Mitsuhiro Arita was born in Fukuoka Prefecture on 12 January 1970 and has been drawing Pokémon cards since before the game existed in shops — he worked on the artwork while the cards were still prototypes, at a point when the only visual reference for a Pokémon was its Game Boy sprite. He drew the Base Set Pikachu and Charizard, and designed the symbols for the first six Energy types.
Quick answer
CardSpicy records 1,008 Pokémon card printings credited to Mitsuhiro Arita — 735 of them in the English run, 223 Japanese printings outside it, 733 with an official card image. The English run spans 1999–2026. 20 of those printings have a Simplified Chinese card. The printings include 50 Japan-only or promo sets. The highest-priced of the artist’s Simplified Chinese cards is $87.22 in PSA 10.
1,008printings listed
733with official card image
735in the English run
223Japanese printings outside it
50Japan-only or promo sets
20Simplified Chinese cards
1999–2026English print run
$87.22top Simplified Chinese card
49in our illustrator index
Who they are
Arita is a self-taught illustrator with a degree in electrical and software engineering, and the engineering background shows in the way he talks about his work: he describes composition in terms of angles, light and shadow rather than in terms of style. He was brought onto the project by Keiji Kinebuchi, and has said he took the job without knowing whether Pokémon would last — “I was honestly worried about finding another project before the end of my contract.”
Pokémon is not his only card work. He has illustrated for collectible card games built on Shin Megami Tensei, Monster Hunter and Super Sentai, produced a long run of artwork for Final Fantasy XI, and written and drawn for magazines and publications. He paints while travelling — a habit he calls “Mobile Painting,” which he started while carrying a Pocket PC. His favourite Pokémon is Mewtwo.
Every card credited to Mitsuhiro Arita
Every printing we can attribute to this artist, shown card by card: English first, then the Japanese printings that never had an English release, then the sets that only ever ran in Japan. Each printing is listed under its own language rather than merged, because a Japanese original and its English release are different cards to a collector. Cards whose official image is not in the open card databases are still listed, and say so.
Original Era 109 (1999–2000)
Neo Era 13 (2000–2002)
e-Card Era 62 (2002–2003)
ADV / EX Era 144 (2003–2007)
Diamond & Pearl Era 52 (2007–2008)
Platinum Era 40 (2009)
HeartGold & SoulSilver Era 14 (2010–2011)
Black & White Era 43 (2011–2013)
XY Era 66 (2013–2016)
Sun & Moon Era 80 (2017–2019)
Sword & Shield Era 53 (2019–2022)
Scarlet & Violet Era 24 (2023–2025)
Mega Evolution Era 11 (2025–2026)
Promotional cards 18 (2003–2019)
Other sets 6 (2004–2010)
English printings 735
Every English printing credited to Arita, grouped by era and then by set. This is the international print run — the Japanese original of a set is a separate printing and is not listed twice here.
no imageENCharizard30th Classic Collection · #001 · 2026Not in the open card databasesENGenesectPhantasmal Flames · #008 · 2025no imageENPikachu & Zekrom GX30th Classic Collection · #008 · 2026Not in the open card databasesno imageENPikachu30th Classic Collection · #014 · 2026Not in the open card databasesENKeldeoChaos Rising · #019 · 2026no imageENScizor ex30th Classic Collection · #025 · 2026Not in the open card databasesENAegislashPerfect Order · #058 · 2026ENKoraidon30th Celebration · #086 · 2026ENOkidogiAscended Heroes · #122 · 2026ENMega Absol exMega Evolution · #180 · 2025ENTeam Rocket’s Mewtwo exAscended Heroes · #281 · 2026
Promotional cards
18 cards
2003–2019 · 7 sets
ENHo-OhPOP Series 5 · #1 · 2007no imageENBlastoisePOP Series 3 · #1 · 2006Not in the open card databasesENLugiaPOP Series 5 · #2 · 2007ENCharmeleon δPOP Series 5 · #5 · 2007ENDrifloonPOP Series 6 · #6 · 2007no imageENVenusaurPOP Series 2 · #6 · 2005Not in the open card databasesENCombuskenPOP Series 4 · #6 · 2006ENGrovylePOP Series 4 · #7 · 2006ENCombuskenPOP Series 3 · #7 · 2006no imageENOnixMcDonald’s Collection 2019 · #9 · 2019Not in the open card databasesENCharmander δPOP Series 5 · #10 · 2007ENBidoofPOP Series 6 · #11 · 2007ENMarshtompNintendo Black Star Promos · #11 · 2003ENMeowth δPOP Series 5 · #11 · 2007ENPelipper δPOP Series 5 · #14 · 2007no imageENHo-Oh exPOP Series 3 · #17 · 2006Not in the open card databasesENBeldumNintendo Black Star Promos · #22 · 2003ENMetangNintendo Black Star Promos · #23 · 2003
Other sets
6 cards
2004–2010 · 3 sets
no imageENGravelerDP trainer Kit (Lucario) · #2 · 2007Not in the open card databasesno imageENPikachuEX trainer Kit (Latios) · #6 · 2004Not in the open card databasesno imageENMagikarpHS trainer Kit (Gyarados) · #12 · 2010Not in the open card databasesno imageENMagikarpHS trainer Kit (Gyarados) · #19 · 2010Not in the open card databasesno imageENGyaradosHS trainer Kit (Gyarados) · #20 · 2010Not in the open card databasesno imageENGyaradosHS trainer Kit (Gyarados) · #30 · 2010Not in the open card databases
Japanese printings outside the English run 223
Japanese printings in sets that never received an equivalent English release: the early expansion sheets, promo series, half decks and Japan-only collections.
Original Era
60 cards
1996–1997 · 4 sets
no imageJPフシギダネ拡張パック · #001 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPズバットロケット団 · #002 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPベトベター化石の秘密 · #003 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPビードル拡張パック · #004 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPコンパンポケモンジャングル · #004 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPドガース拡張パック · #006 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマタドガス化石の秘密 · #006 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPタマタマポケモンジャングル · #006 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPモンジャラ拡張パック · #007 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPベトベトン化石の秘密 · #007 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいアーボックロケット団 · #008 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPブーバー化石の秘密 · #008 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいゴルバットロケット団 · #009 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPファイヤー化石の秘密 · #009 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPニドリーノ拡張パック · #010 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPフシギバナ拡張パック · #011 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPシェルダー化石の秘密 · #012 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPクラブ化石の秘密 · #013 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヒトカゲ拡張パック · #014 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPタッツ化石の秘密 · #014 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいブースターロケット団 · #016 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPリザード拡張パック · #017 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPコダックロケット団 · #019 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPギャロップポケモンジャングル · #019 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPリザードン拡張パック · #021 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいゴルダックロケット団 · #022 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいシャワーズロケット団 · #023 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPゼニガメ拡張パック · #023 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPフリーザー化石の秘密 · #023 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいカメックスロケット団 · #024 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPライチュウ化石の秘密 · #024 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマルマインポケモンジャングル · #025 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいサンダースロケット団 · #029 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPゴース化石の秘密 · #029 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカラカラポケモンジャングル · #029 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPジュゴン拡張パック · #030 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPサイホーンポケモンジャングル · #030 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPコイキング拡張パック · #031 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカメックス拡張パック · #032 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPガラガラポケモンジャングル · #032 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPギャラドス拡張パック · #034 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPオニスズメポケモンジャングル · #034 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPピカチュウ拡張パック · #035 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいヤドランロケット団 · #036 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPニャースポケモンジャングル · #036 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPオニドリルポケモンジャングル · #038 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPドードリオポケモンジャングル · #040 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいオコリザルロケット団 · #041 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPベロリンガポケモンジャングル · #041 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいゴーリキーロケット団 · #042 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPケーシィ拡張パック · #043 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいカイリキーロケット団 · #044 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPピクシーポケモンジャングル · #044 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPプクリンポケモンジャングル · #045 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPガルーラポケモンジャングル · #046 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPわるいカイリューロケット団 · #053 · 1997Not in the open card databasesno imageJPワンリキー拡張パック · #053 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPコラッタ拡張パック · #060 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPドードー拡張パック · #061 · 1996Not in the open card databasesno imageJPハクリュー拡張パック · #069 · 1996Not in the open card databases
XY Era
4 cards
2015 · 2 sets
no imageJPレシラム伝説キラコレクション · #002 · 2015Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマグマ団のヤジロンマグマ団VSアクア団 ダブルクライシス · #010 · 2015Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアクア団のグラエナマグマ団VSアクア団 ダブルクライシス · #018 · 2015Not in the open card databasesno imageJPブラックキュレム伝説キラコレクション · #020 · 2015Not in the open card databases
Sun & Moon Era
89 cards
2016–2019 · 30 sets
no imageJPセレビィ&フシギバナGXタッグボルト · #001 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPフェローチェ&マッシブーンGXフルメタルウォール · #001 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPフシギバナ&ツタージャGXリミックスバウト · #001 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPフェローチェ&マッシブーンGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #001 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPモクロー&アローラナッシーGXスカイレジェンド · #001 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヒトモシアローラの月光 · #003 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPロズレイドウルトラサン · #004 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPジュカイン裂空のカリスマ · #004 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPダルマッカドラゴンストーム · #005 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアローラガラガラ覚醒の勇者 · #006 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPラランテスサン＆ムーン · #006 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアリアドスチャンピオンロード · #006 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPラランテスGXバトルブースト · #007 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPエンニュートアローラの月光 · #007 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPレシラム&リザードンGXダブルブレイズ · #007 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPライチュウ&アローラライチュウGXジージーエンド · #008 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPリザードン&テールナーGXリミックスバウト · #008 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPエンニュート新たなる試練の向こう · #009 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヤドン&コダックGXミラクルツイン · #011 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマンムー超次元の暴獣 · #011 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアローラキュウコン新たなる試練の向こう · #014 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヒトモシGXバトルブースト · #015 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPニャビーひかる伝説 · #016 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアローライシツブテ覚醒の勇者 · #016 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカメックス&ポッチャマGXリミックスバウト · #016 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPレシラム&リザードンGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #016 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカエンジシ禁断の光 · #016 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヨワシコレクションサン · #017 · 2016Not in the open card databasesno imageJPキングドラ闘う虹を見たか · #018 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPコイキング&ホエルオーGXタッグボルト · #019 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPエンニュートGXバトルブースト · #019 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPダストダスアローラの月光 · #019 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアローラキュウコンGXバトルブースト · #023 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPゲッコウガ&ゾロアークGXナイトユニゾン · #025 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPダストダス新たなる試練の向こう · #025 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPドヒドイデコレクションサン · #026 · 2016Not in the open card databasesno imageJPゴチルゼルキミを待つ島々 · #027 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPルカリオ&メルメタルGXフルメタルウォール · #029 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPドサイドン光を喰らう闇 · #029 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPベトベトン&アローラベトベトンGXダブルブレイズ · #029 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPミュウツー&ミュウGXミラクルツイン · #029 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPケケンカニ闘う虹を見たか · #030 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカゲボウズチャンピオンロード · #030 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPピカチュウ&ゼクロムGXタッグボルト · #031 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPサーナイト&ニンフィアGXナイトユニゾン · #031 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPガブリアス&ギラティナGXジージーエンド · #032 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPバンバドロサン＆ムーン · #032 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPイワークチャンピオンロード · #032 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPクリムガンドラゴンストーム · #032 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPライコウひかる伝説 · #033 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPライコウGXウルトラシャイニー · #034 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPレジスチル覚醒の勇者 · #035 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPファイヤー&サンダー&フリーザーGXスカイレジェンド · #035 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカラマネロ闘う虹を見たか · #036 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPルカリオウルトラムーン · #037 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPゲンガー&ミミッキュGXタッグボルト · #038 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPダストダスGXバトルブースト · #040 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPピカチュウ&ゼクロムGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #041 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPラティオスひかる伝説 · #042 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマーシャドー&カイリキーGXダブルブレイズ · #042 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPチルット超次元の暴獣 · #042 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPキテルグマ光を喰らう闇 · #046 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPノコッチチャンピオンロード · #047 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPジガルデ禁断の光 · #049 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPズルズキンひかる伝説 · #052 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヤレユータンコレクションムーン · #052 · 2016Not in the open card databasesno imageJPミュウツー&ミュウGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #052 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPオーロット&ヨノワールGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #053 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPメガヤミラミ&バンギラスGXミラクルツイン · #054 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPルカリオGXウルトラシャイニー · #056 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPジガルデGXウルトラシャイニー · #057 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPカツラの一発勝負ドラゴンストーム · #058 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPドリュウズドリームリーグ · #059 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPラティアス&ラティオスGXタッグボルト · #060 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアルセウス&ディアルガ&パルキアGXオルタージェネシス · #065 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPボーマンダ裂空のカリスマ · #065 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPアーゴヨン&アクジキングGXオルタージェネシス · #066 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPイーブイ&カビゴンGXタッグボルト · #066 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマーシャドー&カイリキーGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #067 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPレジスチルGXバトルブースト · #068 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPゲッコウガ&ゾロアークGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #072 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPメガミミロップ&プリンGXオルタージェネシス · #073 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPエンテイGXひかる伝説 · #078 · 2017Not in the open card databasesno imageJPルカリオ&メルメタルGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #083 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPトゲピー&ピィ&ププリンGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #094 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPガブリアス&ギラティナGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #099 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPファイヤー&サンダー&フリーザーGXTAG TEAM GX タッグオールスターズ · #102 · 2019Not in the open card databasesno imageJPノコッチGXウルトラシャイニー · #106 · 2018Not in the open card databasesno imageJPヤレユータンGXウルトラシャイニー · #109 · 2018Not in the open card databases
Sword & Shield Era
35 cards
2021–2022 · 11 sets
no imageJPキャタピーフュージョンアーツ · #001 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPコロトックスペースジャグラー · #005 · 2022JPヒスイ ドレディア白熱のアルカナ · #008 · 2022JPドクケイルダークファンタズマ · #008 · 2022JPユキカブリダークファンタズマ · #009 · 2022JPコロトックVSTARユニバース · #010 · 2022JPヒードランVスペースジャグラー · #014 · 2022no imageJPルガルガンVMAX摩天パーフェクト · #025 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPゴーリキーダークファンタズマ · #035 · 2022no imageJPジメレオンVMAXクライマックス · #037 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPサーナイト白熱のアルカナ · #038 · 2022no imageJPミュウVフュージョンアーツ · #039 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマケンカニ漆黒のガイスト · #040 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPガラル ヤドラン一撃マスター · #041 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPアノプスパラダイムトリガー · #049 · 2022no imageJPケッキング摩天パーフェクト · #052 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPモルペコV-UNIONVMAXクライマックス · #056 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPモルペコV-UNIONVMAXクライマックス · #057 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPモルペコV-UNIONVMAXクライマックス · #058 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPトルネロスVMAX白銀のランス · #058 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPモルペコV-UNIONVMAXクライマックス · #059 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPザシアンVVSTARユニバース · #067 · 2022no imageJPマスタード いちげきのかた一撃マスター · #068 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPオンバーンV摩天パーフェクト · #074 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPルギアVパラダイムトリガー · #079 · 2022no imageJPドーブルフュージョンアーツ · #080 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマスタード いちげきのかた一撃マスター · #081 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPトルネロスVMAX白銀のランス · #087 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPマスタード いちげきのかた一撃マスター · #088 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPコイルVSTARユニバース · #094 · 2022no imageJPいちげきウーラオスVMAXクライマックス · #111 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPユキノオーVMAXクライマックス · #185 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPはくばバドレックスVVMAXクライマックス · #220 · 2021Not in the open card databasesno imageJPムゲンダイナVMAXVMAXクライマックス · #247 · 2021Not in the open card databasesJPボスの指令VSTARユニバース · #250 · 2022
no imageJPゲノセクトインフェルノX · #008 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPケルディオニンジャスピナー · #019 · 2026Not in the open card databasesno imageJPロケット団のフリーザーMEGAドリームex · #034 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPジャラランガストームエメラルダ · #052 · 2026Not in the open card databasesno imageJPミカルゲメガ プロモカード · #055 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPギルガルドムニキスゼロ · #057 · 2026Not in the open card databasesno imageJPメガアブソルexメガブレイブ · #089 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPイイネイヌMEGAドリームex · #098 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPウルガモススタートデッキ100 バトルコレクション · #123 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPトドゼルガスタートデッキ100 バトルコレクション · #190 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPロケット団のミュウツーexMEGAドリームex · #237 · 2025Not in the open card databasesno imageJPイダイナキバスタートデッキ100 バトルコレクション · #422 · 2025Not in the open card databases
Japan-only and early promotional sets 50
Sets that exist only in Japanese, or that ran as promotions and were never part of an English expansion. No official card image exists in the open databases for these, so they are listed without artwork rather than with a stand-in.
PLAY Promo
1 card
no imageJP‘s RayquazaPLAY Promo · #21Not in the open card databases
Movie VS Pack
4 cards
no imageJPAaron’s PidgeotMovie VS Pack · #6Not in the open card databasesno imageJPAura’s LucarioMovie VS Pack · #12Not in the open card databasesno imageJPButler’s KirliaMovie VS Pack · #9Not in the open card databasesno imageJPButler’s MightyenaMovie VS Pack · #12Not in the open card databases
Vending
9 cards
no imageJPAerodactylVending · #S2Not in the open card databasesno imageJPEeveeVending · #S1Not in the open card databasesno imageJPGolbatVending · #S1Not in the open card databasesno imageJPKakunaVending · #S1Not in the open card databasesno imageJPMagnetonVending · #S2Not in the open card databasesno imageJPMoltresVending · #S2Not in the open card databasesno imageJPNidoran♂Vending · #S1Not in the open card databasesno imageJPParasVending · #S1Not in the open card databasesno imageJPVenomothVending · #S2Not in the open card databases
Theater VS Pack
2 cards
no imageJPAlto Mare’s LatiasTheater VS Pack · #11Not in the open card databasesno imageJPAlto Mare’s LatiosTheater VS Pack · #12Not in the open card databases
Warner Bros. promo
1 card
no imageJPArticuno, Moltres, and ZapdosWarner Bros. promoNot in the open card databases
PCG-P Promo
2 cards
no imageJPAura’s LucarioPCG-P Promo · #79Not in the open card databasesno imageJPSea’s ManaphyPCG-P Promo · #147Not in the open card databases
Expedition
6 cards
no imageJPBayleefExpedition · #71Not in the open card databasesno imageJPFeraligatrExpedition · #12Not in the open card databasesno imageJPFlaaffyExpedition · #77Not in the open card databasesno imageJPHoundourExpedition · #113Not in the open card databasesno imageJPMagbyExpedition · #17Not in the open card databasesno imageJPTotodileExpedition · #134Not in the open card databases
T Promo
3 cards
no imageJPBayleefT Promo · #7Not in the open card databasesno imageJPCroconawT Promo · #9Not in the open card databasesno imageJPQuilavaT Promo · #8Not in the open card databases
Bulbasaur Deck
2 cards
no imageJPBulbasaurBulbasaur Deck · #1Not in the open card databasesno imageJPIvysaurBulbasaur Deck · #22Not in the open card databases
S-P Promo
2 cards
no imageJPCramorantS-P Promo · #226Not in the open card databasesno imageJPPikachuS-P Promo · #227Not in the open card databases
Delta Reign
1 card
no imageJPKommo-oDelta Reign · #75Not in the open card databases
McDonald Pack
2 cards
no imageJPLarvitarMcDonald Pack · #18Not in the open card databasesno imageJPNatuMcDonald Pack · #15Not in the open card databases
DPt-P Promo
1 card
no imageJPLucarioDPt-P Promo · #15Not in the open card databases
Pokémon Card Game Official Tournament promo
3 cards
no imageJPNo.1 TrainerPokémon Card Game Official Tournament promoNot in the open card databasesno imageJPNo.2 TrainerPokémon Card Game Official Tournament promoNot in the open card databasesno imageJPNo.3 TrainerPokémon Card Game Official Tournament promoNot in the open card databases
World Collection
1 card
no imageJPPikachuWorld CollectionNot in the open card databases
VS
6 cards
no imageJPPryce’s ArticunoVS · #42Not in the open card databasesno imageJPPryce’s DelibirdVS · #45Not in the open card databasesno imageJPPryce’s DewgongVS · #39Not in the open card databasesno imageJPPryce’s LaprasVS · #41Not in the open card databasesno imageJPPryce’s PiloswineVS · #44Not in the open card databasesno imageJPPryce’s SneaselVS · #43Not in the open card databases
Tyranitar Half Deck
1 card
no imageJPPryce’s CloysterTyranitar Half DeckNot in the open card databases
Everyone’s Exciting Battle
3 cards
no imageJPSandileEveryone’s Exciting Battle · #31Not in the open card databasesno imageJPZoroarkEveryone’s Exciting Battle · #35Not in the open card databasesno imageJPZoruaEveryone’s Exciting Battle · #34Not in the open card databases
Their Simplified Chinese cards
The Simplified Chinese print run — the cards we actually price and sell. Simplified Chinese cards have only been issued since 28 October 2022, so a thirty-year career shows up here as a small, late slice of it.
Prices are PriceCharting sale values in US dollars, PSA 10 where a graded sale exists and ungraded where it does not. They move.
Their career in the TCG
Arita has never left. Thirty years after the prototype work he is still among the most prolific names in the game: 735 English printings across 134 sets, from the 1999 Base Set to the 2026 Mega Evolution block. That span is unusual even among the artists who have worked on the TCG continuously — most hands arrived with a particular era and thinned out afterwards.
The two cards he singles out as having a “big effect” on his career are the Base Set Pikachu and the Base Set Charizard. The Charizard in particular has become the most reproduced Pokémon drawing in the hobby’s history.
1970Born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
1996Joins the Pokémon TCG during its prototype stage, invited by Keiji Kinebuchi; designs the symbols for the first six Energy types.
1999The Base Set reaches English-speaking markets with his Pikachu and Charizard.
2020–26Continues into the Sword & Shield, Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution blocks.
Style and technique
His colouring has changed in two clear phases. The early cards are watercolour and pastel with distinct, drawn outlines. From the mid-2000s onward the line softens and the colour takes over: vibrant, saturated, and lit from a definite direction, with high and low camera angles and tilted compositions doing much of the drama.
The organising idea is that a Pokémon should look photographed rather than posed. Arita draws expressions and backgrounds realistically, and places the subject in an ordinary situation, so the card reads like a frame from a nature documentary rather than a portrait.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards by this illustrator does CardSpicy list?
CardSpicy lists 1,008 printings credited to Mitsuhiro Arita on this page. Official card images are available for 733 of them.
Does this illustrator have Simplified Chinese cards?
Yes. CardSpicy prices 20 cards by Mitsuhiro Arita in Simplified Chinese, each as a PSA 10 Gem Mint value.
Which card by this illustrator is the most valuable?
The highest-priced Simplified Chinese card CardSpicy lists for this illustrator is $87.22. That is a recorded PSA 10 Gem Mint value, not an asking price.
When did this illustrator first appear in English?
The English printings CardSpicy records for this illustrator run from 1999 to 2026.
Are any printings released only in Japan?
Yes. CardSpicy records 223 printings released only in Japanese, outside the English run, and 50 sets released only in Japan or as promos.
Sources
Bulbapedia, “Mitsuhiro Arita” (biography, career and technique)
Bulbapedia card index, Category: Illus. by Mitsuhiro Arita (652 cards)
TCGdex card database, illustrator credits by printing (735 English printings)
PriceCharting Simplified Chinese sales via our own card index
Card attribution comes from the illustrator field recorded in the card databases; where a single card was reprinted across many sets, each printing is counted separately.
Cards by Mitsuhiro Arita in our card index
CardSpicy tracks 5 of this artist’s printings as full card pages, each with its PSA 10 population and market history:
See also the full card index — every card CardSpicy tracks, ranked by PSA 10 value.
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![Ancient Technical Machine [Ice] — Hidden Legends #84, 2004. Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.](https://cardspicy.com/wp-content/uploads/illus/en/ex5-84.webp?v=1790748166)
![Ancient Technical Machine [Rock] — Hidden Legends #85, 2004. Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.](https://cardspicy.com/wp-content/uploads/illus/en/ex5-85.webp?v=1790748167)
![Ancient Technical Machine [Steel] — Hidden Legends #86, 2004. Illustrated by Mitsuhiro Arita.](https://cardspicy.com/wp-content/uploads/illus/en/ex5-86.webp?v=1790748167)
