With full art Pokemon cards, you have to just stop and admire the work - and these are the best ones.

Throughout the Pokemon TCG’s history, there have been many talented illustrators that have used their skills to depict the Pokemon series’ hundreds of Pokemon. Full art cards, a type of card where the artwork takes up the whole card, allow these illustrators to make the most of their creative abilities, giving them more space to work with.

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The use of color, the composition of the Pokemon, and the background of the illustration all help to make a card stand out from the rest, culminating in a new interpretation of the Pokemon. While these full art cards might run on the expensive side if you want a specific one, the distinctive artwork makes them worth seeking out.

The legendary Dragon and Psychic Pokemon, Latios and Latias are difficult to separate from one another because of their close connection to each other in the legends of the Hoenn region. Sanosuke Sakuma pays homage to this strong bond, as Latios and Latias are depicted wing to wing, with the space between them forming a heart shape.

The illustrator chose to depict a tender moment between these two Pokemon as they stare into each other’s eyes, both with a small smile lighting up their expressions. The inclusion of a sunset in the background cements the card’s tender atmosphere.

This full art card, illustrated by Teeziro, depicts the Grass and Psychic Pokemon Celebi, using its powers to welcome the coming spring. In the illustration, Celebi flies through the environment, spreading its magic to make the leafless trees sprout green foliage.

What makes this depiction of Celebi so enchanting is how Teeziro is able to capture the charm of such a moment, using a trail of sparkling lights to symbolize Celebi’s life-giving abilities, similar to fairy dust. As Celebi is known as the “Voice of the Forest”, it’s not surprising to imagine it rejuvenating the forest after a harsh winter.

The illustrators of the Pokemon TCG always do a great job of capturing snapshots of normal life in the Pokemon universe, and this card is no exception. Illustrated by You Iribi, this full art card shows the close relationship between Blue and his Flareon partner, and is one of three cards where Blue is shown with an Eeveelution.

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You Iribi’s use of soft colors makes the illustration on this card stand out as it perfectly captures a peaceful moment between Pokemon and trainer. The happy expression on Blue’s face as he pets Flareon’s mane also adds to this card’s cuteness as it shows that Blue cares a lot for his Pokemon, despite his competitive nature.

In Pokemon Sun and Moon, Gladion leaves the Aether Foundation alongside a Type: Null that he stole from the lab, in the hopes of stopping his mother Lusamine and freeing the Type: Nulls from the Foundation’s control. Gladion is eventually able to evolve his Type: Null into Silvally, successfully liberating it through high friendship, which this Pokemon card shows.

Megumi Mizutani has chosen to show Gladion and Silvally in a serene moment, sitting in the grass together as Silvally nuzzles Gladion’s head. The illustrator perfectly captures their close bond through the happy expressions on both of their faces.

Hyogonosuke took a different approach when illustrating the three legendary birds of the Kanto region, taking inspiration from stained-glass windows that are often used to depict important religious figures. The bright colors and stained-glass effect help to elevate these Pokemon, establishing them as legendary symbols.

You can imagine the artwork of this card on display in the Pokemon world, in a place where people can show their respects for Kanto’s legendary Pokemon. The card stands out from other full art cards thanks to Hyogonosuke’s distinctive approach to these elemental birds.

Illustrated by Naoki Saito, this card depicts N (the king of Team Plasma and an antagonist in Pokemon Black and White) standing in front of Reshiram and Zekrom, the legendary Pokemon of Generation Five. This card encapsulates the special connection between N, Reshiram, and Zekrom through Naoki Saito’s vibrant artwork.

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The composition of this Pokemon card centralizes N as the focal piece without sacrificing the details on Reshiram and Zekrom. The use of blue and orange, two complementary colors helps to make the card striking and only serves to enhance the overall effect.

This Umbreon card, illustrated by Keiichiro Ito, features Dynamax Umbreon curled around a spire, reaching its paws out towards the full moon. The moon glows brightly in the green-blue sky scattered with stars, reflecting in the calm waters beneath.

The card pays homage to Umbreon’s Pokedex category, where it’s known as the Moonlight Pokemon, focusing on its connection to the moon. The card has a lot of detail, not only on Umbreon itself, but also in its backdrop of a seaside city at night, where the glowing lights of the buildings match Umbreon’s yellow rings.

Considered the god of the Pokemon universe, according to the legends of the Sinnoh region, the mythical Pokemon Arceus is thought to be the creator of all things, as it says in its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Kawayoo’s illustration captures this awe-inspiring reputation as they’ve chosen to show Arceus rising above the land of Sinnoh with light seemingly shining from its very being. It captures the essence of Arceus, placing it above all living things where it watches over the world that it has created.

Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita, this full art Pokemon card focuses on the artificial creation of the legendary Pokemon Mewtwo. It shows Mewtwo trapped within the confines of a glass tube while scientists test its DNA. Mewtwo’s treatment at the hands of the scientists that created it was appalling, as they sought to make a powerful Pokemon using Mew’s DNA, regardless of that Pokemon’s feelings.

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Mitsuhiro Arita’s attention to detail in their illustration effectively conveys Mewtwo’s horrific beginnings as it floats in its tube, hunched over and surrounded by various pieces of lab equipment. The only sign that Mewtwo is aware of its surroundings is its slightly opened eyes - a great touch that suggests Mewtwo is soon to break free.

Introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Cogita is a mysterious character who appears to know a lot about Hisui’s ancient past, including knowledge of the legendary Pokemon. Illustrated by Akira Egawa, this full art card captures Cogita alongside Enamorus, the fourth member of the Forces of Nature.

The card represents the majesty of this Pokemon, as the dynamic pose and vibrant color palette help to convey its legendary status. The use of light pink flowers in this illustration is also an excellent touch, symbolizing Enamorus’ Incarnate Forme, whose love is said to cause “the budding of fresh life across Hisui”.

Next: Pokemon Cards That Tell A Story

Casey is a first-class English Literature graduate with a love for both gaming and writing creative pieces. After university, she shared her passion for Nintendo, horror games, and RPGs through her blog where she writes think pieces and fun top 10s on a wealth of games. As well as new games, she enjoys looking back on classics like Silent Hill, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy VII. In her free time, Casey enjoys spending time with her English Bull Terrier, adding to her ever-growing figure collection, and creating embroidery pieces of her favorite characters.