How does a successful content brand grow from a single video filmed on a stool—and why do thousands of kids (and their parents) show up at meetups just to open Pokémon card packs together?
In an in-depth interview for the People & Collectors podcast, Oren—better known as “Oren’s World”—shares the origin story, the YouTube surge, the community that celebrates around him and the simple principle guiding his choices: we collect experiences and memories, not just cards.
From a floor-level first video to cinema stages
Three and a half years ago, during the pandemic, Oren—then a LEGO instructor and program manager, shot his first Pokémon video at his daughter’s suggestion after a McDonald’s meal that included cards for Pokémon’s 25th anniversary.
“I sat on the floor, on a tiny stool, with fake cards behind me. I didn’t know editing, design or marketing,” he laughs. “I shared it with my students on WhatsApp—and it just exploded.”
Since then, the channel has amassed tens of thousands of subscribers and, beyond the screen, turned into a real-world engine: shop meetups, fair booths and full-on stage shows at Cinema City with quizzes, live pack openings, surprise guests and prizes. “Only kids pay for tickets; the accompanying parent comes in free. Accessibility matters to me.”
“I open packs, explain new sets, talk about events and conventions—and mostly deliver good vibes,” Oren says. Alongside Pokémon, there are Funko Pops, action figures and statues from Disney and Marvel. His childhood love is Toy Story, but the centerpiece is Pokémon—with a special place (and album section) for Vaporeon. “Some cards I bought or traded, but others I insisted on pulling myself. That thrill—that the card is ‘yours’ from the pack—is irreplaceable.”
Analytics can be misleading (“many kids watch on their parents’ phones”), but on the ground, Oren sees mostly ages 6–12, plus many parents who enjoy it just as much. “I pull grown-ups into the games too—give them a ‘double round’ in Guess the Energy. It’s a fantastic icebreaker.”
'How much is it worth?'
Oren avoids price talk, even for heroes like Charizard or Pikachu. “When someone asks ‘what’s most valuable,’ my answer is always: what’s most beautiful to you. That’s the real value.”
Still, he decodes basics for newcomers: the difference between holo, reverse and full-art rares; modern packs (≈₪25–₪60) vs. older, scarcer ones (hundreds or thousands of shekels); and language editions—English and Japanese dominate, alongside others.
In Oren’s cabinet, you’ll find graded cards in protective slabs. “I grade mainly to preserve and display nicely. Sometimes it raises value, depending on the 1–10 grade and demand.” He encourages the community to trade—“TCG is a trading game”—and to learn gradually: “No rush. It’s a whole world.”
What are 'breaks' and who are they for?
A break is a live stream where multiple buyers split a pricey box and open it together on air. “It’s for people who want the opening experience without buying a full box,” he explains. He himself leans more toward the creator community than commerce, but appreciates the fun for those who love it.
Starter tips (adults included):
- Don’t scatter your budget: pick a set or a favorite Pokémon and focus.
- Talk with your parents: it can get pricey—be smart.
- Meet the community: attend events, ask questions, then buy.
- Trade: build your collection via swaps, not only purchases.
- Enjoy it: “We collect memories, not just cardboard.”
“A YouTuber can create without meeting the audience; a kids’ star lives on stage,” he says. “I merged both: constant community events plus digital content.” His shows feature giant-screen quizzes (“Guess the Pokémon”), well-known guests and live openings with kids from the crowd. Collaborations span top creators and children’s entertainers. “Those moments are electric—even if someone once scolded us for ‘throwing cards out of excitement’,” he smiles.
Oren intends to scale up: more conventions and shows, plus wilder YouTube challenges—from ice baths to car openings. The dream: a skydiving pack-opening. “I don’t know if anyone has done it—but I want to try.”
He closes with the core message: “Have fun. Spread love. Make new friends. When you work at what you love, it stops being ‘work’—it becomes a way of life.”
- For more stories from Lukach and other collectors, check out the People and Collectors podcast. The full interview is available with English subtitles, along with subtitles in about 50 other languages.