Poliwag

Poliwag

Selected Masterpiece • 59/102
Artist Ken Sugimori
Market Price $0.42
Base Base 1999
The Illustrator

Ken Sugimori

Ken Sugimori is credited on more than 1,100 Pokémon TCG cards from 1999 to 2022, spanning sets such as Base, Gym Heroes, and Neo Genesis. The work favors clear, character-forward staging, playful moods, and vibrant-to-pastel color palettes with balanced, simple compositions.

Curatorial Commentary

“The Poliwag card captures a moment of this small, round Pokémon as it prepares to swim, its large, curious eyes gazing out with a hint of innocence. The gentle curves of its body and the playful swirl on its belly evoke a sense of whimsy, suggesting a carefree life in the water. Its tail flicks just above the surface, hinting at its readiness to dive into the aquatic world around it. This snapshot feels like a serene glimpse into the life of a young tadpole, full of potential and discovery.”

Editorial & Data

Published by Artchu Editorial. Card facts are based on structured reference data and Artchu enrichment. Visual commentary is AI-assisted and human-reviewed. Visual ranking reflects Artchu’s internal art_score methodology. Market data reflects the latest source shown on the page. Data refreshed: January 17, 2026.

Rarity Common
Card Type Water
Set Base
Era
Base
Release
09/01/1999

Water Gun

10+

Does 10 damage plus 10 more damage for each Water Energy attached to Poliwag but not used to pay for this attack's Energy cost. Extra Water Energy after the 2nd don't count.

Weakness
×2
Retreat Cost