Pokémon TCG Pocket Removes Ho-Oh Card Amid Fanart Plagiarism Controversy
Discover how inaccurate reference materials impacted the project and learn tips to ensure reliable documentation for developers and illustrators.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Temporarily Removes Artwork Due to Reference Issues
The official Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket app has announced a temporary removal of the immersive card artwork for the Ho-Oh and Lugia cards from the latest "Wisdom of Sea and Sky" set. This decision comes after an internal review revealed that incorrect reference materials were provided to the illustrator, leading to concerns about the authenticity of the artwork.
What Happened?
- The app's official X/Twitter account issued a statement explaining the situation.
- The artwork for Ho-Oh and Lugia was found to be similar to fanart created by artist lanjiujiu, who accused the Ho-Oh card's art of being plagiarized.
- The developers apologized and are now investigating to ensure no other issues exist.
Artist's Original Work
Lanjiujiu originally posted artwork of Ho-Oh and other flying Pokémon from the first four generations on December 2, 2021. The new Ho-Oh card art closely resembles lanjiujiu's original pose and style, raising questions about originality.
“The new Ho-Oh immersive card art is drawn in a similar pose and style to lanjiujiu's work,” the artist pointed out.
Current Status of the Cards
- The Ho-Oh and Lugia EX cards are still obtainable in-game.
- They now feature a "New Art Coming Soon" message instead of the artwork.
About the Set
The "Wisdom of Sea and Sky" set was launched on Wednesday and mainly features Pokémon from the Johto region of Gold/Silver.
The set was released for iOS and Android in October 2024, thanks to a collaboration between The Pokémon Company, Creatures, Inc., and DeNA.
Features of the App
- Users can open two free digital booster packs daily.
- Collect digital cards based on real-life ones and exclusive new cards.
- Immersive cards offer a detailed look into the art's world.
- Includes streamlined card battles.
The app has been a huge success, earning over USD 100 million in just the first two weeks.
A Brief History
- Pokémon TCG launched in Japan in 1996 and in the West in 1998.
- Since 2003, The Pokémon Company International has handled publishing and distribution.
Sources:
Stay tuned for updates as the investigation continues.