Which Pokemon Card Artists are Drive the Most Value?

Forrest

24 Oct 2025 — 6 min read

In the world of Pokémon card collecting, a powerful new trend is reshaping market values: the "artist premium." Collectors are increasingly behaving like traditional art aficionados, placing a premium on cards based not just on the Pokémon's rarity or power, but on the illustrator who created the artwork. A spectacular illustration by a fan-favorite artist can elevate a card's value far beyond what might otherwise be expected, turning specific cards into highly sought-after chase items.

This analysis explores the key artists, from foundational masters to modern trendsetters, whose unique styles are driving the market.

The Foundational Masters: Sugimori & Arita

The artists who defined the original look and feel of the Pokémon TCG continue to command the highest prices, representing the blue-chip assets of the collecting world.

Ken Sugimori

As the primary designer for the original 151 Pokémon, Ken Sugimori's artwork is the visual bedrock of the franchise. His cards are highly desirable for their nostalgic appeal, but the true premium lies in his signature, which is exceptionally rare. Sugimori almost never signed cards, making any authenticated autograph a centerpiece of a collection.

While his standard cards like the 1st Edition Holo Zapdos can command prices over $20,000, his connection to ultra-rare prototype cards sends values soaring. A 1998 Blastoise WOTC Presentation card, a prototype used to pitch the TCG's English release, sold for $360,000 in 2021. Similarly, a 1996 Japanese Beta Presentation Charizard featuring his classic art sold for an impressive $99,000 in September 2024. The scarcity of his signature has led to eBay listings for signed cards reaching as high as $100,000 to $800,000.

Mitsuhiro Arita

Mitsuhiro Arita is one of the longest-serving and most prolific illustrators, famous for creating the art for arguably the most iconic Pokémon card in history: the Base Set Charizard. His dynamic style and long history have made his signature a significant value-add.

His artwork appears on some of the most expensive cards ever sold:

Trophy Pikachu No. 2 Trainer: A PSA 10 Gem Mint copy from the 1998 Lizardon Mega Battle tournament sold for an astounding $444,000 in July 2023.
Signed 1996 "No Rarity" Charizard: A Japanese Base Set Charizard lacking the rarity symbol, graded PSA 10 Gem Mint and signed by Arita, sold for $324,000 in April 2022.
Bronze Pikachu No. 3 Trainer Trophy: One of only four copies in existence from the first-ever Pokémon TCG tournament in 1997, this card sold for $300,000 in April 2023.

Even a standard 1st Edition Charizard graded PSA 10, valued around $21,000 before being signed, can see its value multiply. A listing for a PSA 10 1st Edition Charizard featuring a signature and sketch from Arita is currently seeking $125,000.

The Established "GOAT": Kouki Saitou

Considered one of the greatest illustrators of all time, Kouki Saitou is lauded for his versatility and prolific output, having worked on the TCG since the early 2000s. His most famous and valuable card is the Crystal Charizard from the 2003 Skyridge set. This card is a holy grail for many collectors, and its price reflects that status.

High-grade copies fetch astronomical sums:

PSA 10 Gem Mint: Sales consistently fall in the $35,000 to $55,000 range.
BGS 10 Black Label: This pristine grade, indicating a flawless card, carries a market price of $227,500.
PSA 9 Mint: Even a step below perfect, these cards command prices from $12,000 to over $14,000.

Saitou's work demonstrates that longevity and consistent quality can build a market reputation on par with the original artists.

The Modern Vanguard: Kanda & Egawa

A new generation of artists has cultivated dedicated followings, with their unique styles creating intense demand for modern "chase" cards.

Shinji Kanda

Shinji Kanda has become a modern icon, known for his mesmerizing and artistically complex illustrations. Collectors specifically seek out his work, creating a significant premium. Two of his cards stand out as market drivers:

Giratina V (Alternate Art) from Lost Origin: This card is celebrated for its intricate and chaotic artwork. A raw, near-mint copy sells for over $600, but graded versions are where the premium shines. PSA 10s have sold for between $1,300 and $2,500, with some listings reaching as high as 6,500 €. A BGS 10 Black Label copy sold for $5,800.
Magikarp (Illustration Rare) from Paldea Evolved: Hailed as the most expensive illustration rare of the Scarlet & Violet era, this card's beautiful underwater scene has captivated collectors. PSA 10 copies have seen prices skyrocket, with sales ranging from $1,150 to a high of $4,900.

AKIRA EGAWA

Debuting in 2019, AKIRA EGAWA quickly became a fan-favorite for her stunning, larger-than-life digital illustrations. She is renowned for illustrating the four gold-bordered VSTAR cards of the Creation Trio and Arceus in the Crown Zenith set, which are considered the top chase cards of the expansion.

Her key valuable cards include:

Giratina VSTAR (Gold Secret Rare) from Crown Zenith: As the most valuable card in the set, a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy typically sells for $500 to $580.
Blaziken VMAX (Alternate Art Secret) from Chilling Reign: Another of her highly sought-after alternate art cards, a near-mint copy has a market price around $380, with a recent sale hitting $350.

Niche Stylists with Dedicated Followings

Some artists are beloved for their unique, unconventional art styles that break from traditional 2D illustration. While not always commanding the highest prices, their work is actively collected by a loyal fanbase.

Yuka Morii (Clay Artist)

Yuka Morii's art is instantly recognizable; she sculpts Pokémon figures from clay and photographs them in charming, often naturalistic dioramas. While many of her cards are affordable commons and uncommons, her older and rarer works command a significant premium. Her most valuable card is the Raichu (Holo H25/H32) from the 2003 Skyridge set. A PSA 10 Gem Mint version of this card has sold for as high as $1,700.

Asako Ito (Crochet Artist)

Asako Ito brings a similarly unique, handcrafted appeal to the TCG by creating her Pokémon subjects as crocheted dolls (amigurumi). This charming and endearing style has made her a fan-favorite. Her cards are generally very affordable, making a complete collection an accessible goal for fans. Her Altaria card from the Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery is a popular example, with a PSA 8 copy selling for around $12.

Tomokazu Komiya (Primitivism Style)

Tomokazu Komiya is known for his highly distinctive "primitivism" style, which uses bold lines, crayon-like textures, and impressionistic imagery. While his work can be polarizing, it has a dedicated following that values its unique artistic expression. A prime example of his style driving high value is the Slowpoke & Psyduck GX (Alternate Art) from the 2019 Unified Minds set. A PSA 10 Gem Mint copy of this card regularly sells for between $900 and $1,300, with a BGS 10 Black Label commanding a much higher market price.

The New Wave: Buzzworthy Artists

The market is constantly evolving, with new artists quickly making a name for themselves. An artist named sowsow recently created a major stir with the Mew ex (Special Illustration Rare 193/165) from the Scarlet & Violet—151 set. Nicknamed "Bubble Mew" by the community, the card's whimsical art style generated tremendous hype. A PSA 10 copy commands around $108. The artwork was so popular that it was reprinted in the Paldean Fates set, where its value exploded; a PSA 10 of that version averages $1,859, with sales reaching over $2,000. This illustrates how a single, beloved illustration from a newer artist can create a massive market event.

Final Word

The Pokémon TCG market is no longer just about the creatures on the cards; it's about the creators behind them. From the six-figure sales of vintage masters like Arita and Sugimori to the four-figure prices for modern fan-favorites like Kanda and Komiya, the "artist premium" is a real and powerful force. As collectors become more sophisticated, an artist's signature, style, and reputation will continue to be critical drivers of value.