The recent update for Pokemon TCG Pocket introduced the new “Wisdom of Sea and Sky” set, which featured an immersive art card for the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh. However, this particular artwork swiftly drew attention due to its striking resemblance to a fan-commissioned piece created in 2021.
The artist behind the original fan art, identified as Lanjiujiu, publicly highlighted the undeniable similarities between their work and the newly released card illustration. This revelation prompted an immediate and official statement from The Pokemon Company addressing the developing controversy.
In their statement, The Pokemon Company acknowledged a “production issue,” clarifying that the team responsible for card creation had been inadvertently supplied with incorrect materials for the illustrations of both Ho-Oh EX and Lugia EX (3-Star cards). As a direct consequence of this oversight, the problematic artwork for both cards has been temporarily removed from the game. Players will now see a placeholder displaying the text “New Art Coming Soon” where the illustrations once were.
Furthermore, the company confirmed that a comprehensive internal investigation is actively underway. This broader review aims to identify and prevent any other potential instances of unauthorized art usage or plagiarism within the game`s vast library of illustrations. Lanjiujiu, the original artist, later expressed gratitude towards The Pokemon Company for their swift action and responsiveness in removing the disputed image, acknowledging their prompt resolution of the matter.