The History of the Pokémon Franchise
An International Phenomenon
Since the inception of the Pokémon franchise in 1996, it has become an internationally renowned phenomenon. What started as a video game created by Game Freak and published by Nintendo has evolved into an expansive multimedia series that has everywhere from comic books and trading cards to movies and a much beloved animated series. Whether you are a fan of Pokémon or not, one thing is for sure: it has been extremely successful.
The Creation of Pokémon
It all started when Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of the Pokémon franchise, conceived of his idea for a game that paired battling monsters. In 1995, Nintendo decided to join forces with Creatures, the game development studio run by Tajiri and Shigeru Miyamoto, to create the video game which would become known as Pokémon Red Version. The two versions of the game, Red and Green, were released in Japan in 1996.
Expansion and Popularity
The success of the original game spawned the creation of various spin-off video game titles set within the same universe and developed with the same basic concept. This led to the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver Version in 1999, which is often considered to be the best titles in the series. Even more popular spin-offs, such as Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions (2002) and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Version (2006), soon followed.
The Multimedia Franchise
Pokémon also became a popular multimedia franchise, with the debut of the anime series in 1997. Its stories featured Ash Ketchum and his friend, Pikachu and their quest to become the greatest Pokémon trainers in the world. The show was a huge success, with its themes of friendship and determination being well-received by both children and adults alike.
Recent Media and International Appeal
The franchise has seen more success in recent years with the introduction of the mobile game Pokémon Go in 2016 and the upcoming live-action movie, Detective Pikachu. With its ever-growing popularity, Pokémon is also being appreciated in different nations around the world, with its translated versions being enjoyed by non-Japanese audiences.
The Future of Pokémon
It's evident that the future of Pokémon paint a bright picture, as the franchise continues to change and evolve, growing even more popular alongside the ever-increasing digital platform. With the dedication of its fans, it's certain that Pokémon will remain a part of our culture for many years to come.