View source for Atsuko Nishida

[[Image:Atsuko Nishida.jpg|thumb|Atsuko Nishida in 2018]]
'''Atsuko Nishida''' (Japanese: '''西田敦子''' / '''にしだあつこ''') is a graphic artist who has been involved with several aspects of the Pokémon franchise since it began. She was part of the graphics team on ''{{wp|Pulseman}}'', one of [[Game Freak]]'s most successful early titles, working alongside Pokémon creator [[Satoshi Tajiri]] and artist [[Ken Sugimori]]. During the development of the first [[Pokémon games]], she helped design key characters and several Pokémon, notably the cuter ones as opposed to the tougher ones.

Nishida is a character designer for the mascot of the [[Pokémon]] franchise, {{p|Pikachu}}. She stated that first design of Pikachu looked like a vertically long {{wp|daifuku}} rice confection with ears.<ref>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcLay_vVMAA2Q7G.jpg:orig Pikachu was a squirrel at first - Yomiuri newspaper] (Japanese, [https://twitter.com/hinopika/status/991595452448493569 images by Hinopika], overview by [http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004412363 The Japan News])</ref> She also modeled Pikachu's cheeks, which are used to store electricity, after squirrels storing food in their cheeks.<ref>[http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/fukayomi/ichiran/20180501-OYT8T50139.html?page_no=1 Pikachu is a daifuku? - Yomiuri Shimbun (Page 1)] (Japanese, translation by [http://www.siliconera.com/2018/05/03/pikachu-originally-second-evolution-called-gorochu-large-fangs-two-horns/ Siliconera], excerpts by [https://twitter.com/DogasusBackpack/status/991698132651069440?s=19 Dogasu])</ref> Nishida is also a fan of {{p|Eevee}} and the [[Eeveelution]]s and personally designed {{p|Espeon}}, {{p|Umbreon}}, {{p|Leafeon}}, {{p|Glaceon}},<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071113053426/www.pokemon-card.com/lab/entry/071016_180.html Pokémon Card Game website]</ref> and {{p|Sylveon}}<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20131030135359/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/55616/ken-sugimori-got-artists-block-during-pokemon-x-and-y-development/ Pokémon designer interview with Famitsu, translated by the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine]</ref>.

She also contributed to the conceptual design of characters that appeared in the first few [[Pokémon movie]]s. Nishida has continued to work within many areas of the franchise, credited on the majority of the main series games, movies, and produced an array of original illustrations for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. She is also the illustrator for the mini-comic series titled ''Together with Pokémon!'' (Japanese: ポケモンといっしょ！) for a monthly children magazine ''Chara Pafe'' (Japanese: キャラぱふぇ).

==Pokémon==
The following is a list of Pokémon designed by Atsuko Nishida.
* {{p|Bulbasaur}}<ref name=Pokemon.com>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu/ Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu - Pokemon.com]</ref>
* {{p|Charmander}}<ref name=Pokemon.com/>
* {{p|Charmeleon}}<ref name=GameFreak>[https://web.archive.org/web/19980121112202fw_/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/POKEMON/INTER/ATSUKO/INTER_AT.HTM Interview with Atsuko Nishida on Game Freak's website]</ref>
* {{p|Charizard}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Charizard|Mega Charizard X}}<ref name="CFP">[https://funs-project.com/poplab/007/index_2.html Fun's Project interview with Atsuko Nishida]</ref>
* {{p|Squirtle}}<ref name=Pokemon.com/>
* {{p|Wartortle}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Weedle}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Kakuna}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Beedrill}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Pikachu}}
* {{p|Raichu}}<ref name=USUM>Interview with [[Ken Sugimori]] in [[Pokémon Ultra Sun & Pokémon Ultra Moon Edition: The Official National Pokédex]]</ref>
* {{rf|Alolan}} {{p|Raichu}}<ref name=USUM/>
* {{p|Vulpix}}<ref name="CFP"/>
* {{p|Ninetales}}<ref name="CFP"/>
* {{p|Oddish}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Gloom}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Vileplume}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Bellsprout}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Weepinbell}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Victreebel}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Ponyta}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Rapidash}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Vaporeon}}<ref name=Tweet>[https://twitter.com/atsuko_nishida/status/783643367523557376 AtsukoNishida's Tweet]</ref>
* {{p|Dratini}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Dragonair}}<ref name=GameFreak/>
* {{p|Espeon}}<ref name=Tweet />
* {{p|Umbreon}}<ref name=Tweet />
* {{p|Kricketot}}<ref name="CFP"/>
* {{p|Kricketune}}<ref name="CFP"/>
* {{p|Leafeon}}<ref name=Tweet />
* {{p|Glaceon}}<ref name=Tweet />
* {{p|Munna}}<ref name=ND201>November 2010 of ''Nintendo Dream'' [http://rpgland.com/2010/11/30/pokemon-black-and-white-scans-interview-in-nintendo-dream/ (RPGLand's scans)]</ref>
* {{p|Musharna}}<ref name=ND201/>
* {{p|Cottonee}}<ref name=ND204>April 2011 of ''Nintendo Dream'' [http://web.archive.org/web/20110704155314/http://shellspider.blog101.fc2.com/blog-entry-502.html (Shellspider's blog)]</ref>
* {{p|Whimsicott}}<ref name="CFP"/><ref name=ND204/>
* {{p|Petilil}}<ref name=ND204/>
* {{p|Lilligant}}<ref name="CFP"/><ref name=ND204/>
* {{p|Zorua}}<ref name="CFP"/>
* {{rf|Hisuian}} {{p|Zorua}}<ref name="LegendsInstagram">[https://www.instagram.com/p/CZR0ngKvAfy/ Instagram post by Atsuko Nishida]</ref>
* {{p|Zoroark}}<ref name="CFP"/>
* {{rf|Hisuian}} {{p|Zoroark}}<ref name="LegendsInstagram"/>
* {{p|Minccino}}<ref name=ND201/>
* {{p|Cinccino}}<ref name=ND201/>
* {{p|Sylveon}}<ref name="CFP"/>
<!--She did not design Eevee, Jolteon, and Flareon-->

==Works==
===Games===
{| align="center" class="sortable" style="background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Title
! style="background-color: #CCF" | Platform
! style="background-color: #CCF" | Release date
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Position
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{wp|Pulseman}}''
| {{wp|Mega Drive}}
| 1994-07-22
| Graphics
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Red and Green Versions]]''
| [[Game Boy]]
| 1996-02-27
| Character Design/Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{jwp|バザールでござーる|Bazaru de Gozaru no Game de Gozaru}}''
| {{wp|TurboGrafx-16}}
| 1996-07-26
| Graphics
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|Pokémon Blue]]'' (Japanese)
| [[Game Boy]]
| 1996-10-10
| Character Design/Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{jap|Pokémon Stadium}}'' (Japanese)
| [[Nintendo 64]]
| 1998-08-01
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Yellow Version]]''
| [[Game Boy]]
| 1998-09-12
| Character Design/Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{eng|Pokémon Stadium}}'' (English)
| [[Nintendo 64]]
| 1999-04-30
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions]]''
| [[Game Boy Color]]
| 1999-11-21
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{wp|Grandia II}}''
| {{wp|Dreamcast}}
| 2000-08-03
| "Carro" Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Crystal Version]]''
| [[Game Boy Color]]
| 2000-12-14
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]''
| [[Nintendo 64]]
| 2000-12-14
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{wp|Grandia Xtreme}}''
| {{wp|PlayStation 2}}
| 2002-01-31
| "Carro" Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions]]''
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| 2002-11-21
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Channel]]''
| [[Nintendo GameCube]]
| 2003-07-18
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions]]''
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| 2004-01-29
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Emerald Version]]''
| [[Game Boy Advance]]
| 2004-11-16
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]''
| [[Nintendo GameCube]]
| 2005-08-04
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions]]''
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2006-09-28
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{wp|Culdcept Saga}}''
| {{wp|Xbox 360}}
| 2006-11-22
| Illustration Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]''
| [[Wii]]
| 2006-12-14
| Pokémon Characters Designed By
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Platinum Version]]''
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2008-09-13
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions]]''
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2009-09-12
| Pokémon Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Black and White Versions]]''
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2010-09-18
| Pokémon Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2]]''
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2012-06-23
| Pokémon Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon X and Y]]''
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| 2013-10-12
| Pokémon Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''{{wp|Hometown Story}}''
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| 2013-12-12
| Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Sun and Moon]]''
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| 2016-11-18
| Pokémon Characters Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Sword and Shield]]''
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
| 2019-11-15
| Pokémon Design
|}

===Animation===
{| align="center" class="sortable" style="background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Title
! style="background-color: #CCF" | Release date
! style="background-color: #CCF; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Position
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''
| 1998-07-18
| Original Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M02|The Power of One]] ''
| 1999-07-17
| Original Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[PK07|Pikachu & Pichu]]''
| 2000-07-08
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]] ''
| 2000-07-08
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Mewtwo Returns]]''
| 2000-12-30
| Character Conceptual Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[PK10|Pikachu's PikaBoo]]''
| 2001-07-07
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M04|Celebi: The Voice of the Forest]]''
| 2001-07-07
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[The Legend of Thunder!]]''
| 2001-12-30
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M05|Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias]]''
| 2002-07-13
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[PK12|Gotta Dance!!]]''
| 2003-07-19
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]''
| 2003-07-19
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]''
| 2004-07-17
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]''
| 2005-07-16
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]''
| 2006-07-15
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]''
| 2006-10-13
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]''
| 2007-07-14
| Original Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness]]''
| 2007-09-09
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]''
| 2008-07-19
| Original Character Design
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''
| 2009-07-18
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M13|Zoroark: Master of Illusions]]''
| 2010-07-10
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M14|White—Victini and Zekrom/Black—Victini and Reshiram]]''
| 2011-07-16
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]''
| 2012-07-14
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M16|Genesect and the Legend Awakened]]''
| 2013-07-13
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M18|Hoopa and the Clash of Ages]]''
| 2015-07-18
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M19|Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel]]''
| 2016-07-16
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M20|I Choose You!]]''
| 2017-07-15
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[M20|The Power of Us]]''
| 2018-07-13
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White|Best Wishes]]'' series
| 2010-09-23
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY|XY]]'' series
| 2013-10-17
| Conceptual Character Artist
|- style="background:#FFF"
| ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon|Sun and Moon]]'' series
| 2016-11-17
| Conceptual Character Artist
|}

===TCG illustrations===
Nishida has produced illustrations for the TCG since the some of the earliest Japanese promotional cards, though her first in regular expansions was in the {{TCG|Team Rocket}} set. Nishida's style is distinctive, using an airbrush technique with a soft palette of colors that is easy on the eyes and convey the feeling that the portrayed Pokémon is at one with their environment. Light is also a large factor, using it to highlight key areas of the overall image to maintain the "soft" aspect. For a list of cards she has illustrated, go [[:Category:Illus. by Atsuko Nishida|here]].

==In-game appearances==
===Generations I, III, and VII===
A character named '''Sara''' (Japanese: アツコ ''Atsuko'') may be a cameo of Atsuko Nishida in the Japanese version of all [[Generation I]] games, as well as their [[Generation III]] and [[Generation VII|VII]] remakes.

She is found in the {{safari|Kanto}}{{sup/1|RBY}}{{sup/1|FRLG}}/[[GO Park]]{{sup/7|PE}}, looking for Erik (Japanese: コージ ''Kōji''), which may be a cameo of [[Kōji Nishino]]; he is found in [[Fuchsia City]]. In the Japanese version, they failed to meet each other due to a misunderstanding on the word "とり" (tori), which is also a pun. Erik used a bird Pokémon to arrive at Fuchsia City ("tori Pokémon" means "bird Pokémon"), while Sara is waiting for him inside the Safari Zone or GO Park ("Pokémon tori" means "obtain Pokémon").

This pun was [[List of localization changes in the Pokémon games|lost in the English localizations]]. Additionally, in the English version of the Generation I and III games, Sara says that Erik is her boyfriend (which is not the case in the Japanese version).

====Quotes====
;Japanese version
:''"Atsuko: I asked Koji to go catch Pokémon with me... but where is he!?"'' (literal translation)
:"アツコ『ポケモンとりに　いこうって　いった　のに……コージ　どこなのよ！"{{sup/1|RBY}}{{sup/3|FRLG}}
:"アツコ『ポケモンとりに　行こうって　言ったのに…… 　コージ　どこなのよ！"{{sup/7|PE}}

;English version
:''"Sara: Where did my boy friend, Erik, go?"''{{sup/1|RBY}}
:''"Sara: Where did my boyfriend, Erik, go?"''{{sup/3|FRLG}}
:''"Sara: Now where did Erik go...? He's the one who wanted to come here!"''{{sup/7|PE}}

==Trivia==
* In an interview with the character designers of ''Pokémon'' in 2018, Nishida said that {{p|Pikachu}} was supposed to have a third [[evolution]] stage after {{p|Raichu}}, which was named "Gorochu" (Japanese: ゴロチュウ). [[Ken Sugimori]] stated that it was scrapped due to the game balance.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/pikachu/  The Untold Story of Pikachu's Creation - Pokemon.co.jp (Japanese)]</ref>
* Nishida's favorite Pokémon is {{p|Charizard}}.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/pikachu/page_02.html The Untold Story of Pikachu's Creation (Page 2) - Pokemon.co.jp (Japanese)]</ref>

==External links==
* [https://twitter.com/atsuko_nishida Atsuko Nishida's Twitter]
* [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu/ Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu | Pokemon.com]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Game cast and crew|Nishida, Atsuko]]
[[Category:TCG illustrators|Nishida, Atsuko]]

[[de:Atsuko Nishida]]
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[[fr:Atsuko Nishida]]
[[it:Atsuko Nishida]]
[[ja:にしだあつこ]]
[[zh:西田敦子]]