A True Collector at Heart
Long before Pokémon cards found their way back into his life, Aker was already an avid collector.
From Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards in his childhood to Gundam models, action figures, and even lightsabers, he was constantly drawn to the joy of building and curating collections.
The thrill of discovering something new, tracking down a coveted piece, and proudly displaying it was something he had loved for as long as he could remember.
Rediscovering Pokémon Through 151
Cards weren’t always Aker’s main focus, though.
A few years ago, during a difficult period in his life, he happened to spot Pokémon’s 151 set in a hobby store. What began as a simple purchase quickly became something much more meaningful. Looking back, he remembers wanting to relive the excitement he experienced as a child; the anticipation of opening packs and the possibility of pulling something special.
Before long, he found himself fully immersed in collecting again. Opening packs, sleeving cards, and carefully arranging his favourite pulls into binders became more than just a hobby. It was a source of comfort, excitement, and fulfilment.
As Aker jokes, it helped fill a gap in his heart (while also creating a sizeable gap in his wallet!)
A Special Card & Figurine He'll Never Let Go Of?
Like many collectors, Aker has pieces in his collection that hold special meaning. But if there is one card that stands above the rest, it is his PSA 9 Munch Eevee.
Inspired by Edvard Munch’s iconic painting The Scream, the card captures an emotion that Aker immediately connected with when he first saw it.
“There are many bigger hits and prettier Eevee cards out there,” he says, “but this one screamed at me.”
Cards aside, Aker also owns a rather unique display of Iron Man figures called “Re:Edit” series. Amongst the display stands a Black Hulkbuster limited to only 400 pieces worldwide!
I think its important to approach collecting with the mindset of collecting what you love no matter of it's value. A truly valuable collection is one that you yourself love like no one else in the world!
Feeling At Home In The Right Communities
Perhaps even more important than the cards themselves are the people Aker has met along the way.
Through communities like OnlyFriendsLah!, he found something he never expected: a sense of belonging.
Naturally introverted, he rarely imagined himself becoming part of a larger collecting community. Yet through conversations, shared interests, and familiar faces online, he gradually found himself connecting with fellow collectors who understood the same excitement and passion.
Those friendships have become one of the biggest reasons he continues collecting, even through challenging market conditions.
As he puts it, being recognised and regularly chatting with friends in the community has made his world feel a little bigger.
What's Next For Aker?
Like many collectors, Aker admits that his interests often change and evolve. There is always something new catching his attention.
But at the moment, one item sits firmly at the top of his wishlist: the Surge Foil Sephiroth from Magic: The Gathering.
Whether or not it eventually joins his collection, Aker’s philosophy remains unchanged: “In a hobby often dominated by discussions of prices, investments, and market trends, the most valuable collections are not necessarily the most expensive ones.”
Connect With Aker And Follow His Collecting Journey!
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