Pokemon: Genesis Conception
The Pokemon franchise began in Japan, 1996, founded by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori. Inspired by Tajiri's childhood love for bug collecting, the concept evolved into a game focusing on catching creatures called 'Pocket Monsters'.
First Games' Revolutionary Mechanic
Pokemon Red and Green (Blue in international releases) featured a groundbreaking link cable feature, allowing players to trade Pokemon between Game Boy systems, embodying the series’ core ethos of communication and community.
Anime Launch and Pikachu
The Pokemon anime debuted in 1997, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon. Pikachu, initially a secondary mascot, rose to prominence and became the franchise's face due to its anime popularity.
Global Phenomenon Status
After the North American release in 1998, 'Pokemania' swept the globe. The franchise expanded with an animated series, movies, trading card game, toys, books, and more, creating a multigenerational community.
Unexpected Inspirations
Some Pokemon designs are inspired by real-world mythology and creatures. For example, the legendary Pokemon Lugia is said to draw inspiration from Ryujin, a Japanese dragon deity associated with the sea.
Secret Shiny Pokemon
Shiny Pokemon, introduced in Gen II, have alternative colorations and are extremely rare. The odds of encountering a shiny in the wild are 1 in 8192, making them a coveted prize among trainers.
Modern Gameplay Evolution
Pokemon games have continuously evolved, incorporating features like Mega Evolution, Dynamax, various regional forms, and even open-world gameplay in the latest releases, showing the franchise's commitment to innovation.
Who co-founded Pokemon with Tajiri?
Ken Sugimori
Shigeru Miyamoto
Tsunezaku Ishihara
Company
