Shinji Higuchi + Noriko Takaya

About

Shinji Higuchi is a notable illustrator for the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), having illustrated nine LEGEND-style cards in the HeartGold & SoulSilver series and beyond, including *Ho-Oh LEGEND*, *Lugia LEGEND*, *Entei & Raikou LEGEND*, *Palkia & Dialga LEGEND*, and *Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND*. He also has art direction credits on two Undaunted-expansion cards, *Scizor* and *Scyther*. In total, he has illustrated 21 cards, including reprints. Outside of Pokémon, Higuchi is a renowned Japanese filmmaker, special effects director, storyboard artist, and a founding member of Gainax, known for works like *Neon Genesis Evangelion*, *Shin Godzilla*, and *Attack on Titan*. Noriko Takaya is also a Pokémon TCG illustrator, but her contributions are limited to two LEGEND cards, *Raikou & Suicune LEGEND* and *Darkrai & Cresselia LEGEND*, which she illustrated in collaboration with her husband, Shinji Higuchi. She has a background in anime production, creating background art and harmony effects, and is recognized as the namesake of the heroine in *Gunbuster*.