Pokemon Company Announces Contest To Turn Fan Artwork Into Official Pokemon Cards

The Pokemon Company has announced a new contest giving fans a chance to design their very own Pokemon card.

The contest, open to residents of the United States or Japan, challenges fans to draw a Pokemon living its daily life. Illustrations must be of one of eight approved Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Charizard, Pikachu, Arcanine, Galarian Rapidash, Scizor, Greninja or Cramorant. Individuals can enter the contest up to three times with different illustrations.

Contestants must draw both the Pokemon and the background of the card. They can include multiple Pokemon if they wish, but it must be clear who the main subject of the artwork is.

One grand prize winner will be rewarded $5000 and have their artwork featured on a special Pokemon card. Two first-place runner-ups (one from the United States and one from Japan) will each win $3000 and have their artwork featured on a card. Two second-place runner-ups will each win $1000, and 15 judge selections will each win $500.

The judges who will be picking their favorite cards include some important names from within the Pokemon Company such as the Pokemon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara, and Hirokazu Tanaka, the president of Creatures Inc.

The Pokemon Company has created a website for the contest, that includes reference art and 3D models of the allowed Pokemon, as well as the rules and an entry form.

Contestants must be at least 18 or older in order to participate. Entries will open on Oct. 13, and run through Jan. 31.