Ken Sugimori facts for kids

Ken Sugimori (born January 27, 1966) is a famous Japanese video game designer, artist, and director. He is best known as the main character designer and art director for the super popular Pokémon games and shows. Sugimori also helped create the art for other games like Pulseman. He drew and finished the designs for all of the first 151 Pokémon characters. He has also worked on many Pokémon movies, trading cards, and other games like the Super Smash Bros. series.

Ken Sugimori's Journey in Gaming

Ken Sugimori started his career in the early 1980s. From 1981 to 1986, he drew pictures for a gaming magazine called Game Freak. This magazine was started by Satoshi Tajiri, who later created Pokémon. Sugimori found the magazine in a special shop and decided to join in.

Eventually, Sugimori and Tajiri decided to make their own video games. They turned Game Freak into a game development company. Their first game was called Mendel Palace.

Creating the World of Pokémon

Sugimori is most famous for his work on the Pokémon series. He is the main character designer and art director. He designed most of the first 151 Pokémon characters. He worked with other talented artists like Atsuko Nishida and Motofumi Fujiwara. He also helped with the Pokémon movies, trading cards, and other games.

For the Pokémon Black and White games, Sugimori led a team of 17 people. They designed many new characters for these games. Sugimori always drew the final designs himself. He often found ideas by watching animals in aquariums and zoos.

How Pokémon Characters Are Designed

When Sugimori starts designing a new character, he usually makes a rough sketch first. Then, he traces it onto special paper, making it look more professional. After that, he draws the character many times. He changes its shape and size until he is happy with it.

Sugimori once said that he always wants to show players new Pokémon they have never seen before. He tries to think of ways to surprise the players with his designs.

Sugimori's Creative Works

Ken Sugimori has worked on many different projects. His art and designs have appeared in video games, card games, anime, and even manga.

Video Games He Worked On

Sugimori has played a big role in many video games. Here are some of the games he helped create:

Card Games

Sugimori is the main artist for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. He draws many of the amazing pictures you see on the cards.

Anime Shows and Movies

He has also helped with the Pokémon anime series and movies. He worked on the original character designs for:

• Pokémon (anime TV show)
• Pokémon: The First Movie
• Pokémon: The Movie 2000
• Pokémon 3: The Movie
• Pokémon 4Ever
• Pokémon Heroes

Manga Comics

Sugimori has written and drawn original manga comics too. One of his manga stories was given out with pre-orders for the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness games.

See also

In Spanish: Ken Sugimori para niños