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Nakaoka — signature work
N Empoleon · Diamond & Pearl · 2007
Illustrator 2003 – 2007

Nakaoka

Nakaoka is credited on Pokémon TCG cards from 2003 to 2007, with artwork appearing across the EX and Diamond & Pearl era. Frequent appearances include Diamond & Pearl, Unseen Forces, and Team Rocket Returns, often using vibrant color and focused, character-led compositions.

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Main period
2003 – 2007
Cards illustrated
46
Most represented era
EX
Most valuable card
$262.50
Dark Dragonite · 2004
§ I

About the artist

Nakaoka is credited on Pokémon Trading Card Game illustrations from 2003 to 2007. The work spans the EX and Diamond & Pearl series, with frequent appearances in Diamond & Pearl, Unseen Forces, and Team Rocket Returns. Across these releases, Nakaoka also contributes Trainer cards, extending the credit line beyond Pokémon subjects.

The visual approach is often cartoonish and playful, pairing simple, balanced layouts with moments of dynamic action. Color is typically vibrant and contrasting, supporting clear silhouettes and central, character-forward staging; moods range from lighthearted to mysterious. Empoleon (Diamond & Pearl) is a representative card in this dataset. Among the most sought-after cards illustrated by Nakaoka is Articuno ex.

§ II

Best cards by Nakaoka

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

View all 46 cards →
Empoleon

Diamond & Pearl

Empoleon 2007
Articuno ex

Nintendo Black Star Promos

Articuno ex 2003
Flygon ex δ

Dragon Frontiers

Flygon ex δ 2006
Dialga

Diamond & Pearl

Dialga 2007
Manaphy

Diamond & Pearl

Manaphy 2007
Unown

Unseen Forces

Unown 2005
§ III

Signature Pokémon

Creatures most associated with Nakaoka’s body of work.

All Pokémon →
§ IV

Defining sets

The sets where Nakaoka’s work appears most often.

All sets →
§ V

Visual affinities

Recurring elemental and thematic threads across the work.

  1. Psychic
    16
  2. Water
    10
  3. Darkness
    8
  4. Lightning
    3
  5. Fire
    3
§ VI

Iconic cards

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

Dark Dragonite

Dark Dragonite

Team Rocket Returns 2004
Dark Tyranitar

Dark Tyranitar

Team Rocket Returns 2004
Dark Gyarados

Dark Gyarados

Team Rocket Returns 2004
Articuno ex

Articuno ex

Nintendo Black Star Promos 2003
§ VII

The full archive

12 of 46 cards · every credit, every era.

Dialga

Diamond & Pearl

Dialga 2007
Electivire

Diamond & Pearl

Electivire 2007
Empoleon

Diamond & Pearl

Empoleon 2007
Infernape

Diamond & Pearl

Infernape 2007
Magnezone

Diamond & Pearl

Magnezone 2007
Manaphy

Diamond & Pearl

Manaphy 2007
Palkia

Diamond & Pearl

Palkia 2007
Rhyperior

Diamond & Pearl

Rhyperior 2007
Roserade

Diamond & Pearl

Roserade 2007
Unown [A]

Diamond & Pearl

Unown [A] 2007
Unown [B]

Diamond & Pearl

Unown [B] 2007
Unown [C]

Diamond & Pearl

Unown [C] 2007