Top 8 Finalists Announced for Pokemon TCG Illustration Grandprix!

Creatures Inc., the makers of the Pokemon TCG, announced an illustrator contest for Japan last December: the first place winner would get their artwork printed on a Pokemon card. Creatures was also using the contest to find new illustrators for the Pokemon TCG.

Fans could submit their original artwork of Charizard, Pikachu, Slowpoke, Eevee, Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Gardevoir, Metagross, Darkrai, or Solgaleo. The only other requirement was that the artwork should focus on the scenery of the artist's choosing.

The top 50 finishers were announced back in April out of 5,343 entries, and today Creatures announced their top 8 selections. Judges for the contest include TCG illustrators and even The Pokemon Company's own president, Tsunekazu Ishihara.

The top finishers will receive cash prizes: 300,000 JPY (~$2,650 USD) for the winner, 100,000 JPY (~$880 USD) for second place, and 50,000 JPY (~$440 USD) for four runners-up each.

The final winner will be announced on June 8th at the Japan Championships tournament.

Top 50 Finishers (Top 8 Noted Below)