My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analyses: "Pokémon" - The Huge Pocket Monster Japanese Anime Franchise Which Became Famous and Took Over the World

Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.

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For the first time ever I`m going to write about a Japanese animation franchise. And despite how I`ve (somewhat) done before with Toei`s version of The Little Mermaid, it was still linked to Disney`s version. And yes, it`s incredible that it took me so many years before I actually made one. But hey, you know what they`re saying: Better late than never.

It should`ve been Pokemon`s, since we`re plural ;)

I`m coming from The Elephant
Graveyard in The Lion King :)

The World of Anime is such a vast and varied World of many different movies and franchises. And it has a huge fanbase. Most who are fans of animation are normally fans of Japanese animation. And frankly, Anime has also influenced Disney, Pixar and other animated studios during the years. But despite how that fanbase used to be labeled of as a niche fanbase, anime has still gained a massive following throughout the years. But of course some of those properties are more popular than others. But if we`re going to summarize one particular franchise who`s truly managed to become incredibly famous, then it`s Pokémon. Released in February 1996 as games, Pokémon (a short nick for Pocket Monster) is the world's highest-grossing franchise. Grossing more than 100 Billion in merchandise (even surpassing other franchises like Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty and Star Wars). And is one of the best-selling video game franchises.

They wanted me to look cute,
but they made my eyes too
creepy :)

While it originally didn`t start as a TV series and is perceived as synonymous with the show (which came out the following year), it still became a huge fanbase of it`s own. And has ingrained itself in Pop Culture with it`s elements

and characters. Released on Game Boy, the games became sleeper hits and were followed by manga series, trading card games, before they transitioned to series and films. From 1998 to 2000, Pokémon was exported to the rest of the World, making an global phenomenon called "Pokémania". In the summer of 2016, Pokémon spawned a second craze with Pokémon Go, an reality, mobile game developed by Niantic. The target audience are children from 5 to 12, but it`s also known to appeal to all ages. Pokémon is owned by three companies: Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures (who stands for cards, merchandise and spin-off titles). Since 2009, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), managed the franchise outside Asia. And Pokémon happens to have it`s 30th Anniversary this year.

The Origins of the Pokémon Game

Don`t ask us why we`re White
for this ocassion :)

The Pokémon
franchise started as role-playing games made by Game

Freak, from a concept Satoshi Tajiri. Tajiri published a doujinshi magazine titled Game Freak. Tajiri started to think of Pokémon while completing Quinty. At the time, magazines about video games didn`t exist in Japan. Tajiri had become a respected game journalist in the industry. And he made the puzzle game Quinty. At the time, Nintendo announced the release of Game Boy, which would change the industry. The cable could transfer things from a cartridge to another. But Pokémon

was inspired from Tajiri`s own memories of catching insects and small species. The capsule part was taken from Ultraseven, a tokusatsu show Tajiri liked as a child. Other influences were gashapon, capsules with toy figures from vending machines, collectible cards, The Final Fantasy Legend (1989) and petting in Japan. Tajiri named his project Capsule Monsters, which GF's staff shortened to Capumon. But the term Capsule Monsters couldn`t be trademarked, so it was changed to Pocket Monsters. In March 1989, Nintendo and Shigesato Itoi co-founded Ape Inc., a company for outside talent to pitch new games. Ape was housed in the same Kanda-Sudachō building as Nintendo. Tajiri presented his pitch and it was immediately warmly received. The contract was signed in the beginning of 1990 and it was going to be released in October.

We wanted the color to be
lighter blue, but the makers
couldn`t do it :)

But the budget that Nintendo gave to Game Freak was low. As Pocket Monsters was planned as a small game. But the ideas and ambitions for Pokemon grew, which put production on hold. And while the crew worked on it now and then, it was put on production in the summer of 1994. Ishihara used the content of card games to add depth to the battle system, and suggested Pokemon types and came up with Pokedex. Shigeru Miyamoto suggested two editions of the game (Red and Green). And while both games were similar, each had Pokemon not found in the other games, having players to socialize and trade.

We wanted to show that white
outfit can look cool when
you`re posing in a cool way :)

Ishihara founded Creatures, Inc. on 8 November 1995, which co-owned Pokemon, despite how the rights aren`t given to one company. And yes, the system crashed during production. And yes, the creators feared that nobody would buy a console that was outdated.

At it`s release, Nintendo had no high expectations to them and media ignored them. And the Japanese critics were fairly lukewarm to them. But Ishihara suggested a manga adaptation on CoroCoro Comic and Bessatsu CoroCoro Comic, released on 15 April 1996. Which centered around Mew (who was a last-minute addition to the games, added to fill the free space that was left). By September 1996, sales of Red and Green surpassed 1 million units. But the games have evolved through times, as they`ve had players of each gender and races. As of December 2023, the games has sold more than 480 million units worldwide, making it the second best-selling video game franchise, only behind Mario. As for Pokémon Go (from 2016) is the most-downloaded mobile game, with over 1 billion downloads.

The International Expansion of the Franchise

Find one wrong in this
picture :)

As for international expansion of Pokémon, it was thanks to

Minoru Arakawa, founder and then-president of Nintendo of America (NoA). Coming from a visit to Japan in Shoshinkai in November 1996, he played one game and thought they were appealing. But Nintendo of Japan (NoJ) had no plans to release them elsewhere. He returned to the US with cartridges, where his employees didn`t think it would work in the US. As role-playing games (RPGs) were not popular outside Japan, and American executives thought that American children wouldn`t care for them. At the time, few Japanese properties had been successful in the US and those were often Americanized (as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers).

We`re looking for our preys :)

But the crew decided that Pokémon couldn`t succeed on cuteness alone, but also on coolness. So NoA

redesigned the property (to graffiti style drawings), but in a way that repulsed Arakawa. And the series was now being produced in Japan. Alfred R. Kahn, CEO of US-based 4Kids Entertainment, was the one who launched the franchise in the US. And added the accent (´) over the e to assist with pronunciation and "give it flair". But despite how American kids didn`t like Pokémon, Arakawa still decided to launch it with a huge budget. However, no TV station wanted to launch it, so Kahn decided to self-finance Pokémon's costs. And they spend a fortune on the localization.

We can`t wait to escape this
cake before they`ll eat us :)

To have it broadcast, 4Kids offered the show for free to local TV stations, in exchange of the advertising revenue.

But most broadcasters were reluctant to carry Pokémon. But with NoA's help, 4Kids succeeded to broadcast the show. Grossfeld came up with the "Gotta catch 'em all!"-catchphrase, which funny enough gained approval by Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who forbids injunctions in ads for children (e.g. "You must buy this!"). But they reasoned that catching is a part of Pokémon's play. Pokémon Red and Blue were released on 28 September 1998, when Game Boy Color was released. But Pokémon was successful quickly. A marketing tool was having Pikachu`s balloons falling from the sky in Kansas in August 1998, along with 10 skydivers who landed and raced away in yellow Pikachu-themed Volkswagen New Beetles. Hasbro's Pokémon toys had expanded production by 20 times, but demand still exceeded supply. Nintendo saw a 250% increase in profits in 1999 compared to 1998, reaching a six-year high. As Nintendo was being outsold by PlayStation. And Pokémon's popularity also sold many Game Boy`s. Scholars David Buckingham and Julian Sefton-Green went even further about how Nintendo would`ve struggled to survive without Pokémon". 4Kids, initially a little-known firm, also expanded in success and popularity.

The Premise of Pokémon TV Series (1997)

This is a inter-species
marathon :)

As for the World of Pokémon, it takes place in a shared universe which humans co-exist with the monsters. The show originally followed Ash Ketchum, a cocky, spunky, but overall well-meaning kid who wants to be the best Pokémon Master (and no, he`s never aged during the seasons). Joined by his partner Pikachu and a rotating cast of human buddies, Ash travels through many regions of the Pokémon world and competing in many Pokémon-battling tournaments (the Pokémon League). His companions are the prissy Misty, the wise Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, Lillie, Goh, and others. Who are each pursuing their own goals, as becoming a top Pokémon Coordinator, a skilled Pokémon Breeder or catching Mew. Ash also forms rivalries with Gary, Paul, and Trip in League tournaments or other contests. Ash and his squad often meets the villainous Team Rocket trio, Jessie, James (who is less mean than his counterparts), and Meowth. Who always wants to steal a rare and powerful Pokémon. As for comparisons to other anime properties, the plot has similarities to Dragon Ball Z, with Goku`s journey.

We`re frozen. Duuuh :)

But as for the creation of the show, in August 1996, Kubo thought

Shogakukan should make an anime show. Nintendo were hesitant, as the franchise had developed too much and how it would affect the future of the games. And Creatures and Game Freak were planning sequels to Red and Green and Ishihara didn`t want the show to end before the release of the new games. But Kubo promised Ishihara that the show would last a year and a half. Which was unusually long for a debuting show and needed a big investment. For Nintendo of Japan, it was the first time they licensed a series. But the entire crew had to play the game, who liked them. While there was some differences between the game and the show, the crew made both properties synergize with each others. But the crew didn't want to unfairly popularize any Pokemon and wanted Ash to start with a different Pokemon. But Norman J. Grossfeld decided that show should be Americanized. Pokémon premiered on 1 April 1997 and by November, it became the highest-rated show on TV Tokyo. It was released in the US on 7 September 1998. And by December, it became the highest-rated children's show at the weekdays. Both Warner Bros. and Saban Entertainment/Fox Family Worldwide bid for the show and Warner Bros won. The first episode was the most watched premiere in Kids' WB's history.

The Pokémons Themselves

They tried to make
me as shiny as
possible :)

Regarding the Pokémons themselves, they`re normally naturalistic animal-like monsters who are mostly known for their specific traits and powers. But most of them are mute (which was a deliberate choice, despite how they thought to have some of them talk), besides those who can talk through telepathy (with the exception of Meowth, who`s remarkably enough anthrophomorphic). And yes, they do evolve to a bigger version of themselves. The first games had 151 species, with new ones being put in following games. But as of February 2026, the total amount of Pokémon species are 1,025. It was Bill Giese and Sara Bush who came up with the names, by smashing two words together. Most Pokémons are based on real-life animals or mythical creatures. However, regarding the popularity of the monsters, it`s needless to say that the most popular of is Pikachu. Who`s mostly a cute, endearing and a loyal pet. And yes, he`s become an icon of his own right, also for Japanese Pop Culture. And is essentially the face of the franchise (which was a unconscious choice), for its popularity amongst school children and to both genders. As for his creation, he was first introduced in the Pokémon Red and Blue, he was created by Atsuko Nishida at the request of lead designer Ken Sugimori, who finalized his design.

Yes, even a Pikachu
can surf. At least
somewhat ;)

Midway through Red, Sugimori felt the game needed more "cute" Pokémon and struggled to make one. While he was inspired from mice or rabbits, Nishida instead modeled Pikachu`s after squirrels. As Nishida was obsessed with them for their "comical" movement, and how Pikachu stored electricity in cheeks was based of how squirrels store food. Tajiri chose him to be a mouse. His design in Red and Blue was pudgier, but he was changed afterwards to have a slimmer waist, straighter spine, and more defined face and neck. Which made him easier to animate. Masakazu Kubo said how Pikachu needed a warm design, color and a face that could show emotion (and that he would say his name). Series director Junichi Masuda said that Pikachu's name was the most difficult to make, to appeal to both Japanese and American audiences. It`s made of a combination of two Japanese sounds: (pika), a sparkling sound, and (chū), a mouse sound. As for other popular Pokémons, we`ll have to mention Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Eevee, Psyduck, Gengar, Jigglypuff, Gyarados, Arcanine, Venusaur, Mew, Charmeleon, Caterpie, Pidgeotto, Rattata, Ekans, Meowth, Koffing, Blastoise, Snorlax, Lugia, Mew, Mewtwo, Ninetales, Eevee and many more.

The Trading Cards

Yes, even a Pokémon
can look like a alien :)

By discussing Pokémon, it`s impossible to not also mention their cards. But it`s remarkable that the cards also existed before the TV show. It was one of the first collectible card games made in Japan, influenced by Magic: The Gathering (the first CCG in history). First released in the US in 1993, Magic was popular in North America and Europe, but also in Asia. Ishihara helped to develop three simple card games designed by Shigesato Itoi and released through Ape, Inc. While cards have a long history in Japan, a collectible card game was a new concept there. Which is why Ishihara struggled to find distributors. But Nintendo didn`t want to make a distribution system from stratch. So Ishihara was then contacted by Satoshi Kayama, director of Media Factory.

Yes, my crown
is lethal :)

Who also loved card games and wanted to make them. The contract was signed at the end of 1995. And the first Pokemon card set was released on 20 October 1996. Despite being ignored by the media, the cards were successful. They games were released in the US on 9 January 1999. In the US, Pokémon cards were sold out too soon. A supply of 600 booster packs would last 24 hours. And thousands of boxes behind on orders. And they had exhausted most of the card-printing capacity of the U.S.. As for current sales (March 2025), 75 billion cards (+10.2 billion) were made and sold Worldwide, making it the best-selling card game of all time, after surpassing Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Criticism

Yes, Lapras is my (Ash) boat at
sea :) And he`s free to use :)

However, regarding the reception of Pokémon, it has received criticism. Especially from parents and

teachers. But mostly about the cards. How the holographic cards were only found in booster packs and difficult to find. Which caused pressure from parents to buy them to their kids and deceiving kids. But also how kids took their cards to school and disrupted learning, making them forgetting their homework, As the franchise's popularity grew, children began taking their Pokémon cards to school for trading, poisoning playground friendships, missing school buses and making them forget their homework. And also causing conflicts between kids, tricking other kids into unfair deals, having teachers to arbitrate. Some parents feared that their kids would be excluded if they were denied them Pokémon products. But as a result, the cards ended up banned from school grounds in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and European countries.

Yes, even Pokémons can have
their own costumes :)

In September 1999, US-based law firm Milberg filed a lawsuit for the booster packs. The show was criticized for cheap Japanese animation and for being violent, with little educational value. And how it promoted the merchandise.

Child psychiatrist John Lochridge cited that Pokémon's creators deliberately created a fantasy world so compelling that children would become obsessed and brainwashing them, as parents confirmed this. And yes, unfortunately the cards brought many crimes among kids, with violence, stabbings, burglaries, robberies and shoplifting. As the prices were too high. But despite this, there were many positive effects of Pokémon. As it made children reading, memorize, calculate, and plan out a strategy. And having socialization and stressing negotiating skills. And how the show taught children traditional Japanese values, as responsibility, empathy, cooperation, obedience, respect for elders, humility.

Franchise

I (Pikachu) wanted to fill the
space in the middle :)

Due to it`s popularity, it wasn`t strange that

Pokémon became a huge franchise. The seasons of the series has evolved into different entities of the World. But in 2023, the show was rebooted with Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

Which follows Liko, a girl with a mysterious pendant, and Roy, a boy with an ancient Poké Ball, joining the Rising Volt Tacklers, which are adventurers traveling the World. But Pokémon had many variety shows in Japan. As Pocket Monsters Encore (1999 - 2002), Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station (2002 - 2004), Pokémon Sunday (2004 - 2010), Pokémon Smash! (2010 - 2013), Pokémon Get TV (2013 - 2015), Meet Up at the Pokémon House? (2015 - 2022) and Poké Dok (2022). But Pokémon has also had many movies, which each introduced a new Pokémon. In 1998, Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back was released. The following year had Pokémon the Movie 2000 - The Power of One. The Millenium saw the release of Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spell of the Unown. Also in 2000, a TV Special named Mewtwo Returns was released. In 2001, Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest came out. Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias was released in 2002. Jirachi, Wish Maker came in 2003. In 2004, Destiny Deoxys was released. Lucario and the Mystery of Mew came in 2005. Both Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea and the TV special Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon were released in 2006. The Rise of Darkrai came out the following year. Giratina & the Sky Warrior saw the light of the day in 2008.

I`m a female hologram, to
make you guys swoon :)

Arceus and the Jewel of Life was released in 2009. Zoroark: Master of Illusions

came the year later. White - Victini and Zekrom and Black - Victini and Reshiram were both released in 2011. Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice came out the following year. Genesect and the Legend Awakened was released in 2013. Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction came out the year later. Hoopa and the Clash of Ages was released in 2015. Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel came out the year later. I Choose You!, released in 2017 (an alternate retelling of the first season of the show). In 2018, The Power of Us was released. Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution was released the following year (the first Pokémon property in CGI). And afterwards, Secrets of the Jungle was released. However, most of the movies were preceeded by shorts. Pikachu's Vacation, Christmas Night and Kanga Games came out in 1998. Pikachu's Rescue Adventure, Winter Games and Stantler's Little Helpers were released the following year. Pikachu & Pichu, Delibird's Dilemma and Snorlax Snowman came at the rise of the Millenium. Pikachu's PikaBoo was released in 2001.

No, I wasn`t trying to hit
somebody. I was just... trying
to pet somebody :)

Camp Pikachu came the following year and Gotta Dance! was

released in 2003.

Pikachu's Summer Festival came in 2004. Pokémon 3D Adventure: Find Mew! and Pikachu's Ghost Carnival were both released the following year. And both Pokémon 4D: Pikachu's Ocean Adventure and Pikachu's Island Adventure came in 2006. Pikachu's Exploration Club were released in 2007. Pikachu's Ice Adventure came in 2008. Pikachu's Sparkle Search! was released in 2009. And Pikachu's Strange Wonder Adventure came out in 2010. Pikachu's Summer Bridge Story was released the following year. Sing Meloetta: Search for the Rinka Berries and Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade came both in 2012. Eevee & Friends was released out in 2013. Pikachu, What's This Key? came out the following year. Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad was released in 2015. But regarding all the movies, the most high-profile of them was Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Released in 2019, it`s particuarly distinctive in the canon. For being an American property, but for also being part live action and part animation. With Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu and Justice Smith playing his human counterpart. And being kind of a Pokémon version of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. It was a huge hit critically and commercially, grossing $144,174,568 Domestically and $450,063,166 Worldwide.

Epilogue

Yes, my car is electric because
I`m Pikachu. Duuuh :)

At the end,

Pokémon is one of the World`s most popular and ongoing franchises. It`s a cherished and nostalgic memory for kids or teenagers who grew up with it. And some genuinely loves it for what it is. And others hates it and thinks that it`s been overexposed. But hey, there`s always naysayers. And despite how the craze has settled down, the franchise will still always go on and constantly evolving. As for my own relationship to Pokémon, the truth is that I watched it when I was in Latin America in 1999. But frankly, I never expected it to come to Norway the year later on, as many anime franchises never came to Norway at the time.

These are my stages in life :)

And when it came the following year, it was a huge craze. Influencing many kids and young teenagers, especially with the cards. But as for my own personal experience with the show itself, I remember watching it and yes, enjoying some episodes. But never going completely gaga for it. But later on, I`ve rediscovered it and actually managed to enjoy them more and appreciate it`s strengths. While that being said, since this entry was meant to synergize it`s 30th Anniversary, there`s nothing else to wish Pokémon Happy 30th Anniversary and may you continue to have many more.