I used to carry cards in my pocket wrapped in rubber bands. They went everywhere with me – to school, the bus stop, soccer games, and sleep-overs. Back then, trading with the neighborhood kids and friends felt like the coolest thing in the world.

Somewhere along the way, I put it all away in a shoe box – never to be opened again.

Through the years, a global pandemic, and a few random YouTube algorithm changes, I am back. The burst of nostalgia from opening that first booster box of Battle Styles reignited the love I once had for this franchise. This is how I rediscovered the hobby – and why I’m here to stay.

The Early Days

I can vividly remember the cards of my past, and how I wish they were in a binder somewhere. Shadowless Gyarados, Dark Dragonite, and the classic Base Set Charizard come to mind as cards that captured my imagination as a boy (all illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, potentially the greatest Pokémon illustrator of all time). Those cards were used and abused, unsleeved and in the wild.

Seeing the neighborhood kids turn green with envy when you showed them your collection of cards made all the chores and begging your parents to take you to the store to buy packs worth it.

Finally getting a Game Boy Advance SP, with games that had color, was a turning point in my life. I could take this amazing game with me, in the palm of my hand, and have an adventure awaiting at all times.

The wear and tear that was inflicted on those cards and games were a testament to how meaningful they were to me then. They truly were an integral part to my childhood relationships, community, imagination and friendships.

The “Growing Up” Phase

For myself, and many other like me, being a fan of Pokémon led to peer pressure, teasing, and bullying. It wasn’t cool anymore to be a fan of Pokémon when I reached middle school. Although I still enjoyed the games in private, I outwardly displayed no interest in the hobby & game that gave me so much joy. I kept some prized cards in a shoe box under my bed for years, occasionally dusting them off to show my close friends.

Growing out of the hobby was a painful experience for me. I wanted to continue admiring the cards & artwork; trading them with others, and battling with my friends. But I put my own social status and standing above personal interests, giving it all up.

Throughout high school and college I attended 0 local game shop tournaments, trade nights, or card conventions. Totally abandoning the hobby that I so profusely enjoyed.

Pandemic Rediscovery

During the pandemic lock downs, I began seeing a resurgence of my peers publicly enjoying Pokémon. I watched YouTube channels explode in popularity as they created content about upcoming sets, chase cards, pack openings and giveaways.

I came to the realization that this wasn’t a brief nostalgia kick – there was a community of people my age reclaiming pieces of their lost childhood.

A group of friends and I decided to scour our local game shops and big box stores, buying booster boxes and elite trainer boxes to open on stream with each other in Discord. Seeing that childlike wonder and glee & hearing friends laugh made me realize that we had crossed a threshold of mutual agreement and acceptance; Pokémon is cool again, and the Genie was out of the bottle.

I personally watched a close friend and his significant other pull my chase card straight out of a Battle Styles ETB; Tyranitar V 155/163. This sleeping alternate full art from Battle Styles was a beauty. I consequently pulled a Single Strike Urshifu V 151/163 (alternate full art) & secret rare Houndoom 179/163 from my booster box.

That was all she wrote; I was back into Pokémon.

And after years of hounding him, I got that card (pictured below).

Beyond Collecting

So here we are, 2025, and I am on the internet talking about my journey as a Pokémon collector.

What started as a random trip to the local card shop, turned into a binder, which turned into a TCGplayer seller account, and is now – this blog. Beyond the Foil is my way of documenting my journey, not just the shiny parts.

I hope you stick around and enjoy. Let me know your thoughts below!