Seven Pokémon Trading Card Game expansions were released in 2025, dazzling fans all over the world with the return of Trainer’s Pokémon and Mega Evolution Pokémon, as well as a plethora of amazing artwork. Behind the artwork on all those new cards are illustrators you know and love, and much like 2023 and 2024, we’re highlighting the magical artists who brought Pokémon and Trainers to life this year.
It’s not often that a new Pokémon TCG artist debuts by illustrating four Supporter cards, but that’s just what Tomowaka did with beautiful special illustration rares featuring Blueberry Academy’s Elite Four: Amarys, Crispin, Drayton, and Lacey. Tomowaka’s use of distinct lines and limited color makes their subjects pop, and this style continues in their latest works from the Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt and Mega Evolution expansions.
Bold lines are one way to make a subject stand out, but Izucch’s work takes a different approach and is best recognized by its soft, fuzzy lines where the subject and its background appear more abstract. Izucch debuted with an adorable Beldum in the Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together expansion, and continued to build on their Pokémon TCG portfolio with Manectric and Team Rocket’s Pupitar jumping into action in the Scarlet & Violet—Destined Rivals expansion. These Pokémon have been featured on more than a few cards at this point, but we’re loving these latest interpretations.
Terada Tera’s style is vibrant, colorful, and too cute to ignore. They first debuted with the Iono’s Kilowattrel illustration rare in Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together and have since dazzled us with similarly cute depictions of Ralts, Gothorita, and Toxtricity. Their almost bouncy shading style and contrasting colors are pervasive throughout their work and give an especially chic vibe that’s unique to the Pokémon TCG.
If you’re a fan of Sinnoh’s Champion Cynthia, you’re likely familiar with the work of HICO KIM, who debuted with the Cynthia’s Garchomp ex special illustration rare. The sheer gravitas of this scene and HICO KIM’s dynamic angle pull the viewer directly into battle as Cynthia and her trusty Garchomp work in tandem. It’s less grandiose, but a similar angle is taken with HICO KIM’s portrayal of Cobalion in the Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt expansion, as the Iron Will Pokémon stares you down in a battle-ready posture.
They’re looking right at you—Dwebble and Gothita, that is! Kanami Ogata has delighted us so far with two illustrations where the subject feels like it’s practically peering at the viewer. More than that, Ogata’s emphasis on the subject’s background brings your eye directly to them and fully sells the scene.
We mentioned earlier how unlikely it was for an artist to make their Pokémon TCG debut with a quartet of Supporter cards, but it’s arguably just as unlikely for an artist to make a debut with a full Evolution line. okayamatakatoshi’s work first graced the Scarlet & Violet—Black Bolt expansion, where they illustrated Venipede, Whirlipede, and Scolipede in forest-like scenes, where their soft lines and rendering evoke a style you might see in classic children’s books. Oh, and you best believe we couldn’t forget about their work on the Klang illustration rare.
We were simply in awe when Raita Kazama debuted with their elegant illustration for the Mega Gardevoir ex special illustration rare in the Mega Evolution expansion. The style reminiscent of stained glass took our breath away, but one of the most defining traits in their work thus far is their shading, and just how much texture it gives the subject. It’s clear on Mega Gardevoir, but also in their depiction of Cresselia from the latest Mega Evolution—Phantasmal Flames expansion.
In addition to our previously highlighted illustrators, a couple of high-profile artists came through with unique additions to the Pokémon TCG this year: Tetsuo Hara and Natsuko Shoji été.
Tetsuo Hara is best known for co-creating the iconic manga series Fist of the North Star, and delivered a knockout of a piece with his depiction of Palafin ex and a flurry of fists in the Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions expansion. Yes, you’ve already been KO’d.
Natsuko Shoji is a noted chef and pâtissier, as well as the owner and founder of the high-end Tokyo restaurant été. Shoji’s signature jewelry box-style fruit tarts were a perfect match for the Terastal phenomenon, and the talented chef specially created one to be featured in the artwork for the Eevee ex promo card included in the Scarlet & Violet—Prismatic Evolutions Super Premium Collection.
We hope you enjoyed looking back at the artists who contributed their amazing artwork to the Pokémon TCG for the first time this year, Trainers. Look forward to even more in 2026!
