Illustration contests

Illustration contests are contests in which entrants are invited to create artwork of requested Pokémon in an effort to have it featured on a card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The majority of these contests have only been open to residents of Japan, with many earlier competitions held in Shogakukan publications, such as CoroCoro Comic. Wizards of the Coast and The Pokémon Company International have also held contests in North America and many other countries worldwide during their tenure. The following is a list of contests held in conjunction with the TCG.

Pokémon Card Game Illust Artist Contest

The first illustration contest was publicized in the November 1997 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released on October 15, 1997 and invited readers to draw and submit their favorite Pokémon. The winning entries were announced in the January 1998 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released in December 1997. Three entrants received the Best Award, each of them receiving 20 copies of a Pokémon trading card featuring their illustration and a special Pokémon Illustrator promotional card. These cards were subsequently printed as part of Expansion Sheet 1, available in special vending machines from March 23, 1998. Twenty entrants were also selected for the Excellence Award, all of them receiving a Pokémon Illustrator promotional card. One hundred entrants received the Special Award, each of them receiving a 1998 Pokémon Original Calendar.

Outside Japan, the winning Snorlax card would inspire Wizards of the Coast's Create-a-Snorlax Pokémon Card Contest. Twenty-five years after its original release, the winning Mr. Mime would be printed in English for the first time as a part of Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic.

Poliwrath Illus. Yuuki Kawamura

Snorlax Illus. Keita Takahashi

Mr. Mime Illus. Kasumi Matsuda

Mewtwo's Counterattack Commemoration Illust Artist Contest

Another illustration contest was publicized in the May 1998 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released in April 1998, in commemoration of the upcoming Pokémon movie in July of that year. The contest invited readers to create their own original card of either Mewtwo or Mew, and was divided into two categories: illustration and attacks. The winning entries were announced in the July 1998 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released in June 1998. One entrant received the Best Award in terms of illustration and attacks, receiving 20 physical copies of their card and a Pokémon Illustrator promotional card. This card was later printed as part of Expansion Sheet 3, available from November 24, 1998. Four entrants received the Excellence Award in the illustration category and three entrants received the Excellence Award in the attack category, each of them receiving a Pokémon Illustrator promotional card. Thirty entrants received the Special Award, each of them receiving a Mewtwo's Counterattack and Pikachu's Summer Vacation teaser poster.

Mewtwo Illus. Kazuhiko Nishihara

Pikachu's Summer Vacation Commemoration Illust Artist Contest

A third illustration contest through CoroCoro Comic was publicized in the June 1998 issue, released in May 1998, commemorating the upcoming Pikachu short attached to Mewtwo's Counterattack. This contest was similar to the previous one, with both an illustration category and an attack category. Winning entries were announced in the August 1998 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released in July 1998. The four entrants selected for the Excellence Award in both the illustration category and attack category each received a Pokémon Illustrator promotional card. Thirty entrants received the Special Award, each of them receiving a Pokémon Pikachu. The winner of the Best Award was unable to be contacted; as such, their artwork was not turned into a card, and they did not receive a prize.

CoroCoro Best Photo Contest

CoroCoro Comic held another contest in May 1999 and invited readers to take interesting pictures of Pokémon from the recently released Pokémon Snap and submit them in the Best Photo Contest. The top five winning entries had their artwork featured on reprints from Expansion Pack. The five winners each received 20 copies of their card.

Bulbasaur Photo. Yuuki Tanaka

Poliwag Photo. Hiroyuki Sasaki

Magikarp Photo. Yuka Matsubara

Gyarados Photo. Ryouichi Abe

Pikachu Photo. Mina Akuhara

64 Mario Stadium Best Photo Contest

Much like the CoroCoro Comic photo contest, the TV Tokyo variety show 64 Mario Stadium also held a Best Photo Contest in May 1999. The top five winning entries had their Pokémon Snap photographs featured on reprints from Expansion Pack.

Unlike the CoroCoro Comic contest, only 15 of each of these cards were distributed to each of the winners.

Koffing Photo. Natsu Sato

Charmander Photo. Tsukasa Hosono

Squirtle Photo. Miyuki Ogino

Articuno Photo. Yui Tanaka

Chansey Photo. Kaori Samoya

Pokémon Trading Card Game League Create-a-Card Activity

On January 6, 2001, Wizards of the Coast provided Pokémon Leagues with special "create-a-card" activity sheets to commemorate the new play season and release of the Neo Genesis expansion. These activity sheets prompted players to create a fan-made card using a provided template. As no entries would be turned into real cards, entrants were encouraged to be as creative as possible when designing art and mechanics, following the theme of creating a new Baby Pokémon card. League players who earned the Zephyr Badge were eligible to submit a completed card to Wizards of the Coast, and all entrants received a copy of _____'s Pikachu (Wizards Promo 24).

Submissions were separated into three age range categories: 10 & under, 11 through 14, and 15 & over. They were judged based on the quality of their art and game mechanics, with other "surprise categories" that were announced alongside the winners. Sixteen favorites were published to Wizards of the Coast's website in March 2001. Although Wizards claimed the contest had no true winners, the artists of the chosen favorites each received ten copies of the rare 1st Edition stamp variant of Pikachu (Wizards Promo 1) as a prize.

The panel of judges included the following Wizards of the Coast staff:

• Jenifer Hunter, Pokémon TCG League Developer
• Miranda Horner, Pokémon Online Media Managing Producer
• Jayne Ulander, Pokémon TCG Art Director
• Teeuwynn Woodruff, Wizards R&D Game Developer
• Master Trainer Mike, Pokémon TCG Community Manager
• Dark Master Trainer Mike, Wizards Customer Service Manager
• Master Trainer Pat, Wizards Customer Service Representative
• Dark Apprentice Steve, Wizards Customer Service Representative

The templates used in this competition were also used for side activities at events such as the Super Trainer Showdown Long Beach and Pokémon TCG East Cost Tour. While these activities were not competitions, some of the staff's favorites were posted to Wizards's website.

Gallery

Due to the nature of the contest's theme, most of the winning entries feature fake Pokémon, in a rare official acknowledgement.

League Create-a-Card Winners Best Art (10 & under) Illus. Cameron M. Best Overall (10 & under) Illus. Samantha R. Best Game Mechanic (10 & under) Illus. Kevin R. Dark Master Trainer Mike's Favorite Illus. Wayne E. Best Art (11 through 14) Illus. Eddie R. Best Overall (11 through 14) Illus. Alexandra G. Best Game Mechanic (11 through 14) Illus. Justin V. Jenifer Hunter's Favorite Illus. Claudia D. Best Art (15 & over) Illus. Jan B. Best Overall (15 & over) Illus. Sue J. Best Game Mechanic (15 & over) Illus. J.T. M. Master Trainer Mike's Favorite Illus. Michael F. Best Family Entries Illus. Sharon S. Best Family Entries Illus. Devin S. Master Trainer Pat's Favorite Illus. Cesar D. Dark Apprentice Steve's Favorite Illus. Terri S.

Create-a-Snorlax Pokémon Card Contest

In early 2002, Wizards of the Coast ran an illustration competition for an English version of Keita Takahashi's winning Pokémon Card Game Illust Artist Contest entry. From February 10th to March 21st 2002, Pokémon League participants could illustrate a Snorlax on a provided flyer and mail it in for consideration. In April, twenty submissions were randomly selected as finalists and uploaded to Wizards's website, where the public could vote for a winner using a ranking system. The chosen image was illustrated by Craig Turvey.

According to Turvey, he was announced as the winner at E3 2002, when he visited Wizards of the Coast's booth and asked who won. For winning, Turvey's League received a plaque framing his original artwork and a copy of the promo card; Turvey received multiple copies of the promo card. The card was released publicly through Pokémon Leagues in August 2002. The winner of the contest was not announced outside of E3 before distribution of the card.

Snorlax Illus. Craig Turvey

Gallery

Information regarding the identities of the finalist artists has not been found through archives of Wizards's website.

Create-a-Snorlax Finalists Illus. Craig Turvey Illus. SailorClef

Poké Card Creator Contest

Main article: Poké Card Creator Pack (TCG)

The Poké Card Creator Contest was a contest held by Kids' WB! in 2004. Applicants aged between five and fifteen were invited to create an image of one of five pre-selected Pokémon and submit it to Kids' WB! between February 16 and April 10, 2004. Pokémon USA designed five new cards using the winning illustrations. A total of 5,250 Poké Card Creator Packs were distributed in July 2004: 50 packs to each of the five grand prize winners, and one pack to 5,000 first prize winners. The grand prize winners also won a $500 Target gift card.

Treecko Illus. Mark Kraus

Wurmple Illus. Katie Gross

Torchic Illus. May Do

Mudkip Illus. Rowan Laidlaw

Pikachu Illus. Sylvia Forrest

2009 Pokémon Card Design Contest

In 2009, Shogakukan held the Pokémon Card Design Contest through many of their publications. Entrants were invited to design the artwork for Spiky-eared Pichu and Arceus. Aside from two magazines that held contests for original drawings, each one provided an outline of the requested Pokémon drawn by professional illustrators (whose artwork were also featured on the cards in the Movie Commemoration Random Pack). This contest was restricted to residents of Japan and had varying application periods across participating publications:

• Kindergarten; Televi-Kun; Elementary School 1st Grade: February 28 - March 31, 2009
• Elementary School 2nd Grade - Elementary School 6th Grade: March 3 - April 2, 2009
• CoroCoro Comic; Pucchigumi: March 14 - April 14, 2009
• Pokémon Fan: March 18 - April 20, 2009
• CoroCoro Ichiban!: March 25 - April 24, 2009

Cards were distributed in conjunction with theatrical release of Arceus and the Jewel of Life on July 18, 2009.

At the time the contest was ongoing the following distribution figures were published, covering a total of 552 winning entries across twelve of the thirteen publications, broken down into four bands:

• Highest award (1 winner; 12 total): 100 copies of their winning design and a limited edition Daisuki Club Giratina Nintendo DS Lite.
• Outstanding performance award (5 winners; 60 total): Jumbo copy of the entry along with a DX Monster Ball DP
• Special award (10 winners; 120 total): One copy of Pikachu's Ice Adventure DVD
• Lucky award (30 winners; 360 total): One Garchomp vs Charizard SP Deck Kit

It is believed that this was not how the cards were distributed when the contest ended, however. A previously unmentioned publication, Shōnen Sunday, also ran a contest. None of the jumbo cards which were intended to be awarded to the 60 originally-mentioned runner-up contestants are known to have surfaced. Significantly fewer of these cards have appeared than that of the 2010 Pokémon Design Contest, and it is speculated that each winner may have received between one and thirteen full sets of the winning designs instead of 100 of their own design.

At the same time these cards were released, another Shogakukan publication, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, organized a commissioned Pichu design by Gosho Aoyama, the award-winning illustrator of the Detective Conan series first published by the same magazine. This card was released as an insert in the magazine and formed part of Japan's DPt-P promotional set.

Spiky-eared Pichu Kindergarten winner Illus. Shunsuke Takemori	Spiky-eared Pichu Elementary 1st Grade winner Illus. Haruka Uekura	Spiky-eared Pichu Elementary 2nd Grade winner Illus. Taisei Fujita	Arceus Elementary 3rd Grade winner Illus. Shoki Nakamura	Arceus Elementary 4th Grade winner Illus. Arisa Sugino
Arceus Elementary 5th Grade winner Illus. Meiko Akiba	Arceus Elementary 6th Grade winner Illus. Mikako Nishizaki	Spiky-eared Pichu Televi-Kun winner Illus. Keita Mizuno	Arceus CoroCoro Comic winner Illus. Hikaru Okawa	Spiky-eared Pichu Pucchigumi winner Illus. Mahiro Shinozaki
Spiky-eared Pichu Pokémon Fan winner Illus. Shizuka Kusakabe	Arceus CoroCoro Ichiban! winner Illus. Ryoga Kawai	Arceus Shōnen Sunday winner Illus. Natsumi Nishiyama

2010 Pokémon Card Design Contest

In 2010, Shogakukan held another Pokémon Card Design Contest through many of their publications. Entrants were invited to design the artwork for Illusion's Zorua and Illusion's Zoroark, again using a pre-drawn template. This contest, much like the one held in 2009, was restricted to residents of Japan. The application period across all publications ran from February 20 to April 2, 2010. Winners were announced on July 27, 2010.

A total of 660 winning entries were chosen across the ten publications, broken down into four bands:

• Highest award (1 winner; 10 total): 200 copies of their winning design^†, a Nintendo DSi, and a copy of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
• Outstanding performance award (5 winners; 50 total): One Johto Pokédex
• Special award (10 winners; 100 total): One copy of Pokémon HeartGold & Pokémon SoulSilver: Super Music Collection
• Lucky award (50 winners; 500 total): Five booster packs of Reviving Legends

All selected entrants also received the regular prints of Illusion's Zorua and Illusion's Zoroark (660 total).

† The officially published figure for the number of cards each winner would receive according to both the Pokémon website and the Shogakukan magazines which ran the contest was 100. However, in July 2021 an image was shared on eBay of the pack of cards the Pucchigumi winner Miho Sugano received, identifying the Pucchigumi card as "PCG-Z-PLP67-JPN", and displaying the quantity of cards contained in the pack as 200.

Illusion's Zorua Kindergarten winner Illus. Megu Taniguchi	Illusion's Zorua Elementary 1st Grade winner Illus. Mayumi Fujimura	Illusion's Zorua Elementary 2nd Grade winner Illus. Kousuke Mori	Illusion's Zoroark Elementary 3rd Grade winner Illus. Ryusuke Mori	Illusion's Zoroark Elementary 4th Grade winner Illus. Kozue Omi
Illusion's Zorua Televi-Kun winner Illus. Yuta Koike	Illusion's Zoroark CoroCoro Comic winner Illus. Kouhei Yoshihisa	Illusion's Zorua Pucchigumi winner Illus. Miho Sugano	Illusion's Zorua Pokémon Fan winner Illus. Izumi Sakaga	Illusion's Zoroark CoroCoro Ichiban! winner Illus. Kazuki Yamane

Gallery

Unlike the contest ran in 2009, all 660 chosen entrants were showcased on the Japanese Pokémon movie website. Below are the top six entries for each publication, including some additional entries from Pokémon Fan magazine.

Kindergarten winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 谷口芽玖 Megu Taniguchi 2 - 丸山美音 Mioto Maruyama 3 - 神谷汐音 Shione Kamiya 4 - 山岡たつや Tatsuya Yamaoka 5 - 島津尚矢 Naoya Shimazu 6 - 大嶺れな Rena Omine

Elementary School 1st Grade winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 藤村真弓 Mayumi Fujimura 2 - 根本光騎 Kouki Nemoto 3 - 穂崎隆広 Takahiro Hozaki 4 - 渡邊茉耶 Maya Watanabe 5 - 冨野美幸 Miyuki Tomino 6 - 宮地香穂 Kaho Miyaji

Elementary School 2nd Grade winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 森康介 Kousuke Mori 2 - 佐藤あやか Ayaka Sato 3 - 大川すずか Suzuka Okawa 4 - 葛窪悠也 Yuuya Kuzukubo 5 - 船場光顕 Mitsuaki Senba 6 - 平川知奈 Tomona Hirakawa

Elementary School 3rd Grade winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 森龍介 Ryuusuke Mori 2 - 山本葉月 Hazuki Yamamoto 3 - 山本樹冬 Huyuki Yamamoto 4 - 木村珠稚 Tamawaka Kimura 5 - 立吹優晴 Masaharu Tachisui 6 - 綾部慎一郎 Shin'ichirou Ayabe

Elementary School 4th Grade winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 尾身こずえ Kozue Omi 2 - 原口こころ Kokoro Haraguchi 3 - 高橋直暉 Tadateru Takahashi 4 - 平岡侑真 Yuuma Hiraoka 5 - 陶山咲希 Saki Suyama 6 - 市村綾香 Ayaka Ichimura

Televi-Kun winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 小池祐太 Yuta Koike 2 - 伊藤穂来人 Hinakuruto Itou 3 - 青木新樹 Shinki Aoki 4 - 良峯有梨沙 Arisa Yoshimine 5 - 大西一聖 Issei Oonishi 6 - 永尾優磨 Yuuma Nagao

CoroCoro Comic winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 吉久航平 Kouhei Yoshihisa 2 - 藤崎太郎 Tarou Fujisaki 3 - 秋葉昌利 Masatoshi Akiba 4 - 市川大輔 Daisuke Ichikawa 5 - 平塚瑞紀 Tamaki Hiratsuka 6 - 大橋優一 Yuichi Oohashi

Pucchigumi winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 菅野美穂 Miho Kanno 2 - 桝田琴音 Kotone Masuda 3 - 道場美夏野 Minatsuno Doujou 4 - 野主葉月 Hazuki Nonushi 5 - 千且侑生 Yuuki Chikatsu 6 - 後藤菜月 Natsu Gotou

Pokémon Fan winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 坂賀泉美 Izumi Sakaga 2 - 野田苑恵 Sonoe Noda 3 - 櫛引健希 Genki Kushibiki 4 - 名倉由理江 Yurie Nakura 5 - 三木知也 Chiya Miki 6 - 高浜ゆか子 Yukako Takahama Special award Lucky award 9 - 萩谷公美 Kumi Hagiya 10 - 中村有里 Yuri Nakamura 12 - 宿さつき Satsuki Yado 14 - 城越ももこ Momoko Shirokoshi 15 - 日下部静香 Shizuka Kusabe 31 - 川村瑠奈 Runa Kawamura

CoroCoro Ichiban! winning entries Best award Excellence award 1 - 山根一貴 Kazuki Yamane 2 - 佐々木啓翔 Keisyo Sasaki 3 - 仙田虎太郎 Toratarou Senda 4 - 八木誠司 Seiji Yagi 5 - 福田海豊 Umiyutaka Fukuda 6 - 所村龍成 Ryuusei Shomura

Pokémon Art Academy Competition

The first international illustration contest invited players of Pokémon Art Academy to create original Pokémon illustrations with the opportunity to have their artwork featured on specially created Pokémon TCG cards. Overall, there were three separate instances of the competition:

• Japan (where the competition was named Pokémon Art Academy × Pokémon Card Game) – open to residents of Japan.
• North America – open to residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Europe and Oceania – open to residents of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and Russia (Italy was specifically excluded).

The Japanese competition began first, with the submission period open from December 13, 2014 to February 1, 2015. The North American competition and European and Oceanian competition began simultaneously on February 18 and ran until March 29, 2015. Each competition comprised two categories: Dress-Up Pikachu and Your Favorite Pokémon. Dress-Up Pikachu required players to portray Pikachu in a costume of their design, inspired by Cosplay Pikachu as featured in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Your Favorite Pokémon invited players to create an image featuring any Pokémon. Once entrants had completed their chosen image in Free Paint mode, they were required to upload it to Miiverse and submit it as part of the competition.

The 5 winning entries from each category in the Japanese competition were announced in March 2015. The 3 winning entries from each category in the North American competition and European and Oceanian competition were announced on June 8 of the same year. The top entrants in each competition were selected from a panel of judges including Pokémon Trading Card Game illustrators. Each of the winners received 100 copies of the card featuring their illustration.

Japanese competition

Pikachu Illus. gogotake	Pikachu Illus. pikamania	Pikachu Illus. Mame Akimaru	Pikachu Illus. Y. Fujishima	Pikachu Illus. Sayaka Maruyama
Goomy Illus. Mio Muroi	Sableye Illus. iwaiya	Gourgeist Illus. rina	Mudkip Illus. Daisuke Ochiai	Pikachu Illus. Ginga

North American competition

Pikachu Illus. Xime	Pikachu Illus. Ashley	Pikachu Illus. Me!
Primal Kyogre-EX Illus. Mireil	Tangrowth Illus. Gosha	Chespin Illus. Gabi

European and Oceanian competition

Pikachu Illus. Lily-Chan	Pikachu Illus. Rhivern	Pikachu Illus. Meli
Mew Illus. Phanpy	Kecleon Illus. Scarlett*	Delphox Illus. Peegeray

Gallery

Illustrator names when originally submitted to Miiverse appear in brackets, where applicable.

Japanese competition

Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries Illus. gogotake Illus. pikamania (ゆきち) Illus. Mame Akimaru (しらたま) Illus. Y. Fujishima (おにぎり) Illus. Sayaka Maruyama (さやか)

Your Favorite Pokémon winning entries Illus. Mio Muroi (ダノンミオ) Illus. iwaiya (イワイヤ) Illus. rina Illus. Daisuke Ochiai (メガネ) Illus. Ginga (☆ゆーり☆)

Notable entries as selected by judging panellists Entries selected by Mitsuhiro Arita Illus. チハヤ Illus. アマナツ Entries selected by PLANETA Illus. っつさん Illus. パンマニ～ア Entries selected by Kouki Saitou Illus. ほしるび Illus. CARDA Entries selected by Kagemaru Himeno Illus. Poké Mania Illus. かまし Entries selected by Tomokazu Komiya Illus. ももん Illus. えのむし Entries selected by Creatures, Inc. Illus. はにぃ Illus. くいダレたろう

North American competition

Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries Illus. Xime Illus. Ashley Illus. Me!

Your Favorite Pokémon winning entries Illus. Mireil Illus. Gosha Illus. Gabi

European and Oceanian competition

Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries Illus. Lily-Chan Illus. Rhivern Illus. Meli

Your Favorite Pokémon winning entries Illus. Phanpy Illus. Scarlett* Illus. Peegeray

Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix

Another illustration contest began in late 2018 and invited people to create artwork with theme "Pokémon Landscapes". Images were required to feature one of ten pre-selected Pokémon complete with an accompanying background—forests or cities were cited as examples. These Pokémon included: Charizard, Pikachu, Slowpoke, Eevee, Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Gardevoir, Metagross, Darkrai, and Solgaleo. The competition website included Pokédex entries, official Ken Sugimori artwork and 3D models of each Pokémon by Creatures, Inc.'s in-house art team 5ban Graphics for reference. Only residents of Japan were eligible to enter the competition. The application period was open from December 17, 2018 until March 31, 2019. Entrants could apply up to three times and were required to submit their artwork via the competition website. All entries were reviewed by a panel of judges, which consisted of The Pokémon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara, Creatures, Inc. President Hirokazu Tanaka, Creatures, Inc. Executive Producer Yuji Kitano, Creatures, Inc. Art Director Kenichi Koga, and TCG illustrators Mitsuhiro Arita, Kouki Saitou, and Kagemaru Himeno.

The competition website included articles that provided information and insight from individuals involved in the creation of the TCG. The first article featured an interview with Kenichi Koga in which he discusses a general overview of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the varying illustration styles that have been an enduring attribute of the TCG, and tips for creating an effective illustration. Interviews with Mitsuhiro Arita and Kouki Saitou were published on the competition website on February 12, 2019 and March 5, 2019, respectively, which explore their methodology of creating an image as well as insights into the interactions between the illustrator and client.

In total, 5,343 entries were submitted. Fifty illustrations that passed the primary screening were published on the competition website on April 26, 2019. The top 8 entries were announced on May 30 and the final positions were announced during the 2019 Pokémon Japan Championships on June 8. One overall winner received ¥300,000, a trophy featuring their name and winning illustration, and had their artwork featured on an oversized TCG card; one runner-up received ¥100,000 and a trophy featuring their name and illustration. The website stated four entries as selected by the panel were to receive ¥50,000, yet five were ultimately included as part of the Judge's Award, as well as an additional Slowpoke Award, chosen due to its popularity amongst the panel. It is unknown if the additional Judge's and Slowpoke Award-winning entries were also given a prize. Entries deemed excellent by the panel were also approached by Creatures, Inc. to produce official artwork for the TCG. Of the fifty artists whose entries were published, nine have since illustrated official cards: winner Yuu Nishida, runner-up Narumi Sato, Slowpoke Award recipient Amelicart; as well as teeziro, Atsushi Furusawa, OKACHEKE, Nagomi Nijo, takuyoa, and Souichirou Gunjima.

Gardevoir Illus. Yuu Nishida

Gallery

Top 8 entries Winner Runner-up Judge's Award Illus. 西田ユウ Illus. さとう なるみ Illus. 倉田理菜 Illus. 岡谷亜希 Judge's Award Slowpoke Award Illus. このは Illus. 北川徹也 Illus. ハナフサ エリ Illus. ア・メリカ

Other showcased entries following primary screening Illus. aya Illus. 黒井ススム Illus. teeziro Illus. 野崎 想 Illus. 古澤あつし Illus. いもむし Illus. 欄外 Illus. んまんま Illus. 雨音はるじ Illus. おかちぇけ Illus. くのじ Illus. 白石貴士 Illus. namakemono Illus. バクルズ ジョー Illus. はしむすび Illus. フジイカクホ Illus. 井上茉莉 Illus. オオウラシオリ Illus. 前屋 進 Illus. ワキサカ Illus. わたあめ Illus. 井上ムラマサ Illus. 雲丹海苔 Illus. sho Illus. フジツキ Illus. GoldenBoden Illus. Tarai Illus. 二条和水 Illus. ほたてぃーの Illus. takuyoa Illus. n:go Illus. 軍島曹一郎 Illus. 水野　佑 Illus. you8 Illus. AKI Illus. 犬ビコちゃん Illus. 潤宮るか Illus. J-Dragon Illus. とみなが　まい Illus. 西山はな Illus. きんぎん Illus. 星見 しょーり

2nd Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix

A second Grand Prix illustration contest began in Japan in late 2019, this time inviting people to create artwork with theme "Pokémon's Cool Moments". Like the first Grand Prix, submitted artworks were required to focus on one of a number of pre-selected Pokémon. Entrants could select to portray either Charizard, Pikachu, Tyranitar, Milotic, Lucario, Genesect, Wishiwashi, or Zacian. The contest was only open to residents of Japan and entrants could submit up to three illustrations to competition website from the period December 9, 2019 to March 31, 2020. All entries were reviewed by a panel of judges, which consisted of The Pokémon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara, Creatures, Inc. President Hirokazu Tanaka, Creatures, Inc. Executive Producer Yuji Kitano, Creatures, Inc. Pokémon CG Studio Art Director Atsuko Ujiie, Creatures, Inc. Art Director Kenichi Koga, and TCG illustrators Hitoshi Ariga, Ryota Murayama, and Yuta Otani.

The competition website included articles that provided information and insight from individuals at Creatures, Inc. and official illustrators. The first three articles were reuploads of interviews with Kenichi Koga, Mitsuhiro Arita, and Kouki Saitou that originally published for the first Grand Prix. The fourth article featured an interview with two members of Creatures, Inc.'s Pokémon Card Development Division: Art Design Team Manager Satoru Nagaya and Illustration Team Sub-manager Natsume Suwabe. The pair discuss the response to the first Grand Prix, the impetus for the second, and exploring the "Pokémon's Cool Moments" theme. The fifth article, published on January 31, 2020, featured an interview with illustrator Hitoshi Ariga. The sixth article, published on February 28, 2020, featured an interview with the winner of the first Grand Prix, Yuu Nishida.

In total, 4,050 entries were submitted. Fifty illustrations that passed the primary screening were published on the competition website on May 1, 2020 and the final positions were published on July 17. One overall winner received ¥300,000, a trophy featuring their artwork, and an official TCG card using their artwork; one 2D Excellence Award winner and one 3D Excellence Award winner each received ¥100,000 and a trophy featuring their artwork; five entries as selected by the panel each received ¥50,000. Entries deemed excellent by the panel were also approached by Creatures, Inc. to produce official artwork for the TCG. Of the fifty artists whose entries were published, six have since illustrated official cards: winner Jiro Sasumo, 3D Excellence Award recipient takuyoa, Judge's Award recipient Rianti Hidayat; as well as Taiga Kasai, Nisota Niso, and Shiburingaru.

Charizard Illus. Jiro Sasumo

Gallery

Top 8 entries Winner 2D Excellence Award 3D Excellence Award Judge's Award Illus. 次郎 Illus. 楠木 燦 Illus. takuyoa Illus. ヒダヤト　リアンティ Judge's Award Illus. 白砂かに Illus. スズキイオリ Illus. ノズル Illus. 雉本　ユーヒ

Other showcased entries following primary screening Illus. N氏 Illus. あいらんど Illus. カサイタイガ Illus. せんこんさん。 Illus. にそにそ Illus. 雲丹海苔 Illus. 金井 亮介 Illus. 橋本ルウ Illus. ささしままい Illus. みる Illus. 魚野景 Illus. 仁子 Illus. ○A Illus. crudefish Illus. シトニ Illus. ナカジマ ユウキ Illus. ひらやま Illus. えすてぃお Illus. タケノコノコ Illus. ぱにぱに Illus. 畑 健太朗 Illus. AKI Illus. sgtoon Illus. ハチ Illus. 黒井ススム Illus. 塩見キキ Illus. 西山はな Illus. yorikane Illus. シブリンガル Illus. タケノコ太郎 Illus. でんぢ Illus. ユウイチ Illus. Ca.OF-3 Illus. momo irone Illus. えぐざ Illus. 末宮 市悠 Illus. 西廻り航路。 Illus. DyG Illus. Ho-oh リン Illus. TAPI岡 Illus. ヤマタカ Illus. 砂川 宗一郎

Pokémon the Movie: Koko × Pokémon Card Game Illust Contest

An illustration contest was held in the months leading up to the Japanese theatrical release of Secrets of the Jungle. Those wishing to participate were required to follow the official Pokémon movie Twitter account, @pokemon_movie. A digital copy of the application form could be downloaded from there or the official Pokémon the Movie website; physical copies could also be obtained from participating Pokémon Centers and Pokémon Stores. Entrants were invited to color in a line drawing of Koko and Dada Zarude based on the Tetsuo Yajima illustration used on a promotional Koko card. The application period ran from October 15 until November 15, 2020 and while the contest was not limited to residents of Japan, prizes would only be shipped to a Japanese address. Entrants could apply once per account and were required to post their artwork on Twitter with the hashtag #ポケモン映画カードイラコン, Pokémon Movie Card Illu Con. Teams of parents and their children could submit their artwork for consideration using the additional hashtag #親子賞, Parent-child Award. Children were required to color the line art of Koko and Zarude; parents could color in the background and add more illustrations if they so wished.

Of all the entries submitted, 55 were nominated by a Pikachu Project judging panel to receive a 2-player TCG Movie Original Design Paper Playmat (Japanese: 映画オリジナルデザイン紙製プレイマット) featuring Koko and Dada Zarude. Nominees were notified via Twitter in late November 2020 and their artwork was showcased on the official website on December 23. Of these nominations, four overall winners were selected across four categories: the Director's Award, the Creatures Award, the Parent-child Award, and the Twitter Special Award. The Twitter Special Award was revealed as a surprise category upon the announcement of the results on December 25, and was determined by the artwork that received the most likes up to December 1. Each of the winning entries received a Jumbo card featuring their artwork plus other Pokémon goods, which began to shipped in late March 2021.

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Winning entries Director's Award Creatures Award Parent-child Award Twitter Special Award Illus. にゃべにゃ Illus. うさまる Illus. そうたパパ Illus. にじまあるく

Other nominated entries Illus. あおなぎ Illus. モネォツェル Illus. ちゃま Illus. 五十鈴　吟叶 Illus. KAZU Illus. AXEL Illus. かな Illus. なつモン Illus. ジュリ Illus. ハチ Illus. あき Illus. 石動らとね Illus. Moca®︎ Illus. せいくん Illus. たこやき Illus. さき Illus. こうた Illus. 手袋てって Illus. アイリ Illus. 夏月 舞 Illus. かざと98 Illus. ろーあ Illus. そーたろ Illus. moeka Illus. 大鳥あお Illus. さしみ Illus. ミナキ Illus. よもぎ団子 Illus. クロイス Illus. あきやま　かずや Illus. うさ吉郎 Illus. 七星める Illus. ユイくん Illus. 横澤 真理子 Illus. seya6 Illus. ちくわ1310 Illus. さめのま Illus. そらちゃん Illus. ちー Illus. そうちゃん Illus. TOSHI Illus. りひと Illus. そうまくん Illus. WOR Illus. ソラ -Y- Illus. ぷくりん Illus. ひろむ Illus. いつきち Illus. そうすけ Illus. あちき Illus. シェフチェンコ

Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022

Following the success of the Illustration Grand Prix contests held in Japan in 2019 and 2020, another illustration contest was announced in September 2021 that was expanded to include residents of Japan and the United States. The premise of the contest remained the same as the most recent Japanese competitions: participants were invited to portray one of eight pre-selected Pokémon centered around the theme "The Daily Life of Pokémon". The eligible Pokémon included Bulbasaur, Charizard, Pikachu, Arcanine, Galarian Rapidash, Scizor, Greninja, and Cramorant. The submission period was open between 12:00 PM JST on October 14, 2021 and 11:59 PM JST on January 31, 2022 for Japanese residents and between 8:00 PM PT on October 13, 2021 and 6:59 AM PT on January 31, 2022 for residents of the United States. Entrants could submit up to three unique works to the competition website.

All entries were reviewed by a panel of no less than four judges that included directors and executives from The Pokémon Company International, The Pokémon Company, and Creatures, Inc. President Tsunekazu Ishihara represented The Pokémon Company. Those representing The Pokémon Company International included President Kenji Okubo, Trading Card Game Senior Director Yasuhiro Usui, Graphic Design Director Chris Franc, and Product Marketing Manager Courtney Kim. Those representing Creatures, Inc. comprised President Hirokazu Tanaka, Senior Executive Director Yuji Kitano, CG Studio Art Director and Executive Director Atsuko Ujiie, Senior Project Manager Kota Okamoto, Senior Art Director Kenichi Koga, Art Director Satoru Nagaya, Illustration Director Haru Saito, Illustration Team Associate Manager Natsuki Suwabe, Illustration Team Members Yuki Shikama and Ayaka Hagiwara, and Art Design Team Member Eiji Ide. Established TCG illustrators Kouki Saitou, Tomokazu Komiya, and AKIRA EGAWA were also part of the panel. Eligible submissions were scored based on the following criteria: interpretation and clarity of the theme (40% of score), creativity and originality of the theme (30% of score), and overall design (30% of score).

Five columns were uploaded to the competition website that provided insights into the creative processes involved with the TCG. The first three were available to view upon the launch of the website, while the fourth, fifth, and sixth were uploaded on December 21, 2021, February 28, 2022, and April 27, 2022, respectively. The first column explored the essence of creating illustrations for the TCG and featured input from two directors at Creatures, Inc.'s Pokémon Card Development Division, Satoru Nagaya and Haru Saito, as well as Chris Franc from The Pokémon Company International. The second and third columns featured interviews with TCG illustrators AKIRA EGAWA and Narumi Sato. The fourth column delved into the worldwide appeal of the TCG and featured discussions with the Game Director of Creatures, Inc.'s Pokémon Card Development Division, Atsushi Nagashima and the Vice President of the Trading Card Game at The Pokémon Company International, Barry Sams. The fifth column featured interviews with the winners of the previous Japanese Illustration Grand Prix contests, Yuu Nishida and Jiro Sasumo. The sixth and final column featured an interview with TCG illustrators Tomokazu Komiya and Kouki Saitou.

In total, 10,830 entries were submitted. The results of the first round of judging were announced on April 11, 2022, in which the top 300 quarter-finalists were published on the competition website. Results of the second round of judging to determine the top 100 semi-finalists were announced on May 12, 2022, and the final results, of which 20 finalists were selected, were announced on June 10, 2022.

One Grand Prize Winner from either Japan or the United States received a cash value of $5,000/¥550,000 and had their illustration featured on a promotional card. Two total First Runners-Up, one from Japan and one from the United States, received a cash value of $3,000/¥330,000 and had their illustrations featured on promotional cards; two Second Runners-Up from either Japan or the United States received a cash value of $1,000/¥110,000. Fifteen Judges' Award Winners from either Japan or the United States received a cash value of $500/¥55,000. Across the 300 submissions that made it to the public showcase, five artists have since illustrated official cards: winners REND, Taiga Kasai, and Julie Hang; semi-finalist MINAMINAMI Take, and quarter-finalist satoma.

Arcanine Illus. REND

Greninja Illus. Taiga Kasai

Bulbasaur Illus. Julie Hang

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Winning entries Grand Prize First Runner-Up (Japan) First Runner-Up (United States) Second Runner-Up Illus. REND Illus. Taiga Kasai Illus. Julie Hang Illus. RossDraws Second Runner-Up Judges' Award Illus. Mingo Illus. Shinnosuke Yajima Illus. Heeyun Chung Illus. Lico Judges' Award Illus. Maeya Susumu Illus. Xous54 Illus. Aldo Kcomt Illus. kobayamato Judges' Award Illus. hashi96 Illus. Katkichi Illus. Aziro Yuji Illus. Pochinokuro Judges' Award Illus. Takashi Shiraishi Illus. Marina Chikazawa Illus. Miyanose Natsumi Illus. Rondo

Semi-finalists Illus. April Borchelt Illus. Steven "Ski" Nosov Illus. ista Illus. Kinshi Illus. Hitotoki Illus. Maki Illus. Minaminami Take Illus. Austin Pettit Illus. Christopher Johnson Illus. Julie Hang Illus. Onomio Illus. Tetsu Kurosawa Illus. SHINOMEN Illus. hatty_san Illus. MAKIHANANE Illus. Naoki Eguchi Illus. HASHIRU MINARAI Illus. Brenna Johnson Illus. Grace Kraft Illus. Keigo Kawai Illus. LR Illus. n:go Illus. Tokage Kato Illus. HIRAYAMA Illus. yukio Illus. KUZUNUE Illus. natsuko Illus. nomichi Illus. Hatsuse Chisato Illus. 184 Illus. hoshi Illus. JIGENN Illus. l_aciel Illus. Melissa Pierce Illus. Kadoka Illus. gomashiwo Illus. Shin Illus. Spareribs Illus. Clay yoshirin Illus. doggo Illus. Nishiyama Hana Illus. YAMAGUCHI BIRU Illus. Jan Apple Illus. N-shi Illus. POKImari Illus. Qchan Illus. REND Illus. kemokamo Illus. savoteri Illus. nagi Illus. MAATO Illus. Makihitsuji Illus. Akuru Illus. Eggspensiv Illus. REND Illus. Yellow Illus. WHIP SUGER Illus. Akiwashi Illus. MINARAI HASHIRU Illus. Le Yamamura Illus. Ala Lockhart Illus. Artsy Theo Illus. champi Illus. Jaksin Illus. Josh Floyd Illus. yoss Illus. ayo Illus. Egza Illus. tessy Illus. TamiMakura Illus. nomichi Illus. HATOBA009 Illus. HAMADA MUGI Illus. KAZUMASA YASUKUNI Illus. Bryce Warner Illus. Jeffrey Evan Illus. Sakuma Illus. tessy Illus. Torako Illus. Susumu Kuroi

Quarter-finalists Illus. 6_L0V3 Illus. Adi Astraya Illus. AJ Cho Illus. ameruu Illus. Ava Cuttill Illus. Eggspensiv Illus. Luke Hoese Illus. Maribel Montalvo Illus. mori Illus. n:go Illus. Oliver Hamlin Illus. OMATZ Illus. Ryo_has Illus. zephyrine-gale Illus. AOSAMI Illus. aka chiriko Illus. kousuke Illus. Sakiika Illus. nijimaarc Illus. meshida Illus. rou Illus. HIDEMARU ATSUTA Illus. HIDEMARU ATSUTA Illus. Mari Inoue Illus. Chiori Okawachi Illus. Ryota Shiina Illus. Albert Guo Illus. April Borchelt Illus. Brian DiGiovanni Illus. buboplague Illus. Jairo Contreras Illus. kanosu Illus. Kiki Illus. Michelle Flitman Illus. Miranda Jacoby Illus. Nicholas Cruz Illus. Noctem Illus. Ogawai Illus. Peggy Zisk Illus. runeowl Illus. Sage Sui Illus. SAKAE＆SURUBA Illus. Seika Gabriela Illus. Sicong Sui Illus. SVLT Illus. Toye Illus. yonarutogo Illus. aikawa kaoru Illus. Odo Illus. Kunoji Illus. satoma Illus. Sabatsuka Illus. John Illus. John Illus. Dashimaki　Gorilla Illus. Designer Ojisan Illus. touhudashi Illus. nao Illus. hashigodaka Illus. hachi Illus. HANADA HAKURO Illus. fujituki Illus. Butasan Illus. mogusamaru. Illus. yuki Illus. yorikane Illus. REEBOO Illus. Chihiro Asaoka Illus. Kanami Ogata Illus. KIKI SHIOMI Illus. TAKESHITAOMOCHI Illus. yuto tuibami Illus. TAKAYUKI NAITANI Illus. hoshikagewataru Illus. Tomatou Momoki Illus. YAMAGUCHI BIRU Illus. Haruka Yokoyama Illus. Aldo Kcomt Illus. ameruu Illus. Chris Weiford Illus. eswannysong Illus. Hailey Scioscia Illus. hashi96 Illus. mado*pen Illus. moneko Illus. Oliver Hamlin Illus. SinCityYeti Illus. Asagi Illus. arolnica Illus. hajimeikoma Illus. CHIHIRO KINOSHITA Illus. Sakanazaka Illus. MADAKAN Illus. Yukari Kurata Illus. KOCHIYA Illus. Burdrehnar Illus. chagawo Illus. Diego Lozano Illus. Koby Griggs Illus. l_aciel Illus. punico Illus. SinCityYeti Illus. umi Illus. kuroyagi Illus. Nibiiro Illus. Hiramushi Illus. kouyama haruki Illus. maruei Illus. atchukoy Illus. kaeria Illus. Louie Zong Illus. mizua Illus. osare Illus. Stephen McDermott Illus. Steven "Ski" Nosov Illus. ista Illus. okayamatakatoshi Illus. SabamisoTaro Illus. Nitar Illus. Mari Inoue Illus. YUYA OTONAR Illus. hurudate rino Illus. kowamote Illus. paseri Illus. UMiUSHi Illus. Asagi Illus. imomushi Illus. Ono Emi Illus. Tatsuya Illus. Tamakilum Illus. Hino Illus. Peishin Illus. yoshimi Illus. Aomatu Aika Illus. Mari Inoue Illus. hinata hokori Illus. HIRAOGA Illus. Mai Illus. 6_L0V3 Illus. Akuru Illus. Greg Claver Illus. jackie h Illus. Jaine Evora Illus. Jamari Jackson Illus. Jeffrey Evan Illus. John Grosjean Illus. Josh Floyd Illus. Maggie S. Chan Illus. Nekia Donkey Illus. Nicholas Schukay Illus. Oliver Hamlin Illus. Paula Socha Illus. pmapma Illus. Porosuke Illus. Quin Illus. Sarah Fragela Illus. Seika Gabriela Illus. shirono_kuma Illus. Styraco Illus. TEDDY Illus. Tiki Illus. Wesley Fuh Illus. UINSUTON Illus. itosaya Illus. GABURIISM Illus. Shiba Kimika Illus. shuro Illus. ZUKIPO Illus. TABAYOU Illus. Designer Ojisan Illus. Mai Tominaga Illus. nekotakokilin Illus. midaka Illus. YOSHIMOTOMASAOMI Illus. OOMI MIZU Illus. otonoha aika Illus. RYO KASAI Illus. Katsura Chiyo Illus. KenshiNagataro Illus. Tatsuya Sasaki Illus. SangatsuMomotarota Illus. Shibata Kenshiro Illus. Hachi Takashi Illus. fukaiao Illus. Miyazaki Unica Illus. af Illus. C Conrad Illus. Canvas Illus. Kelsey Cretcher Illus. Marco Nabi Illus. Maxwell Ortiz Illus. OMAR RIZK Illus. Tana Birky Illus. TNT Illus. yuu Illus. kuroyagi Illus. Sozentsu Illus. Fujimoto Gold Illus. ishidate ryu Illus. kuniharu

CoroCoro × Pokémon Card Game Illustration & Move Name Contest

An illustration contest centered around Grafaiai was announced in the CoroCoro Comic January 2023 issue. Entrants to the contest could use an included postcard to submit both an illustration of Grafaiai and a name of an attack, which would be used as inspiration for a Grafaiai ex card. Both the winning attack name and illustration were announced in the CoroCoro Comic July 2023 issue. The winning attack name was Poipopoison, and the winning illustration was recreated in a 3DCG style by aky CG Works.

Grafaiai Illus. aky CG Works

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Winning illustration Submission postcard

Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2024

Following a successful expansion into the United States in 2022, another high-profile contest was announced in September 2023. In addition to Japan and the United States, residents of four further countries — the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — are able to submit entries. This contest features two divisions, allowing artists to submit either a standard card illustration or a Pokémon ex card illustration. Participants can portray one of ten pre-selected Pokémon centered around the theme "Magical Pokémon Moments". The eligible Pokémon include Charizard, Pikachu, Eevee, Feraligatr, Flygon, Absol, Bidoof, Melmetal, Amped Form Toxtricity, and Koraidon. The submission period is open from 6:00 AM PT on October 12, 2023 to 5:59 AM PT on January 31, 2024.

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of no less than four judges that includes directors and executives from The Pokémon Company International, The Pokémon Company, and Creatures, Inc. Presidents Tsunekazu Ishihara and Kenji Okubo represent The Pokémon Company and The Pokémon Company International, respectively. Those representing Creatures, Inc. comprise President Yuji Kitano, Executive Director and CG Studio Executive Art Director Atsuko Ujiie, Executive Director and Pokémon TCG Development Division Executive Creative Director Atsushi Nagashima, Art Director Satoru Nagaya, and Illustration Director Haru Saito. Also part of the panel are established TCG illustrators OOYAMA, kantaro, Teeziro, and Atsushi Furusawa as well as "special judge" Masahiro Karasawa. Eligible submissions will be scored based on the following criteria: interpretation and clarity of the theme (40% of score), creativity and originality of the theme (30% of score), and overall design (30% of score).

So far, three new columns have been uploaded to the competition website that provide insights into the creative processes involved with the TCG. The first, posted on October 12, 2023, discusses the new elements of this contest with Satoru Nagaya, Haru Saito, and TPCI Director of Design Kevin Lalli. The second, posted on November 17, 2023, features an interview with Atsushi Furusawa regarding the process of creating the illustration for 151 Arcanine. The third, posted on December 15, 2023, features an interview with takuyoa regarding the process of creating the illustration for ex Start Deck Greninja ex. Additionally, all six columns from the 2022 contest were reuploaded to the 2024 contest's website.

One Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash value of $5,000 and have their illustration made into a promo card. One Best Standard Card Illustraion Winner and one Best ex Card Illustration Winner will each receive a cash value of $3,000 and have their illustrations made into promo cards. Six First Runners-Up will receive a cash value of $1,000. Fifteen Judges' Award Winners will receive a cash value of $500.

References

This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.