Illustrator
Atsuko Nishida is the Japanese character designer who created Pikachu — the most recognizable fictional character of the 21st century — along with all Gen 1 starters, Charizard, Eevee, and six Eeveelutions. A former Game Freak in-house artist recruited by Ken Sugimori, she has designed 50+ Pokémon across all nine generations while simultaneously illustrating 407+ TCG cards since 1997.
Her soft airbrush style and gift for endearing expressions define how millions of people picture Pokémon.
Style Note
Nishida's TCG illustration style uses soft airbrush techniques with gentle, warm palettes. Her Pokémon have endearing expressions and are placed in harmonious natural environments with strategic use of light. She excels at making creatures feel approachable, soft, and alive — the same quality that made her character designs (Pikachu, Eevee, the starters) so universally beloved.
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Luxio
Perfect Order · 2026
Phanpy
Paldean Fates · 2024
Skitty
Temporal Forces · 2024
Grubbin
Crown Zenith · 2023
Lechonk
Obsidian Flames · 2023
Vivillon
Scarlet & Violet · 2023
Cinccino
Brilliant Stars · 2022
Spinarak
Lost Origin · 2022
Alolan Raticate
Pokémon GO · 2022
Silicobra
Battle Styles · 2021
Nuzleaf
Evolving Skies · 2021
Galarian Darumaka
Fusion Strike · 2021
Paras
Darkness Ablaze · 2020
Barboach
Rebel Clash · 2020
Maractus
Sword & Shield · 2020
Snorlax
Vivid Voltage · 2020
Forretress
Vivid Voltage · 2020
Flabébé
Cosmic Eclipse · 2019
Ralts
Cosmic Eclipse · 2019
Mew
Hidden Fates · 2019
Eevee
McDonald's Collection 2019 · 2019
Mr. Mime
Team Up · 2019
Charmander
Team Up · 2019
Gardevoir & Sylveon-GX
Unbroken Bonds · 2019
Alolan Diglett
Unbroken Bonds · 2019
Litten
Unbroken Bonds · 2019
Breloom
Unified Minds · 2019
Dewpider
Unified Minds · 2019
Ludicolo
Celestial Storm · 2018
Lombre
Celestial Storm · 2018
Lotad
Celestial Storm · 2018
Cacturne
Celestial Storm · 2018
Cacnea
Celestial Storm · 2018
Sliggoo
Forbidden Light · 2018
Amaura
Forbidden Light · 2018
Fennekin
Forbidden Light · 2018
Brionne
Lost Thunder · 2018
Tangrowth
Lost Thunder · 2018
Eevee
Ultra Prism · 2018
Cutiefly
Burning Shadows · 2017
Ledian
Burning Shadows · 2017
Jangmo-o
Crimson Invasion · 2017
Lairon
Crimson Invasion · 2017
Sandile
Sun & Moon · 2017
Poliwhirl
Sun & Moon · 2017
Ducklett
BREAKpoint · 2016
Snivy
Fates Collide · 2016
Clefable
Generations · 2016
Pikachu
Generations · 2016
Flareon-EX
Generations · 2016
Swablu
Generations · 2016
Ambipom
Steam Siege · 2016
Whimsicott
Ancient Origins · 2015
Swinub
BREAKthrough · 2015
Delcatty
Primal Clash · 2015
Honedge
Primal Clash · 2015
Tynamo
Primal Clash · 2015
Taillow
Roaring Skies · 2015
Natu
Roaring Skies · 2015
Pidgey
Flashfire · 2014
Luvdisc
Flashfire · 2014
Clefable
Furious Fists · 2014
Gothita
Furious Fists · 2014
Politoed
Furious Fists · 2014
Litleo
Phantom Forces · 2014
Leavanny
Phantom Forces · 2014
Spoink
XY · 2014
Voltorb
XY · 2014
Altaria
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Zorua
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Virizion
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Cherubi
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Pikachu
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Emolga
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Gardevoir
Legendary Treasures · 2013
Dratini
Plasma Freeze · 2013
Nidorina
Plasma Freeze · 2013
Quagsire
Plasma Freeze · 2013
Clefairy
Plasma Storm · 2013
Pansear
Plasma Storm · 2013
Sewaddle
Plasma Storm · 2013
Chespin
XY Black Star Promos · 2013
Victini
XY Black Star Promos · 2013
Patrat
Boundaries Crossed · 2012
Gligar
Boundaries Crossed · 2012
Gloom
Boundaries Crossed · 2012
Stoutland
Dark Explorers · 2012
Torchic
Dark Explorers · 2012
Cubone
Dragons Exalted · 2012
Flaaffy
Dragons Exalted · 2012
Wailmer
Dragons Exalted · 2012
Axew
McDonald's Collection 2012 · 2012
Purrloin
McDonald's Collection 2012 · 2012
Shinx
Next Destinies · 2012
Cubchoo
Next Destinies · 2012
Darumaka
Next Destinies · 2012
Munna
Black & White · 2011
Panpour
Black & White · 2011
Deerling
Black & White · 2011
Lilligant
Black & White · 2011
Litwick
BW Black Star Promos · 2011
Minccino
BW Black Star Promos · 2011
Minccino
Emerging Powers · 2011
Purrloin
Emerging Powers · 2011
Gothorita
Emerging Powers · 2011
Swanna
Emerging Powers · 2011
Cottonee
Emerging Powers · 2011
Axew
Noble Victories · 2011
Mienshao
Noble Victories · 2011
Solosis
Noble Victories · 2011
Vanillite
Noble Victories · 2011
Tympole
Noble Victories · 2011
Jigglypuff
HeartGold & SoulSilver · 2010
Wigglytuff
HeartGold & SoulSilver · 2010
Igglybuff
HeartGold & SoulSilver · 2010
Lickitung
HS—Triumphant · 2010
Lickilicky
HS—Triumphant · 2010
Togepi
HS—Undaunted · 2010
Togetic
HS—Undaunted · 2010
Togekiss
HS—Undaunted · 2010
Wormadam Sandy Cloak
Arceus · 2009
Shelgon
Arceus · 2009
Bronzong
Arceus · 2009
Slakoth
Platinum · 2009
Kricketune
Platinum · 2009
Blissey
Platinum · 2009
Shaymin
Platinum · 2009
Ampharos
Platinum · 2009
Trapinch
Rising Rivals · 2009
Staryu
Rising Rivals · 2009
Mamoswine GL
Rising Rivals · 2009
Froslass GL
Rising Rivals · 2009
Turtwig
Supreme Victors · 2009
Seel
Supreme Victors · 2009
Growlithe
Supreme Victors · 2009
Doduo
Supreme Victors · 2009
Combee
Supreme Victors · 2009
Bidoof
Supreme Victors · 2009
Beldum
Supreme Victors · 2009
Loudred
Supreme Victors · 2009
Bibarel
Supreme Victors · 2009
Arcanine
Supreme Victors · 2009
Snubbull
Great Encounters · 2008
Makuhita
Great Encounters · 2008
Slowbro
Great Encounters · 2008
Lapras
Great Encounters · 2008
Tentacool
Legends Awakened · 2008
Poliwag
Legends Awakened · 2008
Meowth
Legends Awakened · 2008
Ledyba
Legends Awakened · 2008
Chinchou
Legends Awakened · 2008
Buneary
Legends Awakened · 2008
Bellsprout
Legends Awakened · 2008
Seadra
Legends Awakened · 2008
Bellossom
Legends Awakened · 2008
Kangaskhan
Majestic Dawn · 2008
Glaceon
Majestic Dawn · 2008
Spinda
POP Series 7 · 2008
Mareep
POP Series 7 · 2008
Piplup
POP Series 8 · 2008
Cherrim
POP Series 8 · 2008
Starly
Stormfront · 2008
Ponyta
Stormfront · 2008
Misdreavus
Stormfront · 2008
Drifloon
Stormfront · 2008
Pichu
Stormfront · 2008
Drifloon
Stormfront · 2008
Marill
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Machop
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Goldeen
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Duskull
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Seaking
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Cherrim
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Noctowl
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Beautifly
Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Pachirisu
DP Black Star Promos · 2007
Piplup
DP Black Star Promos · 2007
Murkrow
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Kricketot
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Chansey
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Sandslash
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Quilava
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Nidorina
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Sudowoodo
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Manectric
Mysterious Treasures · 2007
Piplup
POP Series 6 · 2007
Cherubi
POP Series 6 · 2007
Pachirisu
POP Series 6 · 2007
Manaphy
POP Series 6 · 2007
Combusken
Power Keepers · 2007
Spinda
Secret Wonders · 2007
Mareep
Secret Wonders · 2007
Bagon
Secret Wonders · 2007
Smoochum
Secret Wonders · 2007
Charmeleon
Secret Wonders · 2007
Gardevoir
Secret Wonders · 2007
Whismur
Crystal Guardians · 2006
Electrike
Crystal Guardians · 2006
Charmander
Crystal Guardians · 2006
Wartortle
Crystal Guardians · 2006
Shuppet
Crystal Guardians · 2006
Cyndaquil δ
Dragon Frontiers · 2006
Nidorino δ
Dragon Frontiers · 2006
Dewgong δ
Dragon Frontiers · 2006
Grumpig
EX Trainer Kit 2 Plusle · 2006
Surskit
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Pikachu δ
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Oddish δ
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Numel
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Mankey δ
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Horsea δ
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Exeggcute δ
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Pidgeotto δ
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Masquerain
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Camerupt
Holon Phantoms · 2006
Lileep
Legend Maker · 2006
Vibrava
Legend Maker · 2006
Anorith
Legend Maker · 2006
Torkoal
Legend Maker · 2006
Gorebyss
Legend Maker · 2006
Squirtle
POP Series 4 · 2006
Sceptile
POP Series 4 · 2006
Weedle
Delta Species · 2005
Eevee
Delta Species · 2005
Rapidash
Delta Species · 2005
Swellow
Delta Species · 2005
Azumarill δ
Delta Species · 2005
Goldeen
Deoxys · 2005
Lotad
Deoxys · 2005
Lombre
Deoxys · 2005
Seaking
Deoxys · 2005
Ludicolo
Deoxys · 2005
Spoink
Emerald · 2005
Snorunt
Emerald · 2005
Mudkip
Emerald · 2005
Gulpin
Emerald · 2005
Feebas
Emerald · 2005
Swalot
Emerald · 2005
Marshtomp
Emerald · 2005
Grumpig
Emerald · 2005
Relicanth
Emerald · 2005
Glalie
Emerald · 2005
Swampert
Emerald · 2005
Luvdisc
POP Series 2 · 2005
Chikorita
Unseen Forces · 2005
Bayleef
Unseen Forces · 2005
Stantler
Unseen Forces · 2005
Vaporeon
Unseen Forces · 2005
Ursaring
Unseen Forces · 2005
Meganium
Unseen Forces · 2005
Skitty
EX Trainer Kit Latias · 2004
Zigzagoon
EX Trainer Kit Latios · 2004
Magikarp
FireRed & LeafGreen · 2004
Caterpie
FireRed & LeafGreen · 2004
Bulbasaur
FireRed & LeafGreen · 2004
Metapod
FireRed & LeafGreen · 2004
Ivysaur
FireRed & LeafGreen · 2004
Butterfree
FireRed & LeafGreen · 2004
Spheal
Hidden Legends · 2004
Rhyhorn
Hidden Legends · 2004
Meditite
Hidden Legends · 2004
Sealeo
Hidden Legends · 2004
Rhydon
Hidden Legends · 2004
Walrein
Hidden Legends · 2004
Milotic
Hidden Legends · 2004
Medicham
Hidden Legends · 2004
Slowpoke
Team Rocket Returns · 2004
Sandshrew
Team Rocket Returns · 2004
Onix
Team Rocket Returns · 2004
Larvitar
Team Rocket Returns · 2004
Ekans
Team Rocket Returns · 2004
Dratini
Team Rocket Returns · 2004
Houndour
Aquapolis · 2003
Horsea
Aquapolis · 2003
Chansey
Aquapolis · 2003
Wooper
Aquapolis · 2003
Furret
Aquapolis · 2003
Suicune
Aquapolis · 2003
Kingdra
Aquapolis · 2003
Entei
Aquapolis · 2003
Entei
Aquapolis · 2003
Suicune
Aquapolis · 2003
Kingdra
Aquapolis · 2003
Swablu
Dragon · 2003
Marshtomp
Dragon · 2003
Houndoom
Dragon · 2003
Grovyle
Dragon · 2003
Combusken
Dragon · 2003
Roselia
Dragon · 2003
Plusle
Dragon · 2003
Minun
Dragon · 2003
Altaria
Dragon · 2003
Suicune
Nintendo Black Star Promos · 2003
Chimecho
Nintendo Black Star Promos · 2003
Jirachi
Nintendo Black Star Promos · 2003
Mudkip
Nintendo Black Star Promos · 2003
Torchic
Nintendo Black Star Promos · 2003
Treecko
Nintendo Black Star Promos · 2003
Zigzagoon
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Skitty
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Shroomish
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Ralts
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Poochyena
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Koffing
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Kirlia
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Weezing
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Mightyena
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Delcatty
Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Seedot
Sandstorm · 2003
Cacnea
Sandstorm · 2003
Aron
Sandstorm · 2003
Nuzleaf
Sandstorm · 2003
Lairon
Sandstorm · 2003
Kabuto
Sandstorm · 2003
Breloom
Sandstorm · 2003
Wobbuffet
Sandstorm · 2003
Shiftry
Sandstorm · 2003
Jolteon
Sandstorm · 2003
Cacturne
Sandstorm · 2003
Kabutops
Skyridge · 2003
Crobat
Skyridge · 2003
Jigglypuff
Skyridge · 2003
Persian
Skyridge · 2003
Noctowl
Skyridge · 2003
Misdreavus
Skyridge · 2003
Xatu
Skyridge · 2003
Umbreon
Skyridge · 2003
Politoed
Skyridge · 2003
Xatu
Skyridge · 2003
Umbreon
Skyridge · 2003
Politoed
Skyridge · 2003
Pikachu
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Wartortle
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Hitmonlee
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Venusaur
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Raichu
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Pichu
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Ninetales
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Charizard
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Ampharos
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Raichu
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Pichu
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Ninetales
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Ampharos
Expedition Base Set · 2002
Growlithe
Neo Destiny · 2002
Light Golduck
Neo Destiny · 2002
Light Flareon
Neo Destiny · 2002
Light Dragonair
Neo Destiny · 2002
Light Dragonite
Neo Destiny · 2002
Light Arcanine
Neo Destiny · 2002
Dark Feraligatr
Neo Destiny · 2002
Dark Espeon
Neo Destiny · 2002
Mareep
Neo Discovery · 2001
Yanma
Neo Discovery · 2001
Butterfree
Neo Discovery · 2001
Yanma
Neo Discovery · 2001
Espeon
Neo Discovery · 2001
Smoochum
Neo Revelation · 2001
Chinchou
Neo Revelation · 2001
Piloswine
Neo Revelation · 2001
Parasect
Neo Revelation · 2001
Sabrina's Gastly
Gym Challenge · 2000
Lt. Surge's Voltorb
Gym Challenge · 2000
Lt. Surge's Rattata
Gym Challenge · 2000
Lt. Surge's Pikachu
Gym Challenge · 2000
Koga's Tangela
Gym Challenge · 2000
Blaine's Mankey
Gym Challenge · 2000
Sabrina's Jynx
Gym Challenge · 2000
Koga's Pidgey
Gym Challenge · 2000
Giovanni's Meowth
Gym Challenge · 2000
Erika's Clefairy
Gym Challenge · 2000
Brock's Sandslash
Gym Challenge · 2000
Brock's Graveler
Gym Challenge · 2000
Sabrina's Drowzee
Gym Heroes · 2000
Misty's Seel
Gym Heroes · 2000
Misty's Goldeen
Gym Heroes · 2000
Lt. Surge's Spearow
Gym Heroes · 2000
Erika's Bellsprout
Gym Heroes · 2000
Brock's Zubat
Gym Heroes · 2000
Brock's Mankey
Gym Heroes · 2000
Blaine's Growlithe
Gym Heroes · 2000
Sabrina's Haunter
Gym Heroes · 2000
Misty's Psyduck
Gym Heroes · 2000
Lt. Surge's Magnemite
Gym Heroes · 2000
Erika's Weepinbell
Gym Heroes · 2000
Erika's Oddish
Gym Heroes · 2000
Erika's Exeggcute
Gym Heroes · 2000
Brock's Geodude
Gym Heroes · 2000
Misty's Seadra
Gym Heroes · 2000
Erika's Dragonair
Gym Heroes · 2000
Erika's Clefable
Gym Heroes · 2000
Marill
Neo Genesis · 2000
Hoppip
Neo Genesis · 2000
Skiploom
Neo Genesis · 2000
Quagsire
Neo Genesis · 2000
Jumpluff
Neo Genesis · 2000
Bellossom
Neo Genesis · 2000
Squirtle
Team Rocket · 2000
Rattata
Team Rocket · 2000
Ponyta
Team Rocket · 2000
Meowth
Team Rocket · 2000
Eevee
Team Rocket · 2000
Suicune
Wizards Black Star Promos · 1999
Articuno
Wizards Black Star Promos · 1999
Magmar
Wizards Black Star Promos · 1999
Hitmontop
Wizards Black Star Promos · 1999
Pikachu
Wizards Black Star Promos · 1999
Sabrina's Abra
Wizards Black Star Promos · 1999
