OKACHEKE is one of the coolest and most beloved illustrators working in the Pokémon TCG today. This artist burst onto the scene during the Sword & Shield era, and collectors fell hard for a signature look built on bold colors, gorgeous lighting, and scenes that feel alive.
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From legendary Pokémon soaring over sweeping landscapes to silly, everyday moments between Pokémon pals, OKACHEKE always finds a way to pack real personality into a single card. Here are ten of OKACHEKE’s greatest illustrations, ranked from great all the way up to legendary.
10. Orthworm 224/193
Pulled from the Scarlet & Violet: Paldea Evolved set as an Illustration Rare, Orthworm stretches its steel-segmented body across towering desert dunes, looking every bit like a creature that could swallow a small village whole. OKACHEKE clearly took inspiration from Dune’s iconic sandworms, and it shows in the way the dust swirls and the horizon stretches on forever. Orthworm’s Pokédex entries describe it as a Pokémon that rarely surfaces from underground, which makes this dramatic above-ground pose feel even more special. It’s a great pick for anyone who loves art that turns a lesser-known Pokémon into the main character.
9. Mr. Mime 179/165
This Illustration Rare from Scarlet & Violet: 151 shows three Mr. Mimes teaming up, each one performing its signature invisible-wall routine like a tiny street-performance troupe. The playful chaos of the scene captures exactly why Mr. Mime has been a fan-favorite oddball since Generation I. OKACHEKE leans into physical comedy, giving each Mime its own exaggerated pose and expression. It’s proof that a card doesn’t need a legendary Pokémon to feel iconic — sometimes goofy energy is enough.
8. Ice Rider Calyrex V 164/198
An Alternate Art Ultra Rare from Sword & Shield: Chilling Reign, this card shows Calyrex riding atop Glastrier through a blizzard-swept landscape, its royal robes billowing against the cold. Sharp-eyed collectors will spot little cameos tucked into the background, including Winter Form Deerling, Swinub, and Spheal enjoying the snow. This fusion form comes from Pokémon Sword, where Calyrex merges with Glastrier to become a powerful Psychic/Ice type. The card balances epic scale with quiet, cozy details, which is a hallmark of OKACHEKE’s style.
7. AZ’s Tranquility 120/086
A Special Illustration Rare from the Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising set, this card pairs the tragic, centuries-old trainer AZ with his beloved Floette, the Eternal Flower variant that never lets go of the flower he once gave her. Somber lighting and a muted color palette give the whole scene a bittersweet, storybook feel. AZ’s backstory from Pokémon X and Y, tangled up with loss, immortality, and a devastating weapon, makes this one of the most emotionally loaded illustrations on this list. It’s less about action and more about mood, proof that OKACHEKE can do heartbreak just as well as spectacle.
6. Hisuian Sneasler V 175/189
Found as an Alternate Art Ultra Rare in Sword & Shield: Astral Radiance, Hisuian Sneasler claws its way up a jagged mountainside, shot from a dramatic high angle that makes the cliffs feel impossibly steep. This regional form debuted in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, where Sneasler is prized as a fast, agile partner for scaling the rugged Hisui region. The composition puts the viewer right at the edge of the danger, selling the speed and confidence of this Fighting/Poison type. It’s a masterclass in using camera angle to add tension to a still image.
5. Plusle 193/182 & Minun 194/182
Released as a pair of Illustration Rares in Scarlet & Violet: Paradox Rift, Plusle and Minun get matching cards, curled up together indoors in a scene that feels warm and cozy rather than action-packed. These two have always been designed as a duo, cheering each other on with matching electric powers and complementary color schemes. OKACHEKE leans into that partnership by giving both cards a shared setting, so displaying them side by side completes the picture. It’s a sweet reminder that not every great illustration needs a battle to feel special.
4. Flareon VMAX – SWSH180
Issued as a Black Star Promo alternate art VMAX in the Sword & Shield Promo Cards line, this one shows a massive Flareon lounging outdoors, radiating the same laid-back energy as a big friendly dog on a sunny afternoon. In the distance, sharp-eyed fans can spot Alolan Exeggutor and Slowpoke chilling nearby, adding a whole slice-of-life world around the main subject. Flareon is one of Eevee’s eight possible evolutions, and this VMAX form supersizes it without losing that Fire-type warmth. The soft background details turn a simple “big Pokémon” card into a full scene worth studying.
3. Oshawott 105/086
An Illustration Rare from Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, this card shows Oshawott napping peacefully in a hammock strung up along the beach, its scalchop resting nearby as gentle waves roll in. The whole card practically radiates vacation energy, which is a fun contrast to Oshawott’s usual spunky, battle-ready personality in the games. Soft gradients and warm lighting give the piece a golden-hour glow, like the calm after a long day of adventuring. It’s one of the most purely relaxing cards on this list, and that’s exactly the point.
2. Misty’s Psyduck 193/182
A Special Illustration Rare from Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals, this card shows Misty and her ever-confused Psyduck floating together in the water, viewed from a striking top-down angle that’s rare for Pokémon card art. Psyduck has been a fan-favorite source of comic relief since the original anime, constantly clutching its head in perpetual confusion, and this card finally lets it just relax. Pairing a Gym Leader with her signature Pokémon adds a nostalgic, story-driven layer that longtime fans will appreciate. The unusual bird’s-eye perspective alone makes this one stand out in a sea of side-angle illustrations.
1. Latias ex 239/191 & Latios 203/191
Taking the top spot is a connected two-card masterpiece from Scarlet & Violet: Surging Sparks — a Special Illustration Rare for Latias ex paired with an Illustration Rare Latios — with both Eon Pokémon soaring together across one seamless sky when the cards are placed side by side. As the Eon duo and mascots of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, these two share an unbreakable sibling bond that the artwork captures perfectly. The way the composition flows from one card into the next shows off exactly why OKACHEKE’s split illustrations are so hunted by collectors. It’s an ambitious, technically impressive way to close out this list at number one.
While high-profile chase cards often get the most attention, OKACHEKE also excels with quieter, simpler designs. A prime example is Slowpoke 079/165 from Pokémon 151, which uses soft, sun-soaked colors to perfectly capture the Pokémon lounging lazily by the water. Meanwhile, Pikachu 062/193 became so widely loved that its frequent appearance in promotional releases turned it into one of the artist’s most recognizable pieces. Demonstrating OKACHEKE’s status in the TCG world, the illustrator was also chosen to contribute to the official 30-Pikachu card collection for the franchise’s 30th Anniversary.
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