Fans are likely aware that the Pokémon Trading Card Game has produced over 64.8 billion cards since its debut in March 2024. Ahead of the upcoming expansion of the game—Scarlet & Violet Prismatic Evolutions, set for release on January 17, 2025—Natsuko Shoji has partnered with the Pokémon team to design an exclusive Eevee card in its Stellar Tera Pokémon ex form. But who is Natsuko Shoji? Let’s find out.

Who is Natsuko Shoji?

Natsuko Shoji is an internationally renowned Japanese chef and the owner of the restaurant été. She is known for her collaborations with artists and brands like Takashi Murakami, Girls Don’t Cry, and Tomo Koizumi. In 2022, she became the first Japanese woman to win the “Best Female Chef” award at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, establishing herself as a pioneer in the culinary world. Shoji is celebrated for her creative approach and her ability to merge art and cuisine, shaping the future of gastronomy.

Shoji’s collaboration with Pokémon marks a historic moment, as highlighted in an interview with Hypebeast. The article explores how this partnership came to life and why Eevee was chosen over other Pokémon.

Initially, Shoji considered Pikachu for its color similarity to her signature mango tart, Fleur de été. However, she changed her mind when the development team proposed a special card: the Stellar Tera Eevee ex.

For Shoji, who is no stranger to creative partnerships, mutual understanding is key in such collaborations. «Every project must unite her passion and respect for her collaborators, avoiding superficial efforts. With the Pokémon team, Shoji learned a great deal about the Pokémon universe to meet their expectations,» she explained to Hypebeast.

One of the standout aspects of this collaboration is the connection Shoji draws between Japanese ingredients and the world of jewelry—evoking the rarity of Pokémon cards. «I see Japanese ingredients as genuine gems. When I transform them into my creations, I have profound respect for Japan’s natural resources and its producers. This collaboration [with Pokémon] has further emphasized that brilliance for me».

In conclusion, this is a partnership not only out of the ordinary but also capable of opening the door to a year filled with truly unique collaborations. We can’t wait to see what the coming months have in store.