First Western Pokémon designer James Turner returns as creative director at The Pokémon Company International

James Turner, the first Western artist to officially design a Pokémon, has rejoined the franchise as Creative Director of Pokémon Art and Design at The Pokémon Company International, the brand's licensing and merchandising arm outside Asia. Turner announced the role on X on 24 August 2026. He left Game Freak in 2022, co-founding All Possible Futures, whose storybook adventure The Plucky Squire shipped in 2024. His creature designs include Vanillite, Golett, Vullaby and Phantump.