So basically it's doing what Lightning Mauler , etc, would do, but more reliably, and for only 1 mana (which is key when you're drawing a million off Graft loops/Rhystic/Necropotence/Remora)
Being an Azorius or Esper deck also means that Affinity will have access to top-tier interaction, the lack of which is the number one reason most fun-looking decks like this fail
The SIR treatment captures motion across the full card
Put the coolest version of Charizard on a Special Illustration Rare and you get the most wanted card in the set
Japan often gets exclusive promo cards, special sets, and limited editions that never make it to other markets
This allows you to draw cards until you have as many cards in hand as Fusion Strike Pokmon in play