Throughout the history of the Pokémon TCG, there have been many talented illustrators who have used their skills to draw hundreds of Pokémon from the Pokémon series. Full art cards, a type of card where the artwork takes up the entire card, allow these illustrators to make the most of their creative abilities, giving them more room to work.
The use of color, the composition of the Pokemon, and the background of the illustration help make the card stand out from the rest, resulting in a new interpretation of Pokemon. While these full art cards can run on the expensive side if you want a unique one, the distinctive artwork makes them worth seeking out.
These full art cards are selected based on the way they represent the respective Pokemon, the artistic skill used, and the little details that take the cards to the next level.
Updated by Niall Walsh on June 28, 2026: New sets are being launched at an incredible rate, and so new full art cards are always joining the fray. We've added two more picks from the Anarchy Rising expansion to this list. Mega Evolutions has brought us a ton 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 dangerous glare
Full art cards that hit you with a shot of nostalgia always get big points, especially when the artwork alludes to the Pokemon's past. The two menacing figures stare out of the card in a menacing pose that is only enhanced by the brilliant color choice.
Between Giovanni and Mewtwo looking at you, any opponent who has to deal with this card can only fear the artifact. The glow around Mewtwo adds an extra layer, displaying its power with subtlety rather than overt action. This gives the card an illustrative edge, which cements its place on this list.
21 Best Pokemon Card Illustrators
A major attraction of collecting Pokémon cards comes from the beautiful artwork that graces each one, and here's a look at their best illustrators.
Clive – Paldean Fates #236
Adorable Chibi style art
One particularly exciting part of trading card games, especially Pokémon, is how different the art styles can be. This makes each unique card special. This Clive card showcases the Scarlet and Violet team in the most adorable fashion.
While some of the staple Pokémon are also featured in an adorable chibi style, the card tells the story of Scarlet and Violet's group and presents them in a whole new light. This is a great example of how diverse art can be impressive in a TCG, regardless of the art style.
Kecleon – Surging Sparks #213
How many kcleans do you see?
When you first look at this card, you may think that there is only one Kecleon in the illustration, but when you look closely, you will find that there are many other Kecleons in the background, matching the colors of the flowers and clinging to the branches.
Mori Yu's illustrations contrast flat colors with texture, creating an eye-catching effect. This approach is perfect for Kecleon's ability to spread itself around the environment and allow the central Pokemon to stand out. It's easy to imagine a group of keklons behaving like this in the wild.
Bloodmoon Ursaluna East – Prismatic Evolution #168
The blood moon rises again…
Yano Keiji's portrayal of Bloodmoon Ursaluna, a Pokémon first introduced in Scarlet & Violet's DLC, encapsulates its terrifying nature. In Keiji's illustration, Blood Moon Ursaluna is hanging and breathing heavily in the background of Blood Moon.
The Pokémon's breath is used to add another layer to the illustration, as this Bloodmoon stretches across Ursaluna's body and has a cloud-like pool at its feet. This composition looks like the Pokemon is rushing around to the sound of the movement behind it, ready to attack.
Hydrapple East – Stellar Crown #167
Worth a tapestry
Teeziro is one of the best TCG artists, and this Hydrapple is one of the best they've ever drawn. Hydrapple was introduced in Gen 9's The Indigo Disk and is inspired by both hydras and candied apples.
This card from Hydrapple looks like an ancient mural, harkening back to Pokémon's legendary inspirations. Hydrapple is surrounded by Applin, its first development, and the whole illustration has a worn effect, as if the mural has existed for years and years. Teeziro's use of Pokemon inspiration takes this card to the next level and gives us a glimpse into how the Pokemon world records legends.
Houndoom · Shrouded Story #066
All bark and all bite
This Houndoom Full Art Card is one of Taiga Kasai's first cards for the Pokemon TCG after debuting as the runner-up in the 2022 illustration contest. Houndoom is a scary Pokemon, its Pokédex entry in X describes its sound as “the call 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 strong red glow of Houndum's eyes. Silhouettes of other Houndooms help paint a picture of the Pokémon running in the pack, hinting at the fearsome Hellhounds they're based on.
Pokemon TCG: Most Valuable Cards of 2025
It's not a bubble, it's here to stay.
Froslas · Twilight Masquerade #174
Cold as ice
Ghost-type Pokemon often have strange lore associated with them, and Froslas is no exception. Its Pokédex entries make it possible that the Froslas could be a lost woman in the snow reincarnated as a Pokémon and it freezes its prey to display them. Matajo's full art card certainly evokes the fearsome nature of Fraslas.
The card shows Froslas slipping into the house on a full moon night with a strange look in his eyes. The muted color scheme and background make Matazo look like it's the dead of the night, and you've just woken up to this terrifying scene…
Tatsugiri – Twilight Masquerade #186
Anyone else suddenly want sushi?
Osare was the perfect choice for Tatsugiri's full art because of their vibrant and colorful art style with bold black outlines that capture Pokemon's signature color palette. Tatsugiri is a different color depending on its form – curved, droopy, or stretchy – all of which are depicted on this card.
Pink, yellow, and orange Tatsugiri complement each other well, especially against the bright blue background of the sea. The white patterns on the piece also evoke a pop art style. It's a fun display of a different kind of art style that you don't usually see in the Pokémon TCG.
Pawmi – Paldean Fates #226
Snoozing Cuties
Generation 9's Pikachu clone, Pawmy, is (as you might have guessed) an electric mouse with a quiff-like tuft of fur on its head, round yellow cheeks, and adorable glowing eyes, as pictured on this card. There is also the literally shining Pavami, waking up from slumber in the midst of her Pavami family.
Bright powami's pink fur complements the flowers in the foreground, bringing the piece together. The sunlight glinting through the trees and shimmering on the leaves creates a relaxing scene – oh, to be Pavami sleeping in the forest.
Grottle – Temporal Forces #164
Off on an adventure
Illustrated by Oswaldo Cato, this card depicts Gretel walking through long grass with Marill on his back, and a Starley and Marill behind them. As the card states that Grotle leaves the forest to bask in the sun, it's possible that a group of Pokemon are looking for a spot in the sun.
It's always fascinating when Pokemon illustrators show the friendship between Pokemon in their work, and this card is a great example of that. You can imagine a special episode of the anime following this group of potential Pokemon friends.
