I just learned yesterday that Pikachu, my favorite Pokemon, was originally designed not by Ken Sugimori (he only finalized the design), but by a female graphic designer named Atsuko Nishida.
Also after googling her, I found out that she’s also designed Sylveon–another favorite PKMN of mine. She’s also illustrated some very pretty Pokemon cards!!
Thank you Ms. Nishida! 🙂 May you get more credit and love for your contribution to the Pokemon franchise.
remember the top Pokemon poll in Japan last year? the one that pitted all 720 (at the time) Pokemon against each other? Out of the top ten, Nishida designed 4 of them: Mew (#3), Pikachu (#4), Sylveon (#5), and Charizard (#6). All of them super iconic even to this day, and not just in Japan either, I’d wager. afaik, a lot of her Pokemon designs were close to the top-not a surprise since she’s been here since the beginning, but you have to admit, that’s a hell of a legacy to have in design, huh? you go, Nishida, four for you Nishida.
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