Pikachu's Global Adventure

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Pikachu's Global Adventure
Pikachus global adventure.png
ISBN: 978-0822332879
Pages: 306
Published: February 2004
Publisher: Duke University Press
Author: Joseph Tobin

Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon is a book that was released by the Duke University press in 2004. The book is a documentary that focuses on how Pokémon became a worldwide hit among children and teens from its beginning in Japan in 1996, all the way through what was claimed to be its decline during the start of Generation III in 2003. It also contains several "secrets" about the franchise.

Choice of Pikachu as the mascot

Pikachu was chosen over Clefairy, the mascot of the comic series, in order to appeal to young girls and their mothers by appearing to be more of a pet. Additionally, Pikachu's yellow color was more recognizable at a distance and the only other yellow character at the time was Winnie-the-Pooh.

Fall of Pokémon

The fall of Pokémon was defined as the declining sales starting about 2001 or so. Spell of the Unown: Entei received a more limited theatrical release and lower box office performance than the first two movies. Additionally, there was far less shelf space in toy stores. An essay by Samuel Tobin reported that the games were more rarely seen in playgrounds and schools. However, Pokémon was still a top-selling product. Although the 2001 release of Pokémon Stadium 2 sold worse than the 1999 release of Pokémon Yellow, it was still one of the top three games that year. For some reason, the book doesn't mention Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, which were released shortly before the book was published, although they also sold more poorly than the previous generations.


Anime adaptations: Pocket Monsters SeriesPokémon anime novelization seriesPokémon anime novelization series (France)
Pokémon the First Movie
Pokémon Encyclopedia: Pocket Monsters EncyclopediaPokémon Gold and Silver Pokédex
Pokémon Adventure Series: Bye Bye ButterfreeAttack of the Prehistoric PokémonElectric Shock ShowdownA Shipful of Shivers
Readers: Worlds of AdventurePikachu in LoveTogepi Springs Into Action!The Haunted Gym
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Ash's Triple ThreatBattle for the Bolt BadgeWrath of the LegendsSuper Sleuth
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Pathways to Adventure: PokémonPokémon SnapPokémon Gold/SilverPokémon Gold/Silver: The Adventure Continues!
Pokémon Keychain Books: ElectricWaterNormalFire
Sheet music books: Can You Play Pokémon?Pokémon 2.B.A. MasterPokémon 2.B.A. Master: Recorder Fun!PokéRAPPokémon Five-Finger Piano
Other: Pocket Monsters: The AnimationLet's Find Pokémon!Pikachu's Global AdventurePikachu Meets the Press
Meet Buizel and FriendsPokémon TalesSatoshi Tajiri: Pokémon Creator
Shōko Nakagawa: Pokémon Taught Me The Meaning of LifeDetective Pikachu: Episode 0—Eevee's Case
Detective Pikachu (graphic novel)Movie Novel (Pokémon: Detective Pikachu)


  This book article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.