Pokémon
The Pokémon universe (ポケモン in Japanese) also known as "pocket monsters" (ポケットモンスター) in Japan consists of several cartoon monsters created by Nintendo (任天堂) which appear in animated cartoons, trading cards and video games. There are nearly 400 different characters in the series to be caught or seen by the main character Ash Ketchum (catch-em). His name is Satoshi (named after the creator, Satoshi Tajiri) in Japan. The series is based on the main character and his friends he meets along the way. On his journey to become a pokemon master he meets other trainers and pokemon whom he befriends.
The characters have become popular culture icons among the young and young at heart with a Pikachu balloon in the Macy's parade and constant advertising. The best-known Pokémon characters include Pikachu (a cute little yellow mouse with a lightning bolt tail) and Misty (known as Kasumi to Japanese fans), a midriff-baring teenager. The surge of video games, card games, and television series makes it impossible to escape the collectible cuddly creatures that are Pokemon.
The series always contains a message of friendship for the young viewers but many teens and adults have fallen in love with the series as well. The idea of having small pets that you can catch, collect, and train have caught the hearts of thousands and continues to charm many today.
History
Pokémon started as a video game series, developed by Game Freak and distributed by Nintendo. It was developed originally for the Nintendo Gameboy. It has since morphed into a popular animated TV cartoon series, a trading card game, and has been the source for a large number of toys, accessories and more.
Games List
The Pokémon games are (in system order, then in release order):
Gameboy era
- Red and Green were initially released in Japan on February 27, 1996.
- Blue followed the initial two in Japan on October 27, 1996. Blue featured changes from previous two, including updated graphics to make the Pokémon look better and better sounds, other than the Pokémon that can be captured in the game.
- North America would finally get their first releases of Pokémon, in the form of Blue and Red on December 30, 1997. The North American version of Blue was a mix of the Japanese Blue and Green versions. The only version that remained mostly untouched was the North American Red version.
- On September 12, 1998, Pokémon Yellow would be released in Japan. It would be initially known as Pocket Monsters Pikachu. It was based off of the by this time very popular animated cartoon, Pokémon. This time the main hero (named Ash Ketchum in the cartoon) would start with Pikachu instead of getting to choose.
- On October 1, 1999, North American would get their version of Pokémon Yellow. It would be referred to as Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition. It would remain pretty much the same as the Japanese edition.
Gameboy Color era
- On November 21, 1999, Pokémon Gold and Silver was released in Japan. These two games introduced a total of one hundred brand new Pokémon, the new region of Johto, and had limited capability with the previous versions.
- North America got their copies of Pokémon Gold and Silver on October 11, 2000.
- The Ultimate version of Pokémon Gold and Silver (Pokémon Crystal) was released in Japan on December 14, 2000. This version, many speculate, is what Gold and Silver should have been in the first place. It was the first version to allow players to choose if they wanted to be a Male or Female character. Also, the Japanese version of Crystal included (in a first for a handheld system) the ability to go head to head online (over Japanese cell phone networks).
- July 21, 2001 marks the day that North America got Pokémon Crystal. However, the NA version did not include the online component.
Gameboy Advance era
Other Games
Since the introduction of the Pokémon games, there have been many Pokémon games released that didn't belong to the main series. Some of these games were released for the Nintendo 64, some for the Gamecube and others were on the Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance systems. Some of them aren't RPGs like their Gameboy cousins. Some are interesting puzzle games, other are spin-offs, giving an interesting twist to the Pokémon games.
These games include:
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Pokémon has also materialized in non-video game games. Including, but not limited to a trading card game, a portable Tamagotchi-like game, and even a Pokémon board game.
About Pokémon
Pokémon was the brainchild of Satoshi Tajiri, founder of the development company "Game Freak". The concept for Pokémon was loosely based on the practice in Japan among schoolchildren of collecting and training beetles for nonlethal fighting. The game got some initial funding and concept work from another game design studio, "Creatures", as Nintendo, partial owner of Game Freak, was unsympathetic to the idea at the time.
"Pokémon" is actually a contraction of the English words "pocket monster" ("poketto monsutaa" in Japanese transliteration). There are several other such contractions in the Japanese language, such as karaoke. The trademarked catchphrase associated with Pokémon is "Gotta catch 'em all!". Although today, it is no longer officially used due to it no longer being possible to catch all 386 species using the two latest games, and therefore it would be self desctructive to suggest the player should aim for the literally unattainable.
Gameplay
In the games, to capture wild Pokémon, it is required that you carry pokeballs with you. When you encounter a wild Pokémon that you wish to capture, weaken it with a Pokémon you already have and then toss a pokeball. You may or may not capture it, but with each pokeball you toss, you still have a chance.
The Pokémon series is classified as a role-playing game, because they have elements similar to many other role-playing games (such as a top-down, tile based point-of-view; item management; and a turn-based battle system with familiar elements like hit-points and status effects), but they do not focus on plot and character development in the manner of Final Fantasy and many other role-playing games. Pokémon games, rather, focus on the collection and training of many little creatures, which are battled against opponents (either AI-controlled, or other fellow humans). Depending on the game in the series, there may be 151 or 251 available Pokémon, and in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, there is a set of 202 with 83 from the originals, though there are 386 in total. An unusual feature is the ability to trade one's Pokémon with other players via the Game Boy Link Cable; this forms an integral part of the game as some Pokémon can only be collected by trading with another version.
Fake codes
Unfortunately, there are a number of fake cheat codes for Pokémon. This is most likely because there are a large number of Pokémon to catch, and also because it has long been known that each game has at least one Pokémon that cannot be caught legitimately (see "Unobtainable Pokémon" section, below). For example, one such fake code, which supposedly gives you Mew, tells you to surf to the right of the S.S. Anne in order to find an object that you must interact with in some way. Because you cannot enter the area after it leaves, and it leaves before you obtain surf, this would make a good hiding spot for something secret. While there IS an object, there are too many methods of interacting with it (often contradictory) for all of them to be true.
There are also a number of codes for real Pokémon that are not actually in the game that the code is for; and "Pokegods", which are Pokémon that people have made up (usually super-powerful). The credibility of such codes may be increased, in some cases, by a fake picture from the Pokédex - however, it is highly unlikely that such Pokémon actually exist. Two such examples are codes for obtaining Togepi and "Pikablu" in the Red, Blue or Yellow version ("Pikablu" being what some American gamers insisted was the name of Marill before the Gold and Silver versions were released).
Although such codes are exessively common for the Red, Blue and possibly Yellow versions, they do not appear to be common at all for the later versions.
Complete list of Pokémon
This is a complete list of all 386 pokémon that are officially known to exist in the video games. The American name is listed before the Japanese name where they differ. A list of the original Pokémon is available at List of Pokémon. the numbering system used here is in accordance with the National Pokédex. Each region in the game uses their own modified Pokédex But the original numbers are considered the national standard.
The "Unobtainable" Pokémon
Four of the Pokémon (Mew, Celebi, Jirachi and Deoxys) are special, extreemely rare, and nearly impossible to get. They can all be obtained by using a Gameshark or similar cheating device, and also possibly from special Nintendo personel at special events.
Mew can be supposedly be caught by surfing East from the SS Anne’s Pier, but since the SS Anne (where the HM Cut is obtained) leaves after you get the HM, and this HM is is necesary to reach the Safari Zone (where surf is found) a pokémon with the HM Cut would then need to be traded in from another game instead of obtaining the HM aboard the Seam Ship. Mew can also supposedly be caught using the "Mew glitch", which is detailed in a guide on the GameFAQs Pokémon Blue FAQ page.
Celebi can be caught with the GS ball (only obtainable in the Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal, else by cheating)
Jirachi can only be obtained legitimately with the pre-ordered 'Colosseum Bonus disk', which allows to trade this pokémon into the Ruby and Sapphire games.
Deoxys can be caught in one of the Rainbow Islands to the South of Kanto in the Pokémon Fire Red, Leaf Green, and Water Blue games.
In addition, there is a "glitch" Pokémon, Missingno, the presence of which usually indicates that the cartridge has been corrupted - though several game cheats involve invoking it.
Battle Mechanics
A whole subculture exists which is devoted to the study of Pokémon battling and strategy. Usually research centers around Internet bulletin boards such as the GameFAQs forums, Azure Heights and The Pokemasters.
Different aspects of battle mechanics include:
Pokémon TV series
The main heroes of TV series are Ash (Satoshi) and his companions Misty (Kasumi) and Brock (Takeshi). Ash wants to become the best Pokémon trainer, and the others accompany him for other reasons.
There are also two Team Rocket (Roketto-Dan) members, Jessie (Musashi) and James (Kojirou), who along with their Pokémon Meowth serve as the "bad guys" of the series. Jessie and James were for a long time the largest divergence between the game and the television series. In the game, the Team Rocket organization is a dangerous and widespread source of crime--in the series, Team Rocket is almost exclusively represented by the bumbling, not quite so evil Jessie and James (in some cases, two evil members called Butch and Cassidy showed up). This was rectified in the later Gameboy game "Pokémon Yellow", which incorporated several elements of the television series into the game, most notably Jessie and James who follow you around and battle you occasionally.
The music of the Pokémon TV show was composed by Hirokazu 'Hip' Tanaka, better known for his work on Nintendo games such as Metroid. Nintendo disapproved of Tanaka working on the project, so he quit the company to turn his attentions completely to Pokémon.
Controversies
Banned Episodes
On December 16, 1997, an episode (called Electric Soldier Porygon) of the cartoon broadcast in Japan caused several children to have epileptic seizures. Japan's Fire Defense Agency reported 685 affected people were admitted into hospitals of 30 prefectures by the following day. The phenomenon was repeated when a news broadcast about the event inexplicably replayed the offending scene. It was discovered that the very quickly alternating red and yellow patterns of the scene in question caused a reaction due to a previously undiagnosed (in Japan) form of epilepsy. (As it turned out, the American Federal Communications Commission, and equivalent agencies in most European countries, already knew that television used in this manner could sometimes invoke epilepsy, and had banned extremely high frequency color switching on television broadcasts in their countries years ago.) Nintendo's stock dropped significantly, and the episode with the flashing scene was not broadcast (not even dubbed like the others) in the United States. On March 30, 1998 TV Tokyo announced its intention to resume broadcasts.
In addition to the episode that caused epileptic seizures, a handful of other episodes in the first season of the series were deemed to have content too mature for American audiences and were cut or not shown at all (for instance, in one episode the Safari Zone ranger threatens Jessie and James with a loaded gun, in another (Beauty and the Beach) James uses fake breasts to win a beauty contest). This has prompted complaints from among those American fans who are denied the right to see these episodes, especially since some of the episodes in question are not classed as too mature on British television.
Anti-Pokémon
Many Protestant Christian groups in the United States believe Pokémon to be Satanic in origin. After the US release of Pokemon Yellow, there was a sudden widespread criticism of it passed through Christian congregations primarily by word-of-mouth. Most people believe these claims to be nonsense, and note that they are spread as urban legends. While this criticism has been a widespread phenomenon in the United States, little about it has been committed to print. It would be incorrect to state that the Christian religious community has an official opinion on this, but its widespread nature makes it a legitimate topic of study.
Pokémon has been criticised by some members of the Jewish community for its use of the swastika, the most widely known symbol of Nazism. This is considered by some to be a matter of cultural misunderstanding, as the swastika used to be used in Asian cultures as a symbol for "good fortune". However, many Jewish groups, as well as many Asians, hold that today it should be common knowledge how the swastika is perceived, and that it is inappropriate to use this symbol on children's toys. As a result of this controversy Nintendo stopped using this symbol.
Nintendo Tells ADL it will Raise Concerns of Swastika with Japanese Maker of Pokémon Cards
The confusion was in fact caused by ignorance on the behalf of the American producers. They did not notice that the Hindu swastika (a symbol of good luck) depicted on the Zubat card would become a Nazi swastika when reversed. All images were reversed due to the Japanese tendency to read right-to-left.
Many Islamic religious speakers in the Arab-Muslim nations of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt hold that Pokémon is part of a "Jewish conspiracy" to corrupt Muslim children. They claim that the word "Pokeman" is a Japanese word which means "I am Jewish" (this claim is patently false). One Saudi Arabian Sheikh has written "The Pokémon craze is a Jewish plot aimed at forcing our children to forgo their faith and values and to distract them from more important things such as scientific ambitions." (Sheikh Abdel Moneim Abu Zant)
The Anti-Defamation League has spoken out against these conspiracy theorists.
ADL denounces claim by Muslim leaders that Pokémon game is "Jewish Conspiracy"
Frequent parallels drawn between Satanism and Pokémon
Note that these parallels may not be in accordance with a strict definition of Satanism, or even make sense. This is a point of contention to be held with their proponents, not the author.
- Pokémon parallel demons. They are captured and must be invoked to perform tasks.
- Magical talismans are necessary to control many of them.
- Pokémon evolve. Evolution denies creationism, therefore Pokémon denies God.
- Many Pokémon have paranormal or psychic powers. These powers stem from Satan.
- Many Pokémon embody or practice Asian concepts. For example, some practice martial arts, which some Christian groups denounce as pagan. The game world also incorporates Asian traditions about elemental forces.
- "Magical" stones are used to evolve certain Pokémon.
Some groups in the United States also believe the show encourages children to run away from home like the main character Ash allegedly does in the game and cartoon. Others who are unfamiliar with Japanese beetle fighting claim that the game and show, which involve training of animals to fight other trainers' animals, were inspired by the practice of cockfighting. (See above to learn why this is not the case.)
Lawsuits
Uri Geller, Israeli psychic famous for ostensibly bending spoons with his mind, has sued Nintendo over the Pokémon "Kadabra" ("Un-geller" in Japanese), whom he claims is an unauthorized appropriation of his identity. The Pokémon in question has psychic abilities and carries bent spoons. The name is a pun; the katakana letter 'n' looks quite like the letter 'ri'. Geller sued for the equivalent of 100 million dollars, but lost.
A parents' group is suing Nintendo of America and other manufacturers of collectible cards (such as baseball card makers), claiming that the collectible nature of randomly purchased cards constitutes illegal gambling.
Two other parents also set up a site named Pokémon Kills after their son choked on a Burger King PokéBall toy. The toy had two pieces. The top red lid piece could easilly fit over the mouth of a child. The site was not particularly successful in its aim, but it did cause Burger King to issue a voluntary recall of the toys in exchange for food.
External links
Referenced By
Abra (pokemon) | Adventure of Link | Altaria | Animation History Part 3: The Renaissance | Animation History Part 4: The Renaissance | Anime in the United States | Anime in the United States of America | Articuno | Ash (Pokemon) | Ash (Pokémon) | Ash Ketcham | Ash Ketchum | Balloon Pokémon | Basic Pokemon | Basic Pokémon | Beedrill | Beldum | Bird Pokémon | Blastoise | Bug Pokémon | Bulbasaur | Butterfly Pokémon | Butterfree | Caterpie | Celebi | Chansey | Chansey (Pokemon) | Charizard | Charmander | Charmeleon | Chimecho | Cocoon Pokémon | Collectable card game | Collectible card game | DNA Pokémon | Deck | Deoxys | Discrimination against non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia | Ditto | Ditto (Pokemon) | Dragon Quest Monsters | Eevee | Espeon | Fearow | Fire Pokémon | Flame Pokémon | Flying Pokémon | Fylfot | Gammadion | Goldeen | Gotta catch 'em all! | Grass Pokémon | Groudon | Hairy Bug Pokémon | Hakenkreuz | Hirokazu 'Hip' Tanaka | Hollywood Animation: The Renaissance | Ivysaur | Ivysaur (Pokemon) | Jigglypuff | Jirachi | Johto | Jolteon | Kakuna | Kitsune | Legend Of Zelda | Lilo & Stitch | Lilo and Stitch | List of Japan-related topics L-Z | List of Pokemon characters | List of Pokémon | List of Pokémon by Name | List of birds (fictional) | List of fictional birds | List of pokemon | Lizard Pokémon | Lugia | Magikarp | Master Ball | Metapod | Mew (Pokemon) | Moltres | Mouse Pokémon | National Pokédex | Nintendo | Normal Pokémon | Omanyte | Onix | Pidgeot | Pidgeotto | Pidgey | Pikachu | Pocket Monsters | Poison Bee Pokémon | Poison Pokémon | Pokeball | Pokeballs | Pokeman | Pokemon | Pokemon/Blastoise ...
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