Top 5 Pokémon Card Artworks You Should Know About In Ninja Spinner
Ninja Spinner, the latest set in the Mega Evolution block, has dropped, giving Pokémon card collectors a roster of Pokémon tied to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, as well as a headliner in Mega Greninja ex.
Though by delving beyond the shadows and shurikens, you’ll find a main set of 83 cards plus a plethora of full arts that bring plenty of stories to life – from artists with history to connecting card artworks.
Here are five Ninja Spinner card artworks that deserve a closer look:
1. Donphan – Common (45/83)
Perhaps an unassuming first pick, but this Donphan design is brought to life in trademark style by Julie Hang, an illustrator based in the United States.
Hang’s first foray into the world of Pokémon card design came when she was recognised as the runner up in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022 for her illustration of Bulbasaur, which she showed hanging by its vines.
Since then, that cartoon-like 2D style has been carried across eight more cards, with Donphan being the newest. And that continuity gives it the feel of a mini collection that was born out of impressive beginnings.
2. Delibird – Common (18/83)
As a sucker for 2D interpretations, Delibird was always going to be one to keep an eye on. And for this whimsical, gimmick-led Pokémon, Saboteri feels like the perfect artist to give it some love.
Saboteri’s thick felt outline to Delibird frames the ice-type against a backdrop of rooftops, as it hops downward with its tail in hand. It all feels very whimsical, which all feels very Saboteri.
Saboteri’s style has carried through since she entered the Pokémon Trading Card Game Illustration Contest 2022, where her artwork of Scizor was a semi finalist. Since then, it’s been possible to find it across cards for Pokémon that match that same character.
You’ll no doubt know them. Think the Terapagos ex SAR in Stellar Miracle. Consider the Phanpy AR in Super Electric Breaker. Take a look at the Team Rocket’s Wobuffet AR in Glory of Team Rocket. And look no further than the Squirtle AR from the 2023 Special Deck Set.
More recently, the artist has even been involved in the design of the First Partner promo cards, which feature the Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola starter Pokémon.
3. Metang – AR (92/83)
The Metang AR needs mention for more than one reason. Chief among them, for collectors of cards with that construction site vibe, is that you have another option to add to your roster. Timburr, Gurdurr, Conkeldurr, Steelix, Excadrill, Bisharp, Metagross and more can now be joined by this new Metang.
Then there’s the artwork from Kurata So, which shows two Metang bearing the burden of two steel beams. Like many other depictions from the artist, dappled shadows and the choice to play with lighting really bring things to life.
We’ve seen this approach before with Ferrothorn in Raging Surf, Dunsparce in VStar Universe, and my personal favourite, Heracross from the recent Clay Burst release. All of these come together as a nice neat collection from So.
4. Xerneas – AR (89/83)
The legendary fairy type Pokémon from Kalos has been given a unique AR with colour, contrast and artistic verve, as Xerneas bucks its hind legs while standing magisterially. Its horns glow as it holds its striking pose.
Beneath it, pastel vines in mint, lavender, coral, and powder blue uncoil and twist around its long legs, sprouting delicate flowers and leaf‑like shapes that overlap in dense, swirling patterns so the lower half of the artwork feels truly enchanted.
Upon looking deeper, you’ll realise this card’s mix of dark and light is the work of YASHIRO Nanaco, the TCG artist who has been making a name for herself with some high-profile productions.
Chief among them, the illustrious ‘Moonbreon’ card from Prismatic Evolutions, which pulls through those parallels of dark and light. Though her roster is small, she has also created the Banette AR from the Start Deck 100 Battle Collection and a Yamask AR from White Flare.
It’s a solid start to life within the Pokémon TCG; fanfare and following is likely to grow following a solid first six designs.
5. Mega Greninja ex – SAR (114/83)
The Mega Greninja ex SAR is obviously the chase for many collectors ripping the Ninja Spinner set, but it makes this list for a few different reasons.
Like many other mega evolution lines in this era, like Mega Venusaur ex line in Mega Brave, the final stage evolution is tied together with its pre-evolutions through connecting artwork.
In its AR, Froakie is seen submerged below the surface of a body of water. With Frogadier’s AR, the middle-stage evolution has burst from the surface, cascading froths of water in each direction. And with the Mega Greninja ex SAR, the torrents overlap across the cards, and the shuriken spins out of frame.
So while this is Mega Greninja ex making the list, it’s really an ode to Susumu Maeya’s work across all three prints. And make no mistake, this isn’t a one off; her first cards were the connecting AR pair of Deerling and Sawsbuck during the Scarlet & Violet era.
What else to watch out for
Well, if you ask me, it’s pretty unique to see Deoxys in its four various forms making its way into uncommon slots. It feels like this may be the preamble for the mythical Pokémon landing the latter throes of this era.
And keep an eye out for the backdrop to so many of this set's beautiful cards; Lumiose City and the Prism Tower feature heavily, which is super timely to see.
Explore our Ninja Spinner Booster Box Collection and see what’s in stock today!
Written By Nick Witts