Pokédex

Let's start from the beginning: I love Pokémon! There are so many different kinds of creative ideas in this world, it's amazing! Everything from simple animal creatures to ghost beings to super intelligent psi monsters! So many concepts can fit in this world with consistency.

For me, Pokémon also represents childhood. A fairly decent chunk of my age group was stuck in front of screens watching Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh! or even Pokémon. We didn't really get to experience the games themselves, just the animes. Later, of course, all sorts of cards came along (who doesn't remember the fake Hungarian Yugi decks), but it was the anime that mattered.

Pokémon still pop up every few years since then. I pick up a few episodes, check out Pokémon Go! or flip through the illustrations from the latest expansion. Pokémon Pocket reignited my passion. It lasted for a few months, I collected what I could, but it got a bit much phone pushing and one morning I thought it better to delete it. However, the desire to collect remained.

So I started a new project: putting together my own Pokédex!

What does this mean? One card of each pokémon in the folder! To keep this all under control, I've set up some rules.

• Every pokémon! It's true that there are 151 pokémon in our hearts, but for some reason the Pokédex now lists 1,025. The goal is to add all of these, and if new generations are added, they will be added to my list too.

• One copy of each! The folder will contain one of each pokémon. If there will be more than one of something, a choice will be made as to which one will be added to the collection.

• Variations and subtypes are allowed, but standard types take priority! Most pokémon already have all sorts of region types, such as Alolan, or even Shiny or Dark versions, but there are almost named variants with trainer names. These variants can fit in the folder, but if possible I prefer to keep the original species.

• It's the looks that matter! It doesn't matter how much a card is worth on the market. I absolutely choose between two pokemon with the same name based on which illustration I prefer. Since illustration is important, the goal is to collectas many illustration rare, full art or story illustration cards as possible.

• Everything else goes in the box! Unnecessary cards, such as extra pokémons, energies, trainer cards, do not go into folders. I'll put those aside as a trading pool or for someone else. I will not play the card game.

• Physical purchase first! I want to fill the folder in a way that makes it an experience. I want to go out for boosters, buy at events or special occasions. I'm not ruling out the online market as a possibility, especially later when it will be more practical to get the last cards one by one, but that won't be the main way.

• It's the journey that counts! Ash didn't become a great trainer overnight, and certainly not a champion! I wouldn't want to do everything in a month and then forget about it. It's going to be an adventure, a long journey that will take years, just like we learned in the old days.

Now that we have the plan, let's take the first steps!

A nice big yellow folder, filled with card holders and mostly white blank cards, numbered, waiting for the pokémons. On the 2nd of June, the first residents moved in, 14 different pokémon in all. There were a few old creatures, but there were also a number above 1000. But of course I have to highlight the mascot character, because what else could you start a pokédex with?

#25 Pikachu 062/193

As the cards pile up, every now and then I'll give you an update on the more special pieces, the experiences. Until then, have a good game! :)

14/1025