The Best Trainer Gallery Cards In The Pokemon TCG, Ranked By Artwork

A creative alternate card format in the Pokemon TCG, Trainer Gallery cards feature full cover art, allowing illustrators to take advantage of the additional space. It offers the chance to show a more detailed depiction of trainers and often their Pokemon alongside them.

These Trainer Gallery cards are the best-designed cards the TCG has to offer, as they each feature a detailed scene between a trainer and their Pokemon. Many of these cards give you an insight into the everyday lives of these Pokemon trainers, portraying them and their partner Pokemon outside of battle. For example, fateful meetings between a trainer and a legendary Pokemon, resting on vacation after some tiring battles, and simply living life in the Pokemon world.

10 Going Upstream: Kingdra (Astral Radiance #TG03)

This card, illustrated by Taira Akitsu, shows Clair, a Dragon-type Gym Leader from Hoenn, using her partner Pokemon Kingdra to travel on water. In this illustration, Clair and Kingdra are traveling upstream as Kingdra moves with surprising speed up the waterfall, disturbing the water's surface in its wake.

Kingdra definitely looks majestic in this illustration as it swims upward, with the autumnal-colored trees in the background showing how high up it is. Riding on the back of a Kingdra is certainly one way to travel in style; however, it’s doubtful anyone could look as poised in real life as Clair does in this artwork.

9 Causing Chaos: Dedenne (Brilliant Stars #TG07)

Kurumitsu’s vivid art style brings this card to life, as it features Furisode Girl Kali from Pokemon X and Y and her partner Pokemon Dedenne who appears to be causing quite a mess, jumping around and tearing up the fabric.

Kurumitsu effectively captures Kali’s distressed expression as she tries to catch Dedenne, with a bead of sweat running down her face from the effort. Despite the mayhem, Dedenne is still adorable and looks to be enjoying itself as it tears the room apart, with a determined expression on its face.

8 Summer Vacation: Starmie V (Astral Radiance #TG13)

In this card by Akira Komayama, the Water-type Pokemon Gym Leader Misty is on vacation with her partner Pokemon, Starmie. Misty floats on the surface of the pool’s water on a Poke Ball-shaped inflatable while Starmie swims alongside her.

Komayama put a lot of small details into this illustration to bring the vibrant environment alive, including the beach balls and flowers on the water’s surface, as well as the platter of food and drink, giving an aura of relaxation. The bright colors in this card highlight the tropical atmosphere, with Misty taking a well-earned break after working hard as a Gym Leader.

7 By The Fire: Gengar (Lost Origin #TG06)

The Miss Fortune Sisters, comprised of Charm, Clover, and Coin, are the villainous team in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. However, this card by Akira Komayama showcases their strong relationships with their Pokemon.

This card features the Miss Fortune Sisters taking a moment of reprieve from their mischievous antics, preparing food and hanging clothes to dry, as Charm’s Gengar eagerly awaits its dinner and cozies up by the fire. This card gives a rare insight into the daily lives of your foes in the Pokemon world.

6 Best Friends: Charizard (Lost Origin #TG03)

The Champion of Galar, Leon, is famous in this region alongside his partner Pokemon, Charizard. In this card, Gidora depicts the strong relationship between this Pokemon and trainer duo, as Charizard leans on Leon with laughter on both of their faces.

The best part of this card is how Gidora can capture the happiness of this moment. It gives you an insight into Charizard and Leon’s excellent relationship outside of battle, as they joke around and share an enjoyable moment together.

5 A Legendary Encounter: Zacian V (Astral Radiance #TG21)

One of your rivals throughout Pokemon Sword and Shield and your childhood friend from Postwick, Hop goes on a journey to become the Champion, a position currently held by his older brother Leon. Like you, Hop can catch either Zacian or Zamazenta, depending on which version of the game you have.

This card, illustrated by Aoki, shows Hop approaching Zacian in the Slumbering Weald at the altar made to honor the legendary Pokemon. The composition of this illustration shows Hop’s apprehension as he extends his hand toward Zacian in an offer of friendship. Zacian itself watches Hop intently with all the grandeur that a legendary Pokemon possesses.

4 Comfy: Mimikyu VMAX (Brilliant Stars #TG17)

Mimikyu VMAX Brilliant Stars (BRS) #TG17

This Trainer Gallery card by Naoki Saito shows Acerola, a member of the Alola region’s Elite Four and a Ghost-type trainer, resting on a soft-looking Dynamax Mimikyu. This Pokemon card highlights the benefit of Dynamaxing your Pokemon outside of battle, as Dynamax Mimikyu appears to make a comfortable pillow for Acerola to lie on.

It’s great to see another side of Mimikyu in this card. Normally Mimikyu, as a part Ghost-type Pokemon, is associated with being spooky, but in this artwork, it shows off its cuddlier side.

3 Nap Time: Pikachu (Lost Origin #TG05)

This Trainer Gallery card, illustrated by Atsushi Furusawa, shows Akari, Professor Laventon’s assistant, taking a break from her Survey Corps duties to have a much-needed nap with her partner Pokemon Pikachu.

This Pokemon card shows a different part of life in Hisui, a place rife with formidable Pokemon, by showing a peaceful moment between Akari and her Pikachu. An excellent touch Furusawa included on this card is the sunlight streaming through the leaves of the trees, forming a heart-shaped patch of light above Akari and Pikachu’s heads.

2 Sneaky Spirit: Spiritomb (Lost Origin #TG09)

As part of the Eerie Apparitions in the Dark Request in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, you’re asked by Vessa to collect 107 Wisps from across Hisui. Once collected, Vessa asks you to meet her at the Shrouded Ruins, where she reveals herself as the 108th Wisp, bringing them together to regain her true form as Spiritomb.

Hitoshi Ariga captured the creepiness of Vessa and Spiritomb well, as Spiritomb lurks behind Vessa, emitting purple Wisps. Vessa’s reflection in the window is a subtle reference to her connection to Spiritomb, as her eyes glow similarly to this phantom.

1 Hero And Legend: Zekrom (Brilliant Stars #TG05)

This Pokemon card, by Akira Egawa, shows N, one of your rivals in Black and White, soaring through the skies on the back of the legendary Pokemon Zekrom, perhaps depicting the last you see of N in Pokemon Black.

This card captures N’s newfound freedom from the manipulation of his adoptive father, Ghetsis, as well as his love for Pokemon, as he looks forwards with a smile and a carefree expression. The artwork on this card is incredibly detailed, not only with N and Zekrom but also in the beautiful sunrise and dynamic lines that convey how fast Zekrom is traveling.

Next: The Most Valuable Cards In Pokemon TCG's Lost Origin Expansion