Illustrator
Atsuko Nishida
- 407
- cards
- 103
- sets
- 16
- eras
- 1999 – 2024
- active
Best-known card: Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX (sm10)
ABOUT
Atsuko Nishida (西田敦子) designed Pikachu. That alone makes her one of the most consequential artists in the franchise, and she has been involved with Pokémon since its inception.
A graphic artist at Game Freak, she worked on Pulseman alongside Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori before the first Pokémon games, where she helped design several of the creatures — the cuter ones especially. Beyond Pikachu and Raichu, she designed nearly all of the Eeveelutions, Jolteon and Flareon excepted, and has contributed designs across every generation since.
Her first cards in a regular expansion appeared in Team Rocket. Her card work is immediately recognisable: an airbrushed technique with a soft palette, built around light and the Pokémon's harmony with its surroundings.
She has also worked on conceptual character design for the Pokémon films and anime, including Ash, Misty and Brock.
Reviewed 2026-08-25 · Sources: Bulbapedia — Atsuko Nishida, Wikipedia — Atsuko Nishida
MOST DRAWN
120 OF 407 CARDS
Sabrina's Abra
#19
Pikachu
#27
Hitmontop
#37
Magmar
#44
Articuno
#48
Suicune
#53
Eevee
#55
Meowth
#62
Ponyta
#64
Rattata
#66
Squirtle
#68
Erika's Clefable
#3
Erika's Dragonair
#4
Misty's Seadra
#9
Brock's Geodude
#38
Erika's Exeggcute
#43
Erika's Oddish
#47
Erika's Weepinbell
#48
Lt. Surge's Magnemite
#50
Misty's Psyduck
#54
Sabrina's Haunter
#58
Blaine's Growlithe
#62
Brock's Mankey
#67
Brock's Zubat
#74
Erika's Bellsprout
#75
Lt. Surge's Spearow
#83
Misty's Goldeen
#85
Misty's Seel
#88
Sabrina's Drowzee
#92
Brock's Graveler
#34
Brock's Sandslash
#36
Erika's Clefairy
#40
Giovanni's Meowth
#43
Koga's Pidgey
#49
Sabrina's Jynx
#57
Blaine's Mankey
#63
Koga's Tangela
#81
Lt. Surge's Pikachu
#84
Lt. Surge's Rattata
#85
Lt. Surge's Voltorb
#86
Sabrina's Gastly
#97
Bellossom
#3
Jumpluff
#7
Quagsire
#45
Skiploom
#49
Hoppip
#61
Marill
#66
Espeon
#1
Yanma
#17
Butterfree
#19
Yanma
#36
Mareep
#58
Parasect
#35
Piloswine
#36
Chinchou
#42
Smoochum
#54
Dark Espeon
#4
Dark Feraligatr
#5
Light Arcanine
#12
Light Dragonite
#14
Light Dragonair
#22
Light Flareon
#46
Light Golduck
#47
Growlithe
#68
Ampharos
#2
Ninetales
#21
Pichu
#22
Raichu
#25
Ampharos
#34
Charizard
#39
Ninetales
#57
Pichu
#58
Raichu
#61
Venusaur
#67
Hitmonlee
#81
Wartortle
#92
Pikachu
#124
Entei
#10
Kingdra
#19
Suicune
#37
Furret
#48
Wooper
#66
Chansey
#69
Horsea
#85
Houndour
#87
Entei
#H8
Kingdra
#H14
Suicune
#H25
Politoed
#25
Umbreon
#32
Xatu
#35
Misdreavus
#39
Noctowl
#40
Persian
#42
Jigglypuff
#68
Crobat
#147
Kabutops
#150
Politoed
#H23
Umbreon
#H30
Xatu
#H32
Delcatty
#5
Mightyena
#10
Weezing
#24
Kirlia
#35
Koffing
#54
Poochyena
#64
Ralts
#67
Shroomish
#69
Skitty
#71
Zigzagoon
#79
Cacturne
#2
Jolteon
#6
Shiftry
#12
Wobbuffet
#26
Breloom
#33
Kabuto
#39
Lairon
#41
Nuzleaf
#48
Aron
#56
Cacnea
#57