Pokémon TCG Pocket Pulls Rare Card Artwork After Plagiarism Allegations
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The Pokémon Company launched a new expansion in Pokémon TCG Pocket today, but before it was even released, it was subject to major controversy, which has resulted in a surprising change to the game.
Just prior to the launch of the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion in Pokémon TCG Pocket, a datamine for the update made its way onto the internet. Among the cards leaked was an immersive rare card – some of the rarest cards in the game – for a Ho-Oh ex that bears a striking resemblance to fan art produced in 2021 by Chinese artist Lanjiujiu.
Three starter Pokémon cards from the Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion.
Three starter Pokémon cards from the Pokémon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion.
The Pokémon Company
Lanjiujiu noticed the resemblance and posted on X (formerly Twitter) in confusion, showing a comparison of the card with their artwork that shows it looking effectively identical. Many were quick to blame Pokémon TCG artist SIE NANAHARA, who's produced dozens of artworks for the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Magic the Gathering, among others, accusing her of plagiarism — but a new statement from The Pokémon Company has cleared up the situation.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), The Pokémon Company through the official Pokémon TCG Pocket account shedding light on the situation and pledging to make things right. According to The Pokémon Company, illustrator SIE NANAHARA was provided with "incorrect reference materials" upon which to base her illustrations, resulting in the similarity to Lanjiujiu's artwork.
After the discovery was made, The Pokémon Company quickly moved to remove the artwork from the affected cards – both Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex, which features the Ho-Oh card in its immersive animation – and will be replacing it with new artwork in the future. The company says it will also be conducting an extensive review of artwork in the game to ensure no similar issues exist within prior works released in the game.
We'd like to share an update about the upcoming expansion in #PokemonTCGPocket. pic.twitter.com/W2GdG8Wv5n — Pokémon TCG Pocket (@PokemonTCGP) July 30, 2025
As of the time of publishing, if players pull the card in a set, they're greeted with a blank, artwork-free card that simply says "New art coming soon." Attempting to play the immersive animation for the card sees players greeted with silence and a black screen for a few seconds, before the placeholder card is displayed again.
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