During his childhood, Satoshi Tajiri enjoyed collecting and playing with bugs in his backyard. As he grew older, his love for playing video games at the arcade led him to combine these interests.
This fusion resulted in the creation of one of the largest franchises globally.
Matt Alt, a writer based in Tokyo and author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World, described Pokemon as almost a lifestyle at this point.
This month marks the 30th anniversary of Tajiri’s brainchild, Pokemon, which was celebrated with a Super Bowl ad featuring celebrities like Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Lady Gaga, Trevor Noah, Jisoo, and Lamine Yamal sharing their favorite Pokemon.
Since its inception in 1996, Pokemon has become the top-grossing media franchise, surpassing well-known IPs such as Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Harry Potter.
The franchise has generated over $100 billion USD in revenue, with a reported $12 billion USD in profit in 2024, according to License Global.
Pokemon’s success is driven by its video games, trading cards, and anime series, establishing it as an economic powerhouse and a tool for soft power, enhancing Japan’s global influence.
Origins and Evolution
In 1990, Tajiri embarked on developing a game for the Nintendo Game Boy, introducing 150 creatures for players to capture, collect, and battle. After six years of development, Pokemon Red and Green were officially launched in Japan on Feb. 27, 1996.
Recognizing the hit potential, Nintendo heavily invested in the franchise, creating comic books, a cartoon series, and trading cards, according to Alt.
When Pokemon debuted in North America in 1999, it already had an established media ecosystem, as per Alt.
The impact of Pokemon was profound, transforming childhood entertainment in the West, Alt remarked.
Hanine El Mir, who started playing Pokemon Blue with her brother at a young age, remains a dedicated fan, studying video games at Concordia University. She reminisces about the nostalgia and joy the games bring.
Moreover, the value of Pokemon cards has skyrocketed over the years, attracting collectors and scalpers alike.
Another significant milestone was the introduction of Pokemon Go, an app that revolutionized augmented reality gaming.
The enduring success of the Pokemon franchise has not only driven profits but also positioned it as a cultural phenomenon with soft power implications, shaping perceptions and influencing global audiences.