Pokémon: ãƒ?ケモン Pokémon (poh-kay-mohn, although ofttimes mispronounced poh-kee-Human), occurs as video game franchise, created by Satoshi Tajiri and published by Nintendo for several of their systems, virtually all importantly a Game Boy. It has been merchandised into anime, manga, trading cards, toys, and great deal other. A title Pokémon occurs as portmanteau of the words Pocket Monsters (ãƒ?ケットモンスター Poketto MonsutÄ?), which is its Japanese name.

Pokémon is too a collective title for a fancied animals inside the Pokémon games. A franchise has 386 unique monsters that lie at the heart of the Pokémon series (391 including presently known Pokémon from either first games & 393 including bug). These numbers use grown from either a 151 monsters - including a virtually untouchable Mew - from a original games.

series).

A Pokémon characters own turn into pop-culture icons, with the Pikachu balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, thousands of merchandise items, and in 2005, a theme park in Nagoya, Japan. A prone to offend cartoon South Park spoofed Pokémon in Episode 310, entitled "Chinpokomon" ("chinpoko" is Japanese slang for phallus), where a executives behind it were revealed to exist as Japanese ultranationalists bent in avenging Japan's admitted kill inside World War II. Shows like a Simpsons use at times processed modest information to Pokémon & more anime in their cartoons.

Because of A unprecedented popularity of a franchise, Nintendo formed the subsidiary known as The Pokémon Company to treat the franchise. A subsidiary handles all about from either publishing a games within Japan to going a official product places, a Pokémon Centers. the Pokémon Company successively has a U.S. depending subsidiary known as Pokémon Americthe, of which a minority creator is 4Kids Entertainment, the international distributors (outside Japan) of the popular Pokémon anime series.

Properties
100% of the Pokémon licenced properties overseen per Pokémon Company come divided about by generation. There use been quaternary generations, defined per Pokémon which come out in that. Both one generations has been number 1 introduced around the pair of Pokémon computer game for the Game Boy or its successors (including the Nintendo DS), beginning with Pokémon Red and Blue. To each one generation introduces the wad of freshly Pokémon & the handful of recently general construct, commonly while forgoing replacing any old Pokémon or even conception.

These generations come about chronological divisions; the handful of Pokémon from either the subsequent generation pop up in the anime, manga, or trading card game before a independent Game Son games which demarcate a generation come freed, however a anime, manga, & possibly, recently, a cards divides itself into sagwhen or even generations per equivalent scheme as the games.

Occasionally of the general conception were introduced elsewhere, prior to existence introduced in the games. 2-in-both battles appeared in the anime yearn prior to appearing in the games, & Pokémon Abilities come similar to Pokémon Powers, introduced hanker prior to in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

A generations: Foremost generation - Introduced inside Pokémon Red and Blue. Introduced a number one 151 Pokémon, also when futures trading & battling Pokémon. 2nd generation - Introduced inside Pokémon Gold and Silver. Introduced 100 extra Pokémon, too when armament Pokémon by using things, breeding Pokémon & diaper wearing Pokémon, & a Steel & Dark Pokémon types. Third generation - Introduced within Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Introduced 135 extra Pokémon (133 if you don't count a generation's deuce promotional-just Pokémin), besides when Pokémon Abilities (universally-on favorite unconditioned abilities), Pokémon Contests (similar to dog shows), and both-in-both Pokémon battles. 4th generation - Slated to exist as introduced around Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The handful of fresh Pokémon from either this generation st& processed cameo appearances in the seventh and eighth Pokémon picture (Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys and Mew and the Wave Guiding Hero: Lucario, respectively), also when promotional materials for Pokémon XD.

Video games
Independent article: Pokémon (video games)

A Pokémon franchise originated sustaining the series of Japanese computer game created by Satoshi Tajiri for the Game Boy, & these games & their sequels and remaking come however considered a "main" Pokémon games, a games which virtually all fans of the series come on to while it refer to "Pokémon games." A number 1 games in a series were the RPGs Pokémon Red and Blue (Red and Green in Japan, followed by a Blue, and a Yellow special-edition version). These games were about monovular, save for a fact that to each one version experienced a choose class action of Pokémon that the more version did does'nt. A ultimate goal 1 games was to catch at least 1 member of all a different coinage of Pokémon (150 at the period, 151 including one that may non exist as found when you took regular gameplay), & to run sol, players experienced to trade for Pokémon not available in the version it experienced. When battling monsters is nothing recently to RPGs, several players discovered themselves about addicted to searching for, fighting, & capturing each Pokémon in the game. A second, peradventure more easygoing, goal was to finish a gage's plot line by becoming a Pokémon League Champion by collecting eight Gym Badges and defeating a Elite Four plus the todays League Champion.

Both generation of Pokémon games and so far has followed the pattern of ii complementing versions followed in the future by at least of these more version by having occasionally extras. Pokémon Red and Blue were followed by Pokémon Yellow (in Japan, Red & Green were followed by Blue which was later on followed by Yellowness). Gold and Silver were followed by the solely Game Boy Color version, Crystal. A Game Boy Advance first saw the release of Ruby and Sapphire. A virtually all recent to the full mature game has been Fire Red and Leaf Green which are remakes of Red & Blue. The third version of Ruby & Sapphire, known as Pokémon Emerald, was released in May 1, 2005.

A series has as well diversified into various spin-byproduct, like pinball games, virtual pets, simulated photography, and racing. The handful one spinoffs come remade around subsequent "generations"; for instance, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire is very similar to Pokémon Pinball but with newly Pokémon, & Pokémon Stadium 2 is largely identical to Pokémon Stadium but for the compatibility with Pokémon Gold and Silver.

A virtually all recent game to become release was Pokémon XD for the Gamecube. It has appear in October 3rd, 2005. A next to appear come used beneath.

The total of Pokémon games come inside development. These games include: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl - Nintendo DS, 2006 Pokémon Mysterious Dungeon Red Rescue Force & Blue Rescue Inflict, for GBA and DS respectively, 2005

Super Smash Bros.
2 of the virtually all popular Pokémon, Pikachu and Jigglypuff, were chosen to appear when ii of the Dozen characters inside Nintendo's party/fighting bet on Super Smash Bros., which was released around 1999 for the Nintendo 64. Pikachu appeared as an at the start available character when Jigglypuff was an unlockable 1. A pair returned in the 2001 GameCube sequel, Super Smash Bros. Melee. It saved their positions, Pikachu wwhen however an initial character when Jigglypuff was however an unlockable character, however 2 recently Pokémon too appeared (joining Jigglypuff as unlockable characters: Mewtwo and Pichu.

Withwithin two games, numerous different Pokémon may be utilized in a match by throwing the Pokéball item. a randomly-chosen Pokémon is freed from either the Pokéball, utilizing one of its attacks to affect more players.

Within Extremely Smash Bros. Battle royal, the streaming video player could collect many different trophies of a kind of characters from either many Nintendo games, including several Pokémon characters.

Anime
Independent article: Pokémon (anime)

There are deuce Pokémon anime series according to a computer game. A number 1, & a extra familiar 1, Pokémon or even Pocket Monsters (typically known as Pokémon: Gotta Catch Em A lot to distinguish it from either a late series) tells a escapade of Ash Ketchum (Satoshi in a original Japanese version) as he travels across Kanto, a Orange Islands, & Johto to be the greatest Pokémon Master. For the English language release, Pocket Monsters was split into quatern separate series spanning 5 seasons. This series is according to a number one & 2nd generation games.

A saga continues into Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation (within Japan) in which Ash & company travel to Hoenn, the southern region in the Pokémon Globe. Ash will require on the role of the teacher & wise man for the immature, first Pokémon trainer therein series. Once more, for the English release, Advanced Generation was split into separate series. This series is according to a third generation games. When this series Ash might last back to his personal region of Kanto & visit recently areas about there using a todays team & Misty may meet him partly way across this.

Sustaining a aforethought release of the quaternary generation games for 2006, a watch-as much as a Advanced Generation saga according to victims games is potential. These are said to exist as titled Pokémon Ranger.

A 2nd, entitled ShÅ«kan Pokémon HÅ?sÅ?kyoku occurs as spinoff of a number one, & tells a escapade in the continuity of Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation, starring numbers of of the revenant characters within Pocket Monsters. A English adaptation of this series, Pokémon Chronicles, combines the episodes from either this series besides when various more mass produced-for-TV specials (originally unrelated to Housoukyoku) that keep around aired around Japan but not translated for English release.

There exists as well the television show within Japan coroneted Pokémon Sunday, a survive action Pokémon-themed variety hosted per Pokémon Locate Team.

Presently, a English adaptatiin is however running off & may be seen on Kids WB in the United States. Around more countries its YTV in Canada, Sky One in the United Kingdom and RTE2 in Ireland. Housoukyoku originally aired in TV Tokyo but has since ended its begin, when Chronicles can only exist as seen in the United Kingdom on Toonami UK as of May 2005. Sunday is seen merely in TV Tokyo, with there are no English adaptation plotted.

Card game
A typical Pokémon card Independent article: Pokémon (card game)

A Pokémon Short term trading Card Game was number 1 introduced to N Usa inside 1999, and around Japan at an sooner date. These are the collectible card game based off the far-famed Pokémon video game. At a instance, it was published by Wizards of the Coast, the company best known for Magic: The Gathering.

Still, by having a release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Game Boy video games, Nintendo took back a cards from either Wizards of the Coast & began publishing the cards themselves. A latest incarnations of the cards is called Pokémon-e Short term trading Card Game, a cards of which (for a big a portion) come compatible using the Nintendo e-Reader.

Within 1998, Nintendo freed the Game Boy Color version of the trading cards. This game involved digital versions cards from either a original placed of cards & a number 1 both expansion (Jungle & Fossil), however likewise involved many cards exclusive to the game.

Manga
There are various Pokémon manga series, four of which were freed within English by Viz Communications, and sevener of the two freed within English by Chuang Yi.

Manga released in English
Pokémon (The Electric Tale of Pikachu a.k.the Dengeki Pikachu), the shÅ?nen manga created by Toshihiro Ono. It was divided into quartet tankÅ?bon, each using quaternity separate titles inside N Western & a English Singapore versions: A Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pikachu Shocks Back, Electric Pikachu Boogaloo, & ''Breakers's Higher, Pikachu. A series is depending mostly on the anime. Pokémon Adventures, a shÅ?nen manga according to a computer game. Magical Pokémon Journey (a.k.the. Pokémon: PiPiPi Adventures), the shÅ?jo manga Pikachu Meets the Press (newspaper style comics, non freed by Chuang Yi) Ash & Pikachu (a.k.a. Satoshi to Pikachu, non freed by Viz) Pokémon Gold & Silver (not released by Viz) Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire and Pokémon Pocket (not freed by Viz) Pokémon: Jirachi Wishmaker (not freed by Viz)

Manga not released in English
Pokémon Card Ni Natta Wake up (How else I personally Became the Pokémon Card) by Kagemaru Himeno, an creative person for the TCG. There are vi volumes & both includes the favorite promotional card. A stories tell a tales of the art behind a bit of of Himeno's cards (a tale of Persian from either a Jungle placed is particularly popular). Pokémon Getto Da ze! by Satomi Nakamura Poketto Monsutaa Chamo Chamo Puritei by Yumi Tsukirino, world health organization too processed Magical Pokémon Journey. Pokémon Zensho

Pokémon Live

Independent article: Pokémon Live!

The survive action indicate known as Pokémon Live! toured the United States in late 2000. It was depending bump off of the popular Pokémon anime, and was easily-liked among a few fans of the franchise (in spite of a select few continuity errors on to the anime). Within late 2002, it was scheduled to tour Europe, but was cancelled for unknown reasons.

Controversy
Look at too Jynx (Pokémon) and Kadabra for specific controversial Pokémon designs, and Banned episodes of Pokémon for controversies related to specific episodes.

Religion

Christianity
A few Protestant Christian groups in the United States believe Pokémon to become Satanic in origin[http://www.cephasministry.com/save_our_children_pokemon_booklet.html]. Fallowing a America release of Pokémon Yellow, there was a sudden far flung criticism of it passed across Christian congregations primarily by word-of-mouth. A claimed parallels between Pokémon & Satanism include:

Pokémon parallel demons. It is captured & must become invoked to perform tasks. Wizard "talismans" (gym badges) come necessary to control numbers of of the children. "Magical" stones come utilized to develop certain Pokémon Pokémon "evolve." Evolution precludes literal creationism, therefore Pokémon denies occasionally forms of Biblical interpretation. Several Pokémon own paranormal or psychic powers. These powers are non from either God and therefore must stem from either Satan. Numerous Pokémon be or even practice Asian spiritual and mystical concepts. For instance, a bit of practice martial arts, which some Christian groups denounce when gateway to pagan religions. A stake globe likewise incorporates Asian traditions all about elemental forces.

Likewise, whilst a independent theme song for a tv show is sung inside english, the lyrics "gotta catch em all, gotta catch em all, gotta catch em all" after played backwards says "I love satan, I love satan, I love satan" as well referred to as "Backmasking". This leaves a select few christians & christian organizations believing that pokemon is diabolic inside origin, & is subliminally encouraging satanism. Even so backmasking in general is highly contriversial & debatable, allowing room for tremendously skepticism. A lyrics in a afor mentioned song besides is very strong to produce retired, allowing others to plainly forget about the claims when ended avid.

However, virtually all humans (including numbers of Asian Christian congregations) forget about these claims to exist as nonsense, & attribute numbers of of the alleged protests to urban legend. A amazingly little total of original protests (when opposed to reports of protests) seem to reinforce this belief. It would exist as wrong to state that a Christian religious community is of one mind in that matter, since virtually all mainstream sects of Christianity come perfectly indifferent to Pokémon.

A alleged cry was plenty to move a Holy See to comment, in an official statement in April 21, 2000:

Understand as well: Allegations of Satanism in popular culture''

There are as well allegations, particularly among Christians, against "Pokémon" citing liberal views in morality. These include a immodest dress of a few of a female characters in the indicate, the utilise of the sentence "kick your ass" in the lyrics of the song in the indicate, though the sentence was late flushed & replaced by having different lyrics, & a certain character, ("James"), exhausting women's fabric inside many episodes of a indicate, rendering a select few the impression that he is transvestite.

Judaism
Pokémon has been criticised by a few members of the Jewish community for its use of the swastika, the virtually all widely known symbol of Nazism, which they hang on to is unfitting for babies's toys. Nintendo says that this occurs when matter of ethnical misunderstanding, as a hakenkreuz has been utilized within East Asian cultures as a symbol for "good fortune"Per Buddhist religion for thousands of years. Potentially inside todays world in Japan, a hakenkreuz is non necessarily associated by owning Nazism, & virtually all Japanese maps however have little clockwise hakenkreuz, or even "manji", to indicate a location of Buddhist temples.

a manji was shown merely in a Japanese version card & was excluded from either the Northerly Our contries release. Yet, these Jewish groups attacked a Japanese version distributed in the U.S. by unauthorised import, possibly though a manji symbol is reversed (i.e., clockwise like than anticlockwise) around relation to the sauwastika or Hakenkreuz used per Nazi person, conversationally & incorrectly termed only "the swastika" in the West. Following of this contention Nintendo stopped applying this symbol potentially in the Japanese version. [http://www.adl.org/presrele/Mise_00/3511_00.asp] This raised a public backlash around Japan for existence illiberal towards the symbols of the Buddhist religion for the sake of avoiding arguing.

Islam
Two or three Islamic religious speakers in Saudi Arabia (which has banned Pokémon), Jordan, and Egypt hold that Pokémon is part of the "Jewish conspiracy" to corrupt Muslim children. It claim incorrectly that a word "Pokémon" occurs as Japanese word which means "I am a Jew." 1 Saudi Arabian Sheikh (Sheikh Abdel Moneim Abu Zant) has written "The Pokémon craze is a Jewish plot aimed at forcing our children to forgo their faith and values and to distract them from more important things such as scientific ambitions." A Anti-Defamation League has denounced these theories. [http://www.adl.org/presrele/IslME_62/3791_62.asp].

Health
Independent article: Banned episodes of Pokémon: Electric Soldier Porygon

In December 16,1997, 685 Japanese children were admitted into hospital sustaining convulsive epileptic seizures. It was determined that the stimulate of the seizures were a symptom of watching an episode of Pokémon, 「�ん���ん��リゴン� (Dennou senshi Porygon, or even "Electric Soldier Porygon"). Therein particular episode, there were brightly explosions by owning rapidly-alternating blue & red colour system. It was determined around farther locate that these strobing lightly results may another time stimulator a select few sensitive souls to stand epileptic seizures, possibly in case it haven't got any former history of epilepsy. Following, numerous videos game makers (including Nintendo) have added exemplary labels (or even mass produced pre-existing ones extra large) in their video game products warning that exposure to video games could are causal agents for photosensitive epilepsy in some souls. [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/06/990601080722.htm]

Miscellaneous
The mammalian oncogene was named "Pokemon" [http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/54387.cfm] (no "é") by its discoverers. This title is apparently an acronym for "POK Erythroid Myeloid ONtogenic" factor (the cancer stimulating professional), and so a title can be either a backronym or simply coincidence.