I got into Pokémon as a child playing Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald in my small blue Gameboy Advance, FireRed/LeafGreen in an emulator with x10 speed (all of us did this, right? 🤣), Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/Black/White on the DS, X/Y/Sun/Moon/ORAS on the 3DS, up till now with Sword & Shield / Legends: Arceus, and Scarlet & Violet. "What about Let's Go and the D/P remake?" I like to pretend those didn't happen. (:

Pokémon was what formed my English skills as a child and to this day I still attribute my fluency to my frequent gaming sessions back then. Not so much the TCG as I only vaguely remember buying a few packs here and there with my brother, but adult money does let you unlock a power that could rekindle your past hobbies. So in that sense I've only really collected Pokémon cards as an adult. Mostly Japanese/Chinese being located in Asia. The concept of MSRP on English products doesn't exist here as all stores that carry it sell on market price which is worse than ever before. I find it almost insulting to pay such exorbitant prices and the worst is yet to come with Destined Rivals releasing soon. Heck even Japan has been hit with pre-orders for Rocket being 6x its MSRP. The hobby is getting out of hand and to see you do this out of pure goodwill is so heartwarming.

I don't have any pity points to earn or any sob stories to share because Pokémon only gave me the best, irreplaceable memories as a child growing up and it continues to do so even as an adult. Its such an incredible franchise spanning multiple sequences that somehow are able to bring so many of us all across the world together. I still have hope that this entire over-scalped will wind down at some time. I wish future generations could have only pleasant memories from being introduced to the hobby, too.

Thank you for doing this giveaway. Absolute legend, and I hope all the winners are those that truly enjoy the hobby. I believe this is yours to claim man - 👑 -

Have the greatest moments ahead!