Pokémon TCG Pocket Ho-Oh Card Faces Tracing Allegations Amid Fan Art Similarities

Pokémon TCG Pocket, the mobile trading card game from The Pokémon Company, is drawing attention following claims that a newly revealed card may have used fan-created artwork without authorization.

The card in question, featuring the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh, is set to appear as part of the game's immersive card lineup and has recently come under scrutiny due to its striking resemblance to a piece of fan art from 2021. The discussion began when Twitter user lanjiujiu posted a side-by-side comparison between the new Ho-Oh ex card—illustrated by Sie Nanahara—and their own fan-made artwork created several years prior.

Lanjiujiu’s original piece was a collage celebrating legendary flying-type Pokémon, highlighting Ho-Oh at its center.

In the comparison, keen-eyed fans noticed that the card’s depiction of Ho-Oh mirrored both the pose and general structure of the fan art very closely. Further contributing to the debate, user Lewtwo shared a video overlay showing the official card fading into lanjiujiu's artwork.

The match between the art assets is nearly exact, down to the placement of Ho-Oh’s beak, wings, and neck, along with the overall proportions.

While the card’s design incorporates additional stylistic touches in line with Pokémon TCG Pocket’s signature look, observers say the similarities are too significant to ignore. As the news circulated, Kotaku reported that lanjiujiu detailed the timeline and context of their artwork in a comprehensive Twitter thread.

The artist clarified that the image was originally a commissioned piece from several years ago and was at one point referenced by creators of a non-official Chinese figurine.

This led to speculation that Sie Nanahara, the credited illustrator of the card, may have inadvertently used a derivative version as a reference.

However, the possibility remains that the card itself is not official, as Serebii.net displayed a static image of the Ho-Oh card where an animated rendering would usually appear in-game, prompting questions regarding the card's legitimacy. At the time of publication, The Pokémon Company and Sie Nanahara had not yet issued a public statement addressing the allegations.

Kotaku confirmed that requests for comment were submitted but had not received a response.

The gaming community awaits clarification from official channels to determine the provenance of the Ho-Oh card artwork. Pokémon TCG Pocket continues to attract attention from fans worldwide, with new cards and features regularly showcased via Nintendo Direct presentations and on digital storefronts such as the eShop.

The game’s collaboration with artists and designers has been a hallmark of its appeal.

However, this recent controversy highlights the complexities of creative attribution and intellectual property rights within fan-driven communities. As more information becomes available, we will provide updates regarding the outcome of the tracing allegations and any responses from the parties involved.

For now, Pokémon TCG Pocket remains under the spotlight as fans and industry watchers alike call for transparency and integrity in game art creation.

Pokémon Pokémon TCG Pokémon TCG Pocket TCG Pocket Ho-Oh Sie Nanahara lanjiujiu Lewtwo The Pokémon Company Nintendo Twitter Kotaku Serebii.net