
The first-edition Pokémon Trading Card Game cards might be getting a 21st century reprint, but maybe you should save some of your cash for one with a gorgeous, hand-painted background instead.
The life of a college student is filled with long, sleepless nights, caffeine and extremely cheap meals that—unless you’re fortunate enough to be studying at this Japanese university—border on inedible. But it’s also a time of discovering yourself, finding passion in the simplest things around you and expressing those things in new and original ways.
For artist Lunumbra, whose interests of art and Pokémon have intersected in a big way, it meant painting beautiful backgrounds on her favorite Pokémon cards.
Lunumbra doesn’t alter the images of the Pokémon themselves, just the backgrounds they inhabit. The result is mesmerizing, original and deeply captivating.
Not only does she do individual backgrounds for the Pokémon cards, but she has also joined two cards together with a background that flows through both of them.
Lunumbra’s cards cost US$15 each, and while she takes commissions on her Facebook page, be sure to double-check to see if she is available before placing an order. Currently she’s not taking new orders but it seems like she might start again at the end of January, which leaves plenty of time to decide on the perfect Pokémon for you!
Source & Top GIF: Facebook/Lunumbra’s Awesome Painted Cards

Artist gives new life to old Pokémon cards with gorgeously painted alters 【Pics】
Catch Pokémon in the real world by checking out their real-life counterparts!
Japanese collector shows off 31 Pokémon cards in collection worth a total of… how much?!【Video】
Marvel’s A-list is donning some ancient Chinese attire to look their very best【Fan art】
Hardcore Pokémon fans in Japan are spending a TON of money on Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Studio Ghibli releases new Totoro coin purses…but who’s the blue character?
Tokyo’s Giga Mart lets visitors “steal” from a convenience store… if cameras don’t catch you
Japan’s new Calpis pudding: The right call for summer, or tampering with purin perfection?
Can instant TKG from Don Quijote really recreate Japan’s beloved raw-egg-on-rice dish?
Hiker needs to be rescued from Mt. Fuji two times in two days, but system is working as intended
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Starbucks Japan adds shaved ice desserts to the menu at select locations
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Three new starter Pokémon Jets to fly in Japan, first begins carrying passengers this month
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Solid gold Hedorah kaiju from the Godzilla series is now available to pre-order
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Stores in Japan ask customers to prove they’re real Pokémon fans when buying cards to stop scalpers
These fan-drawn fused Pokémon are so cool we wish they were really in the game
Uniqlo releasing first-ever Pokémon T-shirts inspired by Trading Card Game artwork【Photos】
Humongous Charizard card, created with help from Pokémon fans, appears in Yokohama
Godzilla appears in northern Japan as awesome rice paddy art 【Photos】
Pokémon Company to require Japanese government ID cards for some online Pokémon card purchases
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
Mister Donut caters to Piplup fans with kid-safe plates and promo card sets
Uniqlo includes a cool Easter egg for Pokémon card game players bundled with its new T-shirts
Daiso creates its own collectible trading card game, and yes, the packs are just 100 yen【Video】
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Pokémon Center superstores won’t sell new Pokémon cards in-store, but will it stop scalpers?
Man climbs down side of building in Tokyo to steal…a bunch of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards
The massive Pokémon card public art display going on in Japan right now is a thing of beauty【Pics】
British artist gives us awesome 3-D art of life-like Pokémon! 【Pics & Video】