Pokémon

Pokémon is a media franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, originally launched in 1996. The name is a portmanteau of the English words “Pocket” and “Monsters.” It refers to the fictional creatures that trainers, called Pokémon Trainers, capture and train to battle each other for sport. The franchise includes video games, trading card games, an animated television series, movies, and merchandise. In the Pokémon universe, there are over 800 distinct species of Pokémon, each exhibiting unique abilities and characteristics. Players strive to collect them all, often using skills in strategy and resource management. The franchise emphasizes themes of friendship, adventure, and discovery.