Pokémon TCG Pocket's Ho-Oh Sparks Stolen Art Controversy

The Controversy Surrounding the New Immersive Art Ho-Oh in Pokémon TCG Pocket

A few days before the release of the new Pokémon TCG Pocket packs, early data leaks have already revealed the complete set of cards for the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion. Among these, a new Immersive Art Ho-Oh has sparked significant controversy among fans, with claims that it may be based on stolen fan art.

Comparing Official Card Art to Fan Art

Several users on social media, including Pokémon archivist Lewtwo, have pointed out that the Immersive Rare Ho-Oh ex featured in the Wisdom of Sea and Sky expansion closely resembles a piece of fan art created by lanjiujiu in December 2021. While there are minor differences in shading and color, the overall composition and pose of the legendary Pokémon match almost perfectly with the original fan drawing.

The fan art originally depicted Ho-Oh alongside other Flying-type Pokémon from the Johto region. In contrast, the official card shows Ho-Oh alone in the base art, but the positioning and posture remain identical to the fan artwork.

The Artist Behind the Official Card

The design for the Immersive Rare Ho-Oh ex is attributed to SIE NANAHARA, an artist known for creating several popular cards since their debut in the physical TCG with Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR in the 2023 Crown Zenith set. This connection has added to the confusion and debate surrounding the potential copyright issues.

The Original Artist's Reaction

Upon discovering the comparison, lanjiujiu expressed confusion on his personal social media channels, sharing part of his creative process for the original piece. He mentioned that the original drawing was created as a commission for someone else, which raises questions about how the artwork might have been used without permission.

Some fans have suggested that the figure created by PC HOUSE, a company that sells products based on fan designs, could have served as a reference for the official card. However, even if this were the case, it does not absolve the possibility of tracing or direct copying.

“I don’t want to steer any narrative or public opinion,” lanjiujiu said to PokeBeach. “This matter is still inconclusive. In fact, I'm just puzzled.”

Legal Considerations

The situation has prompted discussions about the legal rights of The Pokémon Company, Creatures, and DeNA. Some fans argue that the company has the right to use fan-made content, citing a legal page on the official Pokémon website. The page states that the distribution of derivative works based on Pokémon’s copyrighted property constitutes a royalty-free, non-exclusive license from the fan artist to The Pokémon Company.

However, this does not mean that the original creator cannot raise concerns about the unauthorized use of their work. It remains unclear what steps will be taken now, as resolving such a situation would take time.

Possible Outcomes

While it is unlikely that the entire set will be delayed or changed at this stage, a future update could potentially replace the controversial card. The original artist has not yet provided a clear response on how they plan to proceed, leaving the situation in limbo.

Impact on Esports and Players

It is unlikely that this controversy will significantly affect most players of Pokémon TCG Pocket. At worst, a deal could be made with the original artist to resolve the issue without further action. Alternatively, nothing may change, and this will simply become a footnote in the game's history.

Regardless of the outcome, the availability and gameplay of the game will remain unchanged, allowing players to continue collecting and playing the digital trading card game without interruption.

Final Thoughts

The card art in question was pulled from an early datamine of the Wisdom of Sea and Sky update for TCG Pocket. While it is possible that the final product may look different, the current situation highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing fan creativity with corporate interests in the world of Pokémon.

Esports Illustrated reached out to The Pokémon Company International for comment, but has not received a response.