Who created the original Pokémon artwork?

Ken Sugimori created the original Pokémon artwork.

Sugimori was one of Game Freak’s founders and served as the art director for the first Pokémon games. He illustrated the original Pokémon and produced the official artwork that gave the early species a consistent visual identity.

Satoshi Tajiri conceived the franchise, but creation was collaborative. Other artists contributed to individual designs, including Atsuko Nishida, who is associated with Pikachu’s design. Sugimori’s role was broader: he supervised the visual direction and finalized official illustrations for the early games and related materials.

The original 151 species were designed for the first generation, which began with Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. Sugimori’s artwork appeared in manuals, promotional material, strategy guides, and later reference books, helping players recognize creatures beyond the limited pixel graphics of the Game Boy screen.