Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest 2024 winners announced

The Pokémon Company has announced the winners of the Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest 2024.

The contest saw thousands of entrants submitting fan art of their favorite Pokémon, with the winner of the competition set to receive $5000. The winner will also see their illustration printed as an official Pokémon card.

Winner Kazuki Minami said, “I’m truly honored to receive this prize. As this was my first time taking part in this contest, I wasn’t sure what to draw and how to draw it.

“That’s when my dog came into my sight being cute—I was inspired to draw Pikachu in such a way that reminds me of my dog. So the prize belongs to my dog as much as it does to me, and we’re both extremely happy and honored. Thank you.”

Artist Acorviart won in the “Best Standard Card Illustration,” category for their drawing of Feraligatr.

“I am so incredibly honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Acorviart.

“Feraligatr is normally a very fierce Pokémon, but I wanted to depict a moment of calm, as if Feraligatr is enjoying a morning swim and watching the sun break through the water.

“To try to capture this feeling, I took style inspiration from my love of linocut and risograph printing. I’m thrilled to be able to join so many other skilled artists in contributing to Pokémon,”

Earlier this year, The Pokémon Company disqualified several entrants in its Pokémon TCG Illustration Contest, seemingly due to their alleged use of AI.