Pokémon TCG Pocket Updates Card Artwork Following Plagiarism Allegations

Replace [Fri 8th Aug 2025, 1:05pm]:

The Pokémon Firm has up to date the artwork for each Ho-Oh and Lugia 3-Star EX playing cards from Pokémon Buying and selling Card Recreation Pocket’s Knowledge of Sea and Sky growth for, which launched final week.

The unique Ho-Oh artwork was pulled because of accusations of plagiarism and within the days since has has placeholder artwork — which is actually only a field with textual content on it.

The brand new artwork is superb, and we’re glad TPC has acted shortly in rectifying the scenario. This is what it seems to be like, courtesy of Serebii.

Serebii Replace: Pokémon TCG Pocket has added new art work to the immersive 3 Star Ho-Oh and Lugia playing cards for the Knowledge of Sea and Sky set

www.serebii.internet

— Serebii.internet (@serebii.bsky.social) 2025-08-08T06:02:29.275Z

You possibly can learn our authentic story on the elimination of the preliminary artwork under…

Unique Story: In a single day, The Pokémon Firm was hit by allegations of plagiarism forward of the discharge of the brand new Pokémon Buying and selling Card Recreation Pocket growth, Knowledge of Sea and Sky. And in the present day, with the discharge of the growth, TPC has pulled the cardboard — plus one different card — in query.

In a press release issued on social media (by way of IGN), TPC “deeply apologize[s]” for the error, which impacts the Ho-Oh EX (3-Star) and Lugia EX (3-Star) playing cards drawn by SIE NANAHARA, which it places all the way down to a “manufacturing challenge”. The growth was datamined yesterday by followers, which is the place the cardboard artwork for Ho-Oh got here from.

“After inner overview, we found that the cardboard manufacturing crew offered incorrect supplies as official paperwork to the illustrator commissioned to create these playing cards”. The artwork has been changed in-game with a “short-term placeholder”.

We would prefer to share an replace concerning the upcoming growth in #PokemonTCGPocket. pic.twitter.com/W2GdG8Wv5n— Pokémon TCG Pocket (@PokemonTCGP) July 30, 2025

The crew can be “conducting a broader investigation to make sure no related points exist elsewhere within the recreation.”

The accusations centered on the Ho-Oh card particularly, which seems to be based mostly on fanart artwork of the Legendary hen from lanjiuji, which they revealed in 2021.

lanjiuji, confused on the potential plagiarism, shared some comparability pics on social media, and even at a fast look, you may see that the resemblance is fairly darn shut.

They’ve since launched a press release acknowledging The Pokémon Firm’s response, stating “My authentic submit stemmed solely from perplexity upon encountering questionable pictures on-line, with no means to confirm their authenticity as recreation property”.

？。？？？？？？ pic.twitter.com/e5ggVtnD7Q— 昼时歌 (@lanjiujiu) July 29, 2025

“Relieved by the well timed decision, I additionally thank those that contributed constructive views.” the assertion concludes. lanjiuji additionally doubtlessly refers to a determine based mostly on the art work, created by PC Home, which somebody has linked within the replies. The Ho-Oh artwork seems to be a fee from the corporate.

The scenario has sparked discussions round Pokémon and its authorized phrases surrounding fanart — which appeared to recommend that The Pokémon Firm owns any publicly shared art work, and that it does not have to notify anybody if the corporate decides to make use of it.

You possibly can learn the authorized assertion right here, however no matter it says, in the present day’s resolution implies that, whereas Pokémon may use your artwork, it desires to keep away from doing so.

So, whereas we watch for the artwork to get replaced, let’s take a look at that placeholder artwork, then:

👀When you acquire Ho-Oh or Lugia Immersive Playing cards you will note a placeholder like this #PokemonTCGPocket pic.twitter.com/ooS8oXWkTH— MAGIKARP🦈💦 (@UniteVids) July 30, 2025

Nicely, at the very least persons are having enjoyable with the short-term playing cards…! Alongside the brand new growth, there’s an enormous overhaul to buying and selling too, which is a little bit of a boon given how a lot it was criticised when it first dropped.

Have you ever been following this case? Are you diving into the brand new growth in the present day? Tell us down under.