Read on below to learn more about talented Pokémon TCG artists:
Meet some of the artists who made a powerful first impression with their Pokémon TCG cards in 2024.
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on and celebrate the Pokémon TCG artists who made their debuts in 2024. It’s always exciting to look at the bottom-left corner of a Pokémon TCG card and see the name of a new illustrator. Every Pokémon TCG artist brings a unique style to the Pokémon and Trainer cards they illustrate, expanding the parameters by which we can imagine Pokémon as amazing creatures and giving us an original interpretation of the Pokémon world.
Uninori made their Pokémon TCG debut this year with a particularly dynamic illustration of Grotle for the Scarlet & Violet—Temporal Forces expansion. We’re not used to seeing Grotle with this much moxie, so this rendition of the Grove Pokémon was as surprising as it was delightful. This energy imbues the rest of Uninori’s work with an artistic style that evokes classic manga and anime artistry—the textures are very reminiscent of the 90’s.
Rond’s illustrations are fire. And we’re not just saying that because they illustrated Lampent and Ceruledge! The soft lines, the colors, the use of blur, and the almost still-life approach to these illustrations bring out a regal vibe that we don’t ordinarily see with these Pokémon.
Here’s the tea—Saboteri is sure to amaze you with their beautiful artwork. They’ve already illustrated 13 cards since making their Pokémon TCG debut with Rellor in the Scarlet & Violet—Temporal Forces expansion. And while they’re all impressive, we especially love these scenes that draw on the lore of Poltchageist and Sinistcha hanging out in old houses.
Mingo’s style isn’t quite vaporwave, but the gradient of bright, groovy colors is consistent throughout their Pokémon TCG illustrations. They also have a knack for leveraging the background of their subject to elevate the Pokémon’s personality—as seen with Klefki floating through a hallway of doors and Floette admiring flower-filled vases.
Small…cute…and round! Shimaris Yukichi continues to showcase Pokémon against simple backdrops and with cute expressions that really up their adorable factor. Just look at Marill playing with its tail in a field of flowers, and Clobbopus posing triumphantly among a series of crashing waves! This is a vibe we can’t wait to see more of in the future.
Osare made their Pokémon TCG debut with a trio of illustrations in the Scarlet & Violet—Twilight Masquerade expansion and quickly established a heavily-rounded, almost cartoonish style. Just look at the illustration rare card of Tatsugiri—the difference in personality between each form is apparent. Meanwhile, Durant ex marches along in an illustration that can be almost endlessly repeated (assuming you have enough cards).
Who doesn’t love a classic storybook? Mékayu’s style oozes the type of aesthetic that might be seen in a collection of fairytales, and we’ve been completely enchanted. The layered environment behind Charcadet with the shining sun and a glimmer of light practically frames the Fire Child Pokémon as a future hero. In the Temporal Forces expansion, the two children riding on Drampa’s back through a small neighborhood feels like everyone’s dream come true.
Life comes one day at a time, and Yuriko Akase appears to lean into that idea by creating casual, slice-of-life scenes where Pokémon lend a helping hand, relax, and smell the flowers. Akase’s Pokémon TCG work all began with Timburr assisting the village townsfolk with constructing a festival stall in the Scarlet & Violet—Twilight Masquerade expansion.
Yukihiro Tada has impressed Trainers with cool, laidback environmental illustrations since debuting with their illustration rare card of Pinsir in the Scarlet & Violet—Twilight Masquerade expansion. Pinsir appears to be perfectly content in the countryside—an ideal place for a Bug-type Pokémon. On its card, Alolan Dugtrio chills near the beach, surrounded by palm trees and tropical flora. The fluffy clouds seen in both illustrations just might be a theme in the forecast for future card artwork.
Swirls of color and fisheye lens-like perspectives make up Narano’s current Pokémon TCG portfolio, and we’re totally here for it. Sky, ocean, and land all twist and converge while Togekiss and Castform Sunny Form (and its Castform friends) soar with unmatched jubilance. These two cards both debuted in Scarlet & Violet—Surging Sparks, so Narano is just getting started.
Dozens of Pokémon TCG artists made their debut in 2024, so this is only a small sample of all the amazing illustrations that continue to enchant in the Pokémon TCG. Look forward to even more in 2025!
Source: Pokemon.com
Source:Pokémon
