Ken Sugimori

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Ken Sugimori in 2018

Ken Sugimori (Japanese: 杉森建 Sugimori Ken; born January 27, 1966) is a friend of Satoshi Tajiri and illustrator of the original artwork for Pokémon games. He also has developed conceptual artwork for the movies, and illustrates TCG cards and merchandising. The original artwork for all 151 Generation I Pokémon was done by Sugimori.[1]

Sugimori's change of style over the years has been noticeable. Initially, he used a stiff, lightly shaded style using watercolors that was very reminiscent of Akira Toriyama's visual style, particularly that from 1989 onward. However, his now digitally-produced drawings of people and creatures have gradually gained more muscle definition, significantly rounder corners, heavier shading, and more natural and fluid poses.

Designs

Pokémon

The following is a list of Pokémon designed by Sugimori.

Capsule Monsters

The following are a list of Pokémon designed by Sugimori that were eventually redesigned, either by him, or another designer.

Characters

The following is a list of characters designed by Sugimori.

Artwork

Official artwork

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Character art
Anime settei
Game settei
Capsule Monsters
A Man Who Created Pokémon cover
GAME FREAK New Years cards
GAME FREAK web art
Core series key art
Dash Box art
Badge 151
I Choose You anime art
Mystery Dungeon Box arts
Nintendo Dream, Pia, and MicroGroup Game covers
XY Paris Exhibition art
TCG Booster art

This is a collection of official Pokémon artwork drawn by Sugimori.

Merchandise

This is a collection of official Pokémon merchandise that Sugimori has contributed artwork to.

There are 968 cards illustrated by Sugimori, though most of them include re-used artwork from various games. For a list of cards he has illustrated, see here.

Pokémon Gallery Collection - Chance Encounter with a Shiny Pokémon.jpg
Pokémon Center
Pokémon Gallery Collection
(Chance Encounter with a Shiny Pokémon)[40]
Pokémon Gallery Collection - A Sky where Latias and Latios Roam.jpg
Pokémon Center
Pokémon Gallery Collection
(A Sky where Latias and Latios Roam)[40]
Pokémon Gallery Collection - Rayquaza's Imperial Wrath.jpg
Dialga-Palkia-Giratina.png
Pokémon Center
Pokémon Gallery Collection
(Confrontation at Spear Pillar)[40]
Pokémon Gallery Collection - Battle at the Secret HQ Xerneas.jpg
Pokémon Center
Pokémon Gallery Collection
(Battle at the Secret HQ — Xerneas)[40]
Pokémon Gallery Collection - Battle at the Secret HQ Yveltal.jpg
Pokémon Center
Pokémon Gallery Collection
(Battle at the Secret HQ — Yveltal)[40]
VS Complete Book Vol 13.jpg
TCG
VS Complete Book Vol. 13[citation needed]

Credits

Games

TCG illustration

For a list of cards illustrated by Ken Sugimori, go here.

Animation

Manga

Trivia

  • The character Kenji from the Pokémon anime (known as Tracey Sketchit in the English dub) may be a homage to Ken Sugimori, especially as both enjoy creating art. This is similar to the way Satoshi, known as Ash Ketchum in the English dub, is named after Satoshi Tajiri.
  • Sugimori's favorite Pokémon is Gengar due to its simple design.[41]
    • Another of Sugimori's favorite Pokémon is Venusaur, but he has also said its complexity makes it his least favorite to draw.[41]
    • In a Nintendo Power interview in July 2000, he gave Hoothoot as his answer, citing a childhood pet bird of his that had a habit of standing on one leg.[9]
    • His favorite Pokémon from Pokémon Black and White is Zekrom.[42]
  • Sugimori has illustrated more Pokémon cards than any other artist.

References

  1. Gifford, Kevin (April 7, 2008). "COLUMN: 'Game Mag Weaseling': Just Checking In" (archive). GameSetWatch.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 https://web.archive.org/web/20230426182306/https://twitter.com/Lewchube/status/1651287332916428811
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 (2001). ゲーム・マエストロ〈VOL.4〉デザイナー/イラストレーター編 (English translation by Shmuplations)
  4. Interview with Yomiuri about Pikachu's creation (page 5)
  5. Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu - Pokemon.com (archived)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 (July 2000). 『ポケットモンスター』開発スタッフインタビュー (ページb)Nintendo Online Magazine (N.O.M). No.23.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "What It Takes to Create a Pokémon." Interview with Ken Sugimori in Pokémon Ultra Sun & Pokémon Ultra Moon Edition: The Official National Pokédex, p. xiii-xxi
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Interview with Yomiuri about Pikachu's creation (page 1)
  9. 9.0 9.1 Nintendo Power Vol. 134, July 2000, p.78-79 (excerpt)
  10. Harris, Craig (February 24, 2009). "Pokemon Creators on Platinum."[sic] IGN.
  11. (July 2000). 『ポケットモンスター』開発スタッフインタビュー (ページf)Nintendo Online Magazine (N.O.M). No.23.
  12. https://web.archive.org/web/20230516083008/https://lavacutcontent.com/ken-sugimori-eevee-origins/
  13. Nintendo Dream Volume 84, February/March 2003 (English translation written by Jacob Newcomb and commissioned by Dr. Lava)
  14. 14.0 14.1 Go-Pokemon.com - Pokémon Creators, Artists at the World Championships
  15. http://web.archive.org/web/20071103203031/http://blog.pokemon-movie.jp/archives/2006/07/post_85.html
  16. 16.0 16.1 Nintendo Dream Vol. 201, January 2011 (Translation by Dr. Lava)
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Nintendo Dream Vol. 204, April 2011 (Shellspider's blog (Japanese), Translation by Dr. Lava)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Archive of deleted tweet by Keiko Moritsugu, explaining which Generation V Pokémon she had designed
  19. 19.0 19.1 Nintendo Dream Vol. 205, May 2011 (Shellspider's blog (Japanese), Translation by Dr. Lava)
  20. 20.0 20.1 How Pokemon Get Made, 1up.com (Archive)
  21. 21.0 21.1 Ken Sugimori got 'artist's block' during Pokemon X and Y development. Official Nintendo Magazine (published on October 24, 2013) (archived)
  22. 22.0 22.1 Yujirou, the original Viridian City Gym Leader
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Tweet posted by Sugimori confirming he designed Yujirou & Sabrina
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 24.7 Tweet posted by Sugimori confirming he designed Brock, Misty, Surge & Erika
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Tweet posted by Sugimori confirming he designed Koga & Blaine
  26. Tweet posted by Sugimori confirming he designed Jessie and James
  27. 27.0 27.1 From the filenames of the original settei
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 28.6 All key art for RG, Blue, GS, RS, FRLG, and DP was drawn by Sugimori, credited on all TCG cards using that artwork.
  29. Brock's Grit
  30. Misty's Determination
  31. Giovanni's Scheme
  32. Cheryl (Battle Styles)
  33. N Noble Victories
  34. Korrina (Furious Fists)
  35. Lysandre (Flashfire)
  36. AZ (Phantom Forces)
  37. 37.0 37.1 Ace Trainer
  38. YouTube video of the announcement
  39. Avery (Chilling Reign)
  40. 40.00 40.01 40.02 40.03 40.04 40.05 40.06 40.07 40.08 40.09 40.10 Each Pokémon Gallery Collection has Sugimori's signature.
  41. 41.0 41.1 What is your favourite Pokémon? - Pokémon Black and White interview (archived)
  42. What is Ken Sugimori's favourite Pokémon? (archived)

External links


Pokémon designers

Emi AndoHitoshi ArigaKanako EoHiroki FuchinoMotofumi Fujiwara
Misaki HashimotoMana IbeAsuka IwashitaTomohiro KitakazeFumie Kittaka
Yusuke KozakiKazuyuki KurashimaLee HyunJungMegumi MizutaniShigeki Morimoto
Keiko MoritsuguKensaku NabanaAtsuko NishidaYusuke OhmuraTomohiko Ohkubo
Muneo SaitōKen SugimoritakeReiko TanoueAimi TomitaKenkichi Toyama
Saya TsurutaJames TurnerTakao UnnoEmi YoshidaHironobu Yoshida