Download - Pokemons
Pokémon (ポケモン Pokemon?, /ˈpoʊkeɪmɒn/ POH-kay-mon[1][2]) is a media franchise published
and owned by Japanese video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996,
focused on the titular creatures. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-
playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second-most
successful and lucrative video game-based media franchise in the world, behind only Nintendo's
own Mario franchise.[3] Pokémon properties have since
been merchandised intoanime, manga, trading cards, toys, books, and other media.
The franchise celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2006.[4] As of 28 May 2010, cumulative sales of
the video games (including home console versions, such as the "Pikachu" Nintendo 64) have
reached more than 200 million copies.[5] In November 2005, 4Kids Entertainment, which had
managed the non-game related licensing of Pokémon, announced that it had agreed not to renew
the Pokémon representation agreement. Pokémon USA Inc. (now The Pokémon Company
International), a subsidiary of Japan's Pokémon Co., now oversees all Pokémon licensing outside
of Asia.[6]
Contents
[hide]
1 Name
2 Concept
3 List of Pokémon
4 Video games
o 4.1 Generations
o 4.2 Game mechanics
4.2.1 Starter Pokémon
4.2.2 Pokédex
5 In other media
o 5.1 Anime series
o 5.2 Films
o 5.3 Soundtracks
o 5.4 Pokémon Trading Card Game
o 5.5 Manga
6 Criticism and controversy
o 6.1 Morality and religious beliefs
o 6.2 Health
o 6.3 Monster in My Pocket
7 Cultural influence
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
Name
The name Pokémon is the romanized contraction of the Japanese brand Pocket
Monsters (ポケットモンスター Poketto Monsutā?).[7] The term Pokémon, in addition to referring
to the Pokémon franchise itself, also collectively refers to the 719 known fictional species that
have made appearances in Pokémon media as of the release of the sixth generation
titles Pokémon X and Y. "Pokémon" is identical in both the singular and plural, as is each
individual species name; it is grammatically correct to say "one Pokémon" and "many Pokémon",
as well as "one Pikachu" and "many Pikachu".[8] However, Pokémon Red, Blue,
and Yellow feature NPCs referring to the plurals of Clefairy and Diglett with an "s" at the end,
shown "CLEFAIRYs" and "DIGLETTs", respectively. This was fixed in FireRed and LeafGreen.
Concept
The concept of the Pokémon universe, in both the video games and the general fictional world of
Pokémon, stems from the hobby of insect collecting, a popular pastime which Pokémon executive
director Satoshi Tajiri enjoyed as a child.[9] Players of the games are designated as Pokémon
Trainers, and the two general goals (in most Pokémon games) for such Trainers are: to complete
the Pokédex by collecting all of the available Pokémon species found in the fictional region where
that game takes place; and to train a team of powerful Pokémon from those they have caught to
compete against teams owned by other Trainers, and eventually become the strongest Trainer:
the Pokémon Master. These themes of collecting, training, and battling are present in almost
every version of the Pokémon franchise, including the video games, the anime and manga series,
and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
In most incarnations of the fictional Pokémon universe, a Trainer that encounters a wild Pokémon
is able to capture that Pokémon by throwing a specially designed, mass-producible spherical tool
called a Poké Ball at it. If the Pokémon is unable to escape the confines of the Poké Ball, it is
officially considered to be under the ownership of that Trainer. Afterwards, it will obey whatever its
new master commands, unless the Trainer demonstrates such a lack of experience that the
Pokémon would rather act on its own accord. Trainers can send out any of their Pokémon to
wage non-lethal battles against other Pokémon; if the opposing Pokémon is wild, the Trainer can
capture that Pokémon with a Poké Ball, increasing his or her collection of creatures. Pokémon
already owned by other Trainers cannot be captured, except under special circumstances in
certain games. If a Pokémon fully defeats an opponent in battle so that the opponent is knocked
out (i.e., "faints"), the winning Pokémon gains experience points and may level up. When leveling
up, the Pokémon's statistics ("stats") of battling aptitude increase, such as Attack and Speed.
From time to time the Pokémon may also learn new moves, which are techniques used in battle.
In addition, many species of Pokémon possess the ability to undergo a form
of metamorphosis and transform into a similar but stronger species of Pokémon, a process
called evolution.
In the main series, each game's single-player mode requires the Trainer to raise a team of
Pokémon to defeat many non-player character (NPC) Trainers and their Pokémon. Each game
lays out a somewhat linear path through a specific region of the Pokémon world for the Trainer to
journey through, completing events and battling opponents along the way. Each game features
eight especially powerful Trainers, referred to as
order to progress. As a reward, the Trainer receives a Gym Badge, and once all eight badges are
collected, that Trainer is eligible to challenge the region's Pokémon League, where four
immensely talented trainers (referred to collectively as the "
four Pokémon battles in succession. If the trainer can overcome this gauntlet, he or she must
then challenge the Regional Champion, the master Trainer who had previously defeated the Elite
Four. Any Trainer who wins this last battle becomes the new cham
List of Pokémon Main article: List of Pokémon
Video games Main article: Pokémon (video game series)
Generations
The original Pokémon games were role
were created by Satoshi Tajiri for the
English language translations, are still considered the "main" Pokémon games, and the games
which most fans of the series are referring to when they use the term "Pokémon games". All of
the licensed Pokémon properties overseen by
roughly by generation. These generations are roughly
several years, when an official sequel in the main RPG series is released that features new
Pokémon, characters, and gameplay concepts, that sequel is considered the start of a new
generation of the franchise. The main games and their
card game are all updated with the new Pokémon properties each time a new generation begins.
The franchise began the sixth generation on October 12, 2013.
A battle between a level 5Bulbasaur
of Pokémongames; Pokémon Red and
The Pokémon franchise started off in its first generation with i
Aka and Midori ("Red" and "Green", respectively) for the Game Boy in Japan. When these games
proved extremely popular, an enhanced
the Ao version was reprogrammed as
games launched in the United States on September 30, 1998. The
lays out a somewhat linear path through a specific region of the Pokémon world for the Trainer to
journey through, completing events and battling opponents along the way. Each game features
especially powerful Trainers, referred to as Gym Leaders, that the Trainer must defeat in
order to progress. As a reward, the Trainer receives a Gym Badge, and once all eight badges are
collected, that Trainer is eligible to challenge the region's Pokémon League, where four
immensely talented trainers (referred to collectively as the "Elite Four") challenge the Trainer
four Pokémon battles in succession. If the trainer can overcome this gauntlet, he or she must
then challenge the Regional Champion, the master Trainer who had previously defeated the Elite
Four. Any Trainer who wins this last battle becomes the new champion.
Pokémon (video game series)
The original Pokémon games were role-playing games (RPGs) with an element of strategy, and
Satoshi Tajiri for the Game Boy. These RPGs, and their sequels,
, are still considered the "main" Pokémon games, and the games
which most fans of the series are referring to when they use the term "Pokémon games". All of
the licensed Pokémon properties overseen by The Pokémon Company International
roughly by generation. These generations are roughly chronological divisions by release; every
several years, when an official sequel in the main RPG series is released that features new
Pokémon, characters, and gameplay concepts, that sequel is considered the start of a new
generation of the franchise. The main games and their spin-offs, the anime, manga, and trading
card game are all updated with the new Pokémon properties each time a new generation begins.
The franchise began the sixth generation on October 12, 2013.
and a level 5Charmander in the first generation
andBlue.[10]
The Pokémon franchise started off in its first generation with its initial release of
("Red" and "Green", respectively) for the Game Boy in Japan. When these games
enhanced Ao ("Blue") version was released sometime after, and
version was reprogrammed as Pokémon Red and Blue for international release. The
games launched in the United States on September 30, 1998. The
lays out a somewhat linear path through a specific region of the Pokémon world for the Trainer to
journey through, completing events and battling opponents along the way. Each game features
, that the Trainer must defeat in
order to progress. As a reward, the Trainer receives a Gym Badge, and once all eight badges are
collected, that Trainer is eligible to challenge the region's Pokémon League, where four
") challenge the Trainer to
four Pokémon battles in succession. If the trainer can overcome this gauntlet, he or she must
then challenge the Regional Champion, the master Trainer who had previously defeated the Elite
playing games (RPGs) with an element of strategy, and
. These RPGs, and their sequels, remakes, and
, are still considered the "main" Pokémon games, and the games
which most fans of the series are referring to when they use the term "Pokémon games". All of
The Pokémon Company International are divided
ns by release; every
several years, when an official sequel in the main RPG series is released that features new
Pokémon, characters, and gameplay concepts, that sequel is considered the start of a new
offs, the anime, manga, and trading
card game are all updated with the new Pokémon properties each time a new generation begins.
ts initial release of Pocket Monsters
("Red" and "Green", respectively) for the Game Boy in Japan. When these games
") version was released sometime after, and
al release. The
original Aka and Midori versions were never released outside of Japan.[11] Afterwards, a further
enhanced version titled Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition was released to partially take
advantage of the color palette of the Game Boy Color, as well as to feature more elements from
the popular Pokémon anime. This first generation of games introduced the original 151 species of
Pokémon, in National Pokédex order, encompassing all Pokémon from Bulbasaur to Mew. It also
introduced the basic game concepts of capturing, training, battling, and trading Pokémon with
both computer and human players. These versions of the games take place within the
fictional Kanto region, inspired by the real world Kantō region of Japan, though the name "Kanto"
was not used until the second generation.
The second generation of Pokémon began in 1999 with the release of Pokémon
Gold and Silver for Game Boy Color. Like the previous generation, an enhanced version
titled Pokémon Crystal was later released. The second generation introduced 100 new species of
Pokémon, starting with Chikorita and ending with Celebi. It totaled 251 Pokémon to collect, train,
and battle, set in Johto, inspired by Japan's Kansai region. The Pokémon mini is a handheld
game console released in November 2001 in North America, December 2001 in Japan, and 2002
in Europe.
Pokémon entered its third generation with the 2002 release of Pokémon
Ruby and Sapphire for Game Boy Advance and continued with the Game Boy Advance remakes
of Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, and an enhanced version
of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire titled Pokémon Emerald. The third generation introduced 135
new Pokémon, starting with Treecko and ending with Deoxys, for a total of 386 species. It is set
in Hoenn, inspired by Japan's Kyushuregion. However, this generation also garnered some
criticism for leaving out several gameplay features, including the day-and-night system introduced
in the previous generation. It was also the first installment that encouraged the player to collect
merely a selected assortment of the total number of Pokémon rather than every existing species.
By contrast, 202 out of 386 species are catchable in the Ruby and Sapphire versions.
In 2006, Japan began the fourth generation of the franchise with the release of Pokémon
Diamond and Pearl for Nintendo DS. The fourth generation introduced another 107 new species
of Pokémon, starting with Turtwig and ending with Arceus, bringing the total of Pokémon species
to 493.[12] The Nintendo DS "touch screen" allows new features to the game such as cooking
poffins with the stylus and using the "Pokétch". New gameplay concepts include a
restructured move-classification system, online multiplayer trading and battling via Nintendo Wi-Fi
Connection, the return and expansion of the second generation's day-and-night system, the
expansion of the third generation's Pokémon Contests into "Super Contests", and the new region
of Sinnoh. This region was inspired by Japan'sHokkaido region and part of Russia's Sakhalin,
and has an underground component for multiplayer gameplay in addition to the main
overworld. Pokémon Platinum, the enhanced version of Diamond and Pearl—much like Pokémon
Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald—was released in September 2008 in Japan, March 2009 in North
America, and May 2009 in Australia and Europe. Spin-off titles in the fourth generation include
the Pokémon Stadium follow-up Pokémon Battle Revolution for Wii, which has Wi-Fi connectivity
as well.[13] Nintendo announced in May 2009 that enhanced remakes of Pokémon
Gold and Silver, entitled Pokémon HeartGold andSoulSilver, would be released for the Nintendo
DS system. HeartGold and SoulSilver are set in the Johto region and were released in
September 2009 in Japan.[14]
The fifth generation of Pokémon began on September 18, 2010, with the release of Pokémon
Black and White in Japan for Nintendo DS.[15] The games were originally announced by the
Pokémon Company on January 29, 2010, with a tentative release later that year.[16][17] The final
release date of September 18 was announced on June 27, 2010.[18] This version is set in
the Unova region (イッシュ地方 Isshu-chihō?, Isshu region), inspired by New York City, and
utilizes the Nintendo DS's 3-D rendering capabilities to a greater extent than Platinum, HeartGold,
and SoulSilver, as shown in game footage of the player walking through the Castelia
City (ヒウンシティ Hiun Shiti?) metropolis. A total of 156 new Pokémon were introduced, starting
with Victini and ending with Genesect, bringing the franchise's total to 649.[19] It also deployed
new game mechanics such as the C Gear (Cギア C Gia?) wireless interactivity features[20] and the
ability to upload game data to the Internet and to the player's own computer.[21] Pokémon
Black and White was released in Europe on March 4, 2011, in North America on March 6, 2011,
and in Australia on March 10, 2011. On June 23, 2012, Nintendo released Pokémon Black
2 and Pokémon White 2 in Japan for Nintendo DS, with early October releases in North America
and Europe. Black 2 and White 2 are sequels to Black and White, with several events in the
second games referencing events in the first; they also allow players to link their
previous Black or White with their Black 2 or White 2, introducing several events based on how
they played their previous game.
Officially announced on January 8, 2013 and released simultaneously worldwide on October 12,
2013, Pokémon X and Y for the Nintendo 3DS are part of the sixth generation of
games.[22] Introducing the France-inspired Kalos region, these are the first Pokémon games
rendered in 3D, and the first released worldwide together.[23]
Game mechanics Main article: Gameplay of Pokémon
The main staple of the Pokémon video game series revolves around the catching and battling of
Pokémon. Starting with a starter Pokémon, the player can catch wild Pokémon by weakening
them and catching them with Poké Balls. Conversely, they can choose to defeat them in battle in
order to gain experience for their Pokémon, raising their levels and teaching them new moves.
Certain Pokémon can evolve into more powerful forms by raising their levels or using certain
items. Throughout the game, players will have to battle other trainers in order to progress, with
the main goal to defeat various Gym Leaders and earn the right to become a tournament
champion. Subsequent games in the series have introduced various side games and side quests,
including the Battle Frontiers that display unique battle types and the Pokémon Contests where
visual appearance is put on display.
Starter Pokémon
One of the consistent aspects of the Pokémon games—spanning from Pokémon
Red and Blue on the Game Boy to the Nintendo 3DS games Pokémon X and Y—is the choice of
one of three different Pokémon at the start of the player's adventures; these three are often
labeled "starter Pokémon". Players can choose a Grass-type, a Fire-type, or a Water-type.[24] For
example, in Pokémon Red and Blue (and their respective remakes, Pokémon
FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen), the player has the choice of starting with Bulbasaur,
Charmander, or Squirtle. The exception to this rule is Pokémon Yellow (a remake of the original
games that follows the story of the Pokémon anime), where players are given a Pikachu,
an Electric-type mouse Pokémon, famous for being the mascot of the Pokémon media franchise;
in this game, however, the three starter Pokémon from Red and Blue can be obtained during the
quest by a single player, something that is not possible in any other installment of the
franchise.[25] Another consistent aspect is that the player's rival will always choose as his or her
starter Pokémon the one that has a type advantage over the player's Pokémon. For instance, if
the player picks a Grass-type Pokémon, the rival will always pick the Fire-type starter. An
exception to this is again Pokémon Yellow, in which the rival picks an Eevee, but whether this
Eevee evolves into Jolteon, Vaporeon, or Flareon is decided by when the player wins and loses
to the rival through the journey. The GameCube games Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD:
Gale of Darkness also contain an exception; whereas in most games the player's initial Pokémon
starts at Level 5, in these two games the player's initial Pokémon starts at Levels 10 and 25,
respectively. In Colosseum the player's starter Pokémon are Espeon and Umbreon, while in Gale
of Darkness the player's starter is Eevee.
Pokédex
The Pokédex is a fictional electronic device featured in the Pokémon video
game and anime series. In the games, whenever a Pokémon is first captured, its data will be
added to a player's Pokédex, but in the anime or manga, the Pokédex is a comprehensive
electronic reference encyclopedia, usually referred to in order to deliverexposition. "Pokédex" is
also used to refer to a list of Pokémon, usually a list of Pokémon by number. In the video games,
a Pokémon Trainer is issued a blank device at the start of the journey. A trainer must then
attempt to fill the Pokédex by encountering and at least briefly obtaining each of the different
species of Pokémon. A player will receive the name and image of a Pokémon after encountering
one that was not previously in the Pokédex, typically after battling said Pokémon either in the wild
or in a trainer battle (with the exceptions of link battles and tournament battles, such as in the
Battle Frontier). In Pokémon Red and Blue, some Pokémon's data is added to the Pokédex
simply by viewing the Pokémon, such as in the zoo outside of the Safari Zone. Also, certain NPC
characters may add to the Pokédex by explaining what a Pokémon looks like during
conversation. More detailed information is available after the player obtains a member of the
species, either through capturing the Pokémon in the wild, evolving a previously captured
Pokémon, hatching a Pokémon egg (from the second generation onwards), or through a trade
with another trainer (either an NPC or another player). This information includes height, weight,
species type, and a short description of the Pokémon. Later versions of the Pokédex have more
detailed information, like the size of a certain Pokémon compared to the player character, or
Pokémon being sorted by their habitat (so far, the latter feature is only in
the FireRed and LeafGreen versions). The most current forms of Pokédex are capable of
containing information on all Pokémon currently known. The GameCube games, Pokémon
Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, have a Pokémon Digital Assistant (P★DA)
which is similar to the Pokédex, but also tells what types are effective against a Pokémon and
gives a description of its abilities.[26]
In other media
Ash Ketchum and Pikachu together in the pilot episode, "
Anime series Main article: Pokémon (anime)
The Pokémon anime series and
the canon that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of
a game based loosely on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character,
Ash Ketchum[27] (known as Satoshi in Japan) a Pokémon Master in training, as he and a small
group of friends[27] travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon
partners. The original series, titled
(often referred to as Pokémon: Gotta Catch 'Em All
with Ash's first day as a Pokémon trainer. His first (and signature) Pokémon is a Pikachu,
differing from the games, where only Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle could be chosen.
series follows the storyline of the original games,
Accompanying Ash on his journeys are
youngest of the Gym Leader sisters from Cerulean City.
Islands follows Ash's adventures in the Orange Islands, a plac
replaces Brock with Tracey Sketchit
the second generation of games, include
Champions, and Pokémon: Master Quest
the western Johto region.
The saga continues in Pokémon: Advance
company travel to Hoenn, a southern region in the Pokémon World. Ash takes on the role of a
teacher and mentor for a novice Pokémon trainer n
them, and though he isn't a trainer, he knows large amounts of handy information. Brock (from
the original series) soon catches up with Ash, but Misty has returned to Cerulean City to tend to
her duties as a gym leader (Misty, along with other recu
series Pokémon Chronicles). The Advanced Battle series concludes with the
based on the Emerald version and including aspects of
Generation series ended with Max leaving to pick his starter Pokémon and May going to the
Grand Festival in Johto.
In the Diamond and Pearl series, based on the fourth generation games, A
companion, an aspiring Pokémon coordinator named
and Pikachu together in the pilot episode, "Pokémon, I Choose You!"
and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from
that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of
a game based loosely on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character,
(known as Satoshi in Japan) a Pokémon Master in training, as he and a small
around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon
partners. The original series, titled Pocket Monsters, or simply Pokémon in Western countries
Pokémon: Gotta Catch 'Em All to distinguish it from the later series), begin
with Ash's first day as a Pokémon trainer. His first (and signature) Pokémon is a Pikachu,
differing from the games, where only Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle could be chosen.
series follows the storyline of the original games,Pokémon Red and Blue, in the region of Kanto.
Accompanying Ash on his journeys are Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, and
youngest of the Gym Leader sisters from Cerulean City. Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange
follows Ash's adventures in the Orange Islands, a place unique to the anime, and
Tracey Sketchit, an artist and "Pokémon watcher". The next series, based on
the second generation of games, include Pokémon: Johto Journeys, Pokémon: Johto League
Pokémon: Master Quest, following the original trio of Ash, Brock, and Misty in
Pokémon: Advanced Battle, based on the third generation games. Ash and
, a southern region in the Pokémon World. Ash takes on the role of a
teacher and mentor for a novice Pokémon trainer named May. Her brother Max
them, and though he isn't a trainer, he knows large amounts of handy information. Brock (from
the original series) soon catches up with Ash, but Misty has returned to Cerulean City to tend to
her duties as a gym leader (Misty, along with other recurring characters, appears in the spin
). The Advanced Battle series concludes with the Battle Frontier
version and including aspects of FireRed and LeafGreen
Generation series ended with Max leaving to pick his starter Pokémon and May going to the
series, based on the fourth generation games, Ash, Brock, and a new
companion, an aspiring Pokémon coordinator named Dawn, travel through the region of
series of adventures separate from
that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow,
a game based loosely on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character,
(known as Satoshi in Japan) a Pokémon Master in training, as he and a small
around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon
, or simply Pokémon in Western countries
to distinguish it from the later series), begins
with Ash's first day as a Pokémon trainer. His first (and signature) Pokémon is a Pikachu,
differing from the games, where only Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle could be chosen.[28] The
, in the region of Kanto.
ader, andMisty, the
Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange
e unique to the anime, and
, an artist and "Pokémon watcher". The next series, based on
Pokémon: Johto League
, following the original trio of Ash, Brock, and Misty in
, based on the third generation games. Ash and
, a southern region in the Pokémon World. Ash takes on the role of a
Max accompanies
them, and though he isn't a trainer, he knows large amounts of handy information. Brock (from
the original series) soon catches up with Ash, but Misty has returned to Cerulean City to tend to
rring characters, appears in the spin-off
Battle Frontier saga,
LeafGreen. The Advanced
Generation series ended with Max leaving to pick his starter Pokémon and May going to the
sh, Brock, and a new
, travel through the region of Sinnoh.
At the end of the series, Ash and Brock return to Kanto where Brock begins to follow his
newfound dream of becoming a Pokémon doctor himself.
Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes!, based on the fifth generation games, features Ash and Pikachu
traveling through the region of Unova (Isshu in Japan) alongside two new companions, Iris and
Cilan (Dent in Japan) who part ways with them after returning to Kanto.
Pocket Monsters: XY (ポケットモンスターXY Poketo Monsutā Ekkusu Wai?), is the current airing
series based on the sixth generation games, following Ash and Pikachu's journey through the
region of Kalos, accompanied by Ash's childhood friend Serena and the siblings Clemont and
Bonnie.[29][30][31]
In addition to the TV series, sixteen Pokémon films have been made, with the pair of
films, Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and
Zekrom considered together as one. Collectible bonuses, such as promotional trading cards,
have been available with some of the films.