Pokémon video games and Trading Card Game

Pokémon, one of the most successful media franchises in history, was founded in Japan in the mid-1990s. The brand was the brainchild of Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori through their development studio Game Freak, which initially partnered with Nintendo and Creatures Inc. to bring the 'Pocket Monsters' concept to life on the Game Boy handheld system.

The franchise is centrally managed by The Pokémon Company, a joint-venture corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. This entity was established specifically to manage the brand's vast intellectual property. While Nintendo remains the primary publisher and majority-interest holder in the brand's trademark, the ownership is shared among three key Japanese entities.

Manufacturing of Pokémon products occurs globally. Video games are primarily developed in Japan, while Trading Card Game (TCG) production takes place in several locations including the United States, Belgium, and Japan to satisfy international demand. Merchandise and plush toys are largely manufactured across Asia, specifically in China and Vietnam.