View source for Naoki Saito

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[[File:Naoki Saito.png|thumb|250px|Saito at an exhibition in 2022]]
'''Naoki Saito''' (Japanese: '''さいとうなおき''' ''Saitō Naoki'', real name in kanji '''齋藤直葵''', born 1982 in {{wp|Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata}}, Japan<ref>[https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000090.000026069.html 「pixiv高校生イラコン2021」に向けて夏期特別講習を8/21（土）に開催！―この夏、もっとイラストが好きになる。｜学校法人 瓜生山学園　京都芸術大学のプレスリリース]</ref>) is a digital illustrator who has provided art for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] since the {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} expansion, as well as art for a couple of [[Pokémon games]]. Saito is a graduate of Tama Art University and previously worked at Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. before becoming freelance.{{fact}} In addition to the Pokémon TCG, he has also provided illustrations for several other trading card franchises: ''Duel Masters'',{{fact}} ''Monster Hunter'',{{fact}} ''Juushinden: Ultimate Beast Battlers'',{{fact}} and ''Eternal Wheel''.{{fact}} 

Saito's style is vibrant and surreal, and often juxtaposes or merges the organic with the geometric. He also puts emphasis on texture to give subjects character. His work within the TCG is similar but subtler, instead using highlights and contrasting colors to make Pokémon stand out. In addition to card illustrations, Saito provided the packaging art for the {{TCG|Garchomp Half Deck|Garchomp}} and {{TCG|Hydreigon Half Deck}}s<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120621151238/http://ptcg.creatures.co.jp/data/13217 パッケージイラストご紹介！「サザンドラデッキ30」「ガブリアスデッキ30」| PTCG Blog], archived June 21, 2012 on Internet Archive</ref> and the box art for {{TCG|Everyone's Exciting Battle}}.{{fact}} He also illustrated the [[Pokémon Tales]] book ''Crustle's Moving'',{{fact}} available to read on the [[Pokémon Daisuki Club]] website.

==Designs==
===Characters===
The following are a list of characters designed by Saito.

{|style="font-size:80%; margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|20px}} border:2px solid #1a1a1a; background:#ebebeb; color:#000"
| colspan="15" style="{{roundy|20px}} border:2px solid #{{alola color dark}}; background:#{{alola color dark}}; font-size:125%; color:white" | '''{{color2|fff|Generation VII}}'''
|-
| style="{{roundy|2px}} background:#{{sun color light}}; border:2px solid #{{moon color dark}}; height:100px; width:100px"| [[File:SM Sightseers Saito.png|x100px]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} background:#{{sun color light}}; border:2px solid #{{moon color dark}}; height:100px; width:100px"| [[File:SM Veterans Saito.png|x100px]]
| style="{{roundy|2px}} background:#{{sun color light}}; border:2px solid #{{moon color dark}}; height:100px; width:100px"| [[File:SM Dancer Hiker Saito.png|x100px]]
|-
| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|M}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Sightseer}}s<ref name=SaitoSMTrainers>[https://twitter.com/_NaokiSaito/status/803569255601930240 Tweet about designing NPCs for Pokémon Sun and Moon]</ref>
| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|M}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Veteran}}s<ref name=SaitoSMTrainers></ref>
| '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|M}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Dancer}} and {{color2|000|Hiker}}<ref name=SaitoSMTrainers></ref>
|}

==Artwork==
This is a collection of official Pokémon artwork drawn by Saito.

There are {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Illus. by Naoki Saito}} cards illustrated by Saito. For a list of cards that he illustrated, go [[:Category:Illus. by Naoki Saito|here.]]

===Core series games===
This is a collection of core series Pokémon games that Saito has contributed artwork to.
<div style="margin:center; font-size:125%; margin:auto; text-align:center; max-width: 1100px; {{roundy|5px}} border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{white color dark}}">
<div style="margin:auto; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; font-size:80%; padding: 3px; {{roundy|5px}}; #{{white color dark}}; background: #{{white color}}; text-align:center; gap: 2px;">
<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{black color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:Unova alt.png|x150px]]</div>
<div> '''{{GameIcon|Bl}}{{GameIcon|W}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Unova}} map<ref name="SaitoBWIllust">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100608185209/http://chirarism.oops.jp/d/diary.cgi Archived main page of Saito's blog with a post mentioning his work on BW], the [https://web.archive.org/web/20110413084225/http://chirarism.oops.jp:80/d/diary.cgi?no=34 post] itself reveals the artwork he did work on</ref></div>
</div>

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{black color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:Castelia City.png|x150px]]</div>
<div> '''{{GameIcon|Bl}}{{GameIcon|W}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Castelia City}}<ref name="SaitoBWIllust"></ref></div>
</div>

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{black color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:Black City and White Forest.png|x150px]]</div>
<div> '''{{GameIcon|Bl}}{{GameIcon|W}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Black City}} and {{color2|000|White Forest}}<ref name="SaitoBWIllust"></ref></div>
</div>

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{moon color dark}}; background:#{{sun color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:SM Sightseers Saito.png|x150px]]</div>
<div> '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|M}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Sightseer}}s<ref name=SaitoSMTrainers></ref></div>
</div>

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{moon color dark}}; background:#{{sun color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:SM Veterans Saito.png|x150px]]</div>
<div> '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|M}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Veteran}}s<ref name=SaitoSMTrainers></ref></div>
</div>

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{moon color dark}}; background:#{{sun color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:SM Dancer Hiker Saito.png|x150px]]</div>
<div> '''{{GameIcon|Su}}{{GameIcon|M}}''' <br> {{color2|000|Dancer}} and {{color2|000|Hiker}}<ref name="SaitoBWIllust"></ref></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

===Merchandise===
This is a collection of official Pokémon merchandise that Saito has contributed artwork to.
<div style="margin:center; font-size:125%; margin:auto; text-align:center; max-width: 1100px; {{roundy|5px}} border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{white color dark}}">
<div style="margin:auto; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; font-size:80%; padding: 3px; {{roundy|5px}}; #{{white color dark}}; background: #{{white color}}; text-align:center; gap: 2px;">
<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{white color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:Kotobukiya Iono and Bellibolt Naoki Saito.jpg|x150px]]</div>
<div>'''{{color2|000|Iono}} & {{color2|000|Bellibolt}}''' <br> Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurine art<ref name=KotobuikyaIono>[https://web.archive.org/web/20230414075117/https://twitter.com/_NaokiSaito/status/1646680231187734528 Saito confirming he drew the Iono & Bellibolt art]</ref></div>
</div>

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{white color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:After The Rain SV Web Manga Illustration 8.png|x150px]]</div>
<div>'''{{color2|000|After the Rain With You}}''' <br> Page 115<ref name=AfterTheRainWithYou>[https://novel-kimiame.pokemon.co.jp/ Link to the upload, which credits Saito]</ref></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

===Other artwork===
This is a collection of other promotional Pokémon artwork that Saito has contributed to.

<div style="margin:center; font-size:125%; margin:auto; text-align:center; max-width: 1100px; {{roundy|5px}} border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{white color dark}}">
<div style="margin:auto; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; font-size:80%; padding: 3px; {{roundy|5px}}; #{{white color dark}}; background: #{{white color}}; text-align:center; gap: 2px;">

<div style="flex: 1; font-size:80%">
<div style="{{roundy|20px}}; border:2px solid #{{white color dark}}; background:#{{white color light}}; flex-basis: 100px; min-width: 80px; height: 150px; overflow:hidden; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center">[[File:Hatsune Miku Famitsu Artwork.png|x150px]]</div>
<div>'''{{color2|000|Project VOLTAGE}}''' <br> Weekly Famitsu cover (January 2024)<ref> [https://twitter.com/_NaokiSaito/status/1744222823194014008 Saito confirming his involvement with Project VOLTAGE] </ref></div>

</div>
</div>
</div>

==Works==
===Games=== 
{| class="sortable" style="margin: auto; background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Title
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF" | Platform
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF" | Release date
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Position
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]]''
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| 2010-03-06
| [[Oblivia]] map illustration{{fact}}<br>Boss Pokémon illustration{{fact}}
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Black and White Versions]]''
| Nintendo DS
| 2010-09-18
| Artwork
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| ''[[Pokémon Sun and Moon]]''
| [[Nintendo 3DS]]
| 2016-11-18
| Trainer Graphics Design
|}
{{-}}

===Manga and other published work===
{| class="sortable" style="margin: auto; background: #A0A0C4; {{roundy|10px}}; border: 5px solid #BBBBE8"
|-
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Role/Title
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF" | Release date
! style="background-color: #CCCCFF; {{roundytr|5px}}" | Publisher
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Colorist for ''Worst''
| 2002-05-30
| Akita Shoten
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Colorist for ''Saint Seiya: Next Dimension - The Myth of Hades''
| 2006-04-27
| Akita Shoten
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Illustrations for ''Les Chroniques de Sillage'' Vol. 5
| 2008-04-25
| Delcourt
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Colorist for ''Baki the Grappler''
| 2007-12-07
| Akita Shoten
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Colorist for ''Grappler Baki: Scarface''
| 2009-05-08
| Akita Shoten
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Colorist for ''The Strongest Introduction to Philosophy in History''
| 2010-04-14
| Magazine•Magazine
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| ''Eguzamurai'' CG Lithograph
| 2010
| Shueisha
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Colorist for ''Garouden'' Vol. 25
| 2010-12-22
| Kodansha
|- style="background:#FFFFFF"
| Co-author and illustrator for ''Contes cruels du Japon''
| 2011-08-24
| Delcourt
|}
{{-}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200302094830/http://chirarism.oops.jp/ Chirarism], Saito's personal website (archived)
* [https://twitter.com/_NaokiSaito Twitter account]
* [https://www.youtube.com/@saitonaoki2 YouTube channel]
* {{wp|Naoki Saito|Article on Wikipedia}}
* {{jwp|さいとうなおき|Article on Japanese Wikipedia}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{-}}
{{DoubleProjectTag|Games|TCG}}

[[Category:Game staff|Saito, Naoki]]
[[Category:TCG illustrators|Saito, Naoki]]

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