Throughout the history of the Pokémon TCG, there have been many talented illustrators who have used their skills to depict the Pokémon series' hundreds of Pokémon. Full art cards, a type of card where the artwork takes up the entire card, allows these illustrators to make the most of their creative abilities, giving them more space to work with
The use of color, the Pokémon's composition, and the background of the illustration all contribute to making a card stand out from the rest, culminating in a new interpretation of Pokémon. While these full art cards can be on the expensive side if you want a specific one, the distinct artwork makes them worth seeking out.
These full art cards have been selected based on how they represent each Pokemon, the artistic skill used, and the little details that take the cards to the next level.
Updated on 28 June 2026 by Niall Walsh: New sets launch at an incredible rate, so new full art cards are always in the fray. We've added two more picks to this list from the Chaos Rising expansion. Mega Evolutions has given us tons of incredible card designs, and it's only right that some of them find a place on our list.
Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex – Destined Rivals #231
A menacing look
Full art cards that hit you with a shot of nostalgia always score big, especially when the artwork is a nod to Pokemon's past. Two menacing figures stare out of the card in a terrifying pose that is only exacerbated by the brilliant color choice.
Between Giovanni and Mewtwo staring you down, any opponent who has to deal with this card can be intimidated by the artwork alone. The glow around Mewtwo adds an extra layer, showcasing its power with subtlety instead of overt action. This gives the card an illustrative edge, one that cements its place on this list.
The 21 Best Pokemon Card Illustrators
A big draw of collecting Pokemon cards comes from the beautiful artwork that adorns each one, and here's a look at their best illustrators.
Clive – Paldean Fates #236
Adorable Chibi Style Art
A particularly exciting part of card games, especially Pokemon, is how different the art styles can be. This makes each unique card special. This Clive card showcases Scarlet and Violet's crew in the most adorable way.
With some awesome Pokemon also featured in an adorable chibi style, the card tells the story of the group from Scarlet and Violet and shows them in a whole new light. It's a good example of how the diverse art in TCGs can be impressive, regardless of art style.
Kecleon – Swelling Sparks #213
How many Kecleons do you see?
When you first look at this card you may think there is only one Kecleon in the illustration, but when you look closer you will find that there are several other Kecleons that blend into the background, match the colors of the flowers and cling to the branches.
Mori Yuu's illustration contrasts flat colors with texture, creating an eye-catching effect. This approach is perfect for portraying Kecleon's ability to camouflage itself in its surroundings and allow the central Pokémon to stand out. It is easy to imagine a group of Kecleon behaving like this in the wild.
Bloodmoon Ursaluna ex – Prismatic Evolutions #168
The Blood Moon Rises Again…
Yano Keiji's portrayal of Bloodmoon Ursaluna, a Pokémon first introduced in Scarlet & Violet's DLC, captures its terrifying nature. In Keiji's illustration, Bloodmoon Ursaluna is bent over and breathing heavily with a blood moon as a background.
The Pokémon's breath is used to add another layer to the illustration, as it spreads across Bloodmoon Ursaluna's body and gathers at its feet as clouds. The composition also makes it appear as if the Pokemon has been shown around at the sound of movement behind it, ready to attack.
Hydraapple ex – Stellar Crown #167
Worthy Of A Tapestry
Teeziro is one of the most prolific TCG artists, and this Hydrapple ex is one of the best they've illustrated. Introduced in Gen 9's The Indigo Disk, Hydraapple is inspired by both hydras and candied apples.
This card by Hydrapple resembles an ancient mural, harkening back to Pokemon's mythological inspirations. The hydrapple is surrounded by Applin, its first evolution, and the entire illustration has a worn effect, as if the mural has been around for years. Teeziro's use of Pokémon inspirations takes this card to the next level and gives us an insight into how the Pokémon world records mythology.
Houndoom · Shrouded Fable #066
All Bark And All Bite
This Houndoom full art card is one of Taiga Kasai's first cards for the Pokémon TCG after making his debut as runner-up in the 2022 Illustration Contest. Houndoom is a scary Pokémon, with its Pokédex entry in X describing its howl as “the cry of the grim reaper,” which isn't hard to imagine thanks to this card.
The card has a largely monotone color scheme except for the bright red glow from Houndoom's eye. The silhouettes of other Houndooms help paint the picture of Pokémon running in a pack, alluding to the terrifying hellhounds they're based on.
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It's not a bubble, it's here to stay.
Froslass · Dusk Masked #174
Cold As Ice
Ghost-type Pokémon often have eerie lore associated with them, and Froslass is no exception. Its Pokedex entries state that it's possible that Froslass could be a woman lost in the snow that respawns as Pokémon and that it freezes its prey to show them. Matazo's full art card definitely evokes the creepy nature of Frosslas.
The card shows Froslass slipping into a house on a full moon night with a strange look in his eye. The muted color scheme and background Matazo chose makes it seem like it's the dead of night and you've just woken up to this terrifying sight…
Tatsugiri – Dusk Masked #186
Anyone else suddenly craving sushi?
Osare was the perfect choice for a full art of Tatsugiri thanks to their vibrant and colorful art style with bold black outlines that capture the Pokémon's signature color palette. Tatsugiri has a different color depending on its shape – Curly, Droopy or Stretchy – all of which are depicted on this card.
The pink, yellow and orange Tatsugiri complement each other well, especially against the light blue background of the sea. The white patterns throughout the piece also evoke a pop art style. It's a fun display of a different kind of art style that you don't normally see in the Pokemon TCG.
Pawmi – Paldean Fates #226
Slumbering cuties
Generation 9's Pikachu clone, Pawmi, is an electric mouse (as you would have guessed) with a quiff-like toss of fur on its head, round yellow cheeks, and adorable shiny eyes, as shown on this card. There is also a literal shiny Pawmi, just waking up from a nap among his Pawmi family.
The shiny Pawmi's pink fur complements the flowers in the foreground and brings the piece together. The sunlight poking through the trees and glistening against the foliage creates a relaxing scene – oh, to be a Pawmi sleeping in the forest.
Grotle – Temporal Forces #164
Off On Adventure
Illustrated by Oswaldo Kato, this card shows Grotle walking through long grass with a Marill on his back and a Starly and another Marill behind them. Since the card says that Grotle is leaving the forest to sunbathe, it is likely that the group of Pokemon are looking for a place in the sun.
It's always charming when Pokemon illustrators showcase friendship between Pokemon in their work, and this card is the perfect example of that. You can just imagine a special episode of the anime following this group of unlikely Pokémon friends.
