Pokemon TCG Pocket clarifies Ho-Oh and Lugia cards controversy

The Pokemon TCG Pocket fan community has been abuzz with excitement for the new set, Wisdom of Sea and Sky. Amid the hype, controversy ensued when leaked previews of the new 3-star immersive cards from the set – specifically of Ho-Oh ex – made their rounds online.

Although the cards initially received acclaim for their dramatic artwork, keen-eyed collectors soon raised concerns over the Ho-Oh ex immersive artwork. The controversy grew after allegations surfaced that the design bore a close resemblance to a piece of fan art from 2021.

Pokemon TCG Pocket Wisdom of Sea and Sky leaked artwork sparked controversy

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What started as admiration escalated to argument, with plagiarism claims circulating among fans. The 3-star Ho-Oh ex card seemed to mirror an old fan-made artwork by a popular artist @lanjiujiu, raising the question of whether the Pokemon Company had intentionally reused unofficial art. Amidst growing backlash, Pokemon TCG Pocket released an official statement to directly address the issue.

Also read: Pokemon TCGP leak features all A4 cards

Pokemon TCG Pocket's response to the Wisdom of Sea and Sky artwork controversy

In their official announcement with the caption "Notice Regarding New Illustrations," the creators explained that the incident was the result of an error by the production team.

As per the statement, the card production team mistakenly provided the contracted illustrator with incorrect reference materials, assuming they were officially approved content. These were subsequently utilized to produce the immersive art for the Ho-Oh ex and Lugia ex 3-star cards.

The company admitted the error and subsequently took down the present artwork and substituted it with temporary placeholders. They did confirm that fresh artwork is already in the works and would be launched as soon as possible. A wider investigation is also underway to ensure no other cards in the set were impacted by the same flaws.

The Pokemon Company formaly apologized to both players and artists.

Also read: Pokemon TCGP A4 pack revealed, titled Wisdom of Sea and Sky

While the Pokemon TCG Pocket developers attempt to rectify the situation, players can look forward to updated artwork for both cards in the coming days. The developers assured fans, despite the setback, that they would continue to uphold the integrity and creativity the franchise is known for.

Also read: Pokemon TCGP Wisdom of Sea and Sky: Meta predictions, analysis and expected cards

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About the author

Aashish is an esports and gaming writer at Sportskeeda, covering Pokemon, FC 24, and MMO. His educational background is in Mass Media and Music Production, but gaming always served as his favorite escape. Today, he has taken it up professionally.

A die-hard fan of the franchise, Aashish lives and breathes Pokemon. He has equal appreciation for single-player and multiplayer games. Nonetheless, if he had to recommend a game to a skeptic, it would be Guild Wars 2 due to its compelling storyline. However, if he were to go full throttle into the competitive side, Dota 2 would get his blood pumping.

Aashish prioritizes sourcing and reporting accurate, relevant, and ethical information. He relies heavily on official social media accounts to stay updated with what's going on. When not immersed in creating content, Aashish engages in music production and photography.

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Edited by Aashish Victor