AI Scandal Rocks Pokémon Card Contest Winners Announced
Every year, The Pokémon Company hosts a competition to find new illustrators for their Pokémon TCG cards. Recently, this contest has opened to entrants outside of Japan, bringing both excitement and controversy. Despite some hiccups, the finalists for this year's contest have been chosen, showcasing some truly stunning artwork.
AI Cheating Controversy
This year's contest faced a significant issue when one entrant, who made it to the top 300, was caught using AI to create images. The contestant had also entered under multiple identities. After much uproar, The Pokémon Company disqualified the cheat and allowed legitimate entries to fill the spaces.
Although it was concerning that such obvious cheating had initially slipped through, it was a relief to see the company take action. Now, we can focus on celebrating the talented artists who truly deserve their wins.
Categories and Winners
The competition is broken into several categories, with a focus on smaller landscape images that appear in the windows on regular Pokémon cards. The categories include:
- Best Standard Card Illustration
- Best ex Card Illustration
- Grand Prize
While the "Best ex Card Illustration" category is more restrictive, the other categories allowed for more creativity and originality.
Best Standard Card Illustration
The winner in this category is a stunning depiction of Feraligatr by artist Acorviart, inspired by linocut and risograph printing. The artwork shows Feraligatr underwater, accompanied by some Magikarp. It's a real treat to see such a unique style being celebrated.
Grand Prize
The Grand Prize winner is a beautiful painting of Pikachu by Kazuki Minami. The intricate detail of the background flowers contrasts wonderfully with the simpler depiction of Pikachu in a cute and recognizable pose. The light on Pikachu's face is simply breathtaking.
Notable Mentions
Several runners-up also deserve recognition:
- Another Feraligatr by tayu, which appears to be a spectacular piece of embroidery.
- A gloriously metallic and cartoonish Melmetal by gohealth.
- Shiho So's joyful Pikachu, one of the 15 Judges Award winners.
- Satoutubu's adorable Pikachu, leaping on a path with a lovely Pokémon castle in the background.
Conclusion
Despite the initial controversy, this year's Pokémon TCG card illustration contest has highlighted some incredible talent. The winning artworks are a testament to the creativity and skill of the artists involved. If you're a fan of Pokémon and appreciate beautiful art, these illustrations are definitely worth checking out.
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