News Reporting

Pokémon Creative Design Director Eric Medalle Killed in Windstorm


Eric Medalle, Creative Design Director at The Pokémon Company, was killed during a windstorm on Sunday afternoon. Medalle was in the driver’s seat of his SUV in Seattle’s Seward Park, when a tree fell on the vehicle. He was 42.

Medalle’s youngest daughter was in the back seat of the vehicle, though a passerby helped her escape with only minor injuries.

Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Corey Orvold told The Seattle Times that “[i]t’s good that the little girl was able to get out, but unfortunately it’s a sad story.”

Medalle was the only fatality reported in the storm, which saw wind gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour, and over 200,000 homes losing power. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. A YouCaring funding page was set up to collect funds for college funds for his two daughters.

Eric Medalle and his daughters. Image Credit: Gamespot
Eric Medalle and his daughters.
Image Credit: Gamespot

Medalle joined the Pokémon Company in 2003. Since entering the company, he’s worked on ten main-line games, including:

  • Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver
  • Pokémon Black & White
  • Pokémon Black 2 & White 2
  • Pokémon X & Y
  • Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

He also created the English logos for the Pokémon Black & White and Pokémon XY anime titles, as well as numerous movie logos.

Anime Herald would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Eric Medalle.

Sources: GoNintendo, Gamespot

About the author

Samantha Ferreira

Samantha Ferreira is Anime Herald’s founder and editor-in-chief. A Rhode Island native, Samantha has been an anime fan since 1992, and an active member of the anime press since 2002, when she began working as a reviewer for Anime Dream. She launched Anime Herald in 2010, and continues to oversee its operations to this day. Outside of journalism, Samantha actively studies the history of the North American anime fandom and industry, with a particular focus on the 2000s anime boom and bust. She’s a huge fan of all things Sakura Wars, and maintains series fansite Combat Revue Review when she has free time available. When not in the Anime Herald Discord, Samantha can typically be found on Bluesky.

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