History

Top About Us History

Foundation and Evolution

In April 1998, Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. is established by the original authors of Pokémon: Nintendo Co., Ltd., Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK Inc. The company name was changed to The Pokémon Company in October 2000. Since then, our business activities have expanded to overall management of the Pokémon brand.

Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Manufacture and Sale of Pokémon Video Games

Creatures Inc.
Creatures Inc.

Development of Pokémon Trading Card Game and Video Games;
Development of CG Models and Motion for Pokémon Video Game Series, Etc.

GAME FREAK Inc.
GAME FREAK Inc.

Original Planning of Pokémon Video Game Series;
Development of Pokémon Series and Other Pokémon Video Games

Company History
Pokémon History
February, 1996

“Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Green Version” for the Game Boy are launched in Japan.

“Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Green Version” for the Game Boy are launched in Japan.
October, 1996

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is launched in Japan.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is launched in Japan.
April, 1997

TV anime series “Pokémon” is launched on TV Tokyo in Japan.

TV anime series “Pokémon” is launched on TV Tokyo in Japan.
April, 1998

Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. is established.

April, 1998

Pokémon Center Tokyo is opened.

Pokémon Center Tokyo is opened.
July, 1998

“Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back” and “Pikachu’s Vacation” are launched in Japan.

“Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back” and “Pikachu’s Vacation” are launched in Japan.
September, 1998

The first TV anime series “Pokémon, I Choose You!” is launched with 111 TV broadcasting stations in U.S.

September, 1998

“Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version” for the Game Boy are launched in U.S.

“Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version” for the Game Boy are launched in U.S.
November, 1998

Pokémon Center Osaka is opened.

Pokémon Center Osaka is opened.
January, 1999

"Pokémon Card Game: Base Set" is launched in U.S.

November, 1999

“Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version” for the Game Boy are launched in Japan.

“Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version” for the Game Boy are launched in Japan.
November, 1999

“Pokémon The First Movie” is launched in U.S.

October, 2000

The company name is changed to The Pokémon Company and business activities expand further.

February, 2001

Pokémon USA, Inc. (now The Pokémon Company International, Inc.) is established.

October, 2002

Pokémon Center Nagoya is opened.

November, 2002

“Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version” for the Game Boy Advance are launched.

“Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version” for the Game Boy Advance are launched.
November, 2002

The Official Pokémon website is launched.

March, 2003

Representative office (now The Pokémon Company International, Inc. office) is established in London.

November, 2003

Pokémon Center Fukuoka is opened.

Pokémon Center Fukuoka is opened.
January, 2004

“Pokémon Daisuki Club” is launched.

March, 2005

“Pokémon The Park 2005” is opened for a limited time at the satellite venue of EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN.

“Pokémon The Park 2005” is opened  for a limited time at the satellite venue of EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN.
March, 2005

Pokémon Center Yokohama is opened.

Pokémon Center Yokohama is opened.
August, 2006

Pokémon Korea, Inc., is established.

September, 2006

“Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version” for the Nintendo DS are launched.

“Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version” for the Nintendo DS are launched.
March, 2009

Pokémon Center Sapporo is opened.

Pokémon Center Sapporo is opened.
August, 2009

The first official tournament “Pokémon World Championships 2009” is held.

The first official tournament “Pokémon World Championships 2009” is held.
September, 2010

“Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version” for the Nintendo DS are launched.

“Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version” for the Nintendo DS are launched.
April, 2011

Support activities for disaster-impacted areas, ”POKÉMON with YOU” is started.

Support activities for disaster-impacted areas, ”POKÉMON with YOU” is started.
August, 2011

Pokémon Center Tokyo Co., Ltd. , (now Pokémon Center Co., Ltd.) is established.

December, 2011

Pokémon Center Tohoku is opened.

Pokémon Center Tohoku is opened.
October, 2013

“Pokémon X and Pokémon Y” for the Nintendo 3DS are launched worldwide simultaneously for the first time.

“Pokémon X and Pokémon Y” for the Nintendo 3DS are launched worldwide simultaneously for the first time.
November, 2013

Pokémon Center TOKYO-BAY is opened.

Pokémon Center TOKYO-BAY is opened.
August, 2014

“Pikachu Outbreak!” is held in the Yokohama Minato Mirai area.

“Pikachu Outbreak!” is held in the Yokohama Minato Mirai area.
December, 2014

Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO is opened.

Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO is  opened.
June, 2015

Pokémon Center Hiroshima is opened.

Pokémon Center Hiroshima is opened.
February, 2016

The official online store, Pokémon Center ONLINE, is launched.

The official online store, Pokémon Center ONLINE, is launched.
March, 2016

Pokémon Center Kyoto is opened.

Pokémon Center Kyoto is opened.
July, 2016

“Pokémon GO” is released.

“Pokémon GO” is released.
July, 2016

Pokémon Center SKYTREE TOWN is opened.

Pokémon Center SKYTREE TOWN is opened.
November, 2016

“Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon” for the Nintendo 3DS are launched.

“Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon” for the Nintendo 3DS are launched.
March, 2018

Pokémon Center Tokyo DX and Pokémon Cafe are opened.

Pokémon Center Tokyo DX and Pokémon Cafe are opened.
April, 2018

“Pokémon Local Acts,” the project promoting both Japan’s localities and Pokémon to tell their charms worldwide is started.

“Pokémon Local Acts,” the project promoting both Japan’s localities and Pokémon to tell their charms worldwide is started.
May, 2018

Pokemon Singapore Pte. Ltd. is established.

November, 2018

“Pokémon: Let’s GO, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s GO, Eevee!” for the Nintendo Switch are launched.

“Pokémon: Let’s GO, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s GO, Eevee!” for the Nintendo Switch are launched.
November, 2018

The Pokémon Scholarships to support students destined to forge a new era are established.

The Pokémon Scholarships to support students destined to forge a new era are established.
April, 2019

Pokémon Center Singapore is opened.

Pokémon Center Singapore is opened.
May, 2019

The first Hollywood movie, “POKÉMON Detective Pikachu” is released.

The first Hollywood movie, “POKÉMON Detective Pikachu” is released.
September, 2019

Pokémon Center Osaka DX and Pokémon Cafe are opened.

Pokémon Center Osaka DX and Pokémon Cafe are opened.
November, 2019

“Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield” for the Nintendo Switch are launched.

“Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield” for the Nintendo Switch are launched.
November, 2019

Pokémon Center Shibuya is opened.

Pokémon Center Shibuya is opened.
December, 2019

Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is opened.

Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Cafe is opened.
February, 2020

“Pokémon HOME” is released.

“Pokémon HOME” is released.
July, 2020

Pokémon Shanghai is established.

November, 2020

Pokémon Center Kanazawa is opened.

Pokémon Center Kanazawa is opened.
September, 2021

Pokémon with You Foundation is established.

January, 2022

“Pokémon Legends: Arceus” for the Nintendo Switch is launched.

“Pokémon Legends: Arceus” for the Nintendo Switch is launched.
August, 2022

Pokémon Center Okinawa is opened.

Pokémon Center Okinawa is opened.
November, 2022

“Pokémon Scarlet and Violet” for the Nintendo Switch are launched.

 “Pokémon Scarlet and Violet” for the Nintendo Switch are launched.
December, 2022

Pokémon Taiwan Co., Ltd. is established.

July, 2023

“Pokémon Sleep” is released.

“Pokémon Sleep” is released.
December, 2023

Pokémon Center TAIPEI is opened.

Pokémon Center TAIPEI is opened.
March, 2024

The Pokémon Works K.K. is established with ILCA, Inc..