Everything about the Magikarp & Wailord GX card from seventh-generation Pokémon TCG set Team Up can be described as “gimmicky”. From the extremely unconventional art style of the illustration to the effect of its GX attack to the Pokémon depicted to even the nature of its English release, this card’s quirks are the entire reason why there’s always been plenty of demand for it and why its value has remained high ever since it dropped in early 2019.

About Magikarp & Wailord GX (Team Up 161/181)

The most obvious point of interest about this card has to be the Full Art illustration featuring the inimitable art style of OOYAMA. His trademark cartoonish art style is on full display, clearly marking this card out as one of his own while also adding to the card’s off-beat, gimmicky nature. The illustration is a close-up on Magikarp after it’s been sent flying into the air via Wailord’s spout—a perspective not seen on any of the other versions of this card and one which adds further character to the imagery.

The English version of this card was first released as one of the SM Black Star Promos about a month before the launch of Team Up. Magikarp & Wailord GX was initially made available as the promotional card that came with the Towering Splash-GX Box.

When this card was tournament-legal, it did see some competitive use especially in the Archie’s Blastoise and Quagsire/Naganadel decks. It was also involved in one of the most memorable Pokémon TCG tournament moments of all time. In the 2019 Greensboro Regionals, Azul Garcia Griego used Magikarp & Wailord GX’s Towering Splash GX attack to overturn a 5-0 Prize deficit against Alex Schemanske in a single turn to take enough KO’s to pick up six Prize cards and win the game on the spot.

Release Details

In Japanese, this card is card 099/095 from Tag Bolt [SM9].

The price of a Magikarp & Wailord GX (Team Up 161/181) card is 46,270 JPY (~US$300).

In other TCG-related news, check out the Shanks card from the Green Uta Starter Deck [ST-16]. Alternatively, you can also head over to the SNKRDUNK App via the banner below and find the top trending and latest single cards and boxes.

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