Mitsuhiro Arita has been illustrating cards for the Pokemon TCG since the very beginning, providing lots of skillful artwork that helps to bring Pokemon to life. In an interview with Journal du Japon, Arita said that he always wants to “leave a lasting impression on the customer” through his work. Arita definitely managed to achieve this through his Pokemon cards.

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Both his nostalgic cards from the Base Set and his work in the more recent expansions are memorable, showing his longevity in the TCG. Arita has plenty of brilliant cards that depict Pokemon in creative and distinct ways by showing their power and giving them stories that offer an insight into the Pokemon’s world.

10 Carefree Swimmer: Quagsire (Aquapolis #30)

In this card, Arita shows Quagsire in its home environment, swimming in what appears to be a river in the city. Arita’s choice to show Quagsire from this angle helps to elevate its carefree nature as it aimlessly bobs around in the water.

In fact, Quagsire’s Pokedex entries say that “it often bumps its head on boulders and boat hulls” — you can just imagine it bashing into something in this card because it’s not looking where it’s going. Regardless of Quagsire’s aloofness, Arita captured an idyllic scene.

9 You Are Feeling Very Sleepy: Hypno (Aquapolis #16)

This Hypno card is an excellent example of how the TCG is able to convey a narrative through a single illustration. Hypno’s Pokedex entries say that it uses its pendulum to put people to sleep, and then it “feasts on their dreams.” Arita used this idea as the crux of this card.

In the illustration, Hypno has a satisfied expression on its face as it gorges on the dreams of an unsuspecting person. Through the card’s details, it’s easy to deduce that Hypno happened upon someone writing a letter, and seeing them through the open window, it decided to use its pendulum to hypnotize them and satisfy its hunger for dreams. You need to keep your windows closed in the Pokemon universe, it seems.

8 Villain Deeds: Team Aqua’s Mightyena (Double Crisis #18)

This card shows Team Aqua using a group of snarling Mightyena to defend their stronghold. Arita captured Team Aqua’s villainous essence through their Pokemon, as the Mightyena appear menacing, baring their teeth and staring intensely. A member of Team Aqua cheers them on from behind, riling the Pokemon up to attack.

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The blue and purple color scheme in the background of the card helps to complement the gray of the Mightyena’s fur and lightens what would otherwise be a dark nighttime environment. Overall, Arita managed to convey Team Aqua’s villainy in a way that’s visually distinct.

7 Feeling Festive: Flaaffy (Expedition #77)

Electric-type Pokemon aren’t just useful in battles, as Arita demonstrates in this card. Using its blue orb as a conductor, Flaaffy powers the lights on the Christmas tree; however, it looks as though it did so by accident, as it has a surprised expression.

Arita’s portrayal of Flaaffy is domestic yet imaginative, as the environment is nothing like any other Flaaffy cards in the TCG. It has a festive atmosphere that’s heartwarming, showing how Pokemon are a part of a trainer’s everyday life and not just used in battles.

6 Longing For Its Mother: Cubone (Jungle #50)

Lots of Cubone’s Pokedex entries discuss its loneliness because of its mother’s death, an aspect of Cubone that Arita explores in this card. The illustration shows Cubone standing on a log, looking up at the starry sky as a tear forms in the corner of its eye.

Although portraying Cubone’s solitude isn’t uncommon in Pokemon, Arita managed to convey it in an impactful way. It’s as though, when gazing up at the sky, Cubone is thinking about its mother and how it will never see her again.

5 Nostalgic Design: Charizard (Base Set #4)

Arita’s Charizard card from the Base Set is infamous in the Pokemon TCG and was the most valuable card on the playground when it was released. Arita definitely showcased Charizard’s formidable power as it roars wildly, with its sharp teeth on display.

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The way Arita has positioned Charizard is as though it’s readying an attack, its open mouth seconds away from blasting its opponent with flames. Pokemon cards might have evolved in terms of their artwork, but this card remains memorable thanks to Arita’s portrayal of Charizard, which embodies its powerful status.

4 Glowing Lights: Dragonair (Base Set #18)

Dragonair is a mystical Pokemon known to live in “pristine oceans and lakes” according to Pokemon Sword. In this card, Arita captured Dragonair’s regality as it glides through the water, barely disturbing the surface. The highlight of this illustration is the colorful aurora borealis glistening in the sky and reflecting on the water.

Pairing Dragonair with the magnificent aurora borealis was a smart idea on Arita’s part, as they’re both similarly mesmerizing and complement each other perfectly. It’s a great example of a Pokemon working well with an illustrator’s choice of landscape.

3 Here Comes The Grim Reaper: Houndoom (Neo Revelation #8)

In his Houndoom card, Arita depicts the Dark Pokemon in what appears to be a deserted environment, howling at the sky. In multiple of its Pokedex entries, it says that Houndoom’s howls were imagined to be “the call of the grim reaper” — an eerie concept that Arita captured through a simple yet spooky landscape.

Although relatively straightforward, the red, purple, and pink color scheme accentuates Houndoom’s presence. It’s as though Houndoom is the only Pokemon for miles, and it would be a harrowing experience to hear its howl echoing in the distance.

2 Free Falling: Noivern V (Evolving Skies #196)

Arita’s Noivern card depicts the bat Pokemon leaping down from a great height. The buildings in the background demonstrate how far Noivern has fallen, as the top of one of the buildings and the city’s skyline are both visible. Height clearly doesn’t bother Noivern though, as it has an excited expression.

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Noivern’s aerodynamic position conveys the velocity at which it’s dropping, as its wings are thrown back, readying itself for when it’s time to land. Arita definitely captured Noivern’s imposing aura, as it resembles a superhero.

1 The God Of Time: Origin Forme Dialga V (Astral Radiance #177)

Known as the Temporal Pokemon, Origin Forme Dialga is the true form of Dialga, a Pokemon that is heavily entwined with time. Arita uses this association in this card, as Origin Forme Dialga is surrounded by time-related motifs, including the phases of the moon, a sunrise and sunset, as well as ripples, perhaps referencing ripples in time.

By using these motifs, Arita successfully represented the epitome of Dialga’s history as a legendary Pokemon, making it both visually appealing and informational. Dialga’s legendary status is certainly done justice in this card.

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