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| {{incomplete|article|Needs more (and reliable) sources; add more recent and relevant information, if available}}
| | [[Image:The Pokémon Company International logo.png|thumb|Logo]] |
| [[Image:The_Pokémon_Company_International_logo.png|right|thumb|The Pokémon Company International logo]] | | '''The Pokémon Company International''' (abbreviated to '''TPCi''') is the subsidiary of '''[[The Pokémon Company]]''' that manages the [[Pokémon]] franchise in the West.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/about/ About the Pokémon Company International | Pokemon.com]</ref> |
| '''The Pokémon Company International''' (abbreviated to '''TPCi''') is a subsidiary of '''[[The Pokémon Company]]''' in Japan, responsible for managing the [[Pokémon]] franchise outside of Asia.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/about/ About The Pokémon Company International | Pokemon.com]</ref> In Australia, the Pokémon franchise is managed by {{wp|Nintendo Australia}}. In South Korea, the franchise is managed by '''Pokémon Korea, Inc.''', which started operations in 2006 alongside Nintendo of Korea. | |
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| The company was formed in 2009 with the merger of '''Pokémon USA''' and '''Pokémon UK''' into a single international subsidiary.
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| ==History== | | ==History== |
| [[Image:PUSA logo.png|right|thumb|Old Pokémon USA logo]] | | {{Outdated|section}} |
| ===As Pokémon USA===
| | [[Image:PUSA logo.png|thumb|Pokémon USA logo]] |
| Pokémon USA, Inc. (or PUSA) was founded in February 2001 to handle the licensing and marketing of [[Pokémon]] in all territories outside of Asia. The first President of PUSA was [[Tatsumi Kimishima]]. In 2002, he was replaced by [[Akira Chiba]], when Kimishima was promoted to President of [[Nintendo]] of America following Minoru Arakawa's retirement. | | The Pokémon Company International was founded in February 2001 as '''Pokémon USA, Inc.'''<ref name="his">[http://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/history/ Company History | The Pokémon Company]</ref> (shortened to '''PUI''' and '''PUSA'''). It was later merged in 2009 with '''Pokémon UK'''<ref name="TPCi">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090413121437/http://worldscreen.com/articles/display/20547 ''Pokémon Merges North American, European Operations'' (WorldScreen.com news article from April 9, 2009)]</ref> (itself founded in March 2003<ref name="his"/>) to form the current international subsidiary. The company's president is [[Kenji Okubo]], the former head of Pokémon USA.<ref name="TPCi"/> Okubo said the two companies had worked closely together on a day-to-day basis and that the change in name was done to reflect the connection between the two offices and ensure their worldwide reach.<ref name="TPCi"/> |
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| In 2003, the distribution agreement with [[Wizards of the Coast]] for the Pokémon trading cards ended. After this, Pokémon USA took over as the manufacturer and distributor of the {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}}. | | ===Early history=== |
| | {{Cleanup|section}} |
| | The first president of Pokémon USA was [[Tatsumi Kimishima]].{{fact}} In 2002, he was replaced by [[Akira Chiba]], when Kimishima was promoted to President of [[Nintendo]] of America following Minoru Arakawa's retirement.{{fact}} |
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| In January 2006, the licensing and merchandising agreement between [[4Kids Entertainment]] and Pokémon USA expired. This agreement included the [[dub]]bing of the {{pkmn|anime}} so Pokémon USA switched to producing the English dub in association with [[TAJ Productions]] which had worked with 4Kids on [[season]]s [[S01|one]] through [[S05|five]]. The recasting of the main characters created [[Pokémon USA recasting controversy|a large controversy]]. In May of the same year, {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Kids' WB!}} announced that it would be dropping all anime from its autumn lineup in its move to {{wp|The CW}}, which included the Pokémon anime. Pokémon USA went into negotiations with {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}} to air past and future episodes of Pokémon, which turned out successful. In June, a ''Master Toy'' licensing agreement was signed with {{wp|Jakks Pacific}}. | | In 2003, the distribution agreement with [[Wizards of the Coast]] for the Pokémon trading cards ended. After this, Pokémon USA took over as the manufacturer and distributor of the {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}}.{{fact}} |
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| In 2007, [[Kenji Okubo]] became the President when Akira Chiba stepped down. In 2008, the production of the dub moved to [[DuArt Film & Video]]. | | In January 2006, the licensing and merchandising agreement between [[4Kids Entertainment]] and Pokémon USA expired.{{fact}} This agreement included the [[dub]]bing of the {{pkmn|anime}} so Pokémon USA switched to producing the English dub in association with [[TAJ Productions]] which had worked with 4Kids on [[season]]s [[S01|one]] through [[S05|five]].{{fact}} The recasting of the main characters created [[Pokémon USA recasting controversy|a large controversy]]. In May of the same year, {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Kids' WB!}} announced that it would be dropping all anime from its autumn lineup in its move to {{wp|The CW}}, which included the Pokémon anime.{{fact}} Pokémon USA went into negotiations with {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}} to air past and future episodes of Pokémon, which turned out successful.{{fact}} In June, a ''Master Toy'' licensing agreement was signed with {{wp|Jakks Pacific}}.{{fact}} |
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| In February 2009, PUSA announced a deal with {{wp|Toys "R" Us}} in which stores would have a dedicated ''Pokémon Boutique''. A deal was also announced with [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]], in which the company will be distributing the [[Pokémon movie]]s on {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}. | | In 2007, [[Kenji Okubo]] became the President when Akira Chiba stepped down.{{fact}} In 2008, the production of the dub moved to [[DuArt Film & Video]].{{fact}} Red Central was commissioned by Pokémon UK to create a {{wp|marketing}} style guide for Europe.{{fact}} |
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| ===As Pokémon UK===
| | In 2008, a partnership with {{wp|Network Distributing|Network}} was announced.{{fact}} Network will distribute the [[Pokémon movie]]s and {{DL|List of anime episodes|anime episodes}} on {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}.{{fact}} It was also announced {{wp|Jetix#Jetix Europe|Jetix Europe}} (now {{wp|Disney XD}}) would air the next [[season]] of the [[Pokémon anime]].{{fact}} |
| Pokémon UK was established in March 2003, to handle the licensing and marketing of [[Pokémon]] throughout the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, and in Africa.
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| In 2007, Red Central was commissioned by Pokémon UK to create a {{wp|marketing}} style guide for Europe. | | In February 2009, PUSA announced a deal with {{wp|Toys "R" Us}} in which stores would have a dedicated ''Pokémon Boutique''.{{fact}} A deal was also announced with [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]], in which the company will be distributing the [[Pokémon movie]]s on {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}.{{fact}} |
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| In 2008, a partnership with {{wp|Network Distributing|Network}} was announced. Network will distribute the [[Pokémon movie]]s and {{DL|List of anime episodes|anime episodes}} on {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}. It was also announced {{wp|Jetix#Jetix Europe|Jetix Europe}} (now {{wp|Disney XD}}) would air the next [[season]] of the [[Pokémon anime]].
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| ===Merger===
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| {{bulbanews|Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK merge}}
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| Pokémon USA merged with Pokémon UK in April 2009. The two companies now work under the name ''The Pokémon Company International'', which is responsible for the [[Pokémon|Pokémon franchise]] in all territories outside of Asia. The company's president is [[Kenji Okubo]], the former head of Pokémon USA. Okubo said the two companies had worked closely together on a day-to-day basis and that the change in name was done to reflect the connection between the two offices and ensure their worldwide reach.
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| {{-}}
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| ==Criticism== | | ==Criticism== |
| ===Voice actor controversy===
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| {{main|Pokémon USA recasting controversy}}
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| Pokémon USA received some complaints after the initial airing of ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]''. They were accused of lying about not being able to use the [[List of English voice actors|voice actors]] from [[4Kids Entertainment]] due to contract issues. This claim was denied by the voice actors themselves (with the exception of [[Stuart Zagnit]]), but never by 4Kids Entertainment.
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| They also faced criticism in regards to [[Kayzie Rogers]] (credited as "Jamie Peacock") in voicing {{Ash|Ash Ketchum}}. Many fans complained about her portrayal of the character. In response, Pokémon USA announced that they would make a new [[dub]] of the ''The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon'' with improved voices. The new dub became available on the [[M08|eighth movie]] {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}, and was aired on October 28, 2006 on {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}}.
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| At {{wp|San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con 2006}}, it was revealed that Ash's voice actor would change and that his new voice actress would be the then nineteen-year-old [[Sarah Natochenny]]. Although generally accepted as a talented actress with many non-animation credits to her name, some fans criticized the company and [[TAJ Productions]] for their decision to hire Sarah Natochenny, as she had no experience with {{wp|anime}} {{wp|voice-over}}s; they claimed that Sarah Natochenny was too inexperienced. Nonetheless, [[Veronica Taylor]], the first actress to voice Ash, was only twenty-years-old and had only started acting when she landed the role, although she had previously voiced anime roles prior to being cast as Ash.
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| ===Game Corner censorship===
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| In {{game|Platinum}}, due to stricter classification standards at {{wp|Pan European Game Information|PEGI}} implemented in the period of the game's release<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/european-pokemon-platinums-missing-game-corner-explained/ European Pokemon Platinum's missing Game Corner explained | GamesRadar]</ref> (which required that any game deemed to "encourage or teach gambling" be classified '''18'''),<ref>[http://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/33/ PEGI Pan European Game Information - What do the labels mean?]</ref> the [[Veilstone Game Corner]]'s [[slot machine]]s were all replaced in the European localizations—including the UK release—with [[Slot machine#European Platinum|game machines]] which randomly give out some [[Coin]]s daily if checked, but could not be played on. This extended into {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, which removed the slot machines altogether in all non-Japanese releases, replacing them with [[Voltorb Flip]] and disallowing the {{player}} from buying Coins.
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| As a result, Game Corners have been absent from the [[core series]] {{pkmn|games}} since {{game|Black and White|s}}. In {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, the [[Mauville Game Corner]] is closed.
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| ===Pokémon.com misinformation=== | | ===Pokémon.com misinformation=== |
| {{main|Pokémon.com#Errors}} | | {{main|Pokémon.com#Errors}} |
| Despite being the official site, [[Pokémon.com]]'s pages often have inaccuracies and errors. A notable example is claiming that players of {{game|Red and Blue|s}} can find {{p|Mew}} instead of {{p|Mewtwo}} in [[Cerulean Cave]].<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-red-version-and-pokemon-blue-version/ Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version | Pokémon Video Games] ([https://archive.today/8GUgw archived copy])</ref> | | Despite being the official site, [[Pokémon.com]]'s pages often have inaccuracies and errors. A notable example is claiming that players of {{game|Red and Blue|s}} can find {{p|Mew}} instead of {{p|Mewtwo}} in [[Cerulean Cave]].<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-red-version-and-pokemon-blue-version/ Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version | Pokémon Video Games] ([https://archive.today/8GUgw archived copy])</ref> |
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| == Typical edits == | | ===Litigation=== |
| TPCi does make some changes to the dubbed version of the anime, but not to the same extent as 4Kids. Music edits are widely present and dialogue edits are occassional, but usually only to write around (but not completely purge) explicit religious or death references and match the {{wp|Audio to video synchronization|lip-flap}}. [[Lenora]]'s apron is also removed in the episodes she appears in, and a suggestive [[boss fantasy]] is cut from ''[[DP030|Some Enchanted Sweetening!]]'', but other than that it is mostly uncut. Paint edits, which 4Kids is highly infamous for, have only been done thrice, in ''[[DP001|Following a Maiden's Voyage]]'' to translate a sign, the aforementioned Lenora change, and in ''[[XY044|Showdown at the Shalour Gym!]]'' to remove Korrina's kanji.
| | {{Incomplete|section}} |
| | In January 2005, an issue of the science magazine ''{{wp|Nature (journal)|Nature}}'' featured an article in which a group of researchers named a newly discovered {{wp|Zbtb7|cancer-causing gene}} "Pokémon".´{{fact}} Later that year, Pokémon USA had promised to take legal action, causing the gene to be renamed.{{fact}} |
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| | ===Voice actor controversy=== |
| | {{main|Pokémon USA recasting controversy}} |
| | The Pokémon Company International (as Pokémon USA) received criticism after the initial airing of ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]'' for the lack of transparency regarding the changes to the [[dub]] of the [[Pokémon anime]]. |
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| ==Litigation== | | ==Anime dub edits== |
| {{incomplete|section}}
| | Like [[4Kids Entertainment|4Kids]], TPCi makes changes while dubbing the anime, but they are more limited in scope. Music edits are common and dialogue edits are usually done to obfuscate explicit religious or death references and match the {{wp|Audio to video synchronization|lip-flap}}. Paint edits, which 4Kids is infamous for, are rarely performed by TPCi. Also, in every episode TPCi has dubbed to date, the "To Be Continued" screen is extended by three seconds. The reasons for this are unknown. |
| In January 2005, an issue of the science magazine ''{{wp|Nature (journal)|Nature}}'' featured an article in which a group of researchers named a newly discovered {{wp|Zbtb7|cancer-causing gene}} "Pokémon". Later that year, Pokémon USA had promised to take legal action, causing the gene to be renamed.
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| ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| ===Official websites=== | | ===Official websites=== |
| * [http://www.pokemon.com/us Pokémon.com] (English) | | * [http://www.pokemon.com/us/country/ Pokémon.com's Country Selector] |
| ** [http://www.pokemon.com/us/country/ Country Selector]
| | ** [http://www.pokemon.com/us US website] |
| * [http://www.pokemon.nl Pokémon.nl] (Dutch) | |
| * [http://www.pokemon.fr Pokémon.fr] (French)
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| * [http://www.pokemon.com/de Pokémon.com/de] (German) | |
| * [http://www.pokemon.it Pokémon.it] (Italian)
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| * [http://www.pokemon.com/pt Pokémon.com/pt] (Portuguese)
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| * [http://www.pokemon.com/es Pokémon.com/es] (Spanish)
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| ===Official website accounts=== | | ===Official website accounts=== |