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Pokemon Takes Over Japan
Pokemon, a roleplaying strategy video game, launches in Japan in February of 1996. The game became wildly popular with Japanese tv series and movies beginning to be released along side the game over the next couple of years. As it grew popular, and the rise of the Nintendo gaming systems grew popular, news of the game begins to trickle into the US market. -
Pokemon Invades the USA
In September the first two versions of the game hit the US market with a tv series launching along side detailing the story shared with the game. The series mascot, Pikachu, quickly becomes a household name in the US. -
The Vatican VS Pikachu
Over the next several years more movies, games, and trading cards are released worldwide. The Pokemon craze has taken over with fans of the series ranging several ages and the game quickly being followed in pop cultural. This sparked controversy as the Vatican declares Pokemon to be "satanic" and demise of Christianity. -
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Pokemon Takes Over The World
Over the next decade multiple games, movies, and tv series are continually released. Though several controversies, including the "satanic panic," as well as the trading card games being compared to childhood gambling, Pokemon has become a staple piece of pop culture in America. With stores, festivals, competitions, and apparel and toys being sold by the thousands. This has led to the creation of similar games and companies that tried to bank of similar success as Pokemon. -
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Bringing Families Together
As we enter the 2010's Pokemon has had massive mainstream success. With early gamers who played from the beginning now reaching adult age, Pokemon begins to be an invite with young new gamers. By keeping storylines and games fresh with the advancement of gaming technology, the Pokemon brand remains a consistent seller for the Nintendo company. Playing Pokemon and going to movie releases have become tradition in many American households. -
PokemonGO Makes Everyone a Trainer
With the advancement of smartphones and the decline in trading cards over the last decade, the company has pivoted to create a mobile app users can play instantly on their phone. The app requires players to walk and find PokeStops in local locations all while collecting Pokemon along the way. This has became one of the most successful mobile gamest to date. The craze has led to more competitions, groups, and meet-ups for fans to come together and battle or trade Pokemon. -
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Pokemon Thrives Over 20 Years Later
After the giant success of the mobile app, new blockbuster movies and spin off series continue to find success in America. Pokemon started off as a roleplaying strategy game in Japan for small handheld consoles and quickly dominated the market. Today Pikachu is a common household name with even nonplayers recognizing the mascot. As time moves forward the brand only continues to grow and reach newer heights of success and become an American pop culture staple. -
REFERENCES
The Pokemon Company. (n.d.). History. The Pokémon Company. https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/aboutus/history/ The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2018). Pokémon | Description, History, & Facts. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pokemon-electronic-game Remembering When “Pokémon” Caused Satanic Panic. (2019, May 13). Film School Rejects. https://filmschoolrejects.com/pokemon-satanic-panic/