Artists Make The Pokemon TCG Universe Tick

The Pokemon TCG space would not exist without the hard work of talented artists. Most people do not even realize hundreds of people put their effort into creating the cardboard we like to collect. In fact, over 500 artists – if we include 2D graphic work – have been given the chance to design Pokemon cards so far. 

Hundreds of Pokemon TCG Artists

A lot of things about the Pokemon TCG are taken for granted by collectors and fans worldwide. We buy the cardboard, collect what we like, and move the rest. However, it is essential to keep in mind what these Pokemon cards entail exactly. They are pieces of art, hand-drawn by talented individuals all over the world.

Every pack of Pokemon cards can hold between 3 and 25 artworks, depending on the region it is sold in. It is entirely possible to go through an entire pack of 25 cards and never encounter the same artist twice. That alone makes you appreciate how many people dedicate their time and effort to these products. 

To date, hundreds of people have worked on illustrating 2D and 3D graphics for the Pokemon TCG. In addition, Creatures Inc., the company behind the game, relies on over 90 artists for illustrations. The rest of the work is primarily entrusted to freelancers from all corners of the world.

It is this diverse group of talent that gives us a varied spectrum of Pokemon TCG art. Whether it is specific colors, recurring themes, using strong angles, or anything else, every piece has its creator’s identity. Some of the best art can be found in common and uncommon TCG cards. However, one should never dismiss the EX cards and better either. 

Notable Industry Names

When discussing Pokemon TCG artists, some names will automatically float to the surface. Yukaa Mori, Tomokazu Komiya, Ken Sugimori, Nelnal, 5ban Graphics, and many others are just some examples. Their line of work becomes recognizable due to their recurring creation of TCG artwork. Some of them have even been part of Pokemon design for many, many years.

It is worth noting there are names you may encounter only in specific regions. For example, Hiromi Ito or Fuzichoco only illustrate Pokemon TCG cards released in Japan. That situation may change over time, but there is a core list of illustrators in this category today.

The same applies to photographers tied to the Pokemon TCG space. More than 10 of them have artwork released only in Japan. Granted, they are all limited to 1 card per photographer, but they are still well worth taking note of. 

Massive Pokemon TCG Contributions

When looking at the numbers of cards created/illustrated per person, some interesting figures become apparent. The biggest “representative” is 5ban Graphics, with 2,000 cards (including reprints) to date. Second on the list is Ken Sugimori, who has contributed to almost 1,000 cards. Kouki Saitou completes the top 3 with over 850 illustrations to date. 

It is safe to say the Pokemon TCG would not be where it is today without the effort of every illustrator and photographer. Whether only one card bears their name, or hundreds do, their efforts all deserve to be praised. More importantly, they contribute to a tapestry of Pokemon art that allows everyone to find the style(s) they like.