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.