Didn’t even realize they’ve stopped. I see their last artworks are indeed from the early SM era. Definitely agree that all their artworks, and especially their Supporter Trainer cards, are goated!
This thread makes me realize how many more amazing artists have stopped than I originally thought. 
Then again, we also have a lot of amazing new artists to ease the pain a bit, I guess.
Greetz,
Quuador
Honestly I just wish Sumiyoshi Kizuki went back to her original style… Her latest works have all given a generic vibe but her old style had absolute charm.
She went from yay!
To yawn
I wish Ken was still at it like he used to be
I can’t help but wonder if she’s been directed to illustrate this way or if she naturally decided to change her style.
Sumiyoshi Kizuki …
Before you reply that “I don’t know how to read”, I want to specify that I’m referring to her original art style …
There are 2 types of art styles:
This Togekiss was the last card (as far my knowledge goes) where she used any of her original styles.
I wish she used these 2 styles for modern Pokémon TCG expansions … These 2 art styles are full of soul and that’s why I like them a lot … Luckily for us, she still uses her original art styles for her own projects
I feel the same with Himeno and Umemoto, though their E-series and EX era artworks are some of the best to me !
Team Masago here
I also want to mention Masako Yamashita as they illustrated so many bangers for example in e-series era and vending series, but especially for the light pokemon in neo destiny. Light ninetales still is in my top 5 of all time best card artworks.
I know it’s not the topic of the thread, since Banksy hasn’t designed any Pokémon cards, but I think this kind of collaboration would be amazing.
Those 3 are the biggest dropoffs in the TCG, bar none.
Just completely different and much worse styles.
Of those, Kizuki is probably the worst since there isn’t even any style left.
Hopping onto the Kimiya Masago train, the semi-realism as well as the nature of the cards depicting the subject as more of a creature than a friend makes for a more intimidating looking 'mon without having to rely on making something “edgy”. And I love it. My conspiracy is that TPC or Gamefreak does not like this approach and discourages this sort of art. Yes I am still salty about the massacre of Feraligatr over the years.
100% Keiji Kinebuchi. RIP IN PEACE
Still tho, it would’ve been nice to see what he could’ve done in the subsequent 20-plus years of new cards. Or would he have fallen off and made generic 3D art? Sadly, the world will never know.
He’s made so many iconic trainer cards ! I would have been curious to see have such a style would have adapted to the modern era
I’m super curious as to why Kizuki’s Pokemon artworks have changed so much.
If you look at her IG, you can still see her current artworks still resembles the style from the old Pokemon days. But it is the modern Pokemon artworks that have completely changed.
Maybe Pokemon wanted to differenciate their style from past cards and pushed Kizuki to this more generic style, hence Umemoto and Himeno changing their style as well.
Would be massively dumb from TPC - and then given that they don’t get AR/SAR cards, punish them for their lack of style too.
It’s all a bit odd. There are rumours of TPC being strict about being on-model and yet they still let Komiya do whatever, there’s USGMEN too. And actually, none of the 3 draw off-model anyway, so not sure why they would be strict on their style.
step 1. hire artist based on their art style
step 2. tell them to change their art style
