SNKRDUNK Interviews Lennie—a Pokémon TCG Collector With a Truly Unique TCG Journey

16th May 2025 EDT FEATURES

SNKRDUNK Interviews Lennie—a Pokémon TCG Collector With a Truly Unique TCG Journey

Take a guess at what you think her favorite Pokémon TCG set is—then read on to find out. You'll probably be surprised!

Pokémon TCG collector and social media content creator Lennie (@lennie.pulls) has had a journey within the Pokémon fandom that has certainly been less conventional than that of most fans. We recently interviewed her to hear from her about this backstory and her perspective on various TCG-related topics, including an answer she gave us that many would likely regard as unexpected.

Could you introduce yourself?

I’m a person who goes by three names. My legal name is Allen, but most people know me as Len. Lennie is the nickname I adopted simply because I thought it was catchy. One of my friends called me the name one day, and it caught on, and now I use it for my platform 🙂

I’m a full-time college student studying biology and have been a Pokémon nerd for a while.

I enjoy going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and making content for my followers.

I’m the type of person to try anything. I’ve dipped into multiple hobbies consistently, but Pokémon has been the one that always stuck. It has given me comfort since I grew up watching anime.

How did you get into TCG collection?

Long story short, a friend kept convincing me to rip some packs. I was skeptical at first since I knew it could be an expensive hobby, but I gave in when we checked out a GameStop and saw some Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs). My very first ETB I opened was Shrouded Fable [SFA], and that’s why that set (that a good chunk of people don’t enjoy) has a special place in my heart.

Among the first hits I ever pulled were a Fezandipiti ex and a Full Art Duskull. I still have them in my personal collection since they are very special to me. After that night of ripping an ETB, I believed that I was so lucky and that I knew what I was doing. To be honest, the last time I opened a pack was when I wasn’t even a teenager. I had no idea what Special Illustration Rare (SIR), Special Art Rare (SAR), or Pokémon-ex meant. I just knew that the artwork was super sick and I’m a sucker for cool-looking cardboard.

What is it about TCG collection that keeps you coming back for more?

I can definitely say that the amazing artwork on some of these cards makes me addicted. I enjoy how stories can be told with the cards, and putting them all together in a little binder just heals my inner child since I barely got to open packs as a kid due to financial issues. I feel like I also always come back to this hobby because of the community,y too. Being able to show off, trade, and talk to my followers and friends about what we pulled, what we have, and relate to what cards we like is really nice. I get to bond with so many people over this hobby, and I’ve gained meaningful friendships because of it.

Can you speak about your experiences with TCG products on the SNKRDUNK app?

YES! The very first time I opened a booster box from SNKRDUNK, I PULLED A CHASE! I was so excited. I feel as if SNKRDUNK has so many different sets to buy from for such a reasonable price. Considering all of these scalpers and resellers, It is a great place to buy from. I enjoy how easy it is to search for a set or single I want. When my friend Edgar and I decided to record a fun video with one of the booster boxes we got from the app (Terastal Festival ex [SV8a]), we pulled the ultimate chase card “Sunbreon” (Umbreon ex 217/187) and we were going crazy!

What would you regard as the primary advantages of purchasing TCG products via an online store such as that of the SNKRDUNK app?

I feel like the shipping is good compared to other companies selling Pokémon TCG products as well as just the variety of what’s on the app. There’s certain sets that I haven’t been able to find at all unless they overcharge but on the SNKRDUNK app, they come with great deals.

In your time as a TCG collector, what has been your greatest experience?

Talking and bonding with everyone who is also in the hobby!!! It is honestly so fun to know that there are so many nice people in the community. Being able to create content and share what I find fun has been amazing too. I had no idea this account would take off—but now I’m getting texts saying how I make people’s day and it warms my heart. I’m just glad I can make people smile

Do you have any favorite cards that you either own or are pursuing? If yes, which ones?

My followers know that I have been chasing the Full Art Houndoom from Shrouded Fable [SFA]. From the very first week I made this account and someone asked what my chase is, it has always been that Houndoom. Unfortunately, I still do not have it. Other cards I really love are the Riolu from Sacrlet & Violet [SVI] and the Mienshao from Paradox Rift [PAR].

Which Pokémon TCG sets do you rate most highly?

As I said earlier, Shrouded Fable [SFA] will always have a special place in my heart. I feel like when it comes to the artwork, I would have to say that I really, really enjoy Scarlet & Violet [SVI], Temporal Forces [TEF], and Paradox Rift [PAR].

What’s your take on the upcoming return of Mega Evolution cards?

I am so excited for that! I feel like the Mega Evolution cards I had as a kid made me feel like the coolest kid ever. I feel as if it will spark a good chunk of our childhood memories back up and give us that excitement we had back then.

You’ve mentioned to us that growing up, you weren’t really able to play the Pokémon video games. How, then, did you get into Pokémon?

Being an iPad kid, I would constantly watch YouTube and chill around. I remember there was a day when I stumbled on a free random episode of Pokémon and watched it. From then on, I would watch Pokémon and only Pokémon every day. I would binge the show episode by episode, remembering all the Pokémon’s names. I got so attached to the show that I would write in my little kid journal about what I would do if I were in Ash’s shoes and who my Pokémon partner would be. If there was anything Pokémon-related at the store, I’d beg my parents for it. I was the average nerd. I even remember buying those “Pokémon Essential Handbooks” at the book fairs that schools held so I could remember every single Pokémon there was.

Who is your favorite Pokémon anime character and why?

I loved Ash in the early seasons. I feel like from Indigo League (Season 1) to Adventures in Unova and Beyond (Season 16), Ash had no filter and he was so funny. His comebacks and small remarks always made me giggle. I feel as if he was my cartoon crush as a kid, now that I remember. Just the way he shared how much he cared for his Pokémon and how determined and hard-headed he was made me enjoy him as a character.

I also enjoyed James from Team Rocket a lot as well. His backstory was very sad and I enjoyed how the anime gave him a more child-like side as well. He definitely made the show more enjoyable for me.

Can we have a final message for your social media followers?

I really don’t know how I got here with how big my account is now, but I want to say thank you. Thank you for giving me your time, your patience, your grace, and your love. I look forward to posting and talking to you guys. Making you guys smile or even giggle a bit is something I will gladly take pride in. I appreciate every single one of you guys, and because of you guys, I was able to share something that my little kid self wasn’t able to. I hope you all know that you are healing my inner child little by little. Your support means everything to me, and I can never say it enough. I can’t wait for you guys to see what else I have in store for this account, and I am so happy to have you along my journey. I love you all and I’ll see you guys in my next video :))

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