Matt

Pokémon, originally known as Pocket Monsters, is a Japanese media franchise created by Nintendo in 1996. It began with the Game Boy games Pokémon Red and Green, and has since expanded into an enormous franchise encompassing anime, manga, card games, and merchandise. The series revolves around collecting and raising fictional creatures called "Pokémon," incorporating elements of battling and trading, which has garnered a massive global following. The Pokémon universe evolves with each generation, developing from an initial concept of insect collecting into a fusion of mythology and technology. The anime series has been airing since 1997, making it a long-running staple. The franchise has varying names in different regions, such as "Pocket Monsters," "Pokémon," and others, but the official name is "Pokémon." It boasts a huge global fanbase, with game sales ranking among the best in video game history, and merchandise sales also reach significant levels. Pokémon has become a prominent cultural phenomenon that influences people's lives and has spawned related facilities, such as Pokémon Centers.