Wassup, I’m Soup! I’ve been getting back into Pokémon as of late, used to collect cards when I was a kid. Taking “gotta catch 'em all” seriously because I love collecting lol. I’m a fake fan though (not like scalpers, screw 'em, they’re not fans at all) because I never learned how to battle, didn’t play the video games and I’ve only ever watched a few episodes of the anime. But best believe, I love to collect. And organize, love organizing the cards (especially because then you can see the data and figure out statistics, so entertaining). If you wanna follow along as I get back into Pokémon and learn/relearn the lore, then welcome to my blog!
This is my intro post where you can learn a bit about me, a bit about my experience with Pokémon, what I collect, and view some quick links for important/significant posts on my blog. Happy reading!
Some More About Me & My Pokémon Journey:
Wassup, I go by Soup on this blog, I use He/Him/His pronouns. I’m a Uni student from the US. I speak English and some French (juste un petit, petit peu). I do a lot of reading and writing, but I dabble in other hobbies. My favorite color is green, hence the pfp.
My first ever Pokémon card I traded for was Goomy, who has since been my favorite. I'm a sucker for the cute/beautiful/artistic cards and not so much for the strong Pokémon, which is good for my wallet because that means many of the expensive hits aren't all that interesting to me. I mostly collected Pokémon in the Black & White era, XY era, and the beginning of the Sun & Moon era (although I inherited quite a few from the Original era). I stopped collecting as a kid because me and my siblings were buying so many packs—btw who knows how we got the money—that my parents barred us from getting Pokémon packs lmao. Plus, Pokémon cards got banned in my school district because everybody was doing trades all day. But, now I'm back, over half a decade later and into Pokémon again. Now I track my cards with the app, Dex (not sponsored, obviously).
^The dividers in this post are called "Divider Pokeball." by Locerin on Deviantart
Pokémon Monday / PokéMonday:
I’ve been doing this thing lately called Pokémon Monday where I rip a pack on Monday, usually an English “fun pack” or a Japanese 5 card pack. I’m trying not to rip packs on any other days of the week (days where I buy packs in person tend to be exceptions, but I’m trying to limit that). It’s a way I’m trying to keep engaging with the hobby and the fun of ripping packs without majorly breaking the bank. Since I’m not trying to Master Set any expansions and I mostly focus on collecting species, I tend to buy bulk or singles. So I don’t really have a need to rip packs, it’s just fun. Pokémon Mondays are a way to scratch that itch (plus it helps me increase my appreciation for the pulls and the art). I’ll probably make PokéMonday posts here on my blog! Why Monday? Well, I’m a sucker for consonance (I’m studying English & Creative Writing at Uni).
Some Favorites:
Evolution Line: Goomy, Sliggoo, Goodra
Eeveelution: Leafeon
Energy Card: Dragon Energy 97/108
Sets I’m Working on:
The Goomy, Sliggoo, Goodra evolution line in English (for now, one day I’d like to Grandmaster Set it). Just Snorunt, not its evolutions (yet at least). Just Swirlix, not its evolution. Also Team Yell and Team Skull plus their respective rivals, Pokémon, trainer items, and stadiums.
My Chases ATM:
Top Chase (Unrealistic): Art Academy Goomy XY Unnumbered Promo Japanese.
A Bit of a Stretch: Generations Radiant Collection (I have 9 of 32).
Hits: Joltik 116/086 and 150/142, Wo-Chien Ex 257/193, Giacomo 267/193, Omanyte No. 138 Vending and 180/165.
Pokémon: Goomy, Sliggoo, Goodra, Axew, Swirlix, Slugma, Joltik, Yamask, Confagrigus, Galarian Runerigus, Wo-Chien, Galarian Perrserker, and Galarian Mr. Rime.
Trainers: Philippe, the various Professors, the various Students, the various Friends, Boss’s Orders Corbeau, Piers, Larry, Atticus, Raifort, Ryme, Tyme, Cassiopeia, Perrin, Ciphermaniac’s Codebreaking, Team Star Grunt, Adaman, Nessa, Volo, and Miss Fortune Sisters.
My little cousin made me a Sliggoo figure out of cardboard! He was unfortunately smooshed (twice) while we were traveling home after visiting him (nobody tell my cousin lol). Luckily I reconstructed him, and the final time with hot glue, so he's stronger than ever! Here's the reconstructed little guy:
Isn't he the cutest?! Love this middle evolution. And a big shout out to my little cousin who made him for me as a gift!!
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Today is PokéMonday and we are home, sweet, home, back to ripping packs on the faux wood desk you all know and love. Feels like I just made a PokéMonday blog… it’s almost like I only got around to making last week’s a few days ago… lol.
Now, let’s see what the pack gods have brought for us this Monday:
This week, I ripped a Scarlet & Violet Journey Together “Fun Pack”. The cards I got were Swinub 077/159 normal, Tropius 123/159 normal, and Hop’s Choice Band 148/159 reverse holo. The reverse holo was a new variant for my collection. The Swinub and Tropius are coincidentally the 4th duplicate of their respective cards in my collection.
What’s PokéMonday (Pokémon Monday)? Well, it’s my way of engaging the hobby without constantly spending my money on ripping new packs. There’s a full description in my intro post, but the gist is that every monday, I open one pack (usually bought in bulk at an earlier date) and share what I pulled with my friends and family (and now, this blog).
Here’s a picture of the pulls this PokéMonday:
This PokéMonday, I am most excited about the reverse holo trainer, just because it’s a new variant for my collection. Other than that, I’m hyped to be back on my PokéMonday upload schedule.
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Today is was PokéMonday, and this week’s pack rip is pretty exciting. I'm on vacation right now (yay maybe a cool background for showing you guys my pulls this week!) and I’m ripping a Japanese pack this time. Note from future Soup: I did this pull on PokéMonday, took the picture that day (with a Strawberry Moon in the background), and have just been too lazy to write this post. In my defense, I'm on vacation.
So without further ado, let’s see what the pack gods have brought for us this Monday:
What’s PokéMonday (Pokémon Monday)? Well, it’s my way of engaging the hobby without constantly spending my money on ripping new packs. There’s a full description in my intro post, but the gist is that every monday, I open one pack (usually bought in bulk at an earlier date) and share what I pulled with my friends and family (and now, this blog).
This week, I ripped a Japanese Mega Symphonia pack. The cards I got were Tangela 001/063 normal, Stufful 055/063 normal, Rescue 026/063 normal, Mystery Garden 063/063 normal, and Chi-Yu 014/063 normal. Every single one of these cards was a new addition to my collection so that's pretty sweet.
Here’s a picture of the pulls (and Strawberry Moon) this PokéMonday:
This PokéMonday, I am most excited about the Mystery Garden, not because I like stadiums all that much, but just because I don't think we've pulled one on PokéMonday yet (if I remember correctly lol). The Chi-Yu and Eiscue are cool too, I needed them for my Pokédex.
Wanna see the cards I have? Wanna compare stats? Use the Dex app to track your pokemon card collection? Then you should add me on Dex! I’d love to have some more fiends on the app and be able to see others’ collections and progress.
Y’all ever go to a store and see those toy/card vending machines? Well, there are some in one of my local stores apparently and one of them sells Pokémon cards. Nothing crazy, just one random bulk card for 50¢. Theoretically there’s the possibility of getting a hit, but I’m pretty sure all the cards in there are worth only a few cents. Anyways, one of my younger brothers got change back from his purchase and used it in the machine. He doesn’t actually care what he gets since he doesn’t collect Pokémon cards, he just likes the mystery of what the machine will spit out. So he gave it to me because he knew I was collecting Pokémon cards again, isn’t that sweet? The card ended up being a normal Larvesta 024/159 from Sword & Shield: Crown Zenith, which I didn’t have before, so that’s still pretty cool. Do I think getting cards from those toy vending machines is a scam? For sure. But it was a nice gesture from my younger brother, so I’m happy.
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Today is PokéMonday, and we have a special guest rip this week: my sister will be ripping the pack!
Now, let’s see what the pack gods have brought for us this Monday:
What’s PokéMonday (Pokémon Monday)? Well, it’s my way of engaging the hobby without constantly spending my money on ripping new packs. There’s a full description in my intro post, but the gist is that every monday, I open one pack (usually bought in bulk at an earlier date) and share what I pulled with my friends and family (and now, this blog).
This week, I let my sister rip the pack. We chose a Scarlet & Violet Journey Together “fun pack”. This is one of the packs I was talking about in my last blog post, where I thought I might have some resealed packs (or since they’re older maybe the glue was weak). Unsure why anyone would reseal a fun pack though, since they only contain commons, uncommons and reverse holos. Anyway, without further ado, the cards my sister pulled were Lillie’s Cutiefly 066/159 (normal), Petilil 006/159, and N’s Klang 104/159 (reverse holo). Surprisingly all 3 were new to my collection, the Petilil was brand new for me from this set but Lillie’s Cutiefly and N’s Klang were new master variants I needed.
Here’s a picture of the pulls this PokéMonday:
This PokéMonday, I am most excited about Petilil since it’s brand new to me, but the new master variants are always welcome. See y’all next PokéMonday!
50% sure I bought resealed packs a few weeks ago :/ I just noticed small openings in the left/right top/bottom corners of the seal. It was mostly fine, so I didn't notice it immediately. Right coloring and pack design, proper edges and crimping, well glued and not by anything out of the ordinary. But those gaps in the corner are making me think it might not be real. Granted they're older packs, so the glue could be a bit weak I guess, but then again they could just be resealed. That'd be a shame, I got 7 packs. Alas, better luck next time, huh?
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Today is PokéMonday, tonight I have a late night pull for y’all. Now, let’s see what the pack gods have brought for us this Monday:
What’s PokéMonday (Pokémon Monday)? Well, it’s my way of engaging the hobby without constantly spending my money on ripping new packs. There’s a full description in my intro post, but the gist is that every monday, I open one pack (usually bought in bulk at an earlier date) and share what I pulled with my friends and family (and now, this blog).
This week, I ripped a Scarlet & Violet Destined Rivals “fun pack”. The cards I got were Arven’s Maschiff 138/182 (normal), Squawkabilly 160/182 (normal), and Team Rocket’s Weezing 126/182 (reverse holo). All new cards for me today, so I think that’s a win.
Here’s a picture of the pulls this PokéMonday:
This PokéMonday, I am most excited about Team Rocket’s Weezing and Arven's Maschiff, just because team/trainer pokémon are cool. See y’all for next PokeMonday!
I bought a 500 lot of penny sleeves when I decided that I was going to get back into Pokémon cards again. Figured, there's no way I'd make my way through that many sleeves. But no! I've used the last one! I kinda need more, but I've got a self imposed bar on any Pokémon related purchases until July. So I guess I'll just have unsleeved cards until then 😬
Is it just me or is it oddly hard to find cards of your favorite pokémon when sorting through bulk? Whether that be you buying bulk to add to your collection and looking through that, or sorting through bulk in a card shop and buying individual cards. I've had the hardest time finding Goomy, Sliggoo, and Goodra cards! There aren't terribly many cards of them, so I suppose that's the reason. But I feel like when you're looking for certain cards you just can't seem to find them. Just me? Or does this happen to y'all too? Lmk!
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Today is PokéMonday, and by that I mean it is actually Tuesday. I missed PokéMonday because I didn’t know what day of the week it was lmao. So here we are, catching up on Tuesday. Hopefully next PokéMonday, I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled Monday pack ripping. Now, let’s see what the pack gods have brought for us this Monday Tuesday:
What’s PokéMonday (Pokémon Monday)? Well, it’s my way of engaging the hobby without constantly spending my money on ripping new packs. There’s a full description in my intro post, but the gist is that every monday, I open one pack (usually bought in bulk at an earlier date) and share what I pulled with my friends and family (and now, this blog).
This week, I ripped a Scarlet & Violet Journey Together “fun pack”. The cards I got were Sprigatito 016/159 (normal), Hop’s Silicobra 086/159 (normal), and Dunsparce 120/159 (reverse holo). The Sprigatito and Dunparce were new to my collection this time.
This PokéMonday Tuesday, I am most excited about the reverse holo Dunsparce since it was new to my collection, but it’s also an Asako Ito card (the knitted ones) and everything by that illustrator is so cute.
Here’s a picture of the pulls this PokéMonday Tuesday:
Soup’s PokéBlog Updates: New English Bulk Cards and Updating my Expansion Tracker
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Earlier in the week I made a blog post talking about the Japanese bulk cards I’d ordered and sorted into my collection. I had mentioned that I’d also ordered some English bulk and that a similar post would be coming soon. Well, wait no longer, here is that post! I spent a few hours going through the bulk, sorting it into its respective expansion sections in my box of cards, and logging it in the app I use to track my collection.
If you saw the blog post I wrote about sorting the Japanese bulk cards, you may remember that I wasn’t supposed to spend money on Pokémon when I ordered the bulk cards in English that I’ll be talking about in this post. That said, the cards were unsorted (the person selling them didn’t look through them and remove any hits that might be in the boxes) and I wanted to get some more cards in English. The guy I bought them from found them at a yard/garage sale, I’m sure he was able to upcharge me from how much he paid, but ideally there’d be theoretical profit for me too (except I don’t sell cards, so it’s only theoretical). That was the thought process. Besides, the mystery is fun. An unknown quantity of cards, from who knows what expansions, potentially any era/series, unknown condition, and unknown rarity. Who wouldn’t be curious? So if you’re curious, give this post a read and find out what I got!
Since I’m a sucker for numbers, here’s the cliff notes of what changed in my collection with the addition of the English bulk cards I ordered:
Pokédex:
Went from 534/1025 (52.1%) to 644/1025 (62.8%). There are 110 new Pokémon in my collection.
As for the Individual Generations:
Gen I: from 73.5% to 87.4% (111 to 132 of 151), Gen II: from 55% to 68% (55 to 68 of 100), Gen III: from 51.1% to 59.3% (69 to 80 of 135), Gen IV: from 42.1% to 57.9% (45 to 62 of 107), Gen V: from 50% to 64.1% (78 to 100 of 156), Gen VI: from 75% to 77.8% (54 to 56 of 72), Gen VII: from 52.3% to 53.4% (46 to 47 of 88), Gen VIII: from 15.6% to 31.3% (15 to 30 of 96), Gen IX: from 50.8% to 57.5% (61 to 69 of 120). The generation with the biggest increase in completion was Gen IV. And the generation with the smallest increase was Gen VII.
Total Cards in My Collection:
Went from 2,472 cards to 3,650 cards (an increase of 1,178 cards).
My Collection is now 2,393 cards in English and 1,257 cards in Japanese (roughly 65.6% ENG and 34.4% JP).
If this was interesting to you, I just updated 📌Soup’s English Expansion Completion Tracker which you can go check out by clicking the quick link. Here you’ll find information about how complete each expansion pack is within my collection of English cards.
^ The dividers in this blog post are called “Divider Pokéball.” by Locerin on Deviantart
Overall, the experience was pretty good, I had a great time sorting through these cards. Got some cards I needed for the master sets I want to make. For random cards acquired by someone at a yard/garage sale, I think they were in pretty good condition, I don’t even think they’ve been played with. Solid experience, would take a risk on random bulk cards again.
Wassup, I'm Soup! Welcome to me talking to myself (read: "pokéblogging"). So I started looking through the yard/garage sale bulk I got. All English Pokémon cards, two ETB boxes full of random bulk cards. Real gamble because I had no idea what I was gonna find in terms of rarity, quality or even expansion the cards were from. Anyways, they arrived and I did a cursory look through the cards to see if anything cool jumped out. There weren't any hits, which I mean fair enough, they were from a yard/garage sale, so they probably used to be some kid's collection. Now, I was on the look out for two things: Goomy (or its evolutions) cards and Team Yell or Team Skull trainers. Since those are things I'm planning on making binders of. There were no Goomys, but I did get these, which I'm really hype for:
Team Yell's Cheer 149/172, Marnie's Pride 145/172, and Friends in Galar 140/172. All new to my collection of English cards, and any new cards are always great when you're planning on starting a binder with a specific theme. I kinda wanna say I'm planning on master setting Team Yell, but I only plan on getting all the master variants of the trainers and adding cards for the pokémon they use, but probably not every card for every pokémon they use, you know? Much to consider.
Wassup, I’m Soup and welcome to my PokéBlog! Today is PokéMonday, the first one I am actually posting on here. And coincidentally it is also the first of the month, how fitting! Happy Pride Month by the way, Pokémon is for every kind of trainer, no matter their gender or sexuality. Now, let’s see what the pack gods have brought for us this Monday:
(It's not that long of a post, but there's a picture and I didn't want to clog anyone's dash. This was the only place that made sense to put the "Keep reading" imo.)
What’s PokéMonday (Pokémon Monday)? Well, it’s my way of engaging the hobby without constantly spending my money on ripping new packs. There’s a full description in my intro post, but the gist is that every Monday, I open one pack (usually bought in bulk at an earlier date in order to minimize costs) and share what I pulled with my friends and family (and now, this blog).
This week, I let one of my younger brothers rip the pack for me. We went with a Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together “fun pack.” The cards we got were Larvitar 080/159 (reverse holo), N’s Darumaka 026/159 (normal), and N’s Zorua 097/159 (normal). The latter is a duplicate, but still, that’s 2 new cards/variants for my collection.
Here’s a picture of the pulls this PokéMonday:
This PokéMonday, I am most excited about the N’s Darumaka since it’s new to me and I have a soft spot for cards of trainer’s/supporter’s Pokémon. The reverse holo pattern on the Larvitar is pretty cool though.
