Collectibility Evolved: Charlie Talks Pokémon Roots, Topps Inspiration, and the Future of MetaZoo

Casters,

MetaZoo Monday this week offered more than spoilers and product updates. Charlie Hurlocker took time to speak candidly about the company’s origins, his own collecting background, and where the game is headed next for both players and collectors.

From Pokémon to MetaZoo: A Personal Investment Story

The discussion began when community member KBDxTokyo asked what many in the fandom have quietly wondered: whether Pokémon had any involvement in the revival of MetaZoo. Charlie’s answer was direct but more personal than expected:

Yes! But not the way you’re thinking. Pokémon cards made me the money that I was able to use to invest in the company. And the careers of several people who have contributed to the project also had experiences at Pokémon. But other than those connections, there isn’t anything deeper.

- Charlie Hurlocker

His response paints a picture of MetaZoo’s rebirth as a passion project financed by years of collecting and trading success. Rather than corporate ties, the connection to Pokémon is creative and cultural: a reflection of the same collector spirit that drives MetaZoo’s community today.

Topps, Textures, and Collector Innovation

The conversation soon turned toward MetaZoo’s product philosophy. When asked about the possibility of another future Topps collaboration, Charlie shared that “no current discussions” are taking place. Still, he noted:

...there are heavy inspirational elements from the set that I think translate well to some products. The class of product is super interesting. Limited. Parallels. Serialized. Etc.

- Charlie Hurlocker

Charlie confirmed that MetaZoo plans to release “a more collector-oriented product” in 2026, continuing the brand’s emphasis on premium experiences. While some fans immediately jumped to speculation about numbered cards and parallels, Charlie made it clear that balance is key.

I don’t think the plan is to go nuts and just yolo everything into serialized. It needs to be done in a tasteful and interesting way and shouldn’t be a replacement for art and other important card elements.

- Charlie Hurlocker

That philosophy mirrors how MetaZoo has handled rarity and texture since its earliest sets. To further expand on that process, community moderator and texturing specialist DustinGQL explained what goes into designing the foil patterns that fans often dissect online.

...there are a handful of patterns that I reuse for different cards. Often that is on purpose, usually because a particular pattern creates a visual effect I specifically want for that piece. But I am continuously creating different and unique patterns. It can be a lot of trial and error, and it’s a lot of hard work.

- DustinGQL

He added that each set refines the texturing process:

Many textures used for the characters themselves are quite often concentric circles, as I have discovered that is the best way to make something feel natural and give that sense of true dimension.

- DustinGQL

Exploring Cooperative Formats

Beyond collecting, Charlie touched on new ways players might engage with the game. Responding to a community suggestion about raid-style gameplay, he shared his enthusiasm for cooperative formats.

Pokémon has a raid format in TCG that is really, really poorly advertised and a lot of people have never heard of, where you can work alone or with friends against a big character and a special game format. I love it and I think it would be an awesome release in a magazine or similar environment

- Charlie Hurlocker

While not an official announcement, the idea of a MetaZoo PvE mode reflects the team’s willingness to experiment with how the game can be played and collected simultaneously: a natural extension of the brand’s hybrid identity as both a trading card game and a storytelling platform.

Holiday Promos and the Road to 2026

Before wrapping up, Charlie confirmed that holiday-themed promos and mini sets are on the way in the upcoming year. When CutthroatZoo asked about seasonal releases, Charlie replied simply, “Yes.”

Combined with his comments about serialization, limited products, and Topps-style inspirations, the picture of 2026 is becoming clearer: a year that deepens both MetaZoo’s competitive ecosystem and its appeal to collectors. And with a mysterious "collector's product" on the horizon, there is a lot to look forward to in the magical world of MetaZoo.

If MetaZoo’s first chapter was about mystery, its next is about refinement. The art, the foil work, the formats, and the product strategy all seem aimed at a single goal: to build something that rewards both the player and the collector without losing the charm that made the game unique in the first place.