Collector Spotlight: CarrotMark

An OG Collector from the WOTC Era

Long before alternate arts and illustration rares were a thing, CarrotMark was already chasing shiny holographics during Pokémon’s earliest years.

Back when Base Set, Fossil and Gym Heroes were on store shelves, he eagerly spent whatever pocket money he had chasing shiny holo cards.

Like many collectors, however, the hobby eventually faded into the background as other priorities took over (and as booster packs became a little too expensive for a child’s allowance).

The Pikachu He Never Expected to Pull

When CarrotMark returned to the hobby in 2023 after years away, there was one set he had been looking forward to more than any other: Scarlet & Violet 151.

Like countless collectors, he fell in love with the nostalgia the set brought.

But completing the coveted Master Ball Reverse Holo collection felt almost impossible. Booster bundles (at the time) regularly sold for more than $120, and the Pikachu Master Ball Reverse Holo was already commanding prices well beyond what he was comfortable paying.

Instead of forcing the purchase, he waited patiently. When the second reprint arrived and prices became more accessible, he decided to try his luck through one of the popular TikTok podbreaks.

Against the odds, he pulled the Pikachu himself and felt like it was a dream come true.

That single pull inspired him to complete the entire Master Ball Reverse Holo set. More than a year later, after patiently hunting down every missing piece, he finally slotted the last card (a Slowpoke Master Ball Reverse Holo) into his binder in early 2026!

The Red's Pikachu That Means The World To Him

While Scarlet & Violet 151 reignited CarrotMark’s passion for Pokémon, another Pikachu holds an equally special place in his collection.

The 20th Anniversary Japanese Promo Red’s Pikachu first caught his attention while browsing social media shortly after returning to the hobby. Captivated by its beautiful artwork, he knew it was one card he had to own.

Not only did it become his first-ever “expensive” single-card purchase at around $60, but it also almost became his first experience getting scammed after the seller repeatedly delayed sending it. Thankfully, community moderators stepped in and helped resolve the situation.

The card also became his introduction to card grading, marking the beginning of a whole new chapter in his collecting journey.

"The current Pokémon market isn't the most sustainable for ripping packs regularly. So always remember to collect at your own pace and within your financial means."
CarrotMark

What's Next For CarrotMark?

Pikachu will always be at the top of CarrotMark’s wishlist.

His current grails are the two Pikachu SARs from Super Electric Breaker (SV8) and Mega Dream (M2a). For now, however, their price tags aren’t quite wallet-friendly, so he’s content to wait until “the stars align” once again.

At the same time, he’s also discovered a new passion outside of Pokémon—Gunpla.

Having already completed four model kits, he’s rediscovered the joy of collecting in a different way, spending hours carefully building each model instead of chasing the next big pull.

More importantly, Gunpla has reinforced a lesson that now shapes his approach to collecting: it’s okay to let go when something no longer makes financial sense, and to focus instead on hobbies that bring lasting enjoyment.

It's More Than Just About Collecting

Beyond building his collection, CarrotMark also enjoys doing his part for the community through JustForYouLah!, and hopes the initiative continues supporting its beneficiary partners for many years to come. Looking ahead, he hopes to contribute on an even larger scale whenever the opportunity arises.

And while the cards are what first drew him back to Pokémon, it’s the friendships that have kept the hobby enjoyable.

As someone who considers himself an introvert, CarrotMark is especially thankful to Yu Xuan for bringing him into the OFL community.