Casters, today we’re putting the spotlight on ZelesTCG, a creator who has carved out a unique space in the MetaZoo community. His sharp editing, thoughtful production, and willingness to take on ambitious projects have earned him a reputation as both an entertainer and a builder of community. In this conversation, Zeles reflects on how he first connected with MetaZoo, the challenges and rewards of making content, his reaction to the game’s rebirth, and what continues to drive his work.
MetaZoo News (MZN): Thanks so much for agreeing to do this interview! To start, can you introduce yourself to our readers? Tell us a little about your background and how long you've been involved with MetaZoo.
ZelesTCG (Zeles): So, I’ve been collecting MetaZoo for about 4 years. I collected Pokemon until I came across MetaZoo in December of 2021. I started out like many of you, lurking in the shadows but in love with what MetaZoo was doing at the time. I really loved how MetaZoo involved cryptids that resonated with people rather than made up creatures. I loved collecting Pokemon, but MetaZoo felt like Pokemon’s edgy older brother and that’s one of the main factors that drew me in.
Zeles: So what first drew me in was a Full Holo Mothman from Nightfall. I was scrolling across an app looking for Pokemon cards and stumbled across the Nightfall Moth. I thought the card was super sick and when I clicked on the picture for the card to get a better view I then saw how amazing the Nightfall holo was. Stars, spider webs, bats, skulls, ghosts. The Nightfall holo is still one of my favorites to this day. I purchased some error cards when I first started collecting and I wanted to get them graded. Literally nobody was uploading slab return videos so, thats where my channel started. I was one of the first people to grade MetaZoo Cards and upload a video on it!
Zeles: When Mike Waddell sent out the letter that he was shutting the company down I was Honestly In tears. I was JUST STARTING my channel. My mom actually gifted me my old intro as a Christmas gift. I was so proud to bring that quality of content to this community. A couple hours after uploading a collection video I spent hours and hours on, Mike sent out the letter saying it’s over. It hurt cause I felt like I finally found somewhere I fit in. I started to focus on real life while the bankruptcy went on, I was still making purchases here and there, keeping up with the bankruptcy lore. Then we started hearing about MetaTwo and GQL purchasing MetaZoo and I got a lot of hope. I started making content once again, dropping my video “MetaZoo Is Coming Back”. I felt like MetaTwo and GQL really had potential to do MetaZoo justice and I’ve been back in the scene since then!
Zeles: I definitely can walk you through this Nightmare of a process that I go through to make each video. 😂 To start with the space I have to work with is SO LIMITED I constantly have to move things around in order to film. The way I view content is I want to bring forth value. It starts with me thinking “What does MetaZoo need right now? What is MetaZoo lacking? What can I do to help MetaZoo GQL? ” This is what I try to base MOST of my videos off. Coming up with the Ideas usually is the easiest part, but the execution of making an Idea become a reality is what’s time consuming.
I film everything off of my phone, both hand and face cam. (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5) and I use my computer mic for audio (Hyperx Quadcast). I try to make the hook of my video, informative and straight to the point. The tone of my voice, facial expressions and overall energy are the things I pay attention to most. Once I’ve recorded my intro, I then record whatever cards/product I’ll be covering. That way I can transfer all the files from my phone at once. (except outro, that’s recorded last) I then have to Line the Audio I recorded on my PC to the audio I recorded on my phone. This is when the chopping, editing process starts. Depending how detailed I go on the editing(animated popups, custom name tags, sound effects, transitions Etc.) a 4 minute video can take me up to 6 hours or more easily.
MZN: You have helped shine a light on many community members through Project D.T.A.S (Don’t Tell A Soul) - can you talk to us about the inspiration behind that?
Zeles:
The inspiration behind Project D.T.A.S. started with me thinking to myself, “What can I do for this community”. Right before I released Project D.T.A.S. I went to Miami CollectaCon For MetaZoo’s re-release and I decided to stream it for those who couldn’t make it. My channel started to get a lot of support from the community right about that time so I wanted to do what I could to give the community a voice of their own. I tried putting myself in MetaTwo and GQL’s shoes. I tried thinking of questions that I’d like to know if I had been the one who purchased MetaZoo.
I wanted people to feel like they were a part of something. I contacted a handful of community members behind the scenes and didn’t tell them anything other than they had to record themselves answering questions. They didn’t know who else was in it until the video dropped. Nobody did. I underwent the struggle of learning Adobe After Effects to bring more life to the video, animating each and every person’s Nametag, Profile Picture, and even took the time to learn how to create my own trading cards. I wanted to give each person that participated something to remember, something special, something exclusive. I customized each person their own promo card, exclusive with their name on it and I was super proud to have done that. I did all of this behind the scenes to prove something. BIG PROJECTS can be happening in the background, and we may not know about them. I honestly can’t count how many hours were sunk into this project but, if I had to guess? 100 or more times, I lost so much sleep. Ultimately, Project D.T.A.S. turned out to be a huge success. I’m proud with how it turned out.
MZN: What are your top three favorite MetaZoo cards - either for showing off on camera or just your personal favorites?
Zeles: This is a tough question! As of September 2025, My Top Three Favorite Cards has got to be the Shadow Mothman from the Poncho Alt Art Box. Oni 3 Star Alt Art From Torrential Tides, and The Legend Rare Raiju From Torrential Tides blew my mind! I have to give an honorable mention to the Manananggal 3 Star Alt Art from Torrential Tides as well, I cant not mention it!
MZN: You’ve had the opportunity to work at a recent MetaZoo Collect-A-Con - what was that experience like for you?
Zeles: When MetaZoo reach out and asked if I’d like to work at the booth in Cleveland, I was honored! Working with MetaZoo has been something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time. I was nervous but thrilled at the same time. I really enjoyed being able to interact with the community, there were quite a lot of people looking to learn how to play the game! The Staff was super chill, and I helped with anything from teaching people how to play, to stamping Convention Cards, to helping clean up. It felt natural once I got settled in, I wish I could make it to more conventions!
MZN: What is your reaction to the announcement of Secret Shadows as the new dark set?
Zeles: When Secret Shadows was announced I was actually asleep! When I woke up, I checked Instagram and it was the first thing I saw and I was like “What did I miss?” I personally really liked the name, and the font they used for it. I saw the cryptids that they had darkened out and I thought the teaser looked good! The only thing that threw me off was the darkened out cryptid that looked like Tommyknocker!
MZN: Looking ahead, what is next for ZelesTCG?
Zeles: So moving forward, I still plan to collect MetaZoo and put out as much content as I can! This community has been great to me and I’m truly thankful for all the people that have supported the channel. I plan to do my best to bring some quality entertainment, and give this community a voice!
MZN: Finally, where can the fans find you and your work?
Zeles: If people are interested in finding me my socials are @ZelesTCG on both Youtube And Instagram!
A huge thank you to ZelesTCG for opening up about his journey and creative process. His commitment to producing quality content and finding new ways to involve the community shows how much one person’s energy can ripple through a game’s culture. If you haven’t already, you can follow his work on YouTube and Instagram under @ZelesTCG. Stay tuned to MetaZoo News for more interviews that highlight the voices shaping the game’s future.
