The Pokémon Company

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Pokémon Company
Native name
株式会社ポケモン
TypeJoint venture
Kabushiki gaisha
Founded23 April 1998; 23 years ago (1998-04-23) (as The Pokémon Center Company)
Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan
HeadquartersMinato, Tokyo, Japan
Key people
Tsunekazu Ishihara
(President and CEO)
ProductsPokémon franchise
ServicesBrand management
JPY 15.37 billion (2019)[1]
OwnerNintendo
Game Freak
Creatures
SubsidiariesThe Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International Ireland
Pokémon Korea, Inc
Pokemon Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Pokémon Shanghai
Pokémon Center Co., Ltd.
Websitewww.pokemon.co.jp
Footnotes / references
[2]
The International Branch of The Pokémon Company.

The Pokémon Company (株式会社ポケモン, Kabushiki gaisha Pokemon) is a Japanese company responsible for brand management, production, marketing and licensing of the Pokémon franchise, which consists of video game software, a trading card game, anime television series, films, manga, home entertainment products, merchandise, and other ventures. It was established through a joint investment by the three businesses holding the copyright of Pokémon: Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. It began operating in 1998 and adopted the moniker Pokémon Ltd. in October 2000. The company is headquartered in the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo.[3]

The company has separate subsidiaries that handle operations in different parts of the world, with The Pokémon Company International supporting the territories outside of Asia and being responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website on the territories outside of Asia. In South Korea, the operations are handled by Pokémon Korea, Inc.[3]

The Pokémon Company also handles publishing of all Pokémon video games since 2001 as its main publisher. The Pokémon Company is mostly responsible for marketing and funding, while Nintendo handles distribution of the titles in Japan and outside of it. Both companies work together in localization, production, QA, and other aspects. The company is solely responsible for publishing and licensing mobile Pokémon titles, unlike console titles where it divides publishing responsibilities with Nintendo.[4]

History[]

In 1998, Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak established The Pokemon Center Company (ポケモンセンター株式会社, Pokemon Sentā Kabushiki gaisha) in order to effectively manage the Pokémon Center stores in Japan. After the popularity of Pokémon Gold and Silver, they received many merchandising proposals from around the world. Companies were interested in working with the Pokémon brand. At that time, Tsunekazu Ishihara of Creatures was the person in charge of approving licensed products. Because of the sheer volume of products, Ishihara thought it was too much work for one person to handle. At the same time, in order for the franchise to continue, Ishihara wished to further expand the franchise with long-term goals, such as continuing the anime series, and releasing a movie every year. It was then decided that a new organization was needed in order to gather together all the strands of brand management.

This led the three companies to turn The Pokémon Center Company into The Pokémon Company in order to further expand its scope, responsibilities, and areas of business. According to Satoru Iwata, establishing The Pokémon Company was one of his first projects at Nintendo.[5]

Managing the Pokémon Center stores is still a pillar for the company. In total, there are stores in 11 locations: Sapporo, Tohoku (Sendai), Tokyo, Skytree Town (Oshiage), Tokyo-Bay (Chiba), Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka.[6]

The United States branch (Pokémon USA, Inc.) opened in 2001 to handle licensing overseas in the Americas. Nintendo Australia is responsible for some licensing and marketing of Pokémon products in Australia and New Zealand because The Pokémon Company does not have an Australian branch.[3]

Since 2001, nearly all Pokémon products are represented as "©Pokémon" in the copyright acknowledgments with the usual three of "©Nintendo", "©GAME FREAK inc." and "©Creatures Inc." The three companies also have ownership of all of the Pokémon-related trademarks in Japan[7] while Nintendo is the sole owner of Pokémon-related trademarks in other countries.[8] Licensed toys are made by third- and second-party companies such as Tomy and Jazwares.

In October 2001, 4Kids Entertainment acquired a 3% stake in The Pokémon Company for an undisclosed sum.[9][10] They liquidated this stake 4 years later for US$960,000.[11]

In 2006, Pokémon Korea, Inc. was founded to manage the company's operations in South Korea. Its headquarters is located in Seoul.

In 2009, Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK merged to become The Pokémon Company International, which handles American and European Pokémon operations under the administration of Kenji Okubo.[12] The company's office in the United States is located in Bellevue, Washington[13] and its office in the United Kingdom is located in London.[3] Some Australian operations are controlled by Nintendo Australia.

Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was established in August 2011 to manage the Pokémon Center brand and stores in Japan. Its operations include operating the Pokémon Store and Pokémon Center stores, maintaining the Pokémon Stand vending machines and operating the Pokémon Center Online, as well as overseeing the design and manufacture of Japanese Pokémon Center brand merchandise. Yomiomi Uego is currently the president and CEO.[14][15]

List of works[]

Games[]

Anime[]

Books[]

Films[]

Licensed merchandise[]

Retail sales of Pokémon licensed merchandise (licensed by The Pokémon Company)
Note: Excluding sales of products produced/published by Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, such as Pokémon video games or trading cards.
Year(s) Region(s) Sales (million US$) Notes
1999 Worldwide[16] 7,000 ¥350.28 billion ($3.075 billion) in Japan.[17][18]
2001 Outside Asia[19] 2,000
2002 Americas[20] 1,100
2003 Americas[21] 1,300
1996–2003 Worldwide[22] 30,000
2004 Americas[23] 1,300
2005 Japan + Americas 1,892 ¥65.21 billion ($592 million) in Japan.[24][25] $1.3 billion in the Americas.[26]
2006 Americas[27] 1,300
2007 Japan + Americas 2,543 ¥134.56 billion ($1.143 billion) in Japan.[28][29] $1.4 billion in the Americas.[30]
2008 Japan + Americas 2,512 ¥114.929 billion ($1,112 million) in Japan.[31] $1.4 billion in the Americas.[32]
2009 Japan + Outside Asia 2,595 ¥111.809 billion ($1,195 million) in Japan.[33] $1.4 billion outside of Asia.[34]
2010 Japan + Outside Asia 3,804 ¥114.484 billion ($1.304 billion) in Japan.[35][36] $2.5 billion outside of Asia.[37]
2011 Japan + Outside Asia 2,848 ¥107.602 billion ($1,348 million) in Japan.[38] $1.5 billion outside of Asia.[39]
2012 Japan + Outside Asia 2,754 ¥92.04 billion ($1,154 million) in Japan.[40] $1.6 billion outside of Asia.[41]
2013 Japan + Outside Asia 2,393 ¥86.978 billion ($891 million) in Japan.[42] $1.5 billion outside of Asia.[43]
2014 Japan + Outside Asia 2,678 ¥71.825 billion ($678 million) in Japan.[44] $2 billion outside of Asia.[45] Pokémon TCG sales increased by 51% in the UK market,[46] and by 34% in North America.[47]
2014–2015 India There was a resurgence of the Pokémon brand in India.[48]
2015 Japan + Outside Asia 2,608 ¥55.257 billion ($457 million) in Japan.[49] $2.1 billion outside of Asia.[50] Pokémon TCG sales increased by 56%.[47]
2016 Japan + Outside Asia 3,884 ¥63.52 billion ($584 million) in Japan.[51] $3.3 billion outside of Asia.[52] The brand's 20th anniversary coincided with a Super Bowl 50 commercial, launch of Pokémon Go and Sun & Moon video games and Sun & Moon anime series, and Pokémon TCG becoming the top-selling collectible card game.[52]
2017 Japan + Outside Asia 4,081 ¥64.584 billion ($576 million) in Japan.[53] $3.5 billion outside of Asia.[54][55] Pokémon toys increased in sales,[56] and is the top-selling toy brand.[54] Sun & Moon expansion of Pokémon TCG released, continued success of Pokémon Go, and global launch of Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon and Pokkén Tournament DX games, I Choose You film and Sun & Moon anime series.[54]
2018 Japan + Outside Asia 3,681 ¥77.417 billion ($701 million) in Japan.[57][58] $2.98 billion outside of Asia.[59]
2019 Japan + Outside Asia 5,127 ¥101.06 billion ($927 million) in Japan.[60][58] $4.2 billion outside of Asia.[61] Substantial growth driven by global launch of live-action film Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, video game Pokémon Sword & Shield, and anime season Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends, while Pokémon Go crossed 1 billion downloads.[61]
2020 Outside Asia 5,100[62]
Total known sales Worldwide 81,100

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "ポケモン、2020年2月期の最終利益は14.8％増の153億円 直近2番目の規模に 『ポケモンGO』と『ポケマス』運営、『ポケモン剣盾』発売". gamebiz.jp (in Japanese). 1 June 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Pokemon Go Nintendo shares Tokyo Stock Exchange Niantic". 25 July 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "会社概要" [Company Profile] (in Japanese). The Pokémon Company. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  4. ^ "ゲームを探す". ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Iwata Asks". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  6. ^ "ポケモンセンター English". ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  7. ^ "会社情報". The Pokémon Company. Retrieved 31 October 2020. ポケットモンスター・ポケモン・Pokémonは任天堂・クリーチャーズ・ゲームフリークの登録商標です
  8. ^ "4Kids Entertainment Signs New Five-Year Agreement With Pokemon USA/Leading Children's Entertainment Company Acquires 3% Interest In The Pokemon Company". TheFreeDictionary.com. 10 October 2001. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  9. ^ "4Kids Entertainment Signs New Five-Year Agreement With Pokémon USA" (PDF). 4kidsentertainment.com. 10 October 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Form 10K". EdgarOnline.com. 16 March 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  11. ^ Daswani, Mansha (9 April 2009). "Pokémon Merges North American, European Operations". WorldScreen.com.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Contact Us". The Pokémon Company International. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  13. ^ "株式会社ポケモンセンター | 採用サイト".
  14. ^ "【株式会社ポケモンセンター】 会社概要".
  15. ^ Kalbfleisch, Pamela J. (20 June 2003). Communication Yearbook 27. Routledge. p. 297. ISBN 978-1-135-61692-2.
  16. ^ Tsukada, Yuko (7 September 2001). "Action! Report No.3: 市場環境を調べる". クリエイターのための自営学 (in Japanese). Creative Work Station / Asuka Publishing. ISBN 4756911501. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan". World Bank. 1999. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  18. ^ "100 Leading Licensors". License Global. 1 April 2002. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  19. ^ License! Editorial Staff (1 April 2003). "Leading Licensors" (PDF). License Global. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 December 2003. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  20. ^ Wilensky, Dawn (1 April 2004). "Leading 101 Licensors" (PDF). License Global. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  21. ^ Sawhney, Anubha (17 February 2004). "It's a Pokemon-ey machine!". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  22. ^ Wilensky, Dawn (1 April 2005). "Are You on the List? Most leading licensors remained flat 2004 over 2003" (PDF). License Global. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  23. ^ "日本のアニメ・マンガを取り巻く状況" (PDF). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) (in Japanese). 6 March 2007. pp. 25–6. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan". World Bank. 2005. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  25. ^ Wilensky, Dawn (1 April 2006). "101 Leading Licensors" (PDF). License Global. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  26. ^ Wilensky, Dawn (1 April 2007). "103 Leading Licensing Companies" (PDF). License Global. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  27. ^ "キャラクターが日本を救う" [Characters Save Japan]. NTTCom Online Marketing Solutions (in Japanese). NTT Communications. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan". World Bank. 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  29. ^ "TOP 100 Licensors". License Global. 1 April 2008. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  30. ^ "Japan's Character Products Market in 2008". Licensing Industry Merchandiser's Association. Character Databank (CharaBiz). 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Top 100 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  32. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2010⑨ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2010.
  33. ^ "TOP 125 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  34. ^ コンテンツ2次利用市場（ライセンス市場）に係る 競争環境及び海外市場動向実態調査 (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). 2011. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  35. ^ "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) - Japan". World Bank. 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  36. ^ "TOP 125". License Global. 1 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  37. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2012⑪ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2012.
  38. ^ Lisanti, Tony (10 May 2012). "Top 125 Global Licensors". License Global. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  39. ^ "慶應義塾大学学術情報リポジトリ（KOARA）". KeiO Associated Repository of Academic Resources (in Japanese). Keio University: 8–9. 2015.
  40. ^ "Top 150 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 May 2013. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  41. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2014(13) (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2014.
  42. ^ "The Top 150 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  43. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2015⑭ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2015.
  44. ^ "The Top 150 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 May 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  45. ^ Loveday, Samantha (19 December 2014). "Pokémon ends 2014 on a high". Licensing.biz. NewBay Media. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  46. ^ Jump up to: a b Langsworthy, Billy (21 January 2016). "Esdevium Games enjoys "record sales year" for Pokémon Trading Card Game". toynews-online.biz. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  47. ^ Venkatesh, Shruti (29 December 2015). "Pokemon's second coming". Forbes India. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  48. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2016⑮ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2016.
  49. ^ "The Top 150 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  50. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2017⑯ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2017.
  51. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Top 150 Global Licensors". License Global. 1 April 2017. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  52. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2018⑰ (in Japanese). Character Databank, Ltd. 2018.
  53. ^ Jump up to: a b c Cioletti, Amanda (April 2018). "Top 150 Global Licensors" (PDF). License Global. 21 (2): T8 & T18. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  54. ^ "License Global's Top 150 Leading Licensors of 2017". License Global. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  55. ^ "Brand Pokémon continues to rule in 2017, toys sales spike in Europe". Licensing Corner. 9 March 2018.
  56. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2019(18) (in Japanese). Character Databank. May 2019.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b "Content Tokyo 2020 》Vtuber、疫情中重塑品牌、以AI創作，日本內容產業熱議的3件事" [Content Tokyo 2020 》Vtuber, Rebranding During the Epidemic, Creating With AI, 3 Things That Are Hotly Discussed in the Japanese Content Industry]. Central News Agency (Taiwan) (in Chinese). 30 December 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  58. ^ "Top 150 Global Licensors: The New Class". Licence Global: T14–T15. August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  59. ^ CharaBiz DATA 2020(19) (in Japanese). Character Databank. May 2020.
  60. ^ Jump up to: a b "Top 150 Global Licensors". License Global. August 2020. p. T13. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  61. ^ "Top Global Licensors". License Global. June 2021. p. 33. Retrieved 11 July 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""