History of Pokémon: Difference between revisions

On April 25, 1998, the first [[Pokémon Center (store)|''Pokémon Center'' store]] was opened in Tokyo, specializing in [[Pokémon merchandise]]. Along the way, [[The Pokémon Company]] began its operations. Many such stores were opened in later years, and today there are six different stores across Japan, as well as a subsection in the Nintendo World Store in New York.

[[File:Ash OS 1.png|thumb|200px|left|Ash Ketchum in the original series of the anime]] Due to Pokémon's success in Japan, the series was released overseas. Before the games were released in North America, the localization team attempted to change the Pokémon designs, fearing that the cute designs would not appeal to western gamers; however, the proposal was refused.<ref>[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/taidan1/page03.html スペシャル対談／３]</ref><ref>''"[Mr. Yamauchi] indicated that the games would be customized for western markets, a process that should include new art for many of the monsters."'' Nintendo Power 104 (January 1998) p. 38 (retrieved December 21, 2010)</ref> North America received {{2v|Red|Blue}}, as well as the anime, in September 1998 (the anime on the 7th and the games on the 28th), and soon everywhere else began to play the games on the Game Boy under the slogan ''[[Gotta Catch 'em All!]]''. The {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}} was also introduced to North America on January 9, 1999 by [[Wizards of the Coast]]. [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]] became the first [[Pokémon manga]] to be translated to English when [[VIZ Media]] started publishing it on September 28, 1999.

Meanwhile in Japan in 1998, a new spin-off game, {{Jap|Pokémon Stadium}}, was released for [[Nintendo 64]]. This game featured only 42 Pokémon of the full 151. This game proved to be commercially and critically unsuccessful, though its sequel, originally planned for the [[Nintendo 64DD]], {{eng|Pokémon Stadium|received an international release}}.

On December 18, 1998 a [[Pokémon Trading Card Game (game)|Game Boy game based on the TCG]] was released, later arriving in North America on April 10, 2000. It was followed, only in Japan, a year later by a sequel titled [[Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!]].

A sequel to {{Jap|Pokémon Stadium}} was also eventually released in Japan on April 30, 1999, and became a success. This game reached North America on February 29, 2000, and became known there as the original {{Eng|Pokémon Stadium}}. The twist in the {{pkmn|Stadium series}} from the [[core series]] was that it featured the Pokémon in 3D.

Almost since the very beginning of the series, it had been apparent that the first 151 Pokémon would not be the last. {{p|Ho-Oh}} was seen as early as [[EP001|the first episode of the anime]], {{TP|Misty|Togepi|Togetic}} was owned by a {{an|Misty|main character}}, and others like {{p|Marill}}, {{p|Snubbull}} and {{p|Donphan}} were seen in [[M01|the first movie]]. Later, when [[Generation II|the second generation]] of Pokémon was drawing nearer, others like {{p|Lugia}}, {{p|Slowking}} and {{p|Elekid}} made their way to [[M02|the second movie]].

Like Pokémon Yellow, a [[core series|third version]] was made called {{game|Crystal}}, which was released in Japan on December 14, 2000 and in North America on July 21, 2001. Pokémon Crystal had several notable changes from Gold and Silver. {{p|Suicune}} was the [[game mascot]] and the focus of the plot. Crystal was also the first portable Pokémon game to feature animations for every Pokémon. Trainers in Japan received the added bonus of being able to trade, battle, and even obtain the [[Legendary Pokémon]] {{p|Celebi}} wirelessly by using a cell phone to connect to the [[Pokémon Mobile System GB]]. Trainers were also, for the first time, allowed to choose their character's [[gender]].

The [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga finally caught up to the second generation on August 8, 2001, when {{PAV|8}} was published in Japan, starting [[Gold, Silver & Crystal chapter (Adventures)|a new chapter]]. This chapter was much longer than the previous chapters of the series, lasting no less than 7 full volumes. Additionally, this is the only volume to share its release date with future volumes in Japanese, being that the [[Pokémon Adventures volume 9|two]] [[Pokémon Adventures volume 10|after]] it were published at the same time.

In July 2001 [[EP205|an episode]] of the anime aired in Japan featuring a Pokémon never previously seen - {{p|Kecleon}}. Soon, Kecleon and others like {{p|Wynaut}}, {{p|Azurill}}, {{p|Duskull}} and {{p|Volbeat}} showed up in theaters in two [[PK10|Pikachu]] [[PK11|shorts]] while {{p|Wailmer}}, {{p|Latias}} and {{p|Latios}} were featured in [[M05|the fifth]] Pokémon movie. During the [[Silver Conference]] Ash battled {{jo|Harrison}}, a Trainer from [[Littleroot Town]] in [[Hoenn]]. [[Professor Birch]], along {{p|Poochyena|with}} {{p|Lotad|other}} {{p|Sharpedo|Pokémon}}, made a cameo in ''[[EP272|Johto Photo Finish]]''. Through this, it became known that the next generation of Pokémon was just around the corner.

Indeed, a major overhaul of the main game series occurred when Pokémon arrived on the [[Game Boy Advance]] on November 21, 2002 when {{2v|Ruby|Sapphire}} were released in Japan. Trainers found themselves in the southern land called [[Hoenn]] where {{cat|Generation III Pokémon|135 new Pokémon}} were waiting to be discovered. The games reached North America on March 18, 2003 and had many new features, the most prominent being [[Pokémon Contest]]s, [[Double Battle]]s, Pokémon {{Abilities}} and [[Nature]]s for each Pokémon, along with the reform of [[effort values]] and [[individual values]]. Also introduced in these versions were more types of [[weather]] and two new [[villainous teams]], [[Team Magma]] and [[Team Aqua]]. Due to the extensive changes to the system, however, this generation was not compatible with earlier generations.

[[File:Agseries.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A poster for the [[Advanced Generation series]] of the Pokémon anime]]

The anime began a new series, {{series|Advanced Generation}}, which [[AG001|started]] in Japan on the same day as the release of the games and reached North America almost a year later. A great deal was changed in this series, including the introduction of a new main character, {{an|May}}, based on her game counterpart. Two new movies were produced during the time in [[Hoenn]]: ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]'' (which was released on July 19, 2003 in Japan and on June 1, 2004 on video and DVD in North America) and ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]'' (which was released on July 17, 2004 in Japan and on January 22, 2005 on North American television).

Around the same time of the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, a show called ''[[Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station]]'' began to air weekly in Japan, focusing not on {{Ash}}, but on other characters of the anime, such as {{an|Misty}}, {{An|Brock}}, {{Tracey}}, {{Gary}}, [[Ritchie]], {{an|Casey}} and [[Sakura]]. The English dubbed version, ''[[Pokémon Chronicles]]'', first aired in the United Kingdom in May 2005, finally dubbing ''[[The Legend of Thunder!]]'' special to English along the way, three and a half years after its original Japanese airing.

On July 28, 2003, {{PAV|15}} of the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga was first published, starting [[Ruby & Sapphire chapter (Adventures)|another chapter]], this one following the third generation's story. This was the first chapter in the series not to feature previously introduced characters. Other manga series, such as ''[[Ash & Pikachu]]'', have also moved into the RS era around the same time.

[[File:FireRed EN US boxart.png|thumb|200px|Pokémon FireRed Version box art]]

On August 28, 2006, {{PAV|22}} of the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga was published, starting the {{chap|FireRed & LeafGreen}}, and on June 23, 2007, {{PAV|26}} started the {{chap|Emerald}}. Another short manga series called [[Pokémon Battle Frontier]] was written by [[Shigekatsu Ihara]], focusing on the {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}}.

Another new twist on Pokémon came in the spin-off [[Nintendo DS]] game {{ga|Pokémon Ranger}} on March 23, 2006. This time, players didn't play as regular [[Pokémon Trainer]]s, but as {{OBP|Pokémon Ranger|Ranger series}}s traveling the land of [[Fiore]] with a device called the [[Capture Styler]] instead of [[Poké Ball]]s. It was released in North America on October 30, 2006. The game was also promoted in the anime through the appearance of Pokémon Rangers in [[AG155|the main series]], [[AG171|a special episode]] and [[M09|the ninth movie]], and in a short [[Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission|manga series]].

===Diamond and Pearl===

[[File:Dpseries.jpg|thumb|200px|A poster for the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}} of the Pokémon anime]]

Just like with {{p|Kecleon}} in [[Generation III]], the public learned of [[Generation IV]] through a new Pokémon — {{p|Munchlax}} — in May 2004. Munchlax was soon featured in {{g|Dash}}, as well as [[M07|the seventh movie]] and later [[May's Munchlax|the main anime]]. Others such as {{p|Lucario}}, {{p|Bonsly}}, {{p|Mime Jr.}}, and {{p|Weavile}} then made their way to [[M08|the eighth movie]], and {{p|Mantyke}}, {{p|Buizel}}, and {{p|Chatot}} appeared in [[M09|the ninth]], which featured {{p|Manaphy}} — a new [[Mythical Pokémon]] that even became obtainable in {{ga|Pokémon Ranger}}.

The {{series|Diamond & Pearl}} [[DP001|started]] in Japan and in the US in synchronization with the release of the games. Like the previous series, it introduced a new female character, {{an|Dawn}}, based on her game counterpart.

Another manga series, [[Miho Asada]]'s [[Phantom Thief Pokémon 7]] was collected and published on March 28, 2008. [[Pokémon Adventures]] then started its {{chap|Diamond & Pearl}} with {{PAV|30}} on December 25, 2008 and later the {{chap|Platinum}} with the {{PAV|38}} on February 28, 2011.

Ever since the [[Generation III]] remakes for the incompatible [[Generation I]] {{2v2|Red|Green}} games, Pokémon fans have widely speculated that remakes of the [[Generation II]] Pokémon games, {{2v2|Gold|Silver}}, would be made for [[Nintendo DS]]. Indeed, the paired remakes, titled {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}}, were eventually released in Japan on September 12, 2009, and were released in the United States on March 14, 2010. The games were referred to in the {{pkmn|anime}} in [[DP143|an episode]] that featured {{an|Lyra|the counterpart of the new player character}} and the three starter Pokémon of [[Johto]], {{TP|Dawn|one of whom|Quilava}} even joined the regular cast. {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver|A new expansion set}} for the TCG was also released to celebrate the new games.

Some manga series followed the release of the games, such as a new sequel to Pokémon Pocket Monsters, titled {{OBP|Pocket Monsters HGSS|Kosaku Anakubo}}, of which the first volume was released in June 28, 2011. {{chap|HeartGold & SoulSilver|A new chapter}} of Pokémon Adventures was released, with the first volume coming out in June 28, 2012.

Maintaining the innovations of Generation IV, Black and White added further to the time system that had been introduced more than ten years prior, now having the [[seasons]] change, and with them, Pokémon distribution and the time of day, with days being longer during summer and shorter during winter. The sprite animation system introduced in Generation III with Emerald was also done away with, returning Pokémon sprites to a system more like that of Crystal in Generation II - though now Pokémon move throughout the battle. Pokémon Contests have disappeared completely, with [[Pokémon Musical]] taking their place, though [[move]]s and [[Contest condition|condition]]s have no purpose in these competitions. [[Triple Battle]]s, an expansion on the Double Battle concept introduced two generations prior, made position, as well as team cohesiveness, an important part of battle.

[[File:BWseries.png|thumb|200px|A poster for the {{series|Best Wishes}} of the Pokémon anime]]  

The anime was quick to follow with a new series, {{series2|Best Wishes}}. Unlike previous generations, no Pokémon from Generation V were shown in the closing episodes of the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, although the thirteenth movie, ''[[M13|Zoroark Master of Illusions]]'', featured {{p|Zorua}} and {{p|Zoroark}} as major characters, the only Generation V Pokémon featured prior to ''Best Wishes''.

Similar to the original series, Ash's companions this time around are two Gym Leaders: {{an|Cilan}} and {{an|Iris}}. Like the games, the new series was also given a facelift. No Pokémon from previous generations (apart from [[Ash's Pikachu]] and {{MTR}}) are shown in the episodes. Longtime anime characters, including the protagonist [[Ash Ketchum]] receive an upgraded appearance, most notably in regards to their eyes.

Several manga series were released based on the games, such as a sequel to Pokémon Pocket Monsters, titled {{OBP|Pocket Monsters BW|Kosaku Anakubo}} and [[Pocket Monsters BW: The Heroes of Fire and Thunder]], among many others. [[Pokémon Adventures]] also jumped to the new generation, with the first volume of {{chap|Black & White}} released in January 25, 2013.

Some manga series followed the release of the second paired versions, most notably {{chap|Black 2 & White 2|a new chapter}} of Pokémon Adventures which began its serialization in July 2013 (although a round featuring [[Hugh]]'s backstory had been published prior to this).

[[File:XY series poster 2.png|thumb|200px|A poster for the {{series|XY}} of the Pokémon anime]]  

On January 8, 2013, Nintendo simultaneously announced to the world that a new generation of Pokémon will be coming to the world through a special edition of [[Nintendo Direct]], called ''Pokémon Direct''. {{g|X and Y}}, the first games in [[Generation VI]], were revealed and were  released worldwide on October 12, 2013. These two games introduced several new Pokémon, and the Pokémon series took a new leap into the 3D world on the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. The concept of [[Mega Evolution]] was also introduced. During the unveiling of the new versions, three new [[Starter Pokémon]] were introduced: Grass Type {{p|Chespin}}, Fire Type {{p|Fennekin}} and Water Type {{p|Froakie}}. The games take place in a new region called [[Kalos]], based off of real-world France. These games hearkened back to Generation I in several ways, by including many older Pokémon from different regions alongside a small amount of new ones, making older Pokémon stronger through Mega Evolution and introducing {{t|Fairy|a brand-new type}} for the first time in over a decade.

The anime was quick to follow with a new series, {{series2|XY}}. As with the previous three series, the XY series began with Ash Ketchum, headed off to the new region with his Pikachu. His previous companions, Iris and Cilan, have left the series. Ash began his journey in Lumiose City. {{an|Clemont}}, {{an|Bonnie}} and {{an|Serena}} having joined him in the series as companions.

Pokémon Adventures started the serialization of its {{chap|X & Y}} following the games' release in October 2013. The first volume of a new series by Kosaku Anakubo, known as {{OBP|Pocket Monsters XY|Kosaku Anakubo}}, was released on April 28, 2014.

2016 officially marked the [[Pokémon 20th Anniversary|20th anniversary of Pokémon]], and it was celebrated with a re-release of the original [[Generation I]] core series games on the Nintendo 3DS's [[Virtual Console]] worldwide. These games were released on February 27, 2016, coinciding with Red and Green's original release date in Japan in 1996. In addition, there will be further celebrations of the occasion throughout the year, such as rare Pokémon distributions and retail events.

The anime was quick to follow with a new series, {{series2|Sun & Moon}}. As with the previous four series, the Sun & Moon series began with Ash Ketchum, headed off to the new region with his Pikachu. His previous companions, Clemont, Bonnie and Serena, have left the series.  Ash Ketchum heads off to a new region, Alola, wearing a new set of clothes with his partner Pikachu. He receives a Z-Ring and becomes a student at the Pokémon School on Melemele Island. {{an|Lillie}}, {{an|Kiawe}}, {{an|Mallow}}, {{an|Lana}}, and {{an|Sophocles}} joined him in the series as his classmates. For the first time in the anime's history, Ash wins a game-original Pokémon League and becomes a Champion.

The eighth generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of {{g|Sword and Shield}} on February 27, 2019. These games were released internationally on November 15, 2019. Fewer Pokémon were revealed prior to the game's release compared to other generations to increase anticipation.<ref>https://s.famitsu.com/news/201910/25185623.html</ref> These games introduced the [[Dynamax]]ing and [[Gigantamax]]ing features, while abandoning the Mega Evolution and Z-Move features introduced in previous generations. The eighth generation is set in the [[Galar]] region, which is based on the United Kingdom, similar to how Unova is based on the United States. The games became the fastest selling Nintendo Switch games, beating out [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]] and selling 6 million copies worldwide.

The anime was quick to follow with a [[new series]], which is set to take place in all of the regions from [[Kanto]] to [[Galar]]. It features two protagonists, [[Ash Ketchum]] and {{an|Go}}, along with their partner {{AP|Pikachu}} and {{TP|Go|Scorbunny}}.

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