information
History
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Pokémon.
The Pokémon franchise began as Pocket Monsters: Red and Green (later released outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue), a pair of video games for the original Game Boy handheld system that were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo in February 1996.[14] Pokémon soon became a media mix franchise adapted into various different media, with the Pokémon Trading Card Game released in October 1996, the Pokémon Adventures manga first released in Japan in March 1997, and the Pocket Monsters: Original Series released in April 1997. Pocket Pikachu was released in Japan in March 1998, with the first ever Pokémon film, Pokémon: The First Movie, first released in Japan in July 1998.[15]
In 1998, Nintendo spent $25 million promoting Pokémon in the United States in partnership with Hasbro, KFC, and others.[16] Nintendo initially feared that Pokémon was too Japanese for Western tastes but Alfred Kahn, then CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, convinced the company otherwise.[17] The one who spotted Pokémon's potential in the United States was Kahn's colleague Thomas Kenney.[18]
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. The Pokémon Company International oversees all Pokémon licensing outside Asia.[19] In 2006, the franchise celebrated its tenth anniversary with the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.[20] In 2016, the Pokémon Company celebrated Pokémon's 20th anniversary by airing an ad during Super Bowl 50 in January and re-releasing the first Pokémon video games 1996 Game Boy games Pokémon Red, Green (only in Japan), and Blue, and the 1998 Game Boy Color game Pokémon Yellow for the Nintendo 3DS on February 26, 2016.[21][22] The mobile augmented reality game Pokémon Go was released in July 2016.[23] Pokémon Sun and Moon also released in the same year. The first live-action film in the franchise, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, based on the 2018 Nintendo 3DS spin-off game Detective Pikachu, was released in 2019.[24] The eighth generation of core series games began with Pokémon Sword and Shield, released worldwide on the Nintendo Switch on November 15, 2019.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the company released two additional titles for the Nintendo Switch: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, remakes of the Nintendo DS Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games, on November 19, 2021, and its "premake" Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which was subsequently released on January 28, 2022.[25][26]
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet began the ninth generation of the game series when they released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.[27]
Name
The name "Pokémon" is a syllabic abbreviation of the Japanese brand Pocket Monsters.[28] The term "Pokémon", in addition to referring to the Pokémon franchise itself, also collectively refers to the many fictional species that have made appearances in Pokémon media. "Pokémon" is identical in the singular and plural, as is each individual species name; it is and would be grammatically correct to say "one Pokémon" and "many Pokémon", as well as "one Pikachu" and "many Pikachu".[29]
Concept
See also: Gameplay of Pokémon, List of Pokémon, and Pokémon universe
Gameplay
Artwork from Capsule Monsters, Satoshi Tajiri's early design concept of Pokémon
Pokémon executive director Satoshi Tajiri first thought of Pokémon, albeit with a different concept and name, around 1989, when the Game Boy was released. 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 Tajiri enjoyed as a child.[30] Players are designated as Pokémon Trainers and have three general goals: to complete the regional Pokédex by collecting all of the available Pokémon species found in the fictional region where a game takes place, to complete the national Pokédex by transferring Pokémon from other regions, and to train a team of powerful Pokémon from those they have caught to compete against teams owned by other Trainers so they may eventually win the Pokémon League and become the regional Champion. 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 (also known as TCG).
In most incarnations of the Pokémon universe, a Trainer who encounters a wild Pokémon has the ability 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 considered to be under the ownership of that Trainer. Afterwards, it will obey whatever commands it receives from its new Trainer, 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 their collection of creatures. In Pokémon Go, and in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, wild Pokémon encountered by players can be caught in Poké Balls, but most cannot be battled. Pokémon already owned by other Trainers cannot be captured, except under special circumstances in certain side games. If a Pokémon fully defeats an opponent in battle so that the opponent is knocked out ("faints"), the winning Pokémon gains experience points and may level up. Beginning with Pokémon X and Y, experience points are also gained from catching Pokémon in Poké Balls. When leveling up, the Pokémon's battling aptitude statistics ("stats", such as "Attack" and "Speed") increase. At certain levels, the Pokémon may also learn new moves, which are techniques used in battle. In addition, many species of Pokémon can undergo a form of metamorphosis and transform into a similar but stronger species of Pokémon, a process called evolution; this process occurs spontaneously under differing circumstances, and is itself a central theme of the series. Some species of Pokémon may undergo a maximum of two evolutionary transformations, while others may undergo only one, and others may not evolve at all. For example, the Pokémon Pichu may evolve into Pikachu, which in turn may evolve into Raichu, following which no further evolutions may occur. Pokémon X and Y introduced the concept of "Mega Evolution," by which certain fully evolved Pokémon may temporarily undergo an additional evolution into a stronger form for the purpose of battling; this evolution is considered a special case, and unlike other evolutionary stages, is reversible.
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 (including foiling the plans of an evil team of Pokémon Trainers who serve as antagonists to the player). Excluding Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the games feature eight 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, the Trainer is eligible to challenge the region's Pokémon League, where four talented trainers (referred to collectively as the "Elite Four") challenge the Trainer to four Pokémon battles in succession. If the trainer can overcome this gauntlet, they must 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 universe
Main article: Pokémon universe
Pokémon is set in the fictional Pokémon universe. There are numerous regions that have appeared in the various media of the Pokémon franchise. There are 9 main series regions set in the main series games: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh/Hisui, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, and Paldea. Each of the nine generations of the main series releases focuses on a new region. Every region consists of several cities and towns that the player must explore in order to overcome many waiting challenges, such as Gyms, Contests and villainous teams. At different locations within each region, the player can find different types of Pokémon, as well as helpful items and characters. Different regions are not accessible from one another at all within a single game, only with the exception of Kanto and Johto being linked together in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver versions. There are also regions set in spinoff games and two islands in the Pokémon anime (Orange Islands and Decolore Islands), all still set within the same fictional universe.
Each main series region in the Pokémon universe is based on a real world location. The first four regions introduced are based on locations in Japan, being Kantō, Kansai, Kyushu, and Hokkaidō, with later regions being based on parts of New York City, France, Hawaii, the United Kingdom, and the Iberian Peninsula.[31][32]
Pokémon world in relation to the real world
Pokémon region Real world location basis
Kanto
Sevii Islands
Kantō, Japan Japan
Izu Islands and Bonin Islands, Japan Japan
Johto Kansai, Japan Japan
Hoenn Kyushu, Japan Japan
Sinnoh/Hisui
Battle Zone
Hokkaido Hokkaido, Japan Japan
Sakhalin Oblast Sakhalin, Russia Russia
Unova New York City New York City, United States United States
Kalos Metropolitan France Metropolitan France
Alola Hawaii Hawaii, United States United States
Galar
Isle of Armor
Crown Tundra
England England and Wales Wales, United Kingdom United Kingdom
Isle of Man Isle of Man
Scotland Scotland, United Kingdom United Kingdom
Paldea Spain Spain and Portugal Portugal (Iberian Peninsula)
Video games
Main articles: Pokémon (video game series) and List of Pokémon video games
Generations
Core Series Release Timeline
1996 Red and Green
Blue
1997
1998 Yellow
Red and Blue
1999 Gold and Silver
2000 Crystal
2001
2002 Ruby and Sapphire
2003
2004 FireRed and LeafGreen
Emerald
2005
2006 Diamond and Pearl
2007
2008 Platinum
2009 HeartGold and SoulSilver
2010 Black and White
2011
2012 Black 2 and White 2
2013 X and Y
2014 Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
2015
2016 Sun and Moon
2017 Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
2018 Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
2019 Sword and Shield
2020 The Isle of Armor (DLC)
The Crown Tundra (DLC)
2021 Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
2022 Legends: Arceus
Scarlet and Violet
2023 The Teal Mask (DLC)
The Indigo Disk (DLC)
All of the licensed Pokémon properties overseen by the Pokémon Company International are divided roughly by generation. These generations are roughly chronological divisions by release; every several years, when a sequel to the 1996 role-playing video games Pokémon Red and Green 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 Pokémon video 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.[33] Some Pokémon from the newer games appear in anime episodes or films months, or even years, before the game they were programmed for came out. The first generation began in Japan with Pokémon Red and Green on the Game Boy. As of 2022, there are nine generations of main series video games. The most recent games in the main series, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet began the ninth and latest generation when they released worldwide for the Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.[34][35][36]
List of Pokémon main series video games
Generation Title Release date System
Generation I
1996–1999
Kanto region
Pocket Monsters: Red and Green February 27, 1996JP Game Boy
Pocket Monsters: Blue October 15, 1996JP
Pokémon Red and Blue September 28, 1998NA
October 23, 1998AUS
October 5, 1999EU
Pokémon Yellow September 12, 1998JP
October 19, 1999NA
September 3, 1999AUS
June 16, 2000EU
Generation II
1999–2002
Johto region
Kanto region
Pokémon Gold and Silver November 21, 1999JP
October 13, 2000AUS
October 14, 2000NA
April 6, 2001EU
April 23, 2002KO Game Boy Color
Pokémon Crystal December 14, 2000JP
July 29, 2001NA
September 30, 2001AUS
November 2, 2001EU
Generation III
2002–2006
Hoenn region
Kanto region
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire November 21, 2002JP
March 18, 2003NA
April 3, 2003AUS
July 25, 2003EU Game Boy Advance
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen January 29, 2004JP
September 7, 2004NA
September 23, 2004AUS
October 1, 2004EU
Pokémon Emerald September 16, 2004JP
April 30, 2005NA
June 9, 2005AUS
October 21, 2005EU
Generation IV
2006–2010
Sinnoh region
Johto region
Kanto region
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl September 28, 2006JP
April 22, 2007NA
June 21, 2007AUS
July 27, 2007EU
February 14, 2008KO Nintendo DS
Pokémon Platinum September 13, 2008JP
March 22, 2009NA
May 14, 2009AUS
May 22, 2009EU
July 2, 2009KO
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver September 12, 2009JP
February 4, 2010KO
March 14, 2010NA
March 25, 2010AUS
March 26, 2010EU
Generation V
2010–2013
Unova region
Pokémon Black and White September 18, 2010JP
March 4, 2011EU
March 6, 2011NA
March 10, 2011AUS
April 21, 2011KO
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 June 23, 2012JP
October 7, 2012NA
October 11, 2012AUS
October 12, 2012EU
Generation VI
2013–2016
Kalos region
Hoenn region
Pokémon X and Y October 12, 2013WW Nintendo 3DS
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire November 21, 2014JP, NA, AUS
November 28, 2014EU
Generation VII
2016–2019
Alola region
Kanto region
Pokémon Sun and Moon November 18, 2016JP, NA, AUS
November 23, 2016EU
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon November 17, 2017WW
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! November 16, 2018WW Nintendo Switch
Generation VIII
2019–2022
Galar region
Sinnoh/Hisui region
Pokémon Sword and Shield November 15, 2019WW[37][38]
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl November 19, 2021WW[39]
Pokémon Legends: Arceus January 28, 2022WW[40]
Generation IX
2022—present
Paldea region
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet November 18, 2022[41]
In other media
TV series
Main article: Pokémon (TV series)
Anime Season Release Timeline
1997 Indigo League
1998
1999 Adventures in the Orange Islands
The Johto Journeys
2000 Johto League Champions
2001 Master Quest
2002 Advanced
2003 Advanced Challenge
2004 Advanced Battle
2005 Battle Frontier
2006 Diamond and Pearl
2007 Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension
2008 Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles
2009
2010 Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors
Black & White
2011 Black & White: Rival Destinies
2012 Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond
2013 XY
2014 XY: Kalos Quest
2015 XYZ
2016 Sun and Moon
2017 Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures
2018 Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends
2019 Journeys
2020 Master Journeys
2021 Ultimate Journeys
2022
2023 Horizons
Pokémon, also known as Pokémon the Series to Western audiences since the year 2013, is an anime television series based on the Pokémon video game series. It was originally broadcast on TV Tokyo in 1997. More than 1,200 episodes of the anime has been produced and aired,[42] divided into 8 series in Japan and 26 seasons internationally. It is one of the longest currently running anime series.[42]
The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon Trainer, as he and a small group of friends travel around the world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners.[43]
Various children's books, collectively known as Pokémon Junior, are also based on the anime.[44]
ONAs
An eight-part anime series called Pokémon: Twilight Wings aired on YouTube in 2020.[45] The series was animated by Studio Colorido.[46]
An eight part anime series in celebration of the Pokémon 25th anniversary called Pokémon Evolutions aired on YouTube in 2021.[47]
Live-action
In July 2021, it was announced that a live action Pokémon series is in early development at Netflix with Joe Henderson attached to write and executive produce.[48]
Films
Main article: List of Pokémon films
Animated Films Release Timeline
1998 Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back
1999 Pokémon: The Movie 2000 - The Power of One
2000 Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown
2001 Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest
2002 Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias
2003 Jirachi—Wish Maker
2004 Destiny Deoxys
2005 Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
2006 Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
2007 The Rise of Darkrai
2008 Giratina and the Sky Warrior
2009 Arceus and the Jewel of Life
2010 Zoroark—Master of Illusions
2011 White—Victini and Zekrom
Black—Victini and Reshiram
2012 Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
2013 Genesect and the Legend Awakened
2014 Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
2015 Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
2016 Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
2017 I Choose You!
2018 The Power of Us
2019 Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution
2020 Secrets of the Jungle
Live Action Films Release Timeline
2019 Pokémon Detective Pikachu
There have been 23 animated theatrical Pokémon films, which have been directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Tetsuo Yajima, and distributed in Japan by Toho since 1998. The pair of films, Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom are considered together as one film. Collectibles, such as promotional trading cards, have been available with some of the films. Since the 20th film, the films have been set in an alternate continuity separate from the anime series.
Soundtracks
Main article: List of Pokémon theme songs
Pokémon CDs have been released in North America, some of them in conjunction with the theatrical releases of the first three and the 20th Pokémon films. These releases were commonplace until late 2001. On March 27, 2007, a tenth anniversary CD was released containing 18 tracks from the English dub; this was the first English-language release in over five years. Soundtracks of the Pokémon feature films have been released in Japan each year in conjunction with the theatrical releases. In 2017, a soundtrack album featuring music from the North American versions of the 17th through 20th movies was released.
Year Title
June 29, 1999[49] Pokémon 2.B.A. Master
November 9, 1999[50] Pokémon: The First Movie
February 8, 2000 Pokémon World
May 9, 2000 Pokémon: The First Movie Original Motion Picture Score
July 18, 2000 Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Unknown1 Pokémon: The Movie 2000 Original Motion Picture Score
January 23, 2001 Totally Pokémon
April 3, 2001 Pokémon 3: The Ultimate Soundtrack
October 9, 2001 Pokémon Christmas Bash
March 27, 2007 Pokémon X: Ten Years of Pokémon
November 12, 2013 Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: Super Music Collection
December 10, 2013 Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen: Super Music Collection
January 14, 2014 Pokémon HeartGold & Pokémon SoulSilver: Super Music Collection
February 11, 2014 Pokémon Ruby & Pokémon Sapphire: Super Music Collection
March 11, 2014 Pokémon Diamond & Pokémon Pearl: Super Music Collection
April 8, 2014 Pokémon Black & Pokémon White: Super Music Collection
May 13, 2014 Pokémon Black 2 & Pokémon White 2: Super Music Collection
December 21, 2014 Pokémon Omega Ruby & Pokémon Alpha Sapphire: Super Music Collection
April 27, 2016 Pokémon Red and Green Super Music Collection
November 30, 2016 Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon: Super Music Collection
December 23, 2017 Pokémon Movie Music Collection2
^ The exact date of release is unknown.
^ Featuring music from Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, and Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Main article: Pokémon Trading Card Game
Palkia, the Spatial Pokémon's Trading Card Game card from the Pokémon TCG Diamond and Pearl expansion
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a collectible card game with a goal similar to a Pokémon battle in the video game series. Players use Pokémon cards, with individual strengths and weaknesses, in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" their Pokémon cards.[51] The game was published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999.[52] With the release of the Game Boy Advance video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the Pokémon Company took back the card game from Wizards of the Coast and started publishing the cards themselves.[52] The Expedition expansion introduced the Pokémon-e Trading Card Game, where the cards (for the most part) were compatible with the Nintendo e-Reader. Nintendo discontinued its production of e-Reader compatible cards with the release of FireRed and LeafGreen. In 1998, Nintendo released a Game Boy Color version of the trading card game in Japan; Pokémon Trading Card Game was subsequently released to the US and Europe in 2000. The game included digital versions of cards from the original set of cards and the first two expansions (Jungle and Fossil), as well as several cards exclusive to the game. A sequel was released in Japan in 2001.[53]
Manga
Main article: List of Pokémon manga
There are various Pokémon manga series, four of which were released in English by Viz Media, and seven of them released in English by Chuang Yi. The manga series vary from game-based series to being based on the anime and the Trading Card Game. Original stories have also been published. As there are several series created by different authors, most Pokémon manga series differ greatly from each other and other media, such as the anime.[example needed] Pokémon Pocket Monsters and Pokémon Adventures are the two manga in production since the first generation.
Manga released in English
The Electric Tale of Pikachu (Dengeki Pikachu), a shōnen manga created by Toshihiro Ono. It was divided into four tankōbon, each given a separate title in the North American and English Singapore versions: The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pikachu Shocks Back, Electric Pikachu Boogaloo, and Surf's Up, Pikachu. The series is based loosely on the anime.
Pokémon Adventures (Pocket Monsters SPECIAL in Japan) by Hidenori Kusaka (story), Mato (art formerly), and Satoshi Yamamoto (art currently), the most popular Pokémon manga based on the video games. The story series around the Pokémon Trainers who called "Pokédex holders".
Magical Pokémon Journey (Pocket Monsters PiPiPi ★ Adventures), a shōjo manga
Pikachu Meets the Press (newspaper style comics, not released by Chuang Yi)
Ash & Pikachu (Satoshi to Pikachu)
Pokémon Gold & Silver
Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire and Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker
Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (the third movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea[54] (the fourth movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
Pokémon Adventures: Diamond and Pearl / Platinum[55]
Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai[56] (the fifth movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior[57] (the sixth movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life[58] (the seventh movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions[59] (the eighth movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon The Movie: White: Victini and Zekrom[60] (the ninth movie-to-comic adaptation)
Pokémon Black and White[61]
Manga not released in English
Pokémon Pocket Monsters by Kosaku Anakubo, the first Pokémon manga. Chiefly a gag manga, it stars a Pokémon Trainer named Red, his rude Clefairy, and Pikachu.
Pokémon Card ni Natta Wake (How I Became a Pokémon Card) by Kagemaru Himeno, an artist for the Trading Card Game. There are six volumes and each includes a special promotional card. The stories tell the tales of the art behind some of Himeno's cards.
Pokémon Get aa ze! by Miho Asada
Pocket Monsters Chamo-Chamo ★ Pretty ♪ by Yumi Tsukirino, who also made Magical Pokémon Journey.
Pokémon Card Master
Pocket Monsters Emerald Chōsen!! Battle Frontier by Ihara Shigekatsu
Pocket Monsters Zensho by Satomi Nakamura
Live-action series
In July 2021, it was announced that a live-action Pokémon series is reportedly in development at Netflix. Joe Henderson, showrunner of Lucifer, is signed on as writer and executive producer.[62]
Criticisms and controversies
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This article's Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article's neutrality by separating out potentially negative information. Please integrate the section's contents into the article as a whole, or rewrite the material. (April 2022)
Morality and religious beliefs
Pokémon has been criticized by some fundamentalist Christians over perceived occult and violent themes and the concept of "Pokémon evolution", which they feel goes against the Biblical creation account in Genesis.[63] Sat2000, a satellite television station based in Vatican City, has countered that the Pokémon Trading Card Game and video games are "full of inventive imagination" and have no "harmful moral side effects".[64][65] In the United Kingdom, the "Christian Power Cards" game was introduced in 1999 by David Tate who stated, "Some people aren't happy with Pokémon and want an alternative, others just want Christian games." The game was similar to the Pokémon Trading Card Game but used Biblical figures.[66]
In 1999, Nintendo stopped manufacturing the Japanese version of the "Koga's Ninja Trick" trading card because it depicted a manji, a traditionally Buddhist symbol with no negative connotations. The Jewish civil rights group Anti-Defamation League complained because the symbol is the reverse of a swastika, a Nazi symbol. The cards were intended for sale in Japan only, but the popularity of Pokémon led to import into the United States with approval from Nintendo. The Anti-Defamation League understood that the portrayed symbol was not intended to offend and acknowledged the sensitivity that Nintendo showed by removing the product.[67][68]
In 1999, two nine-year-old boys from Merrick, New York, sued Nintendo because they claimed the Pokémon Trading Card Game caused their problematic gambling.[69]
In 2001, Saudi Arabia banned Pokémon games and the trading cards, alleging that the franchise promoted Zionism by displaying the Star of David in the trading cards (the Colorless energy from the Pokémon Trading Card Game resembles a six-pointed star) as well as other religious symbols such as crosses they associated with Christianity and triangles they associated with Freemasonry; the games also involved gambling, which is in violation of Muslim doctrine.[70][71]
Pokémon has also been accused of promoting materialism.[72]
Animal cruelty
In 2012, PETA criticized the concept of Pokémon as supporting cruelty to animals. PETA compared the game's concept, of capturing animals and forcing them to fight, to cockfights, dog fighting rings and circuses, events frequently criticized for cruelty to animals. PETA released a game spoofing Pokémon where the Pokémon battle their trainers to win their freedom.[73] PETA reaffirmed their objections in 2016 with the release of Pokémon Go, promoting the hashtag #GottaFreeThemAll.[74]
Health
Main article: Dennō Senshi Porygon
See also: Burger King Pokémon container recall
On December 16, 1997, more than 635 Japanese children were admitted to hospitals with epileptic seizures.[75] It was determined the seizures were caused by watching an episode of Pokémon "Dennō Senshi Porygon", (most commonly translated "Electric Soldier Porygon", season 1, episode 38); as a result, this episode has not been aired since. In this particular episode, there were bright explosions with rapidly alternating blue and red color patterns.[76] It was determined in subsequent research that these strobing light effects cause some individuals to have epileptic seizures, even if the person had no previous history of epilepsy.[77] This incident is a common focus of Pokémon-related parodies in other media, and was lampooned by The Simpsons episode "Thirty Minutes over Tokyo" in a short cameo[78] and the South Park episode "Chinpokomon",[79] among others.
Pokémon Go
See also: Criticism and incidents
Within its first two days of release, Pokémon Go raised safety concerns among players. Multiple people also suffered minor injuries from falling while playing the game due to being distracted.[80]
Multiple police departments in various countries have issued warnings, some tongue-in-cheek, regarding inattentive driving, trespassing, and being targeted by criminals due to being unaware of one's surroundings.[81][82] People have suffered various injuries from accidents related to the game,[83][84][85][86] and Bosnian players have been warned to stay out of minefields left over from the 1990s Bosnian War.[87] On July 20, 2016, it was reported that an 18-year-old boy in Chiquimula, Guatemala, was shot and killed while playing the game in the late evening hours. This was the first reported death in connection with the app. The boy's 17-year-old cousin, who was accompanying the victim, was shot in the foot. Police speculated that the shooters used the game's GPS capability to find the two.[88]
Cultural influence
All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400 in Pokémon livery, dubbed a Pokémon Jet
Pokémon, being a globally popular franchise