Pokémon is one of the most popular and successful entertainment franchises in the world, encompassing video games, mobile apps, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), animation and movies, Play! Pokémon competitive events, and licensed products. It was first established in Japan in 1996 with the launch of the Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green video games for the Game Boy™ system. The video games were released internationally in 1998 as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue.

The Pokémon Company International a subsidiary of Japan-based The Pokémon Company, represents Pokémon outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the TV cartoon series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website.