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Katsura Tabata — signature work
KT Mewtwo ex · Ruby & Sapphire · 2003
Illustrator 2002 – 2018

Katsura Tabata

Katsura Tabata is credited on Pokémon TCG cards from 2002 to 2018. Artwork appears across the EX era and E-Card releases, including Team Magma vs Team Aqua, Team Rocket Returns, and Skyridge, with a clear, character-forward approach and bright color.

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Main period
2002 – 2018
Cards illustrated
36
Most represented era
EX
Most valuable card
$225.57
Mewtwo ex · 2003
§ I

About the artist

Katsura Tabata is credited on Pokémon Trading Card Game artwork from 2002 to 2018. The catalogue spans the EX series in particular, with appearances in Team Magma vs Team Aqua and Team Rocket Returns, alongside E-Card releases such as Skyridge. Across these sets, Tabata’s cards frequently present Pokémon and Trainers with direct, readable staging.

The visual approach is often cartoon-leaning and digitally finished, favoring simple, focused compositions and clean silhouettes. Color is typically vibrant and bright, with occasional contrasting accents and limited palettes that keep attention on the central figure. Mood trends playful and energetic, with select images shifting toward a more intense register while maintaining clarity. Among the most sought-after cards illustrated by Katsura Tabata is Mewtwo ex{ex1-101}.

§ II

Best cards by Katsura Tabata

Curated reading of the corpus — composition, atmosphere, and lasting standing.

View all 36 cards →
Mewtwo ex

Ruby & Sapphire

Mewtwo ex 2003
Plusle

EX Trainer Kit 2 Plusle

Plusle 2006
Venture Bomb

Team Rocket Returns

Venture Bomb 2004
Buffer Piece

Dragon Frontiers

Buffer Piece 2006
Weepinbell

Legend Maker

Weepinbell 2006
Ninjask

Deoxys

Ninjask 2005
§ III

Signature Pokémon

Creatures most associated with Katsura Tabata’s body of work.

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§ IV

Defining sets

The sets where Katsura Tabata’s work appears most often.

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§ V

Visual affinities

Recurring elemental and thematic threads across the work.

  1. Fire
    3
  2. Darkness
    3
  3. Metal
    3
  4. Water
    2
  5. Grass
    2
§ VI

Iconic cards

Cards that travel beyond the archive — defining works, frequently cited.

Mewtwo ex

Mewtwo ex

Ruby & Sapphire 2003
Skarmory

Skarmory

Skyridge 2003
Pow! Hand Extension

Pow! Hand Extension

Team Rocket Returns 2004
Rayquaza

Rayquaza

POP Series 1 2004
§ VII

The full archive

12 of 36 cards · every credit, every era.

Friend Ball

Celestial Storm

Friend Ball 2018
Lure Ball

Celestial Storm

Lure Ball 2018
PokéNav

Celestial Storm

PokéNav 2018
Buffer Piece

Dragon Frontiers

Buffer Piece 2006
PokéNav

Crystal Guardians

PokéNav 2006
Wobbuffet

Holon Phantoms

Wobbuffet 2006
Minun

EX Trainer Kit 2 Minun

Minun 2006
Plusle

EX Trainer Kit 2 Plusle

Plusle 2006
Nuzleaf

Legend Maker

Nuzleaf 2006
Weepinbell

Legend Maker

Weepinbell 2006
Holon’s Magnemite

Delta Species

Holon’s Magnemite 2005
Holon’s Magneton

Delta Species

Magneton 2005