Ho-Oh EX Removed from Pokémon TCG Pocket: Fan Art "Copied"
In 2025, the Pokémon world experienced a digital trading card revolution. The Ho-Oh EX card from Pokémon TCG Pocket was pulled from the game after its artwork was revealed to be highly similar to unauthorized fan art , sparking controversy and debate among fans and collectors.
But for a lucky few, this card could represent a true collector's item of the future .
It all started when Chinese artist lanjiujiu noticed near-perfect similarities between his 2021 fan art and the digital paper illustration. Wings, head, pose: every detail was nearly identical. The news spread quickly online, creating a real sensation.
The Pokémon Company investigated and confirmed that the error was not the official illustrator's, but the production team's, who had provided unauthorized materials for reference.
Following the scandal, the affected Ho-Oh EX cards were recalled and temporarily replaced with placeholder artwork that read “New Art Coming Soon.” New, original artwork was later commissioned, replacing the offending artwork.
Here's the interesting point for collectors: the original retired card is now limited to a select few players who had already obtained it before its retirement . This makes it a digital rarity , with potential increasing value over time, similar to a rare physical card from a historic set.
The case is also a reminder of the importance of copyright and respect for creative work : but at the same time it shows how a combination of rarity and history can transform a simple digital card into a valuable piece for the most attentive and fortunate fans .
