10 Pokémon Cards With Infamous Artwork

Over the decades since The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) initially began, we have seen many truly incredible and stunning works of art on these little cards, as well as some that were incredible for all the wrong reasons. Generally, cards that have been released in Japan that are found to have inappropriate artwork will get changed before English releases, but even in English, there are quite a few infamous cards out there.

It's easy to see why many Pokémon cards are collected for their beautiful artwork. These micro masterpieces can depict stories through illustration, and there's a large pool of artists who get the opportunity to design cards for each set. Naturally, not every card can be the best, and in some cases, they can become infamous for the truly awful or ridiculous artwork instead. Here are some of the cards that have made names for themselves over the years, for all the wrong reasons.

Does Wailord Know Magikarp & Wailord Are A Tag Team?

This Pokémon: Sun & Moon Promo Card SM166 features the Tag Team of Magikarp and Wailord GX, which is already a strange pairing. Wailord's majesty and power should allow it to team up with much more impressive Pokémon than Magikarp. Even if it were with Magikarp's evolved form of Gyarados, it would make more sense. Nothing against Magikarp, of course, but it's not exactly the best pocket monster in the game.

However, what puts this card on the most infamous list is not just the strange pairing but the artwork that makes it appear as though nobody thought to tell Wailord that Magikarp was on its team. Here we see an extremely frightened (and rightly so) looking Magikarp that seems to be trying to escape being swallowed by the massive Wailord.

Ancient Mew Is Cool, But Completely Unplayable Because Nobody Can Read It

This ancient-looking card of Mew was given out as a movie promo for The Power Of One: Pokémon The Movie 2000 and was actually a playable card for a time. As you may imagine from looking at the card, however, it was a bit difficult to play. Particularly back before the internet was as common as it is now, and players had to rely on translation sheets provided by Wizards of the Coast. Even with the translations, its abilities were hard to decipher, and the card was eventually banned from play.

Even without being able to be used in a game, or even read anything on the card at all, Ancient Mew became an iconic Pokémon TCG card and is one of the most well-known Promo cards from the franchise.

Jynx Needed A Bit More Cultural Sensitivity

In the Japanese designs, Jynx had been given jet-black skin. As we can see from Jynx's card 31/102 from The Pokémon TCG Base Set, this was changed with English printings to have her depicted with purple skin instead. This transition to purple skin happened not only for the TCG but across the anime, video games, and more.

This infamous black-skinned design for Jynx was changed due to the cultural backlash, as critics pointed out that Jynx's look resembled the racist "blackface" caricatures of African Americans and was deemed inappropriate. Despite her look being said to have been inspired by Japanese ganguro fashion, the black-skinned design has been officially changed to purple globally to prevent any misunderstandings and offense.

Zapdos Looks A Little... Different?

Zapdos is a large, legendary Pokémon bird that is said to live inside thunderclouds and has command over the elements, such as lightning. It is threatening and impressive to behold, striking terror in its opponents' hearts. At least, usually.

In Zapdos's Pokémon Rumble card, it looks a bit less majestic. In fact, the card's illustration makes Zapdos look more like an electrified canary than a legendary Pokémon. If it weren't for the glow of light signifying the lightning powers, one would think they could easily pick up this little guy and give it a hug, as it looks much more cuddly than frightening.

Hama-Chan's Slowking Doesn't Look Very Dignified

Though this promo card was only released in Japan as an insert in a 1999 CoroCoro Comic, it became a worldwide sensation due to its artwork. Hama-Chan's Slowking takes the already slightly goofy-looking Pokémon and gives it an even more ridiculous spin.

The card is a nod to the Japanese comedian Masatoshi Hamada, who provided the Japanese voice of Slowking in movies. Hamada was also the one who made the illustration on this card, which is likely why it lacks a certain artistic quality that most Pokémon TCG cards are known for.

Grimer's Expression Says It All

Personally, this classic Grimer card from the Pokémon TCG: Aquapolis set is one of my favorites. And I'm not alone, with many loving the absolute look of astonishment on this little purple slime's face. While the card isn't worth a lot, only around $10 according to TCGPlayer at the time of writing, it's still a belovedly quirky card.

Not only does the card feature a strange 3D approach, looking somewhat like it's straight from a claymation film, but Grimer's bright, round eyes and dropped mouth are comical. It does make me wonder what exactly Grimer is looking at, however.

Imakuni Trainer Card Features A Real Person

The Imakuni? Trainer card 63/83 from the Pokémon TCG: Generations set is rather bizarre, and only looks stranger the more you look at it. In fact, this strange image of a man in a tight black suit is the artist and rapper Imakuni Tomoaki. He has worked on many Pokémon projects over the years and is known for always throwing something unexpected into the mix.

This card is certainly unexpected, and even its ability adds a bit of humor as it confuses your own Active Pokémon. It's certainly not one to be taken too seriously, but it adds a lot of character to the game.

Eevee Looks Like They're In A Funhouse Mirror

Eevee is one of the most beloved characters from Pokémon, along with all the eeveelutions that can come from it. The sleek and charismatic little creature is as cuddly as a dog or cat, and it's hard not to smile when looking at any illustration of one. Well, almost any illustration.

This Eevee GX card from Pokémon TCG: Sun & Moon has a much different take on the traditional Eevee look. Here, Eevee looks like they have been either fattened up quite a bit, earning it the nickname of the "fat Eevee", or perhaps its face has been shrunk? Either way, this Eevee doesn't quite have the same beauty that we are used to.

Misty's Tears Was A Bit Too Suggestive

The card "Misty's Tears," which was originally from the Gym Expansion 1 set in Japan, had to have its artwork changed before the card came to an English audience. In the original Japanese illustration, trainer Misty appears to be naked as she holds a battered Staryu while she cries.

Its nudity has made it a popular card, despite not being inherently sexual in any way. The artistic nudity was designed to show vulnerability, but the card's artwork was changed to an illustration deemed more wholesome for English audiences.

Bonsly's Infamous "Hole" Card

Perhaps the most infamous of all Pokémon cards is the Bonsly card 71/130 from the Pokémon TCG: Diamond and Pearl set. Known as simply "the hole card" by many, Bonsly's prone position appears to be showing off a rather obvious butthole. Of course, some say that this hole is supposed to be a water drainage hole typical of many planters, but regardless, the image certainly draws your attention to the sizable hole.

The card is still in play today, and even appears in Pokémon TCG Pocket as part of the Pulsing Aura pack. This humorous card may incite a laugh, but it's also a pretty good card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.