This article examines the cultural, historical, and media impact of the Pokémon franchise from its origins in the 1990s to its continued global presence in the 2020s. Beginning with the creation of the series by Satoshi Tajiri and its development by Game Freak in collaboration with Nintendo, the study analyses how Pokémon evolved from a Game Boy video game into one of the most influential transmedia franchises in contemporary popular culture. The article explores the technological and cultural context that enabled the success of the original titles (Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green), highlighting their role in revitalising Nintendo’s Game Boy hardware and shaping the handheld gaming market. It also discusses the evolution of the mainline games, including key innovations introduced in later generations and remakes, as well as the challenges of maintaining continuity within a franchise spanning more than three decades. Beyond video games, the study addresses Pokémon’s expansion into multiple media forms, including anime, manga, trading card games, merchandise, and large-scale promotional campaigns. Particular attention is paid to the role of characters such as Pikachu in global popular culture, the influence of Japanese media production models, and the franchise’s ability to combine nostalgia with technological innovation. The article further examines anniversary celebrations and promotional strategies, including events surrounding the twentieth and thirtieth anniversaries of the series, illustrating how Pokémon continues to engage both new audiences and long-time fans. Through this analysis, the text situates Pokémon within broader discussions of transmedia storytelling, global entertainment industries, and the evolution of video game culture.Originally published in Spanish on CoolJapan.es
Andrés Domenech Alcaide (2026) studied this question.