Kouki Saitou
Kouki Saitou (Japanese: 斎藤コーキ), born May 13, 1973, is a freelance illustrator who does work for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Prior to this, he did a lot of manga illustrations for popular Japanese game tie-ins under his ¼ King! label. He has also designed a number of characters and mascots that feature on his website as part of a fantasy land called "Kortlek", which showcase his quirky yet detailed drawing style.
Works
Illustrations
| Title | Date | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Fatal Fury 2 Anthology | 1994 | Kobunsha |
| Super Robot Wars F Final Anthology | 1998 | Kobunsha |
| Psychic Force 2012 | 1998 | Kobunsha |
| The King of Fighters '98 | 1998 | Kobunsha |
| Thousand Arms | 1998 | Kobunsha |
| Xenogears | 1998 | Movic |
| Xenogears Comic Anthology | 1998 | Movic |
| Neon Genesis Evangelion: Iron Maiden | 1998 | DNA |
| The King of Fighters '98 Anthology | 1998 | DNA |
| The King of Fighters '98 Short Comic | 1998 | DNA |
| Thousand Arms Anthology | 1999 | Kobunsha |
| Super Robot Wars Alpha | 2000 | Kobunsha |
| Super Robot Wars Alpha Anthology | 2000 | Kobunsha |
| Super Robot Wars Alpha: Great Combination | 2000 | Kobunsha |
| SD Gundam G Generation F | 2000 | Kobunsha |
| Grandia II Official Comic Fan Book | 2000 | MediaWorks |
| Super Robot Wars Alpha Anthology: Roar of their Hero | 2001 | Kobunsha |
| Shin Megami Tensei: DeviChil Dictionary | 2001 | Kobunsha |
| Arcadia October issue: character design planning page | 2001 | Enterbrain |
| The King of Fighters 2001 Anthology 2 | 2001 | Enterbrain |
| Pokémon Trading Card Game illustration | 2002— | Creatures |
| Pokémon Trainer Magazine Volume 19 cover and promo card illustration | 2002 | Creatures |
| Mon-Colle 2 monster design and illustration | 2002— | Kadokawa/Fujimi Shobo |
| Monthly Dragon Junior December issue: Mon-Colle monster illustration | 2002 | Fujimi Shobo |
| Arcadia June issue: illustrations | 2003 | Enterbrain |
| Pokémon Exciting Tales Pichu-Pichu Staring Contest! | 2003 | Shogakukan |
| Arcadia July issue: character design planning page | 2003 | Enterbrain |
| Disgaea Anthology Collection: illustrations | 2003 | Jive |
| Arcadia November issue: corner illustration and portrait illustration | 2003 | Enterbrain |
| Arcadia December issue: corner illustration and portrait illustration | 2003 | Enterbrain |
Other illustrations
| Title |
|---|
| Kids Town mural illustration (Pokémon Center Osaka) |
| Pokémon Cracker illustration (Pokémon Center goods) |
| Baked polvorones illustrations (Pokémon Center goods) |
| "New Friends" series stationary illustration (Pokémon Center goods) |
| "The First Draft" series stationary illustration (Pokémon Center goods) |
| "Aim for Kaina City!" series stationary illustration (Pokémon Center goods) |
| "Adventures in the Desert Ruins" series stationary illustration (Pokémon Center goods) |
| "Motivate with Vigoroth" 2004 Annual illustration (Pokémon Center goods) |
Work for the TCG
Saitou's images focus on realism and dynamism. Many of his illustrations are reminiscent of the style in which characters are portrayed in the anime, though he uses light and shadow effectively to give them more depth. He also uses high and low angles to enhance the feeling of movement in many of his images. Saitou's first illustrations were featured in the Aquapolis expansion and he has continued to produce work for the TCG since. He has also produced artwork used on deck kits, booster packs and many pieces of merchandise sold through Pokémon Centers. For a list of cards he has illustrated, go here.
