was an online listing with no ratings. I took the risk and once it arrived in his hands he told me it looked beautiful!
I originally graded this with BGS and it received a grade of 8, with a surface score of 9.5. The reason I bring that up is because there is a weird dot/line on the Milotic’s forehead. I only ever noticed it after cracking it out to send to PSA, and to my eyes it didn’t appear to be surface damage. For reference, the first is how it should look:
Whatever it is, I think it gives this particular card character and makes me cherish it even more. Anyway, I occasionally message Mr. “Daigo” and will always appreciate the kindness and effort he put into helping me find this card. This is a card that will stay with me.
If I am broke, it’s because I lost my job and couldn’t find another job to keep food on the table. In that case, I imagine the rest of the world is in a similar situation and won’t be buying Pogeyman cards
I miss the Graded Gem team with the PSA submissions/return video’s and the occasional openings + the 1st edition podcast Good times even though my first return took like 2.5 years
I find it funny that pikachu is angry with THIS background while the card is attached to this story out of all cards lol.
Edit: Actually, I always assumed this background was flames, and now at a closer glance the mandela effect hit me full force, and It looks like a sunset with shadows. I had always assumed Lt.Surge was at war in this card. TIL?