'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Pokemon franchise is the highest-grossing media franchise in the world, but it didn't get there by accident. Since its early beginnings as the brainchild of Satoshi Tajiri, the Pocket Monsters series has grown far beyond video games into card games, films, television shows, manga/other written works, music, and nearly every form of media.
There's no singular reason for the Pokemon franchise's success. While the core series games have undoubtedly been successful, the franchise can branch out into nearly any industry or medium that helps build on its enduring popularity.
Whatever the case, it doesn't hurt to take a look at some of the biggest reasons why the series is still taking the world by storm decades later.
Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer
Trending
🚨 Calculate how strong your evolved Pokémon will become with our newly launched Pokemon GO Evolution Calculator 🚨
5 of the biggest reasons contributing to the Pokemon franchise's enduring popularity
1) The core series games
Dating back to 1996 with Japan's release of Pokemon Red and Green, the core series games have been the bedrock of the franchise. The core gameplay loop of catching, training, and battling Pocket Monsters was lightning in a bottle for Red and Green, leading to nine generations' worth of games spanning across multiple decades and forever evolving with each generation.
Since they've been regularly released for over 25 years, the franchise's core series games have a wide appeal with both older and younger fans alike. Even if they don't always push the envelope, the steady and dependable gameplay formula has led to millions of copies of the core series titles being sold worldwide to players of all ages.
2) Film and television projects
It wasn't long after the core series games began surging in popularity that a Pokemon animated series was in the works. The show followed the exploits of Ash Ketchum (Satoshi in Japan after the games' creator), his Pikachu, and the many friends they made and battles they encountered as they traveled through the wide world of Pocket Monsters for over 25 years.
The success of the series led to a huge collection of animated films (as well as animation/live-action hybrids like Detective Pikachu), specials, and entire spin-off series that followed the exploits of other characters in the Pocket Monsters world.
Even after Ash hung up his hat for the time being, the ongoing Pokemon Horizons series has proved to be quite popular as well.
Even people who didn't enjoy video games appreciate the franchise's films and shows, which may explain why they're nearly as popular as the titles themselves.
3) Merchandising
The Pokemon franchise's vast character and creature designs were always a merchandising goldmine just waiting to be exploited, and it took no time at all for the franchise to cash in.
No matter what kind of merchandise fans are looking for, there's likely a Pocket Monsters version of it, from home decorations to apparel and collectible plushes, statues, trading cards, to nearly any other conceivable item.
This franchise's success may have begun with video games and television/film, but it extended its reach into countless areas of everyday life, leading to one of the most lucrative merchandising empires of the modern day.
4) A chart-topping trading card game
Not long after the core game series made its debut and rose to critical acclaim, The Pokemon Company got started on a trading card game that would be accessible to fans of all ages.
By 2024, the game has produced over 64 billion cards worldwide and has translated them into numerous languages. It has taken on a life of its own separate from much of the franchise.
Put plainly, Pocket Monsters cards have grown in popularity and value even among those who had no prior connection to the franchise. Fans will likely never stop collecting these cards and trading/battling them. Even compared to the video games, the TCG has been immensely beloved and lucrative for the franchise.
5) A thriving community, both competitive and non-competitive
No matter where one goes, there's at least a Pocket Monsters fan or two to be found. The franchise garnered a huge following early on, and many fans are still supporting it decades later.
New fans came into the fold as more products were released, leading to a thriving community of Pocket Monsters lovers as well as a burgeoning competitive scene for the video games and TCG.
The passion and dedication of fans young and old have ensured that the franchise continues to chart a path forward. Sure, not everyone is a fan for life, but the bonds between individuals and the ties to the Pocket Monsters brand ensure that the franchise will continue to thrive for years to come.
