Ken Sugimori
杉森 建
Born (1966-01-27) January 27, 1966
Fukuoka, Japan
Occupation(s)Video game artist, director, game designer, illustrator
Years active1989–present
EmployerGame Freak
Notable workPokémon
Pulseman
Drill Dozer

Ken Sugimori (Japanese: 杉森 建, Hepburn: Sugimori Ken, born January 27, 1966 in Fukuoka, Japan[1]) is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director.[2] He is best known as the primary character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman.[3] Sugimori drew and finalized all of the original 151 Pokémon.[4] He has also worked on the various Pokémon films, trading cards, and other games like the Super Smash Bros. series.

Career

From early 1981 until 1986, Sugimori illustrated a gaming fanzine called Game Freak, which had been started by Satoshi Tajiri.[4] Sugimori discovered the magazine in a dōjinshi shop, and decided to get involved.[5] Eventually, the two decided to pitch an arcade game design idea to Namco; they reworked Game Freak into a development company and produced Mendel Palace.[6] Sugimori is best known as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise and designed a large majority of the first 151 Pokémon with Atsuko Nishida, Motofumi Fujiwara, Shigeki Morimoto, Rena Yoshikawa, and Satoshi Ota. He has worked on the various Pokémon movies, trading cards, and other games.

For Pokémon Black and White, Sugimori directed a team of 17 people in designing new characters for the games, though he always drew the final designs. He drew much of his inspiration from observing animals in aquariums and zoos.[7] Sugimori has also written and illustrated original manga, including one which was distributed with pre-orders of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.[8] When he begins a new character, his process normally involves making a rough sketch, then tracing it onto film paper while polishing it and making the illustration more professional looking. After that, he draws the character many times, changing its proportions until he is satisfied.[9] When designing a new Pokémon, Sugimori stated that "I do feel that I always want to show new Pokémon that people have never seen before. To do that, I think of ways that I can surprise the players."[10]

Works

Video games

YearGame titleRole
1989Mendel PalaceCharacter designer
1991Smart BallGame designer, character designer
YoshiGraphic designer
1992Magical Tarurūto-kunDirector, game designer, graphic designer
1993Mario & WarioCharacter designer
1994PulsemanDirector, game designer, graphic designer
1996Pokémon Red, Green and BlueCharacter designer, pokemon designer
Bazaar de Gosāru no Game de GosāruGraphic designer
1997Bushi Seiryūden: Futari no Yūsha
1998Pokémon YellowCharacter designer, pokemon designer
1999Click MedicGraphics support
Pokémon Gold and SilverGraphics director, pokemon designer
2000Pokémon Crystal
2002Pokémon Ruby and SapphireArt director, pokemon designer, graphic designer
2004Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokémon Emerald
2005Drill DozerDirector, game designer
2006Pokémon Diamond and PearlArt director, pokemon designer, graphic designer
2008Pokémon Platinum
2009Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilverPokemon designer, graphic supervisor
2010Pokémon Black and White2D art director, pokemon designer
2012 Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Pokemon designer
HarmoKnight Advisor
2013Pocket Card Jockey
Pokémon X and YCharacter art director, pokemon design director
2014Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
2015Tembo the Badass ElephantAdvisor
2016Pokémon Sun and MoonPokemon designer, lead trainer graphic designer
2017Giga WreckerAdvisor
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra MoonPokemon designer, design art
2018Pokémon QuestSupervisor
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!Creative supervisor
2019Little Town HeroSupervisor
Pokémon Sword and Shield
Sakura WarsPeanut character designer
2022Pokémon Legends: Arceus Supervisor
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Card games

Anime

Manga

References

  1. ↑ ゲームマエストロ VOL. 4 デザイナー/イラストレーター編 [Game Maestro Volume #4 Designer/Illustrator Edition]. 毎日コミュニケーションズ. ISBN 978-4839903879.
  2. ↑ SATO (6 June 2014). "From Manga Artist To Game Designer: Ken Sugimori's Work Before Pokémon". Siliconera.
  3. ↑ Thomas, Lucas (23 July 2009). "Pulseman Review". IGN. News Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  4. 1 2 Gifford, Kevin (7 April 2008). "'Game Mag Weaseling': Just Checking In". GameSetWatch. Think Services. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  5. ↑ Kohler, Chris (2004). Power-up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life. BradyGames. p. 238. ISBN 0-7440-0424-1.
  6. ↑ Barnholt, Ray (30 July 2008). "25 Sorta Significant Famicom Games: #19". 1UP.com. UGO Networks. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  7. ↑ Iwata, Satoru (2010). "DSで２作目の完全新作をつくること". Iwata Asks (in Japanese). Kyoto, Japan: Nintendo. p. 2. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  8. ↑ Staff (13 March 2008). "Pokemon Pre-Order Offer". IGN. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Bishop, Stuart (30 May 2003). "Nintendo Interview: Game Freak on Pokemon!". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  10. ↑ Shepperd, Chris (May 2017). "Pearls of Wisdom". Nintendo Power. No. 215. Nintendo.
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