Ken Sugimori has had a huge impact onPokemon. He illustrated the official artwork of Generation 1, and he has also illustrated over 900 cards for thePokemon TCG- the most any artist has done. Despite Sugimori’s art style evolving over the years, it’s remained recognizable and formed the basis formany Pokemon designs to come.
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Sugimori’s contribution to the Pokemon TCG and the series as a whole can’t be understated, and this is especially true for his card illustrations. Many of Sugimori’s cards are remembered distinctly - particularly those from earlier sets that ooze nostalgia for the original Pokemon art style.
10Bit Off More Than He Can Chew: Professor Elm’s Training Method (Dragon Frontiers #79)
Professor Elm is a well-known Pokemon professor from the Johto region who gets deeply involved with his research, sometimes forgetting his other responsibilities in the process. Sugimori’s card shows Professor Elm training the starter Pokemon Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile before he gives them to new trainers starting their journeys.
Unfortunately, Professor Elm’s training method doesn’t seem to be very effective, as Totodile is chomping on his hand, causing him to scream out in pain as Chikorita watches on in shock. Sugimori was able totell a storythrough a single illustration, providing a snapshot of life training young Pokemon.
9Breakthrough On The Horizon: Professor’s Research (Celebrations #024)
This full art card showsProfessor Oak completing his Pokemon research, selecting books to further his knowledge. It looks as though this is his library in his laboratory in Pallet Town, full of all the research on people’s relationships with Pokemon that he has studied for years.
Although a simple environment, the card captures Professor Oak’s essence perfectly, by showing him working toward his latest discovery with a determined expression on his face. The use of light and shadow also helps to paint the scene, as it appears as though someone has opened the door to the lab, interrupting the Professor, who was holed up with his studies.
8Prepare For Trouble: Here Comes Team Rocket! (Celebrations #15)
Originally released as part of the Team Rocket set, the Here Comes Team Rocket! card was printed again for Pokemon’s 25th anniversary. This card depicts the nefarious Team Rocket’s Jesse, James, and Meowth next to the evil team’s logo.
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Jesse and James have mischievous expressions complete with smirks, as though they’re preparing to steal unsuspecting Pokemon. Unlike Jesse and James’ uniforms in the anime, which are white, Sugimori decided to give them black clothing to match the Rocket Grunts from the games. Overall, Sugimori succeeded in representing the group’s personalities in just a single image.
7A Rainy Day: Erika’s Kindness (Gym Challenge #103)
Sugimori’s card, showingCeladon City’s Gym Leader, portrays Erika’s kind-hearted temperament as well as her affection for Pokemon and the world around her. Erika has a willingness to help Pokemon in need, as she uses her umbrella to shield Growlithe from the pouring rain.
Despite it exposing her to the rain, Erika is happy to prioritize Growlithe and offer it protection, which Sugimori conveys through her gentle expression. A neat detail is that Erika’s umbrella has an Oddish silhouette on it, calling back to her position as the Grass-type Gym Leader.
6Computer Whizz: Bebe’s Search (Secret Wonders #119)
In Generation 4, Bebe is a computer technician who created the Pokemon Storage System in Sinnoh. This card shows Bebe hard at work, using her laptop to research how to make the Storage System. While Bebe researches throughout the night, her Glameow sleeps peacefully on a nearby box.
It’s interesting to see the process behind the invention of the Storage System, as Sugimori has chosen to depict the day-to-day life of Bebe. The little details help to make the scene more realistic, such as the laptop propped up by books and the Happiny mug in the background.
5Forever Home: Mr. Fuji (Fossil #58)
Mr. Fuji is a kind-hearted elderly man who takes care of Pokemon that have been abandoned by their trainers or otherwise mistreated. Sugimori captures Mr. Fuji’s relationship with Pokemon in this card by choosing to depict him surrounded by the Pokemon he has rescued.
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Sugimori’s card highlights the heart-warming connection between them - Mr. Fuji cradles Pikachu in his arms; Lickitung gives Mr. Fuji an affectionate lick; Weedle curls around Mr. Fuji’s shoulders like a scarf. The Cubone that Mr. Fuji has taken under his wing in this illustration is most likely the Cubone that Team Rocket orphaned. Thankfully, Cubone has Mr. Fuji and the other Pokemon to look after it now.
4Prowling In The Night: Sabrina’s Haunter (Gym Challenge #55)
The Ghost and Poison-type Pokemon Haunter is known to lurk at nighttime, with its dangerous lick causing “shaking that won’t stop until the victim’s demise,” according toPokemon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee. In this card, Sugimori has chosen to show Haunter on the lookout for its next unassuming victim.
With the crescent moon glowing in the background, Haunter flies through the night sky and has a devious expression on its face - one you wouldn’t want to see in the darkness lest you meet a grim fate. Haunter is named the Gas Pokemon due to its gaseous body, a quality that Sugimori was able to replicate through translucent silhouettes of Haunter in the background, echoing its path across the town.
3Galactic Plans: Cyrus’s Initiative (Supreme Victors #137)
The Cyrus’ Initiative card showsthe Team Galactic bossin front of a cityscape with a half-moon gleaming in the background. Cyrus wears his signature scowl, perhaps as he thinks about the new world he plans to create.
Sugimori captured Cyrus’ resolved nature through his intense expression, and the way he’s positioned on the card makes it seem as though he’s looking down on you with displeasure. The pink and purple sky contrasts Cyrus’ blue and gray color scheme, brightening up the card rather than using typical dark colors associated with nighttime.
2Psychic Prowess: Sabrina’s Alakazam (Gym Challenge #16)
InRed and Blue, Sabrina uses an Alakazam as her ace, and this card references her partner Pokemon. Sugimori depicts Alakazam using its psychic abilities with its spoons – Alakazam uses these spoons to generate energy and unleash its power on its opponent.
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Sugimori encapsulated Alakazam’s psychic strength by highlighting its trademark weapon and giving it a resolute expression that conveys its conviction to defeat its foe. Sugimori’s decision to use an abstract environment for the background also hints at Alakazam’s capabilities: it’s turned the battle arena into a multicolored, galaxy-like space.
1Fearsome Foe: Dark Charizard (Team Rocket #21)
In the TCG, Dark Pokemon (not to be confused with the type) are distorted versions of normal Pokemon that have noticeably menacing appearances. Sugimori’s Dark Charizard card is particularly intimidating, as the already fearsome Pokemon now appears to be villainous.
To demonstrate Dark Charizard’s malevolence, Sugimori used dark shading, with most of the Pokemon’s face shrouded in shadow. Charizard’s expression shows that it’s not to be messed with, as it looks over its shoulder with a piercing gaze, warning anyone who dares to cross its path.
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