Ken Sugimori: The artist who brought the first Pokémon to life

When we talk about Pokémon, we immediately think of Pikachu, Charizard, or Mewtwo. But who imagined the appearance of these legendary creatures?

The answer: Ken Sugimori . Illustrator, art director, and character designer, he's the man behind the designs of the original 151 Pokémon. This article looks back at his career, his key role, and the legacy he leaves in pop culture and the Pokémon TCG.

Who is Ken Sugimori? 👤

• Born in 1966 in Japan, Ken Sugimori is the lead designer of the original 151 Pokémon and continues to influence the artistic direction of the series. He is an illustrator and game designer.
  
• Co-founder of Game Freak studio with Satoshi Tajiri in the late 80s.
• He quickly became artistic director and was responsible for creating the creatures for the first Pokémon game.

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His role in the creation of Pokémon 🎨

• First generation: He designed all 151 Pokémon from Kanto. Sugimori illustrated many iconic Pokémon cards (Charizard, Venusaur, Pikachu, etc.)
• Creative process: Sketches by other artists (e.g., Atsuko Nishida for Pikachu) were redrawn by Sugimori to standardize the style.
• Visual style: simple but expressive, graphic base of the Pokémon universe.

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Ken Sugimori's Pokémon Cards 🎴

In the Pokémon TCG, many Base Set cards feature his official illustrations:

• Mewtwo Base Set (1999)
• Machamp Base Set (1999)
• Zapdos Base Set (1999)
• Chansey Base Set (1999)
• Hitmonchan Base Set (1999)

These cards have become cult classics because they marked the entry of the TCG into the global market.

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🏆 The Legacy of Ken Sugimori

• Art director until the 6th generation ( Pokémon X and Y , 2013).
• Oversaw the visual creation of hundreds of Pokémon.
• Considered the “visual father” of Pokémon.
• Even in retreat today, his influence remains perceptible.

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💡 Anecdotes

• Also worked on other Game Freak games ( Pulseman , Quinty ).
• Was known to redraw a Pokémon multiple times before getting the final design.
• His graphic style transformed simple sketches into global icons.

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🏁 Conclusion

Ken Sugimori isn't just an illustrator: he's the visual designer who shaped Pokémon's identity. Without him, Charizard, Mewtwo, and Pikachu wouldn't have the faces we know.

Whether in the early games or on the cult TCG cards, his work remains etched in the memory of millions of players and collectors.

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🔍 FAQ – Ken Sugimori and Pokémon

• Who is Ken Sugimori?
  Japanese illustrator who designed all 151 Pokémon from Kanto and oversaw subsequent generations.
• What is his contribution to the Pokémon TCG?
  His official illustrations were used for many Base Set cards (Mewtwo, Zapdos, Machamp, Chansey, etc.).
• Did he create Pikachu?
  No, Pikachu was designed by Atsuko Nishida, but Sugimori redesigned the design to make it more consistent.
• Is he still working on Pokémon today?
  Less directly involved, but he remains a central figure at Game Freak and his influence continues.

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