From Childhood Fascination to a Lifelong Passion
Before she ever thought of herself as a collector, Zhenni was just a kid glued to Saturday morning Pokémon episodes, obsessing over Pikachu and spending hours on her Game Boy. At school, she watched her classmates flip through binders and trade cards, often wishing she could join in.
Collecting only started for her during the XY era while in polytechnic, but it didn’t truly become a hobby until years later, when she discovered Dream League packs selling for $3 at a local hobby store.
From just two packs, she pulled a Character Rare (CHR) and was immediately captivated by the artwork and foiling, which looked completely different from the English cards she knew. That single pull hooked her, and before she knew it, she was researching set lists and buying booster boxes!
A Collector of All Things Pikachu And More
Zhenni’s collection spans far beyond just cards; she has amassed almost all things Pikachu, from plushes and merchandise to Gachapon figures.
In the TCG, however, she holds a particular passion for CHRs and Character Super Rares (CSR) that feature Trainers alongside their Pokémon; a love best exemplified by her favorite single card — Lisia’s Altaria from Incandescent Arcana
A Special Connection With Latias and Latios
The legendary Eon duo, Latias and Latios, also hold an especially cherished spot in Zhenni’s collection. Among all the cards featuring them, the undisputed centerpiece is her Altomare Latias and Latios set, signed by Mitsuhira Arita.
Securing those signatures at the TCGKL tradeshow in 2025 required hours of traveling and queueing. But it was well worth the effort, as Zhenni achieved a major collecting milestone while enjoying the company of fellow hobbyists such as PK, BazzyTim, and Joel.
But even with such a significant centerpiece in her collection, Zhenni still has her sights set on one remaining grail: a PSA 10 Latias & Latios TTGX card from Tag Bolt.
An Unexpected BGS Black Label... from Facebook
One of Zhenni’s favorite collecting memories began with a simple Facebook purchase. While completing her VMAX Climax set, she bought an Acerola card that appeared ordinary at the time. It wasn’t until a year later, when she decided to send it in for grading, that she discovered it was perfectly centered and free of print lines.
When the card returned as a BGS Black Label, she learned it was the first of its kind. Today, with only three copies in existence, owning one remains one of her proudest moments as a collector.
Although value plays a huge part in hobbies like the TCG now, it shouldn’t be the first thing you look into. Instead, you should collect what you like. For me, the real joy is the fun I enjoy when I get to hang out with friends, opening packs and boxes together (reasonable prices).
The Hobby It And Has Always Been About The Community
Zhenni believes the best part of the TCG hobby is the community and the friends made along the way. She has enjoyed making new connections and reconnecting with old acquaintances throughout her collecting journey, noting that card collecting can bring together people from all walks of life.
This sense of community is evident in experiences like how she ran into someone she had known years ago during one of the Singapore Card Shows. Following a small catch-up, they are now part of the same regular group, talking about cards and the latest games, and sharing stories about rare finds.
At the end of the day, these unexpected and shared connections are what truly enrich the collecting experience for Zhenni.
Connect With Zhenni And Follow Her Collecting Journey!
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