Pokémon Company Addresses Ho-Oh EX Card Controversy and Urges End to Artist Harassment

Following recent reports regarding traced fan art in Pokémon TCG Pocket, The Pokémon Company has issued an official statement taking full responsibility for the situation involving the new Ho-Oh EX card and urging fans to stop harassing the artist responsible.

The controversy revolves around the collectible card game's Ho-Oh EX card, which was found to bear a strong resemblance to artwork posted in 2021 by Chinese artist lanjiujiu.

Pokémon TCG Pocket, the digital adaptation of the legendary trading card game for platforms including Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, has quickly become a favorite among Pokémon fans, making any issues with official card releases particularly high-profile. Earlier this week, concerns surfaced after artist lanjiujiu shared via social media that their 2021 Ho-Oh illustration appeared to have been used, with minimal modifications, for an official Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket card.

The Pokémon Company moved swiftly to address the problem, identifying that the artist for the card, Sie Nanahara, had unknowingly received inaccurate reference materials from the team at The Pokémon Company and Creatures Inc.

believing them to be official assets. As the discussion gained traction online, some individuals began targeting Sie Nanahara with personal attacks and accusations of plagiarism.

The Pokémon Company responded by clarifying that the "issue with the illustrations was caused by the card production team at The Pokémon Company and Creatures, Inc providing incorrect materials to the illustrators as official references." The statement, issued through the official Japanese Pokémon TCG Pocket social media account, also urged fans to avoid harassing the artist, emphasizing that Nanahara neither made the decision nor intended to use fan art without proper authorization. The art in question was quickly removed from Pokémon TCG Pocket, and The Pokémon Company issued a public apology to both fans and artists affected by the mistake.

The company reiterated its commitment to supporting the creative community and maintaining the integrity of its products across all official channels, including the Nintendo eShop and future releases.

Both The Pokémon Company and Creatures Inc.

have encouraged continued respectful engagement within the vibrant Pokémon trading card and Nintendo communities. Pokémon TCG Pocket continues to evolve with ongoing content and new card releases, maintaining its strong presence on Nintendo Switch and digital storefronts.

As the franchise looks ahead with major upcoming titles and collaborations, The Pokémon Company’s proactive response demonstrates its dedication to accountability and respect for both artists and players alike.

Pokémon The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Pocket TCG Pocket Ho-Oh Ho-Oh EX Creatures Inc Nintendo Sie Nanahara lanjiujiu