- Born
- 1986Kyoto
- Debut
- 2022Star Birth (Japan)
- Best known
- GiratinaV Alt Art, Lost Origin
- Gallery
- KyotoKUNST ARZT
Shinji Kanda is a Pokémon card illustrator born in Kyoto in 1986. He debuted in 2022 in the Japanese set Star Birth, the basis of the English Brilliant Stars. His work is mostly digital, with craft experiments such as coloured pencil on shrink-plastic. His best-known cards are the Giratina V Alt Art (Lost Origin) and the Magikarp Illustration Rare (Paldea Evolved).
Last updated . Prices include buyer's premium unless noted.
Who Shinji Kanda is
Shinji Kanda was born in Kyoto in 1986 and trained at Kyoto University of the Arts.[3][1] He made his Pokémon card debut in 2022 with Magmar and Sawk in the Japanese set Star Birth, which became the English Brilliant Stars.[3]
He shows outside the card game too. He holds regular solo exhibitions at the KUNST ARZT gallery in Kyoto; the latest, "Kemono-michi", ran from 20 to 29 March 2026. He also signed for fans at the 2025 European International Championships.[3]
Craft, not just pixels
Kanda's work is mostly digital, but his best-known cards come from craft experiments:[3]
- His debut Magmar was drawn in coloured pencil on shrink-plastic, then heated.
- His Magneton promo is a scan of a crumpled sheet of aluminium foil.
That link to fine art is why collectors pay what's sometimes called a "Shinji tax": a premium for his name on the card.[1]
His most sought-after cards
| Card | English print | Japanese print | Why it's wanted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giratina V Alt Art | Lost Origin 186/196 | Lost Abyss (S11) 111/100 | His best-known card [1][3] |
| Magikarp Illustration Rare | Paldea Evolved 203/193 | Triplet Beat (SV1a) 080/073 | A fan favourite [1] |
| Magmar | Brilliant Stars | Star Birth (S9) | His debut. Coloured pencil on shrink-plastic, then heated [3] |
| Magneton | Scarlet & Violet promo | — | A scan of crumpled aluminium foil [3] |
| Seismitoad Illustration Rare | Black Bolt | — | [4] |
| Roaring Moon ex Special Illustration Rare | — | Terastal Festival ex (SV8a) | [1] |
Japanese prints have different set names and numbers. Use this table to match them when buying in Japan.
What his cards are worth
| Card | Grade | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giratina V Alt Art | PSA 10 | $1,100–1,600 | Sports Card Investor, 2025 [5] |
| Giratina V Alt Art | PSA 10 | $2,250–3,500 | Bill's Archive, Feb 2026 [1] |
| Magikarp Illustration Rare | PSA 10 | ~$1,850 | PriceCharting [6] |
| Seismitoad Illustration Rare | Raw | $230–250 | Wargamer, Aug 2025 [4] |
Market estimates, not single sales. Sources differ widely, so check recent sales before you buy.
What to search for in Japan
Finding his Japanese prints
Many collectors want Kanda's cards in their original Japanese printings, which carry different set names and numbers from the English ones. Tell us which card and print you want, and we'll match the Japanese version for you.
