Ahead of the mobile game’s next expansion,Pokemon Trading Card Game Pockethas come under fire for plagiarism, concerning the new Ho-Oh EX card.Pokemon TCG Pocketwas released back in 2024 as a free-to-play digital version of the tabletop counterpart. Developed by Creature Inc. and DeNA and published by The Pokemon Company, the mobile game allows players to collect cards, perfect decks, and battle other players for daily rewards, following the perks of the real-life trading card game.
The mobile game’s upcoming expansion, Wisdom of Sea and Sky, is scheduled to be released on July 29 or July 30, depending on the player’s time zone. Shortly before the expansion drops,Pokemon TGC Pocket’s Wisdom of Sea and Sky card list leaked, revealing over 220 cards that were datamined. Eight new cards were previously revealed to be included, such as Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and full-art cards of Pichu and Togepi.
Posting on Twitter, artist lanjiujiu shared a screenshot ofPokemon TCG Pocket’s new Ho-Oh EX card, showing the Legendary bird taking flight with its wings creating a distinct crescent-moon shape. The artist also shared their artwork, which was previously created as a commission piece, and Ho-Oh’s design and pose are very similar. This issue has appeared in another mobile game, whenMarvel Snapwas accused of plagiarizing fan artearlier in the year, and these accusations inevitably stain companies’ reputations.
Pokemon TCG Pocket’s New Ho-Oh Card Accused of Plagiarism
The Fire/Flying Legendary Pokemon, first introduced in Generation 2, is a favorite monster among fans, andHo-Oh is set to break a nine-month trend inPokemon TCG Pocket. In response to the plagiarism allegation, one fan noted the Ho-Oh EX card is by an artist who has delivered “some of the best work” seen in the trading card game. Therefore, it would be a shame if plagiarism were involved. Another noted that the powers that be would either need to credit the artist and pay them or redo the artwork. The game’s team has yet to comment on the issue.
The main draws of Wisdom Sky and Sea are theLugia EX and Ho‑Oh EX cards that reportedly may break the game. Considering both birds can work together in gameplay, with Lugia discarding energy to deploy an attack and Ho-Oh’s ability to replenish said energy, this Johto duo can create a constant, overpowered loop that may always tip gameplay in the player’s favor. It’s a shame that the Fire bird has met controversy in the mobile game ahead of the expansion’s release, and hopefully, the developer will address the matter.
