Detective Pikachu artist makes incredible Monster Hunter parody Pokemon Cards

(Image credit: RJ Palmer)

Former Ubisoft and Detective Pikachu artist RJ Palmer made some stunning parody Pokemon cards based on Monster Hunter creatures, and you've got to see them.

These "Pokemonster" cards were actually released last year, but I'd never seen or heard of them until now. And when I did see them earlier today (thanks to Monster Hunter streamer Canta Per Me), I knew I had to share them. Apart from several Detective Pikachu critter designs, you probably know Palmer as the artist behind those realistic Pokemon drawings that took over the internet a while back – and continue to pop up to this day – but his approach to the Monster Hunter universe is also fantastic.

There are 12 cards in total, and all but one of the monsters featured appeared in Monster Hunter World or its recent Iceborne expansion. The odd one out is Lagiacrus, which was initially teased for World, but was cut due to engine complications. At least he got an appearance in this card set. 

(Image credit: RJ Palmer)

In addition to a nice action shot of a Pokemon-ified monster, each card comes complete with detailed attacks and stats based on that monster's abilities but adapted to the rules of the Pokemon card game. The flavor here is outstanding. Kirin's Random Spark attack echoes its unpredictable lightning, Rathian's poisonous talons and tail are the basis for her moves, and Elder Dragon predator Nergigante gains a bonus against Dragon-type creatures. There's not a single dull card here, and between the flavorful abilities and delightful art, I can't choose a favorite.  

(Image credit: RJ Palmer)

The best part of these cards may be the cute descriptions at the bottom of each one. The description for Rathalos, for example, reads: "Rathalos is known as the Sky King Pokemon. Despite its ferocious appearance it is a kind father. It's also known as the #1 boy, and can stomp that fool Charizard." 

I also love the snippet about Great Jagras, the punching bag of Monster Hunter World: "Great Jagras possesses an enormous gular pouch to carry food back to its pack of Jagras. Not this one though, this one is just fat." 

You can find more details – and purchase the entire physical card set for $20 – over on Palmer's store

If you're after some official video game art, check out the best video game art books available.

Austin Wood
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Latest in Games
Jordan A. Mun looks at herself in a mirror in just a vest in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet screenshot
5 years after starting development, Neil Druckmann says Naughty Dog's new game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "still evolving and changing as we're making it"
Silent Hill f
After 2 years of silence, the next mainline Silent Hill game is getting a dedicated stream this week with "the latest news"
FC 25
FC 25 FUT Birthday guide and full cards list
Original Xbox console
Former Microsoft exec says the first Xbox was killed early in favor of 360 because it was "losing money left right and center," but luckily "we could afford to hemorrhage cash"
A Monster Hunter Wilds character holding binoculars.
Despite Monster Hunter Wilds suffering monstrous performance problems on PC, it still outsold the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions in the US
Jordan A. Mun looks at herself in a mirror in just a vest in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet screenshot
The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann says Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will also be about "being lonely," as if his zombie apocalypse wasn’t isolating enough: "I really want you to be lost"
Latest in News
Jordan A. Mun looks at herself in a mirror in just a vest in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet screenshot
5 years after starting development, Neil Druckmann says Naughty Dog's new game Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "still evolving and changing as we're making it"
Silent Hill f
After 2 years of silence, the next mainline Silent Hill game is getting a dedicated stream this week with "the latest news"
Original Xbox console
Former Microsoft exec says the first Xbox was killed early in favor of 360 because it was "losing money left right and center," but luckily "we could afford to hemorrhage cash"
A Monster Hunter Wilds character holding binoculars.
Despite Monster Hunter Wilds suffering monstrous performance problems on PC, it still outsold the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions in the US
Jordan A. Mun looks at herself in a mirror in just a vest in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet screenshot
The Last of Us creator Neil Druckmann says Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will also be about "being lonely," as if his zombie apocalypse wasn’t isolating enough: "I really want you to be lost"
A screenshot of Jordan drinking a soda during the reveal trailer for Intergalactic: The Hertic Prophet.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "a game about faith and religion," which Neil Druckmann jokes will surely get less hate than The Last of Us 2