User:Lewtwo/Hitoshi Ariga: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:35, 21 February 2024

Ariga in 2020^[1]

Ariga's VTuber character in 2023

Hitoshi Ariga (Japanese: 有賀ヒトシ Ariga Hitoshi; born August 23, 1972) is a professional artist who primarily illustrates manga and picture books, and has assumed the position of graphic designer for several Japanese titles in the game industry. He first began providing illustrations for the Pokémon Trading Card Game in 2011, though has been a fan of the franchise for many years. His main passion, however, lies with the {Mega Man franchise, known as Rockman in Japan, where he has illustrated numerous manga and artwork for affiliated products since the mid-90s. He likes to engage the community when he has the opportunity, appearing at exhibitions, and maintaining an online presence across several sites.

Ken Sugimori recognized Ariga's design work and invited him to work on Pokémon X and Y.^[2] When designing Amaura and Aurorus, Ariga considered that a theropod would pair well with Tyrunt and Tyrantrum, suggesting that the latter may have been considered first. Previous Pokémon such as Lapras, Meganium, and Deino already existed with a similar body shape, so Ariga chose to base the new family off the Amargasaurus, with the large fins on its neck.^[3] In creating the artwork for the villainous organization 3DS themes, Ariga pointed out the special attention given to how it looped seamlessly as the user navigated the 3DS menu.^[4] In the same thread, he also revealed that there were plans to create a 3DS theme for Team Flare, but they fell through as a result of the series moving from the 3DS to the Switch.^[5] Ariga's first spot as the lead character designer on the series was with Pokémon UNITE, though his affinity for paleontology led him to create a new design for Pikachu for the real-life Pokémon Fossil Museum, where he was reached out to by the organizers of the museum themselves.

Although he began officially working on the series in 2011 with the TCG, his Pokémon fan art on DeviantArt dates back to 2010. From as early as 2011, Ariga would upload online battles against other players to his YouTube channel, which was something that he continued with well after the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield.^[6] Though they were uploaded to what was originally his main YouTube channel, Ariga has recently shifted focus to regularly live streaming art with his VTuber avatar.^[7]

Designs

Pokémon

The following is a list of Pokémon designed by Ariga.

Generation VI

Pangoro^[2]

Honedge^[2]

Doublade^[2]

Aegislash^[2]

Inkay^[2]

Malamar^[2]

Tyrunt^[2]

Tyrantrum^[2]

Amaura^[2]

Aurorus^[2]

Mega Beedrill^[8]

Generation VII

Alolan Geodude^[9]

Alolan Graveler^[9]

Alolan Golem^[9]

Alolan Grimer^[9]

Alolan Muk^[9]

Grubbin^[9]

Charjabug^[9]

Vikavolt^[9]

Minior^[9]
(all forms)

Drampa^[9]

Necrozma
(Draft)^[10]

Ultra Necrozma
(Helper)^[11]

Generation VIII

Rookidee^[12]

Corvisquire^[12]

Corviknight^[12]^[13]

Dracozolt^[14]

Arctozolt^[14]

Dracovish^[14]

Arctovish^[14]

Hisuian Sneasel ^[15]
(and Shiny)

Sneasler^[15]
(and Shiny)

Generation IX

Nacli^[16]
(and Shiny)^[17]

Naclstack^[16]
(and Shiny)^[17]

Garganacl^[16]
(and Shiny)^[17]

Espathra^[16]
(and Shiny)^[17]

Flutter Mane^[18]

Ogerpon^[19]

Ogerpon
(Wellspring
Mask)^[19]

Ogerpon
(Hearthflame
Mask)^[19]

Ogerpon
(Cornerstone
Mask)^[19]

Other

Fossil Museum
Pikachu ^[20]

Characters

The following are a list of characters designed by Ariga.

Other

UNITE
Erbie^[21]

UNITE
Professor Phorus^[21]

UNITE
Zirco^[21]

UNITE
Aeos Island Shopkeeper^[21]

Artwork

This is a collection of official Pokémon artwork drawn by Ariga.

There are 139 cards illustrated by Ariga. For a list of cards he has illustrated, see here.

Core series games

This is a collection of core series Pokémon games that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

OR AS
Tabitha^[22]

OR AS
Courtney^[22]

OR AS
Team Magma Grunts^[22]

OR AS
Matt^[22]

OR AS
Shelly^[22]

OR AS
Team Aqua Grunts^[22]

OR AS
Sidney^[23]

OR AS
Phoebe^[23]

OR AS
Glacia^[23]

OR AS
Drake^[23]

OR AS
Wally & Mega Gallade^[24]

OR AS
Steven & Mega Metagross^[25]

OR AS
Team Magma VS Team Aqua^[26]

OR AS
Mega Rayquaza VS Deoxys^[27]

OR AS
Movie 18 promotional distribution event^[28]

OR AS
20th Anniversary Mythical event^[29]

S M
Gladion & Silvally^[30]

S M
Ultra Beasts^[31]

US UM
Ultra Burst^[32]

US UM
Legendary Pokémon Celebration event^[33]

US UM
Shiny Poipole and Shiny Naganadel event^[34]

US UM
Fula City Zeraora^[35]

US UM
Fula City Lugia^[36]

P E
Steelbook^[37]

Sw Sh
Shiny Zacian event^[38]

Sw Sh
Shiny Zamazenta event^[38]

Other games

This is a collection of other Pokémon games that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

Dream Radar
Key art^[39]

Masters EX
1-Year Anniversary^[40]

UNITE
Zirco
(Unused)

UNITE
Erbie and Professor Phorus^[41]

UNITE
Erbie
(Unused)

UNITE
Zirco
(Unused)

UNITE
Aeos Island Shopkeeper
(Unused)

Merchandise

This is a collection of official Pokémon merchandise that Ariga has contributed artwork to.

TCG
Paradox Pokémon
(Flutter Mane)^[42]

TCG
Concept Art^[43]