CEO believes the series can last another 50 years

Pokémon head chief believes the series can last at least 50 years if it continues to innovate.

First launched on Nintendo’s Game Boyo in 1996, the video game spread to movies, TV and toys to become one of the world’s media franchises.

Recently, a game of trading tickets based on sweet creatures at the center of her universe has seen a rise in popularity – but he also brought scalpers and frauds in the hobby.

Executive Director Tsunekaz Ishihara, who has been in charge of the company since 1998, spoke with BBC News on the eve of his annual update about the secret of his success, resolving the challenge and the future of the series.

Pokémon Day is an annual exhibition of upcoming editions, upgrades and events.

Fans hope the news of Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends: for and information about a popular trade ticket.

Mr. Ishihara did not give too much ahead of the event, but he says that the long -term goal was to “enrich both the real world and the virtual world.”

Pokémon Go – a successful application of a mobile phone company that works with GPS device to place a monster in the real world – is an example of that.

“That’s what I think is the greatest power of Pokémon, and it’s important that I think of this type of idea,” he says.

“So that’s how I think about what we want to achieve next.”

One of the hottest topics among the long -term Pokémon fans today are Scalpers.

The withdrawal of a collecting map has attracted the attention of the resellers who buy new packages in the hope that they will follow rare, valuable tickets.

YouTuber Logan Paul transferred a lot of people to a potential hobby profit when he paid $ 5.3 million (£ 3.9 million) for The most expensive Pokémon card ever.

Playing companies have long had a problem with a used market, and Mr. Ishihara says he “prevents the sale of new products”.

“When the market market because of rarity becomes more valuable, it is problematic because it is affected by our business.”

Fans suggest that Pokémon Company could produce more difficult or limited items, but Mr. Ishihara says he cannot do much to control the resale market.

“These items are valuable because they are rare or seen as vintage – and it’s not our place to say they are not,” he says.

On the topic of counterfeit products, Mr Ishihara is more direct and says that the legal teams of the company fought “rigorously” against clones and fakes from the beginning.

It Recently won a long legal battle against the Chinese company behind the Copycat mobile app.

Earlier this year, he joined Nintendo to sue Makers from Palworld – an internet survival game for multiple players described as “Pokémon with weapons”.

He states that the developer Pocketpair was violated by patents, which he denied.

Pokémon continued to bring new fans in fans in the franchise, spreading to Anima, cards of games, movies and toys together with the titles of video games.

Mr. Ishihara says that fans now “cover several generations” and believe “the biggest reason for their success is the fact that Pokémon has become a tool of communication.”

Last weekend, around 13,000 Pokémon fans went to the European Legs International Championship at the London Excel Center.

This shows Mr. Ishihare’s view that people have found their way to the series with various means.

Fans Justin (25) and Marina, 28, who appeared at the event in Team Rocket costumes, say BBC News in Pokémon, watching an animated TV show as children.

“I just loved all the designs, all different characters,” Justin says.

“They were simply really sweet.”

Marina says that personal events have become an opportunity to get to know colleagues fans.

“I always wanted to go to conventions and these types of events.

“So to be able to be here, networking and making friends was such a blessing,” she says.

Pokémon is unusual because it is a private company.

Other famous Japanese brands, like Nintendo and Greetings Matty Manufacturer SanrioThey are traded publicly and correspond to shareholders.

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

“Pokémon is the only thing we do at Pokémon Company,” he says.

“So, regardless of the profit of Pokémon, it becomes reinvision in Pokémon.”

He adds that this means that the company does not have to ask questions about spreading or creating new characters from shareholders.

“Our answer will be:” We will be said when Pokémon is no longer popular. “

“I don’t think they will like that.”

At the end of 2023, longtime hero Ash Ketchum and his best friend Pikacha bowed from the animated series Pokémon.

The series continued without a well -loved dual, but one of the “most difficult questions” of Mr. Ishihara is asking what they are doing now.

“Although the TV camera may not follow them, Ash’s journey continues and his partner Pikachu is right next to him.”

Since the franchise is set on its 30th anniversary of next year, rumors are already starting to spin about special plans for the occasion.

Remake or re-posting the original Game Boy Games are high on the wish list on many fans.

Mr Ishihara does not have much to say at the moment, but he wants to keep the focus on “connecting real and virtual worlds”.

“If we continue to focus on our mission, Pokémon can probably continue until his 50th or 100th anniversary,” he says.

“But if we become complacent and start with the course, then Pokémon will go downhill.”

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