From Genetic Apex to Eevee Grove, Trainers have been collecting cards with awe-inspiring artwork in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. You’ve probably got a few favorites—whether it’s immersive artwork that pulls you into the world of the card’s illustration or a unique depiction of your favorite Pokémon. Many of the talented artists who provide art for Pokémon TCG Pocket also do breathtaking work for the physical Pokémon Trading Card Game.
We’re putting the spotlight on five of these artists, featuring illustrations from both Pokémon TCG Pocket and the Pokémon TCG that inspire us to start collecting more of their cards.
Illustrator: Jerky
Jerky’s distinctively vibrant, color-blocked art style has been a highlight of Pokémon cards in both their digital and physical forms since Genetic Apex and Crown Zenith respectively. Their more recent illustration of Alolan Muk ex (Celestial Guardians) uses ooze-like shapes and eye-catching colors to guide the viewer’s eye right to Alolan Muk—who looks poised to unleash its Chemical Panic attack.
In the Pokémon TCG, Jerky illustrated Hydrapple for the Destined Rivals expansion. This piece uses color blocking and high contrast to depict the syrpent in mid attack, with the intensity of its bright-orange flames showcasing that Hydrapple is not a Pokémon to be underestimated.
Illustrator: matazo
On the other hand, matazo expertly utilizes light and shadow to create compelling scenes and put their Pokémon subjects in the spotlight. The illustration for Extradimensional Crisis’s Pheromosa, for example centers our attention using a soft, focused light that colorfully reflects off Pheromosa, creating a captivating and otherworldy haze around the Ultra Beast.
In the Pokémon TCG’s Twilight Masquerade expansion, Froslass’s illustration shows it emerging from a dark, shadowy room. This depiction takes a muted approach to color, but Froslass’s icy blue gaze—illuminated by the moon—evokes its inscrutable intentions, making viewers wonder what the Snow Land Pokémon might do next.
Illustrator: REND
If you like Pokémon illustrations that appear like they’ve been taken from a nature documentary, look no further than the Paldean Clodsire ex (Shining Revelry) art by REND. Paldean Clodsire floats along peacefully with two Paldean Wooper perched atop its head, soaking in the swampland sunset.
REND’s semirealistic art style appears across many cards in the Pokémon TCG, including this enchanting Chimecho illustration from Twilight Masquerade. You can almost hear the serene symphony emenating from Chimecho and the other delicately painted chimes hanging from this porch.
Illustrator: Gemi
You can find Gemi’s work in Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Celestial Guardians expansion on this illustration of Alolan Marowak. Set against an enchanting backdrop of starry skies, the flames on Alolan Marowak’s bone cast a peaceful green light over it and the sand at its feet. This somber yet beautiful scene perhaps depicts the Bone Keeper Pokémon mid-dance, which it performs to mourn fallen allies.
Gemi illustrated Poliwhirl standing on a rainy street, caught in a moment of reflection, for the Pokémon TCG’s 151 expansion. The stone pavement of the plaza is rippled with falling raindrops and colorful dappled light—the warmer hints of color allow Poliwhirl’s cool tones to stand out as it beholds its own reflection. What do you think Poliwhirl’s thinking about?
Illustrator: Kuroimori
Kuroimori’s storybook-like art style combines delicate-yet-detailed line work and soft colors to create breathtaking scenes for Pokémon to inhabit, such as Mismagius ex from Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Space-Time Smackdown expansion. The curling, thorned vines adorned with roses and heart-shaped petals suit the whimsy of the Magical Pokémon as it appears to float away after having cast a spell.
Looking at Kuroimori’s illustration of Articuno for the Pokémon TCG’s Journey Together expansion, we find more fine-line work painstakingly outlining each unique snowflake and icy pine needle, and hatched lines directing our eyes along the elegant movement of Articuno’s swirling tail feathers. Embedded in a snowy landscape, this Legendary Pokémon appears right at home.
This only scratches the surface of parallels between digital and physical trading card artworks. Who are your favorite Pokémon TCG Pocket artists, Trainers? More than likely, they’ve provided art for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, too—revisit your favorite cards and see what other illustrations that artist has done!
