Hi!
I’m not sure if there’s already a similar thread already (there probably is, but I couldn’t find it!), but I thought it could be interesting to share some of the best illustrations from the TCG featuring Pokémon that usually sit in the lower or mid tiers of popularity. I’ll leave three examples to give an idea (and if anyone’s a fan of these, sorry haha).
Fearow – Lt. Surge’s Fearow (Japanese Holo version)
I think this artwork is worthy of a legendary pokémon card. In fact, it’s always reminded me a lot of Ho-Oh’s first appearance in the anime. The foil is beautiful, the colors… it looks way better in person than in photos online. And I don’t know if I’d call it a waste to use it on this Pokémon but… maybe just a little? Haha
Dugtrio – Rocket’s Dugtrio
For me, the most memorable thing about Dugtrio is that it basically gave you a free win at Lt. Surge’s gym in Gen 1—just catch one in Diglett’s Cave and take down Raichu quickly with Dig. Beyond that (and the Alolan design, which is more of a meme than anything), it’s never been a Pokémon I’ve particularly loved. But this illustration? It’s insane: the Rocket Team with Giovanni at the top, Dugtrio below, the composition split almost like two comic panels… it’s awesome. One of my favorite illustration rares from the modern era.
Wiglett
I swear I’ve got nothing against Diglett and Dugtrio or their newer versions, but what even is this?? Taking a basic “worm” stuck in the ground and giving it that kind of energy? It’s a card that feels calm, yet at the same time it’s impossible not to get drawn into everything going on around it under the ocean. Of course, the Psyduck in the background is such a lovely touch, but still—if this card featured a different Pokémon, it would 100% be one of the chase cards of the set just because of how beautiful and well-balanced the composition is.
As a bonus, I’ll add Komiya’s version of this Pokémon. It’s not his best work, but it shows that even when there’s not much to work with, he can still come up with something really eye-catching.
