Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Expansion Faces Plagiarism Allegations, The Pokémon Company Issues Apology and Pulls Cards

The Pokémon Company has issued a public apology following allegations of plagiarism that emerged just ahead of the launch of its latest Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket expansion, entitled 'Wisdom of Sea and Sky.' The controversy surrounding the Nintendo Switch and mobile-compatible Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) prompted the immediate removal and replacement of two specific expansion cards. On June 6, 2024, The Pokémon Company officially launched the 'Wisdom of Sea and Sky' expansion on digital platforms, including the Nintendo eShop.

However, just days before release, concerns surfaced online about the Ho-Oh EX (3-Star) card artwork, which fans discovered closely resembled a 2021 fanart piece by the artist known as lanjiuji.

The situation quickly escalated as the Ho-Oh EX card, drawn by the illustrator SIE NANAHARA, was found—after fan datamining—to mirror the original fanart in detail. In a formal statement shared on social media and reported by IGN, The Pokémon Company expressed sincere regret, noting, "We deeply apologize for this mistake, which has affected the Ho-Oh EX (3-Star) and Lugia EX (3-Star) cards." The company attributed the issue to a production error, explaining: "After a thorough internal review, we determined that incorrect reference materials were supplied as official documents to the illustrator commissioned for these cards." Until revised images are ready, both affected cards have been replaced in-game with temporary placeholder artwork. The Pokémon Company has also begun a comprehensive investigation to ensure that no similar missteps exist elsewhere within the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket expansion or future updates.

The transparency in their response reflects a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the globally beloved trading card game franchise. Artist lanjiuji, whose work was at the center of the plagiarism allegations, acknowledged The Pokémon Company's swift action in a recent statement.

They noted that their initial social media comparison stemmed from genuine confusion about seeing seemingly familiar images, and, lacking confirmation the visuals were official game assets, sought clarification from the community.

Expressing gratitude, lanjiuji added, "I'm relieved by the prompt resolution and appreciate the constructive dialogue." The incident has reignited conversations within the Pokémon community and among the wider gaming industry regarding fanart rights and usage.

While The Pokémon Company’s legal terms assert ownership over publicly shared Pokémon artwork, recent actions suggest a preference for respecting fan creators and avoiding the use of community art without clear consent. Despite the controversy, the launch of 'Wisdom of Sea and Sky' brings with it significant improvements to Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket’s trading system—an addition that has been positively received following earlier criticism.

As the development team continues to address the artwork issues, the community remains engaged with the expansion’s new features, demonstrating the enduring popularity and cultural relevance of Pokémon’s digital card games on platforms like Nintendo Switch and mobile.

Pokémon The Pokémon Company Pokémon Trading Card Game Pokémon Company Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Ho-Oh EX Lugia EX Nintendo IGN SIE NANAHARA lanjiuji PC House