Aya Kusube

Pokémon card illustrator

Aya Kusube (born 1966, Saitama Prefecture) is a Japanese freelance illustrator who primarily illustrates children's books, magazines, and kid-focused advertising, working in a deliberately childlike, hand-drawn style. She has been part of the Pokémon franchise since 1998, writing and illustrating 'Pokémon Tales' picture books before contributing well over 100 cards to the TCG. Her card art is instantly recognizable: solid line drawing in a few key colors with shading built from penciled hatching and dots.