"Pokémon," short for "Pocket Monsters," is a multimedia franchise created by Satoshi

Tajiri and Ken Sugimori and managed by The Pokémon Company, a collaboration
between Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc. The franchise was launched in the
1990s and has since become one of the most recognizable and successful franchises in
the world.

The core concept of Pokémon revolves around fictional creatures known as "Pokémon,"
which humans, known as "trainers," catch and train to battle each other. Trainers aim to
become Pokémon Masters by capturing, raising, and evolving their Pokémon to
compete in battles against other trainers. The franchise spans video games, trading card
games, an animated TV series, movies, toys, and various merchandise.

The central themes of Pokémon include friendship, teamwork, adventure, and the bond
between humans and the Pokémon they raise. The franchise's mascot is Pikachu, an
electric-type Pokémon, and it features hundreds of other species, each with unique traits
and abilities.

The Pokémon video games often involve players exploring fictional worlds, capturing
Pokémon, and battling other trainers to become champions. The animated TV series
follows the journey of Ash Ketchum and his friends as they travel the Pokémon world,
collect badges, and compete in Pokémon battles.

With its diverse creatures, engaging gameplay, and wide range of media offerings,
Pokémon has captured the hearts of fans of all ages across the globe and has left an
indelible mark on popular culture.