Ethan Crossfield 
Scalpers have found a new target during Pokemon’s 30th anniversary: a Magikarp-themed cat toy that originally sold for $29.99 is now moving for dramatically higher prices. The episode matters now because it shows how quickly limited collectibles from the anniversary push can get locked down by resellers—before many fans even have a chance to buy.
What happened: Magikarp Playful Partners cat toy sells out fast
Pokemon scalpers are reportedly reselling an unusual item: a Magikarp-themed cat toy shaped like a fishing rod. The toy features fan-favorite Gen 1 Magikarp hanging from the end and was sold exclusively through the Pokemon Center website as part of the Playful Partners line of pet toys and accessories.
The original price listed on the Pokemon Center site was $29.99. After scalpers purchased available stock, the toy has reappeared on eBay for multiple times that amount. Some reported sales reached $129.99, which is more than four times the official MSRP.
At the time of reporting, the Magikarp fishing rod is out of stock on the Pokemon Center website, and there was no information provided about a future restock.
Why it matters: the anniversary frenzy keeps feeding the reseller market
This isn’t the first time Pokemon’s anniversary has drawn scalper attention. Earlier in the 30th anniversary celebration, the first official Pokemon LEGO sets became a major target for resellers, with significant markups appearing even for a bonus badge set.
Pokemon apparel tied to the anniversary has also been scalped after release, and even Pokemon-branded food items have reportedly been resold at inflated prices—such as Pop-Tarts being sold for up to $25 per box.
Beyond merchandise, the trading card game community has faced scalping issues as well. The Pokemon TCG has grown rapidly in recent years, supported by popular sets including Scarlet and Violet: 151 and Prismatic Evolutions. Reselling has become widespread enough that some retailers have introduced purchase limits on new sets.
Pokemon Company has also taken steps aimed at reducing scalper activity. For sealed-box purchases on the official Japanese Pokemon TCG website, customers are required to link their government ID to their account. Additionally, Pokemon Company International introduced restrictions for major competitive events, including limiting vendors from selling graded cards, Japanese Pokemon Center merchandise, and individual items valued above $1,000.
What to watch next: restocks, limits, and whether enforcement scales
For fans trying to get the Magikarp cat toy at its original price, the immediate question is whether Pokemon Center will restock the Playful Partners fishing rod—especially since no restock timing was provided.
More broadly, the bigger watchpoint is whether the anti-scalping measures already in place for the Pokemon TCG and major events will expand to other anniversary merchandise categories. If Pokemon continues to see high-demand items sell out quickly, expect more pressure on retailers and distribution channels to tighten purchase controls—particularly for exclusive web drops.
Until then, scalpers appear ready to keep pivoting to the next unusual item that generates hype, turning the anniversary celebration into a race that favors resellers over collectors.
Practical takeaways for fans and collectors
- If an item is listed as exclusive to Pokemon Center, treat it as limited—scalpers can move quickly once stock appears.
- Compare resale listings to the MSRP before buying; this Magikarp toy reportedly jumped from $29.99 to sales as high as $129.99.
- Check whether the official shop shows an out-of-stock status and whether any restock details are provided.
- For Pokemon TCG-related purchases, note that some retailers and organizers use purchase limits and ID-linked purchasing to reduce resale abuse.
- Be cautious with high-demand collectibles that are tied to anniversary waves, since multiple product lines have already been scalped.
Expert View
Scalping works best when demand spikes and supply is constrained—exactly the conditions Pokemon’s 30th anniversary is creating. The Magikarp cat toy case is especially telling because it’s not even a trading card or a typical “hot” electronics item; it’s a niche accessory that still got enough attention to trigger buyouts. If Pokemon wants the anniversary to feel like a celebration for fans rather than a reseller feeding frenzy, it will need scalable enforcement beyond the TCG—otherwise every new exclusive drop becomes an opportunity for the next reseller cycle.
