A bit of background I am currently 28 and collected heavily as a child just about all things pokemon. Over the past few months I have been diving head first back into it to finish a few of the original sets as well as expand my collection. The first thing I did was go out and buy 30ish booster packs from the last few sets Sun and Moon, Rebel, and VV. After that, much of the collecting that I have done is primarily on Ebay going after specific cards or at least cards in the WOTC era.
I have decided that I really do not like the new sets very much. I do like some of the Nintendo sets don’t get me wrong the hidden fates secret charmander, eevee, etc. are awesome. However, the full arts and rainbow rare cards just don’t do it for me. I am sure it is because my idea of pokemon cards was never about these big flashy images especially since these were not around when I collected.
Am I alone in this? Or are there others that feel the same way?
Of course if you do like the full arts more power to you (different strokes) I am just curious to see what others think. Especially older collectors.
Modern is more than just full card art. When you start to appreciate modern promo and set releases you will see that modern is every bit as good as vintage at a much more affordable cost.
You are very much not alone. We get in (heated) discussion about it here frequently. E4 consists of all kinds, many vintage exclusive, many modern exclusive, and many who collect all.
I am english and japanese vintage only. I like hand drawn art, and as a huge exception, early Kinebuchi because of its originality and novelty, and artistry. Modern not only is a sea change difference from the original era but it is also largely consisted of these styles with the sheen/finish you speak of that I personally am not into. To much blandness, too much lack of uniqueness, etc.
With full arts in particular, I didn’t like them at all in Sun & Moon until the alternate full art tag teams. The smooth CGI drawings on top of a flat, solid colour background looked terrible to me.
But when the background design changed both in TEU-CEC for tag teams, and then for all full arts in SWSH-on, I found those all great.
With modern in general, there is just so much stuff, that I find it hard to believe someone could hate all of it. From the great commons/uncommons in English sets, all the shiny sets, the English and Japanese promos, there’s so much unique and different stuff someone could find enjoyable. I can’t even keep up, so I stick to my favourites.
I’m also 28. And I, too, am not into full arts at all. If they stopped making them completely and just went back to having holo rares with the cosmos holo pattern i’d be a real happy camper.
I grew up with all the originals too, so I understand your perspective.
Personally I really like both vintage and modern, so I collect both. There are some full arts that I think are sensory overload, but for each one of those I can point to several others that I think look amazing.
Maybe as you get more used to the modern cards you’ll develop more interest in them, but if not that’s fine too.
Modern isn’t just about full arts, it just depends on what you like. If you like vintage holos there are some modern equivalent. Evolutions, half art hidden fates are simple, some japanese promos are amazing too. Its all about finding stuff theres so many different things going on in pokemon now
I’m not the biggest fan of Rainbow full arts either, but I have always loved full arts since they arrived in BW. Just seemed like an evolution of Pokemon cards to me haha. Not all of them are bangers but neither is every holo from WOTC or ex from the original nintendo era and so on. Some amazing full arts that come to mind are Shining Legends Mewtwo GX and Flashfire Charizard EX. In the end like you said different strokes, collect what you like and welcome back to the hobby!
Here are the cards I mentioned if you were wondering:
I like modern more than WOTC cards. With modern there is so much better artwork, always something new coming out. The Full Art cards are literally a piece of artwork. (Isn’t that why we buy cards for the artwork? Not like most here read their cards).
WOTC is really boring. The same 300ish cards. Stock Ken image artwork. Ugly Base Set foil. I don’t see why people only collect WOTC. Really feel sorry for them
Returning 31 year old collector here and I have a hard time with modern because I have no clue who these new pokemon are!! I think the full arts look awesome but without that nostalgic warm fuzzy feeling I get when holding a mint card from childhood. That Mewtwo GX is doing something for me though, are there multiple Gen 1/2 pokemon in the modern sets?
I mostly have an issue with the 5ban like stuff though they seem to slowly be getting better. There are also some exceptions where the 5ban motif works. I’m also not as big of a fan of “clean” art, where lines, shading, and everything is perfect - every curve is a curve, every line is a line kind of deal. I tend to like rougher designs that gives the sense of charm but I recognize that as an aesthetic preference.
I imagine there will come a point, at some point, where 3D/CGI art reaches another level or they’ll get experimental with designs overall. Imagine a real-life Pokemon printing where the texture of a Full Art matches the scales of a Gyarados, or the fur of a Meowth.
At the end of the day, let’s just all remember. If a card exists, there’s a likely chance that it’s loved by someone.
I have actually been surprised with how expensive modern can be. For example the recent Pikachu mail from the the Poke Center or even some of the hidden fates shiny vaults going for 30-60 each. I do agree that in general compared to a WOTC era that can be several hundred dollars the overall price is less of modern.
I was hoping not to open a can of worms but it does seem some feel very strongly about what is better.
Do you know what ERA they stopped with hand drawn art? Where any of the early sets from Nintendo hand drawn? I recently picked up the Southern Islands set and I am absolutely in love with the art. Even going after many of the old black star promo cards from the WOTC era there are many unique options. I never collected Japanese as a kid, but recently picked up a few and almost won the auction for a complete Rocket Gang set two days ago (I was so close). My main incentive for Japanese is two fold, overall, they are cheaper than their english counterparts, there are some exclusives (band cards, cd promos, vending machines) and the cards really seem so much easier to find in better condition. I have heard this is due to both card stock and just stricter guidlines in the factories which I am a huge fan of. Since I do not play the game and just collect the artwork is gorgeous either way (even if I cannot read the card).
