The Funniest Pokémon Cards
Imakuni? (Japanese CoroCoro Promo) The Imakuni? card is probably one of the most well-known and funniest cards in the Pokémon TCG. The Trainer card features a real-life image of Tomoaki Imakuni wearing a black costume with ears. And who exactly is Imakuni, you ask? Imakuni is a card illustrator who’s considered somewhat of a Pokémon mascot in Japan. He has plenty of other iconic cards that feature his silly sense of humor. The card’s move is funny in itself, as it confuses all of your active Pokémon. The Imakuni? card was initially only in Japanese. However, it became so popular internationally that the image was updated and released in the English Generations expansion pack in 2016.
Hama-Chan’s Slowking (Japanese CoroCoro Promo) If you pulled this card out of a pack, you might think it’s fake at first glance! Hama-Chan’s Slowking features a very silly and child-like drawing of Slowking, complete with a crown that looks a little bit more like a hard hat. The card was drawn by Masatoshi Hamada, who voiced Slowking in Pokémon the Movie 2000. The card has 2 attacks, which require you to either mumble “I’m in trouble” or “Umm, should I?” 3 times to use them.
Grimer (Aquapolis) Grimer always has a funny expression on its face, but this Grimer from the Aquapolis expansion takes the cake. It looks like Grimer was just strolling down the alley and minding its business when it saw something that left it shocked and speechless. It’s wide eyes and even wider mouth have got to be the funniest part, though the odd, video game-like graphics certainly add to this card’s goofiness.
Imakuni?’s Doduo (XY—Evolutions) It’s no surprise that Imakuni would make the list again, as he’s famous for his silly-looking cards. Imakuni?’s Doduo features a panicked and sweating Doduo running away from Imakuni, who’s chasing after it with a net. The hand-drawn style just makes this card even funnier. Again, Imakuni’s sense of humor applies to the card’s moves, too. To use the moves, you either have to throw the card or sing a song!
Diglett (EX Crystal Gardens) This card may be funny to us, but not poor Diglett. The silly little guy looks like it popped out of the ground, only to find that a huge wave is coming its way. It’s Diglett’s panicked eyes and frozen expression that really make this card hilarious.
Charmander (Scarlet & Violet Promo) This promo card is not only beautiful, but absolutely hilarious. Charmander’s intensely focused (and possibly jealous) expression as it sticks its face to the window to stare down the Pidgeys outside is all too familiar. Charmander is just waiting for its trainer to let it outside so it can chase after the birds.
Trade Please! Trainer Card (Japanese Promo) We’ll let you take a wild guess at who illustrated this card. As you might’ve gathered by now, only Imakuni could have drawn a wacky card like this! This Trainer card features 2 hastily drawn people holding a Poliwhirl and Weepinbell in their hands. We’re not sure what’s funnier: Weepinbell’s shocked expression or the conspiratorial smiles on the trainer’s faces.
Eevee GX (Sun & Moon Promo) This illustration of Eevee has to be one of the goofiest yet. The Pokémon is adorably chonky and quite pleased with itself as it yawns under a tree. The art style itself is pretty silly, as Eevee is traditionally drawn in a “cuter” way.
Pineco (Paldea Evolved) The implication of this card is what makes it so funny. Pineco is staring expectantly at a pinecone on a tree trunk, either wondering why it hasn’t grown eyes and started to move or slowly realizing that it looks exactly like a pinecone. It has the same expression that a dog or cat gets when they see a stuffed animal.
Psyduck (151) The Psyduck from the 151 expansion pack is extremely relatable. In classic Psyduck fashion, it’s holding its head in its hands and clearly looking distressed. The poor thing is also running down the stairs as if it just remembered it had somewhere to be, which is only made more funny by the dramatic lighting.
Sudowoodo (Paldea Evolved) If it took you a second to find the Sudowoodo on this card, we won’t tell. This Sudowoodo is doing its best tree impression, and it's doing it pretty well! It looks like it’s playing hide-and-seek and just waiting to hear that no one can find it.
Bonsly (Diamond & Pearl) We feel like maybe we shouldn’t be seeing this card. The little Bonsly clearly tripped and fell over, causing it to cry, but that also left its bottom exposed. While this is most likely Bonsly’s drainage hole (as it is the bonsai Pokémon), we’re not sure anyone wanted to see this much of the Pokémon!
Iron Hands ex (Paradox Rift) Iron Hands looks like a pretty intimidating Pokémon, but this card makes it clear that it likes to goof off. It certainly looks like the Paradox Pokémon is having a blast smashing through the walls of the ruins it's in. We can just imagine it yelling, “Oh, yeah!” (à la the Kool-Aid man).
Ditto (Pokémon GO) Ditto is a pretty goofy-looking Pokémon on its own. In this card, Ditto’s dopey little smile gives it away while it's trying to impersonate a Numel grazing in a field. It’s staring straight into the camera as if it's been caught and pleading with you to not to blow its cover.
Simisear VSTAR (Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery) Everything about this card is just plain silly, from the cutesy art style to the dancing Simisears in the background. Who knew Simisear liked to boogie so much?
Magnemite (EX Dragon) The Magnemite from the EX Dragon expansion pack kind of looks like it’s saying, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”, while the other Magnemites in the background just watch. The art style is pretty silly in and of itself, as the central Magnemite looks a little blob-ish.
Gulpin (Generations) This is another silly and relatable card, as Gulpin is acting pretty human-like in it! Gulpin and its trainer are clearly waiting for food and getting a little goofy by balancing their forks on their lips. It’s a pretty cute scene, even if Gulpin does look ridiculous!
Gengar (151) For a spooky Ghost-type Pokémon, Gengar looks pretty silly on its card in the 151 expansion pack. First of all, Gengar’s eyes are pointed in completely different directions, while it looks like it's about to get down at the disco. Secondly, the colored pencil drawing style is very whimsical, which clashes with Gengar’s supposedly sinister vibe.
Dark Slowking (Neo Destiny) The Dark Slowking from the Neo Destiny expansion looks like an evil mastermind, complete with a smirk and a plotting chin scratch. Unfortunately, the harsh contrast used in the card makes Slowking look pretty goofy. Plus, it’s drawn in a child-like style, which makes it hard to take Slowking seriously.
Gengar (Expedition) This Gengar looks like it just told you a bad joke and is waiting for you to laugh. It’s kind of just…standing there with a goofy little grin on its face. This version of Gengar also has a pretty prominent belly, which adds to its silliness.
Gyarados (Japanese Base Set—Pokémon Snap Best Photo Contest) This very unique (and rare) card of Gyarados was the winner of the Pokémon Snap Best Photo Contest, which was only held in Japan. The card features a very close-up shot of Gyarados’ face with a red brick in its mouth (we’re not too sure what that is, actually). Honestly, it’s hard to make Gyarados out at all on the card, which makes it pretty funny! The picture of Gyarados comes from the game Pokémon Snap.
Zapdos (Pokémon Rumble) Zapdos is a powerful legendary Pokémon in the Pokémon universe, but on this card, it looks more like Tweety Bird. While perhaps an interesting artistic choice, it matches the style used in the Pokémon Rumble game, which is where the illustration comes from. We still think Zapdos was done a bit dirty, though.
Typhlosion (Expedition Base Set) The Typhlosion card from the Expedition Base Set pack is pretty well known for looking goofy. The Pokémon’s meant to be in an intimidating pose, but the perspective just makes it look like Typhlosion has a teeny tiny head.
Vaporeon (Japanese SV-P Promo) The Vaporeon SV-P promo card features a simple line drawing of the Pokémon with an emoticon-like face. The design is very unconventional for a Pokémon card, which would make it pretty funny to see if you pulled it out of your pack! The illustrator, Yu Nagaba, made similar cards for Eevee and the other Eeveelutions, which are equally funny.
Psyduck (Japanese SM-P Promo) It’s no surprise that Psyduck is mentioned twice in this list, as the Pokémon is just naturally funny looking. In this promo card for Sun and Moon, Psyduck mimics The Scream by Edvard Munch, which fits Psyduck perfectly. The Haunter and Gengar lurking in the background complete the silly, spooky vibe. This card was made for the Munch exhibit at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art—there are 4 other cards showing Eevee, Pikachu, Mimikyu, and Rowlet imitating The Scream.
How to Get Funny Pokémon Cards
Buy or trade cards online or in person. If you’re looking for a specific card, search for it on websites like TCGPlayer.com or eBay. Online groups, like r/PokemonTCG and Pokémon TCG Sell and Trade, offer buying and trading, too. Or, buy or trade in person by going to your local gaming stores or visiting Pokémon conventions. If you’re not after a specific card, simply buy expansion packs to see what funny cards you find. Pokémon TCG is full of goofy illustrations. Always use caution when buying or trading cards and check that the cards you’re looking at are real.
How to Make Your Own Funny Pokémon Cards
Use an online card maker or draw your card from scratch. Plenty of people have made Pokémon spoof cards, so if you’re looking for a super funny card, consider making your own. Use a website like pokecardmaker.net or get out some paper, pens, and coloring materials (colored pencils, markers, paint, etc.). Then, use your imagination to come up with the funniest card you can think of! For instance, you might draw a poorly rendered version of your favorite Pokémon or put your favorite Pokémon in a funny situation (like Machoke checking out its muscles in a mirror). Of course, you can create your own Pokémon, too. Your card doesn’t have to involve Pokémon at all. Make a card of your favorite character in a different franchise or even your favorite meme. Or, make cards of your friends. Don’t forget to add attacks that have goofy rules, like having to sing or dance.
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