CEO believes the series can last for 50 years

The owner of Pokémon believes that the series will last for at least 50 years if innovation continues.

First launched on Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1996, the video game has expanded into movies, TV and toys to become one of the world’s highest-grossing media series.

Recently, the transaction card game based on cute creatures at the heart of its universe has attracted popularity – but it also brings scalpers and fraud to hobbies.

Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO who has been in charge of the company since 1998, published secrets with the BBC News about its success, the secrets of its challenge, and the future of the series before its annual update.

Pokémon Day is the annual showcase of upcoming releases, upgrades and events.

Fans are hoping to release news about the upcoming Nintendo Switch title Pokémon Legend: ZA, as well as information about popular trading card games.

Mr. Ishihara did not give up too much before the event started, but the long-term goal is to “enrich the real world and the virtual world”.

Pokémon Go—the company’s successful mobile app uses with the device’s GPS, placing monsters in the real world—is an example.

“I think this is the biggest advantage of Pokémon, and it’s important for us to come up with that idea,” he said.

“That’s how I thought of what we were going to achieve.”

Today, one of the hottest topics among long-time Pokémon fans is mayonnaise.

The revival of collectible card games has attracted the attention of dealers who have purchased new packaging in the hope of landing rare, valuable cards.

When Youtuber Logan Paul paid $5.3 million (£3.9 million) for the payment, he turned many people to potential profits for hobbies. The most expensive Pokémon card ever.

Gaming companies have long had problems in the second-hand market, and Mr Ishihara said it “prevents new products from being sold.”

“When the second-hand market becomes more valuable due to rarity, it’s problematic because our business is affected.”

Fans suggest that Pokémon can produce a large number of items that are hard to find or limited to run, but Mr Ishihara said that controlling the resale market cannot be done too much.

“These items are considered valuable because they are rare or considered antiques – this is not where we say they are not.”

Regarding the topic of fake products, Mr. Ishihara is more direct and said the company’s legal team has been “strictly” fighting clones and fakes since the beginning.

it Recently won a long legal battle Oppose Chinese companies imitating behind mobile apps.

Earlier this year, it joined Nintendo, suing the maker of Palworld, an online multiplayer survival game described as “with gun Pokémon.”

It accused developer Pocketpair of infringement of the patent, which has been denied.

Pokémon continues to bring new fans to the franchise by expanding video game titles into anime, card games, movies and toys.

Mr Ishihara said that fans now “cross generations” and believed that “the reason behind the success is the fact that Pokémon has become a communication tool”.

Last weekend, about 13,000 Pokémon fans headed to the European International Championships in London’s Excel Centre.

It shows Mr. Esihara’s view that people have found their own way into the series through various means.

Justin, 25, and Marina, 28, attended the event in Team Rocket costumes, telling BBC News that they entered Pokémon by watching animated TV shows as children.

“I just love all the designs, all the different characters,” Justin said.

“They are really cute.”

Marina said face-to-face events have become her chance to meet fans.

“I always wanted to attend meetings and these events.

“So it’s such a blessing to be here and to build friends and friends,” she said.

Pokémon is unusual because it is a private company.

Other famous Japanese brands such as Nintendo and Hello Kitty Maker Sanrioopen transactions and responsible to shareholders.

Mr Ishihara believes that this allows his company to focus on one thing wholeheartedly.

“Pokemon is the only thing we do at Pokemon,” he said.

“So whatever profit we make from Pokémon will be reinvested in Pokémon.”

He added that this means companies don’t have to ask questions about expanding from shareholders or creating new roles.

“Our answer is: ‘When Pokémon is no longer popular, we go bankrupt’.

“I don’t think they would.”

In the end of 2023, long-time hero Ash Ketchum and his best PAL Pikachu bowed from the animated Pokémon series.

The series continues to have no beloved duo, but one of the “hardest questions” is Mr. Ishihara being asked what to do now.

“Even if the TV cameras may not follow them, Ashe’s journey continues, with his partner Pikachu right next to him.”

With the team to mark its 30th anniversary next year, rumors have begun to promote special plans for the occasion.

On the wish list of many fans, remakes or reissues of the original game Boys game are high.

Mr. Ishihara doesn’t have much to say about this at the moment, but hopes to focus on “connecting the real and the virtual world”.

“If we continue to focus on missions, then Pokémon may continue until its 50th anniversary or 100th anniversary,” he said.

“But if we become complacent and let it go, it’s when Pokémon goes downhill.”

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