Team Aqua's Corphish

Team Aqua's Corphish was released as part of the Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion titled EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua, which debuted in early 2004. This set was unique in the history of the game for focusing on the antagonistic villain organizations from the Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire video games, shifting the thematic perspective away from the traditional trainer-centric releases. The card serves as a representative of the villainous Team Aqua, specifically designed to showcase the darker, more industrial aesthetic associated with the team's operations in the Hoenn region.

The card was illustrated by Ken Sugimori, whose distinctive art style defined the visual identity of the Pokémon franchise since its inception. In this piece, Sugimori sought to capture the aggressive, utilitarian nature of the Team Aqua Pokémon, positioning Corphish as a tool for the organization's goals rather than a companion. Upon its release, the set was noted by players for introducing mechanics such as dual-type Pokémon and team-specific cards, which provided a novel tactical depth that was well-received by the competitive community at the time.