The Pokémon Company

On April 23, 1998, three companies, Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, formed a joint venture called Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. to run retail stores in Japan. Two years later, the venture took charge of the entire Pokémon franchise and rebranded as The Pokémon Company. Today, from its headquarters in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, TPC steers the highest-grossing media franchise in history, with lifetime revenue estimated at $150 billion.

That number comes from an ecosystem that spans video games, a trading card game, an anime series running for over two decades, feature films, and a vast merchandise machine. The core Pokémon RPGs are published in Japan by TPC, while Nintendo handles international distribution; mobile games are published solely by TPC. The trading card game has printed more than 75 billion cards in 16 languages. Fans, called Trainers, connect through organized events, digital apps, and a global licensing network that includes designer collaborations and home décor.

The Pokémon Company International, founded in 2001 and based in Bellevue, Washington, manages brand operations outside Asia. It maintains offices in London, Dublin, and Mexico City. In fiscal year 2023, TPC reported revenue of ¥297.51 billion (around $2.9 billion), a 38% increase from the previous year. The company employs roughly 450 people in Japan and over 1,000 globally through its international arm. [edit]