Pokmon ( Pokemon?

, /pokemn/ 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 roleplaying video games developed by Game Freak, Pokmon 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] Pokmon 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 Pokmon, announced that it had agreed not to renew the Pokmon representation agreement. Pokmon USA Inc. (now The Pokmon Company International), a subsidiary of Japan's Pokmon Co., now oversees all Pokmon licensing outside of Asia.[6]
Contents [hide] 1 Name 2 Concept 3 List of Pokmon 4 Video games o o 4.1 Generations 4.2 Game mechanics 4.2.1 Starter Pokmon 4.2.2 Pokdex

5 In other media o o o o o 5.1 Anime series 5.2 Films 5.3 Soundtracks 5.4 Pokmon Trading Card Game 5.5 Manga

6 Criticism and controversy o o o 6.1 Morality and religious beliefs 6.2 Health 6.3 Monster in My Pocket

7 Cultural influence 8 See also 9 References

10 External links

Name
The name Pokmon is the romanized contraction of the Japanese brand Pocket Monsters ( Poketto Monsut?).[7] The term Pokmon, in addition to referring to the Pokmon franchise itself, also collectively refers to the 719 known fictional species that have made appearances in Pokmon media as of the release of the sixth generation titles Pokmon X and Y. "Pokmon" is identical in both the singular and plural, as is each individual species name; it is grammatically correct to say "one Pokmon" and "many Pokmon", as well as "one Pikachu" and "many Pikachu".[8] However, Pokmon 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 Pokmon universe, in both the video games and the general fictional world of Pokmon, stems from the hobby of insect collecting, a popular pastime which Pokmon executive director Satoshi Tajiri enjoyed as a child.[9] Players of the games are designated as Pokmon Trainers, and the two general goals (in most Pokmon games) for such Trainers are: to complete the Pokdex by collecting all of the available Pokmon species found in the fictional region where that game takes place; and to train a team of powerful Pokmon from those they have caught to compete against teams owned by other Trainers, and eventually become the strongest Trainer: the Pokmon Master. These themes of collecting, training, and battling are present in almost every version of the Pokmon franchise, including the video games, the anime and manga series, and the Pokmon Trading Card Game. In most incarnations of the fictional Pokmon universe, a Trainer that encounters a wild Pokmon is able to capture that Pokmon by throwing a specially designed, mass-producible spherical tool called a Pok Ball at it. If the Pokmon is unable to escape the confines of the Pok 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 Pokmon would rather act on its own accord. Trainers can send out any of their Pokmon to wage non-lethal battles against other Pokmon; if the opposing Pokmon is wild, the Trainer can capture that Pokmon with a Pok Ball, increasing his or her collection of creatures. Pokmon already owned by other Trainers cannot be captured, except under special circumstances in certain games. If a Pokmon fully defeats an opponent in battle so that the opponent is knocked out (i.e., "faints"), the winning Pokmon gains experience points and may level up. When leveling up, the Pokmon's statistics ("stats") of battling aptitude increase, such as Attack and Speed. From time to time the Pokmon may also learn new moves, which are techniques used in battle. In addition, many species of Pokmon possess the ability to undergo a form of metamorphosis and transform into a similar but stronger species of Pokmon, a process called evolution. In the main series, each game's single-player mode requires the Trainer to raise a team of Pokmon to defeat many non-player character (NPC) Trainers and their Pokmon. Each game

lays out a somewhat linear path through a specific region of the Pokmon 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 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 Pokmon League, where four immensely talented trainers (referred to collectively as the "Elite " Four") ") challenge the Trainer to four Pokmon 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. cham

List of Pokmon
Main article: List of Pokmon

Video games
Main article: Pokmon (video game series)

Generations
The original Pokmon games were role-playing role playing games (RPGs) with an element of strategy, and were created by Satoshi Tajiri for the Game Boy. . These RPGs, and their sequels, remakes, and English language translations, , are still considered the "main" Pokmon games, and the games which most fans of the series are referring to when they use the term "Pokmon games". All of the licensed Pokmon properties overseen by The Pokmon Company International are divided roughly by generation. These generations are roughly chronological divisions ns by release; every several years, when an official sequel in the main RPG series is released that features new Pokmon, characters, and gameplay concepts, that sequel is considered the start of a new generation of the franchise. The main games and their spin-offs, offs, the anime, manga, and trading card game are all updated with the new Pokmon properties each time a new generation begins. The franchise began the sixth generation on October 12, 2013.

A battle between a level 5Bulbasaur and a level 5Charmander in the first generation of Pokmongames; Pokmon Red andBlue.
[10]

The Pokmon franchise started off in its first generation with its its initial release of Pocket Monsters Aka and Midori ("Red" and "Green", respectively) for the Game Boy in Japan. When these games proved extremely popular, an enhanced Ao ("Blue") ") version was released sometime after, and the Ao version was reprogrammed as Pokmon Red and Blue for international al release. The games launched in the United States on September 30, 1998. The

original Aka and Midori versions were never released outside of Japan.[11] Afterwards, a further enhanced version titled Pokmon 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 Pokmon anime. This first generation of games introduced the original 151 species of Pokmon, in National Pokdex order, encompassing all Pokmon from Bulbasaur to Mew. It also introduced the basic game concepts of capturing, training, battling, and trading Pokmon with both computer and human players. These versions of the games take place within the fictional Kanto region, inspired by the real world Kant region of Japan, though the name "Kanto" was not used until the second generation. The second generation of Pokmon began in 1999 with the release of Pokmon Gold and Silver for Game Boy Color. Like the previous generation, an enhanced version titled Pokmon Crystal was later released. The second generation introduced 100 new species of Pokmon, starting with Chikorita and ending with Celebi. It totaled 251 Pokmon to collect, train, and battle, set in Johto, inspired by Japan's Kansai region. The Pokmon mini is a handheld game console released in November 2001 in North America, December 2001 in Japan, and 2002 in Europe. Pokmon entered its third generation with the 2002 release of Pokmon Ruby and Sapphire for Game Boy Advance and continued with the Game Boy Advance remakes of Pokmon Red and Blue, Pokmon FireRed and LeafGreen, and an enhanced version of Pokmon Ruby and Sapphire titled Pokmon Emerald. The third generation introduced 135 new Pokmon, 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 Pokmon 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 Pokmon Diamond and Pearl for Nintendo DS. The fourth generation introduced another 107 new species of Pokmon, starting with Turtwig and ending with Arceus, bringing the total of Pokmon 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 "Poktch". 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 Pokmon 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. Pokmon Platinum, the enhanced version of Diamond and Pearlmuch like Pokmon Yellow, Crystal, and Emeraldwas 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 Pokmon Stadium follow-up Pokmon Battle Revolution for Wii, which has Wi-Fi connectivity as well.[13] Nintendo announced in May 2009 that enhanced remakes of Pokmon Gold and Silver, entitled Pokmon 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 Pokmon began on September 18, 2010, with the release of Pokmon Black and White in Japan for Nintendo DS.[15] The games were originally announced by the Pokmon 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 ( Isshu-chih?, 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 ( Hiun Shiti?) metropolis. A total of 156 new Pokmon 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 C Gia?) wireless interactivity features[20] and the ability to upload game data to the Internet and to the player's own computer.[21] Pokmon 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 Pokmon Black 2 and Pokmon 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, Pokmon 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 Pokmon games rendered in 3D, and the first released worldwide together.[23]

Game mechanics
Main article: Gameplay of Pokmon The main staple of the Pokmon video game series revolves around the catching and battling of Pokmon. Starting with a starter Pokmon, the player can catch wild Pokmon by weakening them and catching them with Pok Balls. Conversely, they can choose to defeat them in battle in order to gain experience for their Pokmon, raising their levels and teaching them new moves. Certain Pokmon 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 Pokmon Contests where visual appearance is put on display. Starter Pokmon One of the consistent aspects of the Pokmon gamesspanning from Pokmon Red and Blue on the Game Boy to the Nintendo 3DS games Pokmon X and Yis the choice of one of three different Pokmon at the start of the player's adventures; these three are often labeled "starter Pokmon". Players can choose a Grass-type, a Fire-type, or a Water-type.[24] For example, in Pokmon Red and Blue (and their respective remakes, Pokmon

FireRed and Pokmon LeafGreen), the player has the choice of starting with Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. The exception to this rule is Pokmon Yellow (a remake of the original games that follows the story of the Pokmon anime), where players are given a Pikachu, an Electric-type mouse Pokmon, famous for being the mascot of the Pokmon media franchise; in this game, however, the three starter Pokmon 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 Pokmon the one that has a type advantage over the player's Pokmon. For instance, if the player picks a Grass-type Pokmon, the rival will always pick the Fire-type starter. An exception to this is again Pokmon 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 Pokmon Colosseum and Pokmon XD: Gale of Darkness also contain an exception; whereas in most games the player's initial Pokmon starts at Level 5, in these two games the player's initial Pokmon starts at Levels 10 and 25, respectively. In Colosseum the player's starter Pokmon are Espeon and Umbreon, while in Gale of Darkness the player's starter is Eevee. Pokdex The Pokdex is a fictional electronic device featured in the Pokmon video game and anime series. In the games, whenever a Pokmon is first captured, its data will be added to a player's Pokdex, but in the anime or manga, the Pokdex is a comprehensive electronic reference encyclopedia, usually referred to in order to deliverexposition. "Pokdex" is also used to refer to a list of Pokmon, usually a list of Pokmon by number. In the video games, a Pokmon Trainer is issued a blank device at the start of the journey. A trainer must then attempt to fill the Pokdex by encountering and at least briefly obtaining each of the different species of Pokmon. A player will receive the name and image of a Pokmon after encountering one that was not previously in the Pokdex, typically after battling said Pokmon 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 Pokmon Red and Blue, some Pokmon's data is added to the Pokdex simply by viewing the Pokmon, such as in the zoo outside of the Safari Zone. Also, certain NPC characters may add to the Pokdex by explaining what a Pokmon looks like during conversation. More detailed information is available after the player obtains a member of the species, either through capturing the Pokmon in the wild, evolving a previously captured Pokmon, hatching a Pokmon 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 Pokmon. Later versions of the Pokdex have more detailed information, like the size of a certain Pokmon compared to the player character, or Pokmon being sorted by their habitat (so far, the latter feature is only in the FireRed and LeafGreen versions). The most current forms of Pokdex are capable of containing information on all Pokmon currently known. The GameCube games, Pokmon Colosseum and Pokmon XD: Gale of Darkness, have a Pokmon Digital Assistant (PDA) which is similar to the Pokdex, but also tells what types are effective against a Pokmon and gives a description of its abilities.[26]

In other media

Ash Ketchum and Pikachu together in the pilot episode, "Pokmon, " I Choose You!"

Anime series
Main article: Pokmon (anime) The Pokmon anime series and films are a meta-series series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokmon video games follow (with the exception of Pokmon Yellow, 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 Pokmon Master in training, as he and a small group of friends[27] travel around the fictitious world of Pokmon along with their Pokmon partners. The original series, titled Pocket Monsters, or simply Pokmon in Western countries (often referred to as Pokmon: Gotta Catch 'Em All to distinguish it from the later series), begin begins with Ash's first day as a Pokmon trainer. His first (and signature) Pokmon is a Pikachu, differing from the games, where only Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle could be chosen.[28] The series follows the storyline of the original games,Pokmon Red and Blue, in the region of Kanto. Accompanying Ash on his journeys are Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, ader, and andMisty, the youngest of the Gym Leader sisters from Cerulean City. Pokmon: Adventures in the Orange Islands follows Ash's adventures in the Orange Islands, a place place unique to the anime, and replaces Brock with Tracey Sketchit, Sketchit, an artist and "Pokmon watcher". The next series, based on the second generation of games, include Pokmon: Johto Journeys, Pokmon: Johto League Champions, and Pokmon: Master Quest, following the original trio of Ash, Brock, and Misty in the western Johto region. The saga continues in Pokmon: Advanced Advance Battle, based on the third generation games. Ash and company travel to Hoenn, , a southern region in the Pokmon World. Ash takes on the role of a teacher and mentor for a novice Pokmon trainer named n May. Her brother 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 her duties as a gym leader (Misty, along with other recurring recurring characters, appears in the spin spin-off series Pokmon Chronicles). The Advanced Battle series concludes with the Battle Frontier saga, based on the Emerald version and including aspects of FireRed and LeafGreen. The Advanced Generation series ended with Max leaving to pick his starter Pokmon and May going to the Grand Festival in Johto. In the Diamond and Pearl series, based on the fourth generation games, Ash, Ash, Brock, and a new companion, an aspiring Pokmon coordinator named Dawn, , 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 Pokmon 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 (XY Poketo Monsut 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 Pokmon films have been made, with the pair of films, Pokmon the Movie: BlackVictini and Reshiram and WhiteVictini and Zekrom considered together as one. Collectible bonuses, such as promotional trading cards, have been available with some of the films.