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Notes from the journey. What I am learning, where I am stuck, what surprised me. Written first-hand as I figure things out.

• April 26, 2026

  Wait, How Is This Card Numbered 222 of 191?

  My son pulled a rainbow Flygon ex and we noticed the card number was 222/191. The first number is bigger than the second. Turns out that is not a typo, that is a Pokemon TCG tradition called secret rares, and once you know what to look for you see them everywhere.

  cardsbasicssecret-rareslearning

• April 26, 2026

  Wait, There Is an Artist Behind Every Card?

  It took me a few days of asking AI about Pokemon cards before I realized the answer keeps including a name. Each card was illustrated by a real person. Comparing two cards side by side made the whole artist angle come alive.

  illustratorscardslearning

• April 26, 2026

  What Do Those Pokemon Numbers Actually Mean?

  Charizard is #006. Genesect is #649. Pecharunt is #1025. The number next to every Pokemon's name is a little time stamp, and once it clicked for me the whole franchise felt mappable.

  basicspokedexlearning