Hitoshi Ariga (Japanese:有賀 ヒトシAriga Hitoshi; born August 23, 1972) is a professional artist who primarily illustrates manga and picture books, and has assumed the position of graphic designer for several Japanese titles in the game industry. He first began providing illustrations for thePokémon Trading Card Game in 2011, though has been a fan of the franchise for many years. His main passion, however, lies with theMega Man franchise, known asRockman in Japan, where he has illustrated numerous manga and artwork for affiliated products since the mid-90s. He likes to engage the community when he has the opportunity, appearing at exhibitions, and maintaining an online presence across several sites.

Ken Sugimori recognized Ariga's design work and invited him to work onPokémon X and Y.^[2] When designingAmaura andAurorus, Ariga considered that a sauropod would pair well withTyrunt andTyrantrum, suggesting that the latter may have been considered first. Previous Pokémon such asLapras,Meganium, andDeino already existed with a similar body shape, so Ariga chose to base the new family off the Amargasaurus, with the large fins on its neck.^[3] In creating the artwork for thevillainous organization3DS themes, Ariga pointed out the special attention given to how it looped seamlessly as the user navigated the 3DS menu.^[4] In the same thread, he also revealed that there were plans to create a 3DS theme forTeam Flare, but they fell through as a result of the series moving from the3DS to theSwitch.^[5] Ariga's first spot as the lead character designer on the series was withPokémon UNITE, though his affinity for paleontology led him to create a new design forPikachu for the real-life Pokémon Fossil Museum, where he was reached out to by the organizers of the museum themselves.

Although he began officially working on the series in 2011 with theTCG, his Pokémon fan art on DeviantArt dates back to 2010. From as early as 2011, Ariga would upload online battles against other players to his YouTube channel, which was something that he continued with well after the release ofPokémon Sword and Shield.^[6] Though they were uploaded to what was originally his main YouTube channel, Ariga has since shifted focus to regularly live streaming art with his VTuber avatar.^[7]

Designs

Pokémon

The following is a list of Pokémon designed by Ariga.

Generation VI
Pangoro[2]	Honedge[2]	Doublade[2]	Aegislash[2]	Inkay[2]	Malamar[2]	Tyrunt[2]	Tyrantrum[2]	Amaura[2]	Aurorus[2]	MegaBeedrill[8]
Generation VII
AlolanGeodude[9]	AlolanGraveler[9]	AlolanGolem[9]	AlolanGrimer[9]	AlolanMuk[9]	Grubbin[9]	Charjabug[9]	Vikavolt[9]	Minior[9] (all forms)	Drampa[9]	Necrozma (Draft)[10]	UltraNecrozma (Helper)[11]
Generation VIII
Rookidee[12]	Corvisquire[12]	Corviknight[12][13]	Dracozolt[14]	Arctozolt[14]	Dracovish[14]	Arctovish[14]	HisuianSneasel[15] (andShiny)	Sneasler[15] (andShiny)
Generation IX
Nacli[16] (andShiny)[17]	Naclstack[16] (andShiny)[17]	Garganacl[16] (andShiny)[17]	Espathra[16] (andShiny)[17]	Flutter Mane[18]	Ogerpon[19]	Ogerpon (Wellspring Mask)[19]	Ogerpon (Hearthflame Mask)[19]	Ogerpon (Cornerstone Mask)[19]	MegaDrampa[20]
Other
Fossil Museum Pikachu[21]

Characters

The following are a list of characters designed by Ariga.

Other
UNITE Erbie[22]	UNITE Professor Phorus[22]	UNITE Zirco[22]	UNITE Aeos Island Shopkeeper[22]

Artwork

This is a collection of official Pokémon artwork drawn by Hitoshi Ariga.

There are 141 cards illustrated by Ariga. For a list of cards he has illustrated, seehere.

Ariga has also illustrated 23 cards appearing inPokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. For a full list of TCG Pocket cards he has illustrated, seehere.

Core series games

This is a collection of core series Pokémon games that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

OR  AS  Tabitha[23]	OR  AS  Courtney[23]	OR  AS  Team Magma Grunts[23]	OR  AS  Matt[23]	OR  AS  Shelly[23]	OR  AS  Team Aqua Grunts[23]	OR  AS  Sidney[24]
OR  AS  Phoebe[24]	OR  AS  Glacia[24]	OR  AS  Drake[24]	OR  AS  Team Magma VSTeam Aqua[25]	OR  AS  MegaRayquaza VSDeoxys[26]	OR  AS  Wally &MegaGallade[27]	OR  AS  Steven &MegaMetagross[28]
X  Y  OR  AS  Movie 18 promotional distribution event[29]	X  Y  OR  AS  20th AnniversaryMythical event[30]	S  M  Gladion &Silvally[31]	S  M  Ultra Beasts[32]	US  UM  Elio andUltraNecrozma[33]	US  UM  Legendary Pokémon Celebration event[34]	US  UM  ShinyPoipole andShinyNaganadel event[35]
US  UM  Fula CityZeraora[36]	US  UM  Fula CityLugia[37]	P  E  Steelbook[38]	P  E  Steelbook[38]	Sw  Sh  ShinyZacian event[39]	Sw  Sh  Shiny Zamazenta event[39]

Other art

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: More tables to follow the above format

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  Slowpoke from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowpoke andMagikarp from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowpoke attacked by aBasculin from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowbro being bitten from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowbro swimming from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowbro losing itsShellder from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowpoke using aKing's Rock from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowking being bitten from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Slowking losing its Shellder from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  SlowpokePoké Maniac from theDaisuki Club^[40]
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  Gengar and aHex Maniac from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Misdreavus from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Sableye from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Banette from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Drifloon dragging aPreschooler from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Litwick and aHiker from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Chandelure and anAce Trainer from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Cofagrigus and aPunk Guy from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Pumpkaboo from theDaisuki Club^[41]
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  Artwork fromDream Radar^[42]
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  Horsea from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Dratini from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Trapinch from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Bagon from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Gible from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Axew from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Deino from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Goomy from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  ADragon Tamer from theDaisuki Club^[43]
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  Art ofElite Four from the Pokémon Trading Card Game
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  Key art for the 2018 JP Championships^[44]
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  Team Rocket3DS Theme^[45]
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  Team Magma3DS Theme^[46]
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  Team Aqua3DS Theme^[46]
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  Team Galactic3DS Theme^[45]
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  Team Plasma3DS Theme^[47]
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  Team Plasma3DS Theme^[47]
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  Team Skull3DS Theme^[48]
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  Robo-Pikachu merchandise from the Pokémon Center featuring aSuper Nerd andScientist^[49]
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  Key art for the 2019 JP Championships^[50]
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  Key art for the 2020 JP Championships^[51]
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  Key art for the Pokémon Fossil Museum^[21]
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  Artwork ofSilence Bridge for the Pokémon Center Woodblock Prints
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  Artwork ofVermilion Harbor for the Pokémon Center Woodblock Prints
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  Unused artwork forZirco fromUNITE
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  Unused artwork forProfessor Phorus fromUNITE
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  Unused artwork forErbie fromUNITE
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  Unused artwork for the Aeos Island Shopkeeper fromUNITE
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  Artwork ofErbie,Professor Phorus,Elekid andMetagross fromUNITE^[52]
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  Red &Pikachu Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[53]
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  Red &Charmander Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[54]
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  Leaf &Squirtle Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[55]
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  Blue &Eevee Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[56]
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  Professor Oak &Bulbasaur Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork
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  Ethan &Cyndaquil andLyra &Chikorita Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[57]
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  Brendan &Treecko andMay &Mudkip Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[58]
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  May &Torchic Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork
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  May &Mudkip Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[58]
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  Lucas &Chimchar Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[59]
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  Dawn &Piplup Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[60]
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  Cynthia &Garchomp Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[61]
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  Hilda &Tepig andRosa &Snivy Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[62]
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  Nate &Oshawott andRosa &Snivy Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[63]
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  Serena &Fennekin Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[64]
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  Selene &Rowlet Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[65]
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  Gloria &Sobble Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[66]
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  Pikachu VSOnix Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[67]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  Pikachu's Adventure Merchandise^[68]
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  1-Year Anniversary artwork forMasters EX^[69]
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  Villain Arc: Hoenn (Part 2) fromMasters EX^[70]
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  Villain Arc: Unova (Part 1) fromMasters EX^[71]
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  Villain Arc: Unova (Part 2) fromMasters EX^[72]
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  Villain Arc: Kalos (Part 1) fromMasters EX^[73]
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  Villain Arc: Kalos (Part 2) fromMasters EX^[73]
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  Ca Crea Merchandise^[74]
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  Hisui Days Merchandise^[75]
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  Hisui Days Merchandise^[75]
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  Juliana &Sprigatito andFlorian &Fuecoco Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine artwork^[76]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Premium Matte Sleeves^[77]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Deck Case (front)^[77]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Deck Case (reverse)^[77]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Deck Case Dividers^[77]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Carrying Case^[77]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Collection File (front)^[77]
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  Armarouge &Ceruledge Collection File (reverse)^[77]
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  Smeargle Sleeves^[78]
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  Hisui first partner Pokémon HOME sticker^[79]
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  Spear Pillar HOME wallpaper^[79]

TCG artwork

This is a collection of official TCG artwork drawn by Ariga.

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  All-Night Party (BREAKpoint 96)
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  Peony (Full Art) (Chilling Reign 82)

Merchandise

This is a collection of official Pokémon merchandise that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

TCG
Flutter Mane Sleeves^[80]

Works

Pokémon &GAME FREAK releases

Other games

Manga and light novels

Other illustrations

Trivia

• Hitoshi Ariga's favorite Pokémon isMisdreavus, as can be seen in an archive of his Twitter bio.^[81]
  • He also designed its assumed ancient relative,Flutter Mane.
• Ariga enjoyed the battle betweenAsh andSawyer at theLumiose Conference, so much so that he drew the latter withAegislash when drawing fan-art of the Pokémon.^[82]

External links

• Ariga's personal website (now defunct)
• Ariga's blog
• Ariga's Amazon store
• Ariga's Bluesky
• Ariga's DeviantArt
• Ariga's Facebook
• Ariga's Twitter

References

• Articles needing more information
• Pokémon designers
• People
• TCG illustrators
• Game staff