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.
Ken Sugimori recognized Ariga's design work and invited him to work on Pokémon X and Y.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
Designs
Pokémon
The following is a list of Pokémon designed by Ariga.
Characters
The following is a list of characters designed by Ariga.
Aeos Island Shopkeeper[19]
Artwork
Official Artwork
This is a collection of official Pokémon artwork drawn by Ariga.
There are 134 cards illustrated by Ariga. For a list of cards he has illustrated, see here.
Slowpoke from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowpoke and Magikarp from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowpoke attacked by a Basculin from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowbro being bitten from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowbro swimming from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowbro losing its Shellder from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowpoke using a King's Rock from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowking being bitten from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowking losing its Shellder from the Daisuki Club[20]
Slowpoke Poké Maniac from the Daisuki Club[20]
Gengar and a Hex Maniac from the Daisuki Club[21]
Misdreavus from the Daisuki Club[21]
Sableye from the Daisuki Club[21]
Banette from the Daisuki Club[21]
Drifloon dragging a Preschooler from the Daisuki Club[21]
Litwick and a Hiker from the Daisuki Club[21]
Chandelure and an Ace Trainer from the Daisuki Club[21]
Cofagrigus and a Punk Guy from the Daisuki Club[21]
Pumpkaboo from the Daisuki Club[21]
Artwork from Dream Radar[22]
Steven and Mega Metagross from Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Horsea from the Daisuki Club[25]
Dratini from the Daisuki Club[25]
Trapinch from the Daisuki Club[25]
Bagon from the Daisuki Club[25]
Gible from the Daisuki Club[25]
Axew from the Daisuki Club[25]
Deino from the Daisuki Club[25]
Goomy from the Daisuki Club[25]
A Dragon Tamer from the Daisuki Club[25]
Gladion and Silvally from Sun & Moon
Art of Elite Four from Unova
Elio and Ultra Necrozma from Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
Key Art for the 2018 JP Championships[27]
Fula City Lugia using Aeroblast
Legendary Pokémon Celebration event artwork
Let's Go, Pikachu & Eevee Steelbook artwork
Robo-Pikachu merchandise from the Pokémon Center featuring a Super Nerd and Scientist[33]
Key Art for the 2019 JP Championships[34]
Key Art for the 2020 JP Championships[35]
Key Art for the Pokémon Fossil Museum[14]
Artwork of Silence Bridge for the Pokémon Center Woodblock Prints
Artwork of Vermilion Harbor for the Pokémon Center Woodblock Prints
Unused Artwork for Professor Phorus from Unite
Unused Artwork for the Aeos Island Shopkeeper from Unite
Red (game) & Pikachu Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork[37]
Red (game) & Charmander Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork[38]
Blue (game) & Eevee Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork[40]
Professor Oak & Bulbasaur Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise[53]
1-Year Anniversary Artwork for Masters EX[54]
Villain Arc: Hoenn (Part 2) from Masters EX[55]
Villain Arc: Unova (Part 1) from Masters EX[56]
Villain Arc: Unova (Part 2) from Masters EX[57]
Villain Arc: Kalos (Part 1) from Masters EX[58]
Villain Arc: Kalos (Part 2) from Masters EX[58]
Ca Crea Merchandise[59]
Hisui Days Merchandise[60]
Hisui Days Merchandise[60]
Juliana & Sprigatito and Florian & Fuecoco Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230826161407/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1695301803775250733/photo/1
TCG Artwork
This is a collection of official TCG artwork drawn by Ariga.
Staff Artwork
This is a collection of unofficial Pokémon artwork drawn by Ariga.
Aeos Island Shopkeeper[62]
Shiny Hisuian Sneasel and Sneasler[15]
Red and Bulbasaur to celebrate Pokémon Day 2022
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 |
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
- Hitoshi Ariga's favorite Pokémon is Misdreavus, as can be seen in an archive of his Twitter bio.[67]
- Ariga enjoyed the battle between Ash and Sawyer at the Lumiose Conference, so much so that he drew the latter with Aegislash when drawing fan-art of the Pokémon.[68]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Pocket Monsters XY by HitoshiAriga on DeviantArt (posted on November 14, 2013)
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410130327/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/458627994395762689
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410113110/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1640157094321217536
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410112857/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1641046957325193217
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vaOcH66Ofj0
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/@ArigaHitoshi/featured
- ↑ Tweet about designing Mega Beedrill (posted on December 25, 2014)
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 Tweet about designing the Grubbin, Minior, Drampa, Alolan Geodude, and Alolan Grimer families (posted on December 1, 2016)
- ↑ Tweet about coming up with Necrozma's design draft (posted on December 17, 2017)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Tweet about assisting with Ultra Necrozma's design (posted on December 15, 2017)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Tweet about designing the Rookidee line (posted on January 5, 2020)
- ↑ Tweet about designing Corviknight (posted on November 14, 2019)
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Tweet about designing the Galarian fossil Pokémon (posted on October 23, 2020)
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019092439/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1384472753638580230
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Tweet about designing Hisuian Sneasel and Sneasler (posted on February 15, 2022)
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 Tweet about designing the Nacli line and Espathra (posted on December 19, 2022)
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 https://web.archive.org/web/20230329214219/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1605476467214675970
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Tweet about designing Flutter Mane (posted on January 13, 2023)
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Tweet about designing NPCs for Pokémon UNITE (posted on June 17, 2021)
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8 20.9 [1]
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 [2]
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230623121003/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1672213717063471107
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 [3]
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 [4]
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 25.8 [5]
- ↑ Tweet about the Ultra Beast key art (posted on December 1, 2016)
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135034/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/983179227431227392
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135400/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/780949776556658688
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135443/https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/1070603779605712896
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135530/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/959369354847535104
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135557/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/844529840371871744
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019135855/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1009659971770802176
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019142723/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1074978353621286913
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140211/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1110360484362911750
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140154/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1271315271530102785
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019140344/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1405553645567897604
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018151949/https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000002124/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150105/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003757/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150115/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003255/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150327/https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/1043802171488305153
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150535/https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003165/
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150400/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1548860896536977408
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150244/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004423/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150141/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000003563/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150225/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004140/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150608/https://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000002677/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150311/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004561/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150321/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000002579/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018151730/https://www.amiami.com/eng/detail/?scode=FIGURE-027927&rank=null
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150416/https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/967308141582045184
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150213/https://en.kotobukiya.co.jp/product/product-0000004026/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221018150434/https://twitter.com/Kotobukiya_EN/status/1197682356385017856
- ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 53.5 53.6 [6]
- ↑ Tweet about illustrating the 1st anniversary artwork
- ↑ Tweet about illustrating the Hoenn Villain Arc (Part 2) title screen
- ↑ Tweet about illustrating the Unova Villain Arc (Part 1) title screen
- ↑ Tweet about illustrating the Unova Villain Arc (Part 2) title screen
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 Tweet about illustrating the Kalos Villain Arc title screen
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20221019142650/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/758278478047260672
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 [7]
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 61.4 61.5 Ariga confirming he designed the Armarouge & Ceruledge TCG Merch.
- ↑ Tweet about designing the Aeos Shopkeeper (posted on July 31, 2021)
- ↑ Tweet about designing Professor Phorus (posted on December 26, 2021)
- ↑ Tweet celebrating the Nintendo Switch release of Pokémon UNITE (posted on July 21, 2021)
- ↑ Tweet about seeing Dracovish appear in the anime (posted on April 2, 2022)
- ↑ Tweet about seeing Arctozolt appear in the anime (posted on April 2, 2022)
- ↑ Hitoshi Ariga's Twitter bio (archived on April 1, 2022)
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410130615/https://twitter.com/ariga_megamix/status/1510496002331258881