Bulbapedia

Hitoshi Ariga

Hitoshi Ariga (Japanese: 有賀 ヒトシ Ariga Hitoshi; born August 23, 1972) is a professional artist who primarily illustrates manga and picture books, and has assumed the position of graphic designer for several Japanese titles in the game industry. He first began providing illustrations for the Pokémon Trading Card Game in 2011, though has been a fan of the franchise for many years. His main passion, however, lies with the Mega Man franchise, known as Rockman in Japan, where he has illustrated numerous manga and artwork for affiliated products since the mid-90s. He likes to engage the community when he has the opportunity, appearing at exhibitions, and maintaining an online presence across several sites.

Ariga in 2020[1]
Ariga's VTuber character in 2023

Ken Sugimori recognized Ariga's design work and invited him to work on Pokémon X and Y.[2] When designing Amaura and Aurorus, Ariga considered that a theropod would pair well with Tyrunt and Tyrantrum, suggesting that the latter may have been considered first. Previous Pokémon such as Lapras, Meganium, and Deino already existed with a similar body shape, so Ariga chose to base the new family off the Amargasaurus, with the large fins on its neck.[3] In creating the artwork for the villainous organization 3DS themes, Ariga pointed out the special attention given to how it looped seamlessly as the user navigated the 3DS menu.[4] In the same thread, he also revealed that there were plans to create a 3DS theme for Team Flare, but they fell through as a result of the series moving from the 3DS to the Switch.[5] Ariga's first spot as the lead character designer on the series was with Pokémon UNITE, though his affinity for paleontology led him to create a new design for Pikachu for the real-life Pokémon Fossil Museum, where he was reached out to by the organizers of the museum themselves.

Although he began officially working on the series in 2011 with the TCG, his Pokémon fan art on DeviantArt dates back to 2010. From as early as 2011, Ariga would upload online battles against other players to his YouTube channel, which was something that he continued with well after the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield.[6] Though they were uploaded to what was originally his main YouTube channel, Ariga has recently shifted focus to regularly live streaming art with his VTuber avatar.[7]

Designs

Pokémon

The following is a list of Pokémon designed by Ariga.

Generation VI
                     
Pangoro[2] Honedge[2] Doublade[2] Aegislash[2] Inkay[2] Malamar[2] Tyrunt[2] Tyrantrum[2] Amaura[2] Aurorus[2] Mega Beedrill[8]
Generation VII
                       
Alolan Geodude[9] Alolan Graveler[9] Alolan Golem[9] Alolan Grimer[9] Alolan Muk[9] Grubbin[9] Charjabug[9] Vikavolt[9] Minior[9]
(all forms) 		Drampa[9] Necrozma
(Draft)[10] 		Ultra Necrozma
(Helper)[11]
Generation VIII
                   
Rookidee[12] Corvisquire[12] Corviknight[12][13] Dracozolt[14] Arctozolt[14] Dracovish[14] Arctovish[14] Hisuian Sneasel [15]
(and Shiny) 		Sneasler[15]
(and Shiny)
Generation IX
                     
Nacli[16]
(and Shiny)[17] 		Naclstack[16]
(and Shiny)[17] 		Garganacl[16]
(and Shiny)[17] 		Espathra[16]
(and Shiny)[17] 		Flutter Mane[18] Ogerpon[19] Ogerpon
(Wellspring
Mask)[19] 		Ogerpon
(Hearthflame
Mask)[19] 		Ogerpon
(Cornerstone
Mask)[19]
Other
 
Fossil Museum
Pikachu [20]

Characters

The following are a list of characters designed by Ariga.

Other
       
UNITE
Erbie[21] 		UNITE
Professor Phorus[21] 		UNITE
Zirco[21] 		UNITE
Aeos Island Shopkeeper[21]

Artwork

This is a collection of official Pokémon artwork drawn by Ariga.

There are 139 cards illustrated by Ariga. For a list of cards he has illustrated, see here.

Core series games

This is a collection of core series Pokémon games that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

             
 OR  AS 
Tabitha[22] 		 OR  AS 
Courtney[22] 		 OR  AS 
Team Magma Grunts[22] 		 OR  AS 
Matt[22] 		 OR  AS 
Shelley[22] 		 OR  AS 
Team Aqua Grunts[22] 		 OR  AS 
Sidney[23]
             
 OR  AS 
Phoebe[23] 		 OR  AS 
Glacia[23] 		 OR  AS 
Drake[23] 		 OR  AS 
Team Magma VS Team Aqua[24] 		 OR  AS 
Mega Rayquaza VS Deoxys[25] 		 OR  AS 
Wally & Mega Gallade[26] 		 OR  AS 
Steven & Mega Metagross[27]
             
 X  Y  OR  AS 
Movie 18 promotional distribution event[28] 		 X  Y  OR  AS 
20th Anniversary Mythical event[29] 		 S  M 
Gladion & Silvally[30] 		 S  M 
Ultra Beasts[31] 		 US  UM 
Elio and Ultra Necrozma[32] 		 US  UM 
Legendary Pokémon Celebration event[33] 		 US  UM 
Shiny Poipole and Shiny Naganadel event[34]
         
 US  UM 
Fula City Zeraora[35] 		 US  UM 
Fula City Lugia[36] 		 P  E 
Steelbook[37] 		 Sw  Sh 
Shiny Zacian event[38] 		 Sw  Sh 
Shiny Zamazenta event[38]

Other art

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: More tables to follow the above format

TCG artwork

This is a collection of official TCG artwork drawn by Ariga.

Merchandise

This is a collection of official Pokémon merchandise that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

Works

Pokémon & GAME FREAK releases

Title Platform Release date Position
Pokémon X and Y Nintendo 3DS 2013-10-12 Character Design
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Nintendo 3DS 2014-11-21 Character Design
Key art
Pokémon Sun and Moon Nintendo 3DS 2016-11-18 Character Design
Key art
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Nintendo 3DS 2017-11-17 Pokémon Characters Design
Key art
Pokémon Masters Mobile 2019-08-29 Key art
Pokémon Sword and Shield Nintendo Switch 2019-11-15 Pokémon Design
Pokémon UNITE Nintendo Switch 2021-07-21 Character Design
Key art
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Nintendo Switch 2022-01-28 Pokémon Character Design
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Nintendo Switch 2022-11-18 Pokémon Design
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Nintendo Switch 2023-02-27 Pokémon Design


Other games

Title Platform Release date Position
Dragon Egg! TurboGrafx-16 1991-09-27 Opening Graphics
Kaizō Chōjin Shubibinman 3: Ikai no Princess TurboGrafx-16 1992-02-28 Graphics
Ranma ½: Neighborhood Combat SNES 1992-03-27 Character Graphics
Streets of Rage 2 Mega Drive 1992-12-20 Character Graphics
Ranma ½: Hard Battle SNES 1992-12-25 Character Graphics
ActRaiser 2 SNES 1993-10-23 Object Design
Illusion of Gaia SNES 1993-11-27 Character Graphics
GötzenDiener TurboGrafx-16 1994-11-25 Monster Graphics
The Story of Thor: A Successor of The Light Mega Drive 1994-12-12 Character Design/Character Graphics
The Story of Thor 2 Sega Saturn 1996-04-26 Character Design/Character Graphics
Vatlva Sega Saturn 1996-12-06 Character Design
Rockman & Forte SNES 1998-04-24 Box art illustration/Dynamo Man Design/Burner Man Design
Animetic Story Game 1: Cardcaptor Sakura PlayStation 1999-08-05 Character Graphics
Car Battler Joe Game Boy Advance 2001-11-30 Character Design/Character Graphics
Metalgun Slinger Game Boy Advance 2002-09-27 Character illustration
Katekyō Hitman Reborn! Battle Arena PSP 2008-09-18 Character Illustration
Katekyō Hitman Reborn! Battle Arena 2 - Spirit Burst PSP 2009-09-17 Character Illustration


Manga and light novels

Title Date Publisher
Rockman's Soccer (In Comic BonBon) 1994-12-20—1995 Kodansha
Rockman Remix 1996-04-05 Kodansha
Rockman Megamix Vol. 1 1997-04-04 Kodansha
Rockman Maniax (In Comic BonBon) 1997—1998 Kodansha
Rockman 10 Years History Book 1998-03 Kodansha
Rockman Megamix Vol. 2 1998-04-08 Kodansha
The Big O Vol. 1 1999-12-16 Kodansha
The Big O Vol. 2 2000-03-23 Kodansha
The Big O Vol. 3 2000-10-23 Kodansha
The Big O Vol. 4 2001-03-23 Kodansha
The Big O Vol. 5 2001-08-23 Kodansha
The Big O Vol. 6 2001-12-21 Kodansha
Mimimi ~The Tale of a Cat and a Robot~ 2002-06 Kodansha
Rockman Megamix Vol. 1 (2003 re-release) 2003-02-06 Enterbrain
Rockman Megamix Vol. 2 (2003 re-release) 2003-03-07 Enterbrain
The Big O -Lost Memory- Vol. 1 2003-03-20 Kodansha
Rockman Megamix Vol. 3 (2003 re-release) 2003-04-04 Enterbrain
The Big O -Lost Memory- Vol. 2 2003-10-23 Kodansha
Iron Jokers (In Weekly Shōnen Champion 2004 issues 20-38) 2004 Akita Shoten
Chi Moji GJ – Neko Shishaku Bōkentan 2005-02 Shodensha
Fukushū Suru Kaseki – Neko Shishaku Bōkentan 2005-08 Shodensha
Teppan Girl Akane!! (In Young King 2005 issue 10 to Young King 2006 issue 19) 2005—2006 Shōnen Gahosha
Star Wars Manga: Silver, Oh!! Jawajawa 2005-12-22 Tokyopop
Teiritsu Gurentai 2006-03-18 Takeshobo
Aka-chan☆Baby Marine-chan (Hontō ni Atta Yukai na Hanashi Ai no Itonami Special April 2006
issue to June 2006 issue, Hontō ni Atta Yukai na Hanashi DX October 2006 issue onwards) 		2006— Takeshobo
TRIO de PINCH!! (In Monthly Comic Alive November 2006 issue to April 2007 issue) 2006—2007 Media Factory
Dinosaur Kingdom D-1 Maze Book 2008-02 Kin no Hoshi
Specter Heaven Spirit World Maze Book 2009-02-23 Kin no Hoshi
Rockman Megamix Vol. 1 (2009 re-release) 2009-05-26 BN Comics
Rockman Megamix Vol. 2 (2009 re-release) 2009-05-26 BN Comics
Rockman Gigamix Vol. 1 2009-09-30 BN Comics
Rockman Gigamix Vol. 2 2010-04-27 BN Comics
Monster Legend Maze Book 2010-08 Kin no Hoshi
Rockman Gigamix Vol. 3 2010-09-27 BN Comics
Rockman Maniax compilation 2011-07-11 BN Comics
Klonoa: Dream Traveller of Noctis Sol 2012-09— ShiftyLook


Other illustrations

Title Date Publisher
Legend 80's: The Scheme Soundtrack cover illustration 2002-08-21 Scitron
Famicom Music Complete Works Rockman 1~6 cover and booklet illustrations 2002-09-20 Capcom
Remastered Tracks Rockman Zero booklet illustrations 2004-05-28 Inti Creates
Rockman ZX Soundtrack: ZX Tunes variant cover illustration 2006-10-27 Inti Creates
R20 Rockman & Rockman X Official Complete Works illustrations 2008-03-25 Capcom
Rockman ZX Soundsketch - ZX GIGAMIX booklet illustrations 2008-08-01 Inti Creates
Rockman 9 Arrange Soundtrack cover and booklet illustrations 2008-10-10 Inti Creates
Chiptuned Rockman illustrations 2009-10-15 Inti Creates
Pokémon Trading Card Game illustrations 2011-07— The Pokémon Company
Mega Man Tribute limited edition cover illustration 2011-07-19 Udon Entertainment
R20+5 Rockman & Rockman X Official Complete Works illustrations 2012-12-17 Capcom


Trivia

External links

References

  1. ↑ Image of Ariga from 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Pocket Monsters XY by HitoshiAriga on DeviantArt (posted on November 14, 2013)
  3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410130327/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/458627994395762689
  4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410113110/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1640157094321217536
  5. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410112857/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1641046957325193217
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/vaOcH66Ofj0
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/@ArigaHitoshi/featured
  8. ↑ Tweet about designing Mega Beedrill (posted on December 25, 2014)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 Tweet about designing the Grubbin, Minior, Drampa, Alolan Geodude, and Alolan Grimer families (posted on December 1, 2016)
  10. ↑ Tweet about making Necrozma's draft (posted on December 15, 2017)
  11. ↑ Tweet about assisting with Ultra Necrozma's design (posted on December 15, 2017)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Tweet about designing the Rookidee line (posted on January 5, 2020)
  13. ↑ Tweet about designing Corviknight (posted on November 14, 2019)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Tweet about designing the Galarian fossil Pokémon (posted on October 23, 2020)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Tweet about designing Hisuian Sneasel and Sneasler (posted on February 15, 2022)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Tweet about designing the Nacli line and Espathra (posted on December 19, 2022)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 https://web.archive.org/web/20230329214219/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1605476467214675970
  18. ↑ Tweet about designing Flutter Mane (posted on January 13, 2023)
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Ariga confirming he designed Ogerpon, including all of its forms.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019092439/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1384472753638580230
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Tweet about designing NPCs for Pokémon UNITE (posted on June 17, 2021)
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 Tweet about the Teams' executives official illustrations (posted on December 25, 2014)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Tweet about the Elite Four official illustrations (posted on December 25, 2014)
  24. ↑ Tweet about the Team Magma VS Team Aqua art (posted on November 21, 2014)
  25. ↑ Tweet about the Mega Rayquaza VS Deoxys art (posted on December 21, 2014)
  26. ↑ Tweet about the Wally & Mega Gallade art (posted on November 21, 2014)
  27. ↑ Tweet about the Steven & Mega Metagross art (posted on August 8, 2014)
  28. ↑ Tweet about the Movie 18 promotional distribution event key art (posted on June 25, 2015)
  29. ↑ Tweet about the 20th Anniversary Mythical event key art (posted on January 15, 2016)
  30. ↑ Tweet about the Gladion & Silvally art (posted on October 26, 2016)
  31. ↑ Tweet about the Ultra Beast key art (posted on December 1, 2016)
  32. ↑ Tweet about the Elio and Ultra Necrozma key art (posted on November 17, 2017)
  33. ↑ Tweet about the Legendary Pokémon Celebration event key art (posted on February 2, 2018)
  34. ↑ Tweet about the Shiny Poipole and Shiny Naganadel event art (posted on February 26, 2018)
  35. ↑ Tweet about the Fula City Zeraora key art (posted on June 21, 2018)
  36. ↑ Tweet about the Fula City Lugia key art (posted on April 4, 2018)
  37. ↑ Tweet about the Let's Go Steelbook key art (posted on September 25, 2018)
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Tweet about the Shiny Zacian and Shiny Zamazenta event art (posted on October 21, 2021)
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 39.6 39.7 39.8 39.9 [1]
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 40.6 40.7 40.8 [2]
  41. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230623121003/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1672213717063471107
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 42.6 42.7 42.8 [3]
  43. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135034/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/983179227431227392
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135400/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/780949776556658688
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135443/https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/1070603779605712896
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135530/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/959369354847535104
  47. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135557/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/844529840371871744
  48. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019142723/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1074978353621286913
  49. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140211/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1110360484362911750
  50. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140154/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1271315271530102785
  51. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140344/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1405553645567897604
  52. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018151949/https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000002124/
  53. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150105/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003757/
  54. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150115/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003255/
  55. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150327/https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/1043802171488305153
  56. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150535/https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003165/
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150400/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1548860896536977408
  58. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150244/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004423/
  59. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150141/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003563/
  60. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150225/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004140/
  61. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150608/https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000002677/
  62. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150311/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004561/
  63. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018151730/https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?scode=FIGURE-027927&rank=null
  64. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150416/https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/967308141582045184
  65. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150213/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004026/
  66. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150434/https://twitter.com/Kotobukiya_EN/status/1197682356385017856
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 67.3 67.4 67.5 67.6 [4]
  68. ↑ Tweet about illustrating the 1st anniversary artwork
  69. ↑ Tweet about illustrating the Hoenn Villain Arc (Part 2) title screen
  70. ↑ Tweet about illustrating the Unova Villain Arc (Part 1) title screen
  71. ↑ Tweet about illustrating the Unova Villain Arc (Part 2) title screen
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Tweet about illustrating the Kalos Villain Arc title screen
  73. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019142650/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/758278478047260672
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 [5]
  75. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230826161407/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1695301803775250733/photo/1
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 76.2 76.3 76.4 76.5 Ariga confirming he designed the Armarouge & Ceruledge TCG Merch.
  77. ↑ Ariga confirming he designed the Smeargle Sleeves.
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 Ariga confirming he designed the Hisui first partner Pokémon sticker and Dialga and Palkia wallpaper.
  79. ↑ Ariga confirming he drew the Flutter Mane sleeves.
  80. ↑ Hitoshi Ariga's Twitter bio (archived on April 1, 2022)
  81. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410130615/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1510496002331258881


Pokémon designers

Emi Ando • Hitoshi Ariga • Kanako Eo • Hiroki Fuchino • Motofumi Fujiwara
Misaki Hashimoto • Mana Ibe • Asuka Iwashita • Tomohiro Kitakaze • Fumie Kittaka
Yusuke Kozaki • Kazuyuki Kurashima • Lee HyunJung • Megumi Mizutani • Shigeki Morimoto
Keiko Moritsugu • Kensaku Nabana • Atsuko Nishida • Yusuke Ohmura • Tomohiko Ohkubo
Muneo Saitō • Ken Sugimori • take • Reiko Tanoue • Aimi Tomita • Kenkichi Toyama
Saya Tsuruta • James Turner • Takao Unno • Emi Yoshida • Hironobu Yoshida

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