My Favorite Pokémon TCG Artists

October 1996 marked the start of a cardboard empire that would engulf the hearts of many youths and adults. The first of many Pokémon cards were released in Japan. This flame spread to the states in 1998 with the demo packs and 1999’s base set.

With over a hundred English and Japanese sets, there tends to be a lot of artist involvement. A trading card game can’t be a trading card game without artists. The art is what captures the attention of players or collectors. If I love a specific artist, I’m further inclined to buy the cards they designed. I don’t care about the value.

When I’m opening packs or buying singles, there tend to be specific artists I look forward to pulling. Pokémon TCG has a long history. That means many artists have illustrated cards. It would take forever to make a full list of all my favorites. For this post, I choose several of them.

Atsuko Nishida

Atsuko Nishida has been an OG Pokémon staple, a core artist around designs such as Pikachu, the original three starters, and numerous Eeveelutions. Truly iconic! She deserves so much respect for enriching our childhoods.

Her art is adorable! I love the soft features of the Phanpy and Mareep.

My favorite cards of hers happen to be:

Asako Ito

Asako Ito creates art for cards uniquely. She doesn’t draw or sketch, she crochets them! Ito entered the Pokémon TCG during the Sun & Moon sets. Her backgrounds are handcrafted with felt. As someone who crocheted for a few years, I am truly impressed with the amigurumi dolls she creates.

(mine never came out well.)

Some of my favorites are:

Yuka Morii

These card creations are the works of a master clay artist. Morii is a professional clay modeler. She sculpts all of her Pokémon figures featured in the cards, dating back to Neo Discovery in 2001.

Her Instagram link is HERE.

Some of my favorites are:

OSARE

I wasn’t able to pull a lot of information about OSARE, but I did find their socials! They seem relatively new to illustrating Pokémon cards, only having done four card illustrations so far. However, I look forward to their art because I love the line work!

Twitter and Instagram!

One of my favorites:

Masako Tomii

Masako Tomii wins a special part in my TCG heart for this card alone:

It’s adorable and I love it. Who doesn’t love a Smoliv?

Her Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter.

Tomokazu Komiya

Komiya has been heavily involved in Pokémon TCG since Neo Genesis! I love the unique designs of the cards. Also, who had to set up a Wiglett card like this?