Pokémon: The Rise of Pop Culture Phenomenon
Introduction
Pikachu and its fellow friends from the long running Pokémon franchise have spawned a full-blown cultural phenomenon. In the years since its initial launch in 1996, the Pokémon franchise has taken the world by storm and continues to do so. It now includes multiple animated shows, video games, and even feature-length movies. With each and every new edition, the phenomenon keeps growing and growing. The success of the series could be attributed to its simple, yet effective formula of capturing creatures, training them, and then facing off against other Trainers in battle.
Video Games
The Pokémon video games continue to be one of the most popular parts of the franchise. The Pokémon series currently consists of eight generations, with the newest, Generation 8, released in 2019. Starting from the original Pokémon Red and Blue, the main series games each contain a region and its respective Pokédex filled with over 800 Pokémon available for capture, and now also includes the new Digimon species. The main series games also have several battle modes, from regular one-on-one battles to four-player tournaments and even online play.
Animated Shows & Movies
The animated televisions series and feature films remain one of the most important parts of the global franchise. Starting with the original series, Pokémon, which premiered in 1997, the shows have endured and continued to keep fans hooked through all generations. The movies that accompany each new generation have remained successful and are often seen in the box office. The most recent film, Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! premiered in 2017, and was a retelling of the very first season of the show.
Trading Cards
Another major component of the Pokémon franchise is its trading card game. The game was first released in Japan in 1996, and since then hundreds of expansions with new Pokémon and different types have been released. The cards continue to be popular today and can be seen in toy shops and through various online retailers.
Popularity
The magnitude of Pokémon's impact on the world can easily be seen in its reach and presence across the globe. With everyone from adults to young children playing the various games in the franchise, its popularity is undeniable. World Championships are held each year for both the Trading Card Game and the Video Game series, with thousands of players competing for the title of World Champion. Video games in the franchise are still very popular, and with each successive generation, the series' reach continues to expand.
Conclusion
Pokémon is without a doubt one of the greatest pop culture phenomena in recent years. Its influence can be seen in every facet of society, from the various games available to its presence in advertising and marketing. It has been more than two decades since its initial launch, and the franchise is still as popular as ever. Pokémon shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon and will surely continue its presence as one of the biggest pop culture phenomenons of all time.