Creatures Inc. has announced the Pokémon Trading Card Game - Illustration Contest 2022 and this year it is open the the United States and Japan. The contest entry period is from October 13th, 2021 at 8 p.m. PT until January 31st, 2022 at 6:59 a.m. PT. Winners will be announced on the official Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022 website early June, 2022.

Pokémon Trading Card Game - Illustration Contest 2022

Since the Pokémon Trading Card Game (developed by Creatures Inc.) debuted as Japan's first full-fledged trading card game, it has continued to be one of the most popular and best-selling trading card games in the world, and has been shipped in 13 languages and 76 countries and regions to date. The Pokémon TCG is celebrating 25 years this year, alongside the 25th anniversary of the beloved Pokémon brand.

Hosted by Creatures Inc., the Pokémon Card Game Illustration Grand Prix contest was held in Japan in 2019 and 2020, during which many beautiful illustrations were submitted and many talented artists were discovered. This year, the contest will be open to applicants from two countries, Japan and the United States, and centered around the theme of drawing a moment in a Pokémon’s daily life.

We look forward to seeing your exciting and wonderful illustrations.

Entry Period

October 13, 2021 (8 p.m. PT) – January 31, 2022 (6:59 a.m. PT)

Theme of Contest

“The Daily Life of Pokémon” - Choose 1 of the following 8 Pokémon and draw a moment in a Pokémon’s daily life. Draw an illustration that captures the Pokémon going about its day, or an illustration that shows the Pokémon going about its day while adventuring or enjoying a moment in its daily life.

Artwork Specifications

• Follow the theme and draw not only the Pokémon but also the background.
• Do not use alphanumeric text or text expressions in the background.
• Winners may be asked to resubmit their data to optimize printing quality for promo card print requirements.
• In principle, you should only draw one Pokémon per illustration so that it is easy to tell which Pokémon is the subject of a particular card. However, as long as it is clear who the main subject is, you may also draw additional Pokémon.

Limited to 3 unique entries per person (can be the same or different Pokémon)

Technical Specifications

• Size: 1080 pixels wide x 680 pixels high
• File Format: JPEG, PNG（RGB）
• File Size: must be 3 MB or under

Eligibility (Only those who meet the following qualifications may apply)

• Must be living in Japan or the United States at the time of entry.
• Eligible to work in the country where they reside.
• Legal residence (including permanent residents) of Japan or the United States and of legal age in the country where they reside.

Applicants may submit regardless of nationality or professional status.

• We do not accept submissions from minors.
• Legal age of an adult is based on the law of the country/state where you reside.

Selection Process

After the application period ends, the judges will select the winners according to the following criteria.

Interpretation and clarity of theme (40％)
Creativity and originality of the depicted theme (30％)
Overall design (30％)
Appropriate content that conforms to Pokémon brand

Awards

Grand Prize - One (1) Grand Prize Winner from either Japan or the United States will receive a cash value of $5,000 AND the winner’s illustration will be made into a promo card.
First Runner-Up (Japan / United States) - Two (2) total First Runners-Up, one (1) from Japan and one (1) from the United States, will receive a cash value of $3,000 AND each runner-up’s illustration will be made into a promo card.
Second Runner-Up - Two (2) Second Runners-Up from either Japan or the United States will receive a cash value of $1,000.
Judges’ Award - Fifteen (15) Judges’ Award Winners from either Japan or the United States will receive a cash value of $500.

Judges

Tsunekazu Ishihara - The Pokémon Company, President
Hirokazu Tanaka - Creatures, Inc. President
Kenji Okubo - The Pokémon Company International, President
Yuji Kitano - Creatures, Inc. Senior Executive Director
Atsuko Ujiie - Creatures, Inc. Executive Director, CG Studio Art Director
Satoru Nagaya - Creatures, Inc. Art Director
Kouki Saitou - Pokémon TCG Official Illustrator
Tomokazu Komiya - Pokémon TCG Official Illustrator
AKIRA EGAWA - Pokémon TCG Official Illustrator

Source: https://www.ptcgic-cr.com/2022/en/