A viral 53-second video featuring a 7-year-old Pokémon fan named William has sparked a wider conversation in the Trading Card Game (TCG) community regarding the “rarity paradox” of the current Scarlet & Violet era. In the clip, which was amplified by the “Guru Collects” account on X around November 6, 2026, the young collector expresses his frustration that Magikarp received a high-value art treatment while its powerful evolution, Gyarados, has been overlooked for a Special Illustration Rare (SIR).
The core of the grievance centers on the Magikarp Illustration Rare (IR) from the Paldea Evolved expansion (card 203/193). Despite Magikarp being famously characterized as one of the weakest Pokémon in the franchise, its card has become a “grail” for modern collectors. As of November 4, 2026, the Magikarp 203/193 market price has reached approximately $289.68, with PSA 10 graded copies fetching as much as $380.
The Technical Rarity Gap
While some collectors colloquially refer to the Magikarp card as an SIR due to its high secondary market value and intricate art, it is technically an Illustration Rare, denoted by a single gold star. Special Illustration Rares (SIR), which feature two gold stars and a textured foil finish, are considered a higher tier of rarity.
The young fan pointed out the perceived “disrespect” toward Gyarados, which has been a staple of the franchise since the 1999 Base Set. While Gyarados has received numerous high-rarity cards over the decades—including ex, GX, V, and VMAX versions—it has yet to receive a physical Special Illustration Rare in the current Scarlet & Violet series. This disparity has become a focal point for fans who feel that iconic, powerful Pokémon are being sidelined in favor of “meme” Pokémon receiving top-tier artistic focus.
Shinji Kanda’s ‘Hidden’ Tribute
The video also highlights a specific detail in the Magikarp IR artwork created by artist Shinji Kanda. The illustration depicts several Magikarp struggling to swim up a waterfall, a reference to the Japanese legend of the Dragon’s Gate. William noted in his rant that a shadowy, “hidden” Gyarados can actually be seen at the top of the waterfall in the artwork, which fans argue makes the lack of a standalone Gyarados SIR even more glaring.
The timing of the viral critique coincides with the release of the Pokémon 30th Anniversary “Classic Collection” sets on November 6, 2026. These Ultra-Premium Collections (Day and Night versions) feature a reprint of the Shinji Kanda Magikarp but continue to omit a new Gyarados SIR, further fueling the debate over how The Pokémon Company distributes its most prestigious art slots.
For many collectors, the 7-year-old’s rant summarizes a genuine shift in TCG strategy where the “chase” factor of a card is increasingly driven by unique art styles and “useless” Pokémon rather than the competitive strength or legendary status of the creature depicted.