“Pokémon, born in Japan, has had a global impact.
Recently, from the 8th, the ‘Pokémon World Championships 2023’ event has been held in Yokohama.
Interestingly, this event started in the United States, passed through other countries such as Canada, and is being held in Japan for the first time this year. It’s like a reverse import.
Pokémon, which became a massive trend worldwide from the end of the 1990s, was originally a toy for Japanese children.
Short for ‘Pocket Monsters’, these adorable creatures captured the hearts of many children. Pikachu, Satoshi (known as Ash overseas), and countless other Pokémon entered our lives through TV, games, and cards.
While this craze might have started as a mere child’s play, it has now become a hobby even for adults. The advent of Pokémon GO is proof that the allure of Pokémon transcends time. In both urban and rural areas, people with smartphones were seen searching for Pokémon. The real and virtual worlds merged, creating a new experience with Pokémon.
Moreover, the collection and exchange of Pokémon cards are fervently pursued. Especially rare cards are traded at high prices, even amounting to several tens of thousands or millions of yen. This is not just child’s play but is regarded as a serious collection and an investment.
The appeal of Pokémon lies in its design, story, and gameplay. But it’s not just that; it also holds a significant place as a shared experience across generations and as a part of our memories. Whether the creators had planned this kind of development from the beginning is unclear, but I believe it’s a perfect example of how to horizontally expand a single content.”
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