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Pokémon is one of the most popular franchises in the world. It’s a media and merchandising empire that has spawned TV shows, video games, card games, and more.
But what exactly is Pokémon? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about this pop culture phenomenon, from its origins to the latest news and FAQs.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
What Is Pokémon?
Pokémon (short for Pocket Monsters) is a media franchise owned by Japanese video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1995.
The franchise is centered on fictional creatures called “Pokémon”, which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport.
The Japanese franchise began as a pair of video games for the original Game Boy, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The franchise now spans video games, trading card games, animated television shows and movies, comic books, toys, and more.
The name “Pokémon” is a romanization of the Japanese brand Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā). “Pokémon” is also the name of the creatures that inhabit the Pokémon world.
The word “Pokémon” comes from two Japanese words: “poké”, meaning “pocket”, and “mon”, meaning “monster”. The franchise’s English slogan, “Gotta catch ’em all!”, originates from the original Japanese slogan of Pocket Monsters Red and Green versions.
The franchise has since gone on to become one of the most successful and beloved media franchises in the world.
Pokémon Video Games
The Pokémon video game series is the cornerstone of the franchise.
The games are split into several generations, each with its own distinct plot and cast of Pokémon.
1. First Generation
The first generation of Pokémon games, Red, Blue (and Pokémon Green in Japan), were released in 1996 for the Game Boy. These games introduced the original 151 species of Pokémon (excluding Mew).
2. Second Generation
Red and Blue were followed by the second generation of games, Gold, and Silver, which were released in 1999. These games added 100 new Pokémon species, as well as a new region to explore, Johto.
3. Third Generation
The third generation of Pokémon games, Ruby and Sapphire, was released in 2002 for the Game Boy Advance. These games introduced 135 new Pokémon species, as well as a new region to explore, Hoenn.
4. Fourth Generation
The fourth generation of Pokémon games, Diamond and Pearl, was released in 2006 for the Nintendo DS. These games introduced 107 new types of Pokémon species, as well as a new region to explore, Sinnoh.
5. Fifth Generation
The fifth generation of Pokémon games, Black and White, were released in 2010 for the Nintendo DS. These games introduced 156 new Pokémon species (bringing the total to649), as well as a new region to explore, Unova.
6. Sixth Generation
The sixth generation of Pokémon games, X and Y, were released in 2013 for the Nintendo DS. These games introduced 72 new Pokémon species, as well as a new region to explore, Kalos.
7. Seventh Generation
The seventh generation of Pokémon games, Sun and Moon, was released in 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS. These games introduced 81 new Pokémon species, as well as a new region to explore, Alola.
8. Eighth Generation
The eighth generation of Pokémon games, Sword and Shield released on the 15th of November 2019 for the Nintendo Switch. An additional 80 new species and the Galar region are open for exploration in these two games.
The Pokémon video games are some of the most popular RPGs in existence and have sold over 279 million copies worldwide as of 2019.
The role-playing games are known for their simplistic yet addicting gameplay, Pokémon battling, lovable characters, and expansive world-building.
Most games include gym leaders, Elite Four trainers, and a Champion trainer that the player must defeat to progress.
9. Ninth Generation
The ninth generation of Pokémon games, Scarlett and Violet, was released in North America and the rest of the world on the 18th of November, 2022.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the latest entries in the Pokémon franchise, set in the diverse and futuristic region of Eldiw. These games introduce a record of 100 new Pokémon, pushing the total count to over 1000. Along with new Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and a new villainous team, these games promise a fresh and exciting adventure for all trainers.
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Another popular aspect of the Pokémon franchise is the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG).
The Pokémon TCG is a collectible card game that was first published in Japan in 1996. The game is based on Pokémon video games, and players use cards representing various Pokémon creatures to battle each other.
The game has since been released internationally and has become one of the most popular trading card games in the world.
As of 2019, the Pokémon TCG has sold over 25 billion cards worldwide.
The Pokémon TCG is also a popular competitive sport, with players from all over the world competing in tournaments for prizes.
Pokémon Animated Series
In addition to the video games and trading card games, the Pokémon franchise also includes an anime series that follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum, a young boy who dreams of becoming a Pokémon Master.
The anime series first aired in 1997 and is still ongoing, with over 1000 episodes having been released as of 2019.
The Pokémon anime series is one of the most popular and beloved anime series of all time and has been praised for its lovable characters, exciting adventures, and catchy music.
Pokémon Movies
There have also been 23 mainstream Pokémon movies released since 1998. The movies are typically released in Japan during the summer and winter holidays.
The movies are typically stand-alone adventures that are not connected to the plot of the anime series, but there have been a few exceptions.
The Pokémon movies are typically well-received by fans and have been praised for their exciting action, heartwarming stories, and beautiful animation.
Pokémon Facts
Here are some interesting Pokémon facts:
- Pikachu is the most popular Pokémon
- Jigglypuff is the least popular Pokémon
- Mewtwo was meant to be the strongest Pokémon but was later outclassed by Mew
- Magikarp is the weakest Pokémon
- MissingNo. is a glitch Pokémon that can cause serious glitches in the game
- Pokémon Red and Blue (the first Pokémon games) were released in Japan on February 27, 1996
- The first international release of a Pokémon game was in 1998
- Pokémon Gold and Silver were released in Japan on November 21, 1999
- The first Pokémon movie, “Mewtwo Strikes Back”, was released in Japan on July 18, 1998
- The first Pokémon movie to be released in the US was “Pokémon: The First Movie”
- 151 Pokémon were originally created, but more have been added over time
- Ash Ketchum is the main character in the anime series
- Pocket Monsters (the original name) was originally going to be a game about insects
- More than 30 billion Pokémon cards have been sold worldwide
- Pokémon Go has been downloaded more than 1 billion times
- Pokemon has made over $110 billion in revenue
- Pokemon Green, Red, and Blue sold over 31 million units of sales
Pokémon FAQs
What Exactly Is A Pokémon?
Pokémon, aka “Pocket Monsters”, is a Nintendo franchise. The game first came about in the late 90s.
The gameplay focuses on fictional characters known as Pokémon that humans catch and train and use for Pokémon battles.
Which Was The First Pokémon Created?
The first Pokémon created was Rhydon, which was designed by Ken Sugimori.
Which Is The First Pokémon In The Pokedex?
The first Pokémon in the Pokédex is Bulbasaur.
How Many Kinds Of Pokémon Are There?
As of 2020, there are 802 different kinds of Pokémon.
Where Can I Find Pokémon?
You can find Pokémon in the wild, by trading with other players, or by hatching eggs.
What Do I Need To Play Pokémon?
All you need to play is a copy of the game, a GameBoy, Nintendo DS, or Nintendo Switch console, and a Pokémon Trainer Club account.
What are the different types of Pokemon?
There are currently eighteen types of Pokémon, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Pokemon types include grass, fire, water, flying, bug, normal, poison, electric, ground, psychic, rock, ice, dragon, ghost, steel, dark, fighting and fairy.
While most Pokémon are a single type, there are some that are dual-type or even triple-type. For example, the popular Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon, while the rarer Charizard is a Fire/Flying-type. The type of a Pokémon determines what moves it can learn and how effective those moves will be against other Pokémon.
As a result, choosing the right type of Pokémon is essential for any trainer who wants to be successful in battle.
What is a Pokemon trainer?
A Pokémon trainer is a person who raises, catches, and trains Pokémon for competitive battling.
In the Pokémon world, trainers begin their journey with one or two starter Pokémon given to them by a professor. As they travel, they catch wild Pokémon in Poké Balls and add them to their team.
Trainers use their Pokémon to battle other trainers in an effort to prove their strength and earn badges. The ultimate goal for most trainers is to become a champion by defeating all of the Elite Four trainers and the reigning champion.
Some trainers also choose to focus on completing the Pokédex by catching all of the different species of Pokémon.
No matter what their goals may be, all Pokémon trainers share a bond with their Pokémon based on trust and friendship.
How do I catch a Pokemon?
In order to catch a Pokemon, you will need to have a Pokeball. You can purchase Pokeballs from the local Pokemart, or sometimes you can find them while exploring.
Once you have a Pokeball, you will need to weaken the Pokemon you are trying to catch. This can be done by attacking it with another Pokemon.
When the Pokemon is weakened, throw your Pokeball. If done correctly, the chance of catching the Pokemon will be increased.
There are different types of Pokeballs, and each type is more effective at catching certain types of Pokemon. For example, great balls are good for catching stronger Pokemon, while ultra balls are the most effective overall.
Trial and error will help you figure out which type of Pokeball works best for each situation.
What is a Pokemon gym?
A Pokemon gym is a place where Pokemon trainers can test their skills against gym leaders. The gyms are usually located in cities, and they are often run by the local Pokemon League.
Trainers must defeat all of the gym’s trainers including the gym leader in order to earn a badge, which allows them to challenge the Elite Four, the strongest trainers in the region.
Each gym specializes in a particular type of Pokemon, and trainers will need to use strategies that are effective against that type in order to win. For example, a Fire-type gym would be vulnerable to Water-type Pokemon, so a trainer who has a strong Water-type Pokemon would have an advantage.
Gym battles are often intense and exciting, and they provide a great opportunity for trainers to show off their skills.
How do Pokemon evolve?
Most Pokemon species can evolve into stronger, more mature forms. The most common method of evolving Pokemon is by gaining levels.
As a Pokemon gains experience from battle, it will slowly grow stronger and evolve over time.
Some Pokemon can also evolve by using special evolutionary stones. These stones can be found in the wild or purchased from shops, and they cause an immediate evolution when used on a compatible Pokemon.
Finally, there are a handful of unique Pokemon that can only evolve under specific conditions, such as exchanging them with another trainer or trading them while holding a special item.
No matter what method is used, evolving Pokemon is essential for any trainer who hopes to build a strong team.
Why Is Pokémon GO So Popular?
Pokémon GO is a mobile app that allows players to catch, battle, and trade Pokémon in the real world.
The game was released in 2016 and quickly became one of the most popular mobile apps ever. As of 2020, the app has been downloaded over one billion times.
The popularity of Pokémon GO can be attributed to several factors, including the popularity of the Pokémon franchise, the augmented reality gameplay, and social interaction.
The game has also been praised for getting people up and active, as players need to walk around to find Pokémon.
What Is Pokémon GO And How Does It Work?
Pokémon GO is a free-to-play, location-based augmented reality game developed by Niantic for iOS and Android devices. The game was released in 2016 and quickly became one of the most popular mobile apps ever.
As of 2020, the app has been downloaded over one billion times.
The objective of Pokémon GO is to catch Pokémon in the real world. The game uses your phone’s GPS to track your location and show you nearby Pokémon in real-life locations. When you see a Pokémon, you can catch it by throwing a Poké Ball at it.
Catching Pokémon rewards you with experience points (XP), which level up your Trainer and allow you to catch stronger Pokémon. You can also find items like Poké Balls, Eggs, and Potions at PokéStops.
Pokémon GO is free-to-play, but there are in-app purchases that allow you to buy items like Poké Balls and Lucky Eggs. You can also pay for a monthly subscription called Pokémon GO Plus, which gives you access to exclusive items and features.
Why Is Pokémon So Popular?
The Pokémon franchise is one of the most popular media franchises in the world. As of 2020, the franchise has sold over 369 million video games and over 21.67 billion trading cards.
The anime series is the most-watched non-Japanese animation in the world, with a total of 20 seasons and over 1200 episodes.
The Pokémon franchise is also one of the most successful merchandise franchises in the world, with annual sales of over $15 billion.
The popularity of Pokémon can be attributed to several factors, including the collectible nature of the creatures, the strategic gameplay, and the characters and setting of the franchise.
The franchise has also been praised for its positive messages about teamwork and friendship.
Is Pokémon Real Or Not? Can They Be Seen In Real Life?
No, Pokémon are not real.
They are creatures that were created for the Pokémon video game and anime series.
However, there are people who dress up as Pokémon characters (known as cosplayers) and attend conventions. There are also fan-made games and websites where you can catch, trade, and battle Pokémon.
What Is Pokémon Search?
Pokémon search is a feature on the Pokémon GO app that allows you to find specific Pokémon near you.
To use Pokémon search, open the app and tap the Search icon. Then, enter the name of the Pokémon you’re looking for. The app will show you a list of nearby locations where that Pokémon has been spotted.
How Do You Find Which Pokémon You Can Evolve?
To find out which Pokémon you can evolve, open the app and tap the Pokédex icon. Then, select the Pokémon you want to check.
The app will show you information about that Pokémon, including what it can evolve into.
How Do I Get A Shiny Pokémon?
Shiny Pokémon are rare versions of existing Pokémon. To get a shiny Pokémon, you’ll need to catch a lot of the same Pokémon until you’re lucky enough to find one. The odds of finding a shiny Pokémon are about one in 450.
What Is The Point Of Pokémon?
The point of Pokémon is to catch them all. There are over 800 Pokémon in the franchise, and each has its own unique abilities and strengths. Catching all of the Pokémon is a daunting task, but it’s one that many fans have taken on.
Whether you’re a fan of the games, the anime, or the merchandise, there’s something for everyone in the Pokémon franchise. With new games, movies, and TV shows being released all the time, there’s always something new to discover.
Conclusion
Pokémon is a franchise that has been enjoyed by children and adults alike for over 25 years. The games, anime series, and merchandise have provided hours of entertainment to its fans across the globe.
With new releases coming to the world of Pokémon every year, what are you waiting for? Start your Pokémon journey today!