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 promotional card. These cards were subsequently printed as part of , 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.
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Illus. Yuuki Kawamura
==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 or , 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 promotional card. This card was later printed as part of , 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.
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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 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.Early Pokémon Illustration Contests
==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 . The five winners each received 20 copies of their card.
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Photo. Yuuki Tanaka
==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 and .
Entrants could submit a postcard with photos printed from Pokémon Snap Sticker Stations to the show. After about a month, winning entrants received a phone call from the show's producers, requesting to verify their game's save data. As compensation for sending their Pokémon Snap game to 64 Mario Stadium, winners also received a game of their choice as a prize.Interview with Tsukasa Hosono, Johto Times
Unlike the CoroCoro Comic contest, only 15 of each of these cards were distributed to each of the winners.
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Photo. Natsu Sato
==Pokémon Trading Card Game League Create-a-Card Activity==
On January 6, 2001, Wizards of the Coast provided s with special "create-a-card" activity sheets to commemorate the new play season and release of the expansion.Create Your Very Own Pokémon Game Card! 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 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.Pokémon Trading Card Game League Create-A-Card Gallery Although Wizards claimed the contest had no true winners, the artists of the chosen favorites each received ten copies of the rare stamp variant of Pikachu (Wizards Promo 1) as a prize.Wizards of the Coast Illustration Contests
The panel of judges included the following Wizards of the Coast staff:Team Compendium Emeriti
* 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.Create Your Own Card Gallery
===Gallery===
Due to the nature of the contest's theme, most of the winning entries feature fake Pokémon, in a rare official acknowledgement.
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League Create-a-Card Winners	League Create-a-Card Winners	League Create-a-Card Winners	League Create-a-Card Winners
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Best Art (10 & under) 	 	 	
 	 	 	
Illus. Cameron M. 	 	 	
==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, participants could illustrate a 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 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.Interview with Craig Turvey (Create-a-Snorlax Card Contest), Johto Times 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.
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Illus. Craig Turvey
===Gallery===
Information regarding the identities of the finalist artists has not been found through archives of Wizards's website.
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Create-a-Snorlax Finalists	Create-a-Snorlax Finalists	Create-a-Snorlax Finalists	Create-a-Snorlax Finalists	Create-a-Snorlax Finalists
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Illus. Craig Turvey 	 	 	 	
==Poké Card Creator Contest==
The Poké Card Creator Contest was a contest held by in 2004.Pokémon Fans Become Card Designers on Kids' WB! 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 s 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 gift card.
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Illus. Mark Kraus
==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 . 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 ). 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 
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 , the award-winning illustrator of the 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.
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Kindergarten winnerIllus. Shunsuke Takemori
==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 and , 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 
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.Winners of the 2010 Design Contest received 200 cards
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Kindergarten winnerIllus. Megu Taniguchi
===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.
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Kindergarten winning entries	Kindergarten winning entries	Kindergarten winning entries	Kindergarten winning entries 	Kindergarten winning entries	Kindergarten winning entries
Best award 	Excellence award 	Excellence award 	Excellence award 	Excellence 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
==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 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 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===
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Illus. gogotake
===North American competition===
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Illus. Xime
===European and Oceanian competition===
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Illus. Lily-Chan
===Gallery===
Illustrator names when originally submitted to Miiverse appear in brackets, where applicable.
====Japanese competition====
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Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries
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Illus. gogotake 	 	 	 	
====North American competition====
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Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries
{| style="background:#FFF" class="roundy" cellpadding="2px"	 	
 	 	
 	 	
Illus. Xime 	 	
====European and Oceanian competition====
{| align="center" width="100%" cellspacing="3" style="background: #; "	 	
Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries	Dress-Up Pikachu winning entries
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Illus. Lily-Chan 	 	
==Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix==
Another illustration contest began in late 2018 and invited people to create artwork with theme "Pokémon Landscapes".Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix 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: , , , , , , , , , and . 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.Kenichi Koga interview Interviews with Mitsuhiro AritaMitsuhiro Arita interview and Kouki SaitouKouki Saitou interview 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, twelve have since illustrated official cards: winner Yuu Nishida, runner-up Narumi Sato, Slowpoke Award recipient Amelicart; as well as teeziro, Atsushi Furusawa, OKACHEKE, takashi shiraishi, Susumu Maeya, Uninori, Nagomi Nijo, takuyoa, and Souichirou Gunjima.
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Illus. Yuu Nishida
===Gallery===
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Top 8 entries 	Top 8 entries 	Top 8 entries 	Top 8 entries
Winner 	Runner-up 	Judge's Award 	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 	Judge's Award 	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
==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 , , , , , , , or . 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.Satoru Nagaya and Natsume Suwabe interview 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.Hitoshi Ariga interview The sixth article, published on February 28, 2020, featured an interview with the winner of the first Grand Prix, Yuu Nishida.Yuu Nishida interview
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, seven 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, Uninori, and Shiburingaru.
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Illus. Jiro Sasumo
===Gallery===
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Top 8 entries 	Top 8 entries 	Top 8 entries 	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 	Judge's Award 	Judge's Award 	Judge's Award
 	 	 	
Illus. 白砂かに 	Illus. スズキイオリ (Iori Suzuki) 	Illus. ノズル 	Illus. 雉本　ユーヒ
==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.Pokémon the Movie: Koko × Pokémon Card Game Illust Contest Those wishing to participate were required to follow the official Pokémon movie 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 based on the Tetsuo Yajima illustration used on a promotional 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 featuring their artwork plus other Pokémon goods, which began to shipped in late March 2021.
===Gallery===
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Winning entries 	Winning entries	Winning entries 	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
==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.About the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022 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 , , , , , , , and . 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 Essence of Creating Illustrations for the Pokémon Trading Card Game The second and third columns featured interviews with TCG illustrators AKIRA EGAWA and Narumi Sato.Behind the scenes: the process of creating a Pokémon TCG illustrationA Conversation with Two Pokémon TCG Official 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.Pokémon Trading Card Game: Enjoyed Around the World The fifth column featured interviews with the winners of the previous Japanese Illustration Grand Prix contests, Yuu Nishida and Jiro Sasumo.A Conversation with the Winners of the Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix The sixth and final column featured an interview with TCG illustrators Tomokazu Komiya and Kouki Saitou.A Conversation with Two Pokémon TCG Official Illustrators Kouki Saitou and Tomokazu Komiya
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, 19 artists have since illustrated official cards: winners REND, Taiga Kasai, and Julie Hang; finalists Mingo, Maeya Susumu, Takashi Shiraishi, Marina Chikazawa, Miyanose Natsumi, and Rondo; semi-finalists Minaminami Take, savoteri, TamiMakura, HAMADA MUGI, KAZUMASA YASUKUNI, and Wintr Wandr (then credited as Artsy Theo); and quarter-finalists satoma, osare, Fujimoto Gold, and SVLT.
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Illus. REND
===Gallery===
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Winning entries 	Winning entries 	Winning entries 	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 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. Mingo 	Illus. Shinnosuke Yajima	Illus. Heeyun Chung 	Illus. Lico
Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. Maeya Susumu 	Illus. Xous54 	Illus. Aldo Kcomt 	Illus. kobayamato
Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. hashi96 	Illus. Katkichi 	Illus. Aziro Yuji 	Illus. Pochinokuro
Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. Takashi Shiraishi	Illus. Marina Chikazawa 	Illus. Miyanose Natsumi 	Illus. Rondo
==CoroCoro × Pokémon Card Game Illustration & Move Name Contest==
An illustration contest centered around was announced in the January 2023 issue of CoroCoro Comic, which was released on December 15, 2022.【月コロ1月号特報】コロコロ×ポケカの夢のコラボ再び！ キミの作品がカードになるイラスト＆ワザ名「タギングルコンテスト」開催!! | CoroCoro Online 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 an upcoming Grafaiai ex card. The winning attack name and illustration were announced in the July 2023 issue of CoroCoro Comic, released on June 15, 2023. The winning attack name was ポイポポイズン Poipopoison (localized in English as "Toxic Throw"), and the winning illustration was recreated in a 3DCG style by aky CG Works.コロコロコラボの特別なカード！ ポケモンex「タギングルex」がゲットできるチャンスを大紹介!! | CoroCoro Online
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Illus. aky CG Works
===Gallery===
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Winning illustration
==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—were able to participate. This contest featured two divisions, allowing artists to submit either a standard card illustration or a card illustration.About the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2024 Participants could portray one of ten pre-selected Pokémon centered around the theme "Magical Pokémon Moments". The eligible Pokémon included , , , , , , , , , and .Theme & Pokémon Reference Materials The submission period was open between 10:00 PM JST on October 12, 2023 and 10:59 PM JST on January 31, 2024 for Japanese residents; between 6:00 AM PT on October 12, 2023 and 5:59 AM PT on January 31, 2024 for residents of the United States and Canada; between 12:00 AM AEDT on October 13, 2023 and 12:59 AM AEDT on February 1, 2024 for Australian residents; between 1:00 AM NZST on October 13, 2023 and 1:59 AM NZST on February 1, 2024 for residents of New Zealand; and between 2:00 PM GMT on October 12, 2023 and 1:59 PM GMT on January 31, 2024 for residents of the United Kingdom.Official Contents Rules
All entries were reviewed by a panel of at least four judges that included directors and executives from The Pokémon Company International, The Pokémon Company, and Creatures, Inc. Presidents Tsunekazu Ishihara and Kenji Okubo represented The Pokémon Company and The Pokémon Company International, respectively. Those representing Creatures, Inc. comprised 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 were established TCG illustrators OOYAMA, kantaro, Teeziro, and Atsushi Furusawa, as well as "special judge" Masahiro Karasawa, Director of the National Crafts Museum.Judges 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).
Various interviews with TCG-related individuals were available on the contest website. All six columns from the 2022 iteration could be viewed upon the website's launch; four new ones were subsequently uploaded during the contest submission period. The first was posted on October 12, 2023 and discussed the new elements of this contest with Satoru Nagaya, Haru Saito, and TPCI Director of Design Kevin Lalli.On Illustrating for the Pokémon TCG as Told by Directors The second, posted on November 17, 2023, featured an interview with Atsushi Furusawa regarding the process of creating the illustration for .Behind Drawing Pokémon TCG Illustrations "Bringing an Illustration to Life" (Part 1) The third, posted on December 15, 2023, featured an interview with TCG illustrator takuyoa that provided an in-depth look at creating the artwork for and similar approaches for other 3D illustrations.Behind Drawing Pokémon TCG Illustrations "Bringing an Illustration to Life" (Part 2) The final column was posted on January 19, 2024 and featured interviews with Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022 winners REND, Taiga Kasai, and Julie Hang.Interview of the Winners of the 2022 Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest
In total, 10,830 entries were submitted. The results of the first round of judging were announced on June 14, 2024, which showcased the artwork of the 300 quarter-finalists.Round One: Top 300 An update on June 25, 2024 announced that some entries were in violation of the official contest rules and would be disqualified. The update also stated that more entries would be selected to make the deficit.About violation of the official contest rules by select entrants among top 300 finalists A further update on July 2, 2024 revealed six new entries selected to replace those that had been disqualified.Round One: Top 300 The 100 semi-finalists following the second round of judging were announced on July 26, 2024.Round Two: Top 100 These artworks were also scheduled to be showcased at the Hawaii Convention Center, , during the 2024 Pokémon World Championships.Meet the Top 100 Artists from the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest 2024 The final results, featuring 24 finalists, were announced on September 22, 2024.Winner’s Announcement | Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest 2024
One Grand Prize Winner received a cash value of $5,000 and had their illustration made into a promo card. One Best Standard Card Illustration Winner and one Best ex Card Illustration Winner each received a cash value of $3,000 and had their illustrations made into promo cards. Six First Runners-Up received a cash value of $1,000. Fifteen Judges' Award Winners received a cash value of $500.
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Illus. Kazuki Minami
===Gallery===
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Winning entries 	Winning entries 	Winning entries 	Winning entries
Grand Prize 	Best Standard Card Illustration	Best ex Card Illustration	First Runner-Up
 	 	 	
Illus. Kazuki Minami 	Illus. Acorviart 	Illus. Anderson 	Illus. teluna
First Runner-Up 	First Runner-Up 	First Runner-Up 	First Runner-Up
 	 	 	
Illus. Devin Elle Kurtz	Illus. tayu 	Illus. Emma Bieber 	Illus. Royce Li
First Runner-Up 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. gohealth 	Illus. The common star 	Illus. Aimi Nakamura 	Illus. Alex Braun
Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. kae 	Illus. MANAKA 	Illus. Spareribs 	Illus. yoshiyama yuga
Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. Shiho So 	Illus. satoutubu 	Illus. Mio 	Illus. Kaitlin Jackson
Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award 	Judges' Award
 	 	 	
Illus. TOMATO MARKET 	Illus. MadnessRage 	Illus. Yotsuba Kei 	Illus. ayo
==References==
==Related articles==
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