The Pokèmon Empire: Gotta Catch `Em All

Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&f
eature=youtu.be
The Pokèmon Empire: Gotta Catch ‘Em All
Created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996, Pokemon,
or Pocket Monsters, first appeared on
Nintendo’s Gameboy as a RPG (role-playing
game) developed by Game Freak.
Inspired by insect collecting, Tajiri
designed Pokemon to reflect his beloved
hobby. As a Pokemon trainer, the overall
goal in the game is to “catch ‘em all” and “to
be the very best, like no one ever was.”
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Players do so by completing the Pokèdex
through catching and collecting all
Pokemon as well as training a team in
order to battle and win against other
trainers, Gym Leaders, and the Pokemon
Master.
As one of the largest, most successful
transmedia franchises, Pokemon made its
first appearance as a video game and later
expanded through TV, movies, novels,
comics, and more. Furthermore, each point
of entry within the overall franchise is selfcontained, and consuming across the
platforms creates an in-depth experience.
As just previously stated, Pokemon
originally started off as a video game on the
Gameboy. In just that category alone, it has
spawned numerous editions and variations.
Each set is released in generations. The
first was Red and Green (in Japan) and Red
and Blue (internationally). Six generations
later, we now have X and Y. Players of the
games need not to purchase every new
release. Each generational set has its own
separate story line with different regions
and Pokemon. Though, previous trainers,
Pokemon, and regions also make their
appearance.
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
One of the most popular points of entry is
the Anime/cartoon series, which revolves
around trainer Ash Ketchum, his sidekick
Pokemon Pikachu, his group of close
friends, and their adventures as they travel
and train to become Pokemon Masters.
Like the game Ash's ultimate goal is to
become the best; however, the anime zones
in and focuses on the hardships the
trainers face as well as the relationships
they make. Often in these sidetracked
missions, Ash and his friends learn valuable
life lessons.
Though the Anime series is predominantly
non-cannon, it is still connected to the
games through the specific generations of
Pokemon that appear within both. In
addition to that, Ash travels and explores
the same regions. For example, the current
generation of Pokemon is XY. Both the
video game and Anime follow Ash and
Pikachu through the region of Kalos.
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Along with the Anime series, sixteen
Pokemon films have also been produced.
The first film Pokèmon: The First Movie Mewtwo Strikes Back was released in
Japan on 1998 and, soon after, North
America a year later and became a
worldwide success. The most recent film,
Pokèmon the Movie: Genesect and the
Legend Awakened, premiered in theaters
this summer (July 13, 2013).
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Of course, there is the trading card game,
which was specifically geared towards
battling. Embedded within each card is a
specific Pokemon with its individual
strengths and weaknesses. With these
players then battle one another. The card
game also allowed players to trade and
collect. As decades passed certain cards
have become rare and valuable.
Transcending the Gameboy, Pokemon has
also ventured into the realm of other game
consoles - most notably, Pokemon Stadium
1 and 2 for the Nintendo 64. Similar to the
trading card game, Pokemon Stadium
focused on battling, however, in
tournaments within the Stadium as well as
against Gym Leaders. There is also the
option to play mini-games outside of the
Stadium.
Another large platform within the vast
Pokemon Empire are the Manga/comics
and novels. Both vary in influence from
being based on the games to being based on
the Anime. Other original stories from
different authors have also been published,
causing the comics and novels to vary
greatly from one another and the original
media.
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Like most expansive, successful transmedia
franchises, Pokemon is no stranger to
grassroots effort. From spin-offs to
parodies to sensual, female-produced fan
fiction, Pokemon has experienced it all.
A myriad of user-created fan games has
spawned from the franchise. These games
often contain a more complex storyline that
goes beyond just being a trainer and
catching Pokemon to battle Gym Leaders in
order to become the one and only Pokemon
Master. Of course, some also contain nonofficial, fake Pokemon, accurately dubbed
"Fakemon."
The ever-popular dark and gritty fan
parodies have capitalized on Pokemon as
well. Most notably is "Pokèmon
Apokèlypse" (2010), an amateur short film
that puts a clever, mature spin on the
original TV series. Taking place years after
the Anime, "Apokèlypse" revolves around
Pokemon abuse and criminal activities
within underground arenas.
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
On the female-produced side of fan fiction
are slews of romantic stories that focus on
the more sensual side of Pokemon.
Naturally, they involve less training and
battling and zone in on the intimate
relationships between Ash, his friends, and
the people they meet. Several can be found
in Pokemon section of www.fanfiction.net.
Popular shows such as South Park,
Adventure Time, and more have made
spoofs and cultural references on the
original series. The South Park episode
"Chinpokomon" exploits the Pokemon
fandom, especially within the Asian culture.
The grassroots community has definitely
distorted the innocent, childish nature of
Pokemon through dark, devilish fan art.
These tainted portrayals of Pokemon
expose the other, lesser seen, and
concealed side of the Pokemon Universe the side so harsh and so real that it is alltogether neglected by the corporate
franchise in order to make Pokemon more
appealing and commercial to the masses
and - most all - children (and their
guardians).
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Of course, sexualized depictions of trainers and
Pokemon exist as well, adding fuel to the
outrage by conservative audiences, despite
giving more dimension to the overall franchise
by portraying it in a sexual and experimental
manner.
In combination with being a part of the
grassroots community, Pokemon is also a
knowledge community. The Pokemon Database
(www. pokemondb.net) is a community
dedicated to everything Pokemon. Members
answer questions, share tips and strategies,
and connect through forums and chat rooms.
Digimon: Digital Monsters and Yu-Gi-Oh! Are
constantly compared to Pokemon. After all,
both Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh span across TV,
games, manga, and even card games. Though
both have commercially done well in their own
respects, their success pale in comparison to
that of Pokemon's.
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Enter the Pokèmon Empire: A Pokèmon
Universe. What once started as just a RPG
on the Gameboy has now transcended
various platforms, criticisms, and
generations, evolving into a well-known,
popular franchise that has undoubtedly left
its mark on pop culture. Despite grassroots
efforts that have strayed from the original
storyline and intent, Pokemon has still
emerged generally unscathed as an integral
part of children and adults alike.
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
References
Jackson, K. (2013, May 27). A Brief History of Pokemon. Nintendo Life. Retrieved from
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/05/feature_a_brief_history_of_pokemon_part_on
e
Artificial Girl 3. (2006). Retrieved from
http://www.animecharactersdatabase.com:81/uploads/1199365291.jpg
Gameboy Pokemon. Retrieved from
http://ayay.co.uk/backgrounds/nintendo_games/pokemon/gameboy-pokemon.jpg
Got to Buy Chinpokomon. Retrieved from
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100322062207/southpark/images/7/7e/Chinpo
komon05.jpg
Hongo, A. (2000). Digimon: Digital Monsters. Retrieved from
http://www.watchcartoononline.com/thumbs/Digimon-Frontier-Episode-46-EnglishDubbed.jpg
Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture. New York City, NY: New York University Press.
Miltenburg, N. (2008). Pokemon Houndoom. Retrieved from
http://th04.deviantart.net/fs25/200H/f/2008/176/e/7/Pokemon_Houndoom_by_TheDar
kHell.jpg
Nessie. (2011). Shadow Pokemon Fan Game. Retrieved from
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/168/b/8/shadow_pokemon_fan_game_by_shinings
hibuya-d3j62zo.png
PokèCommunity. (2009, February 1). Post your own custom Pokemon games here. The Pokè
Community. Retrieved from http://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=167717
Pokemon Adventures. Retrieved from
http://www.mangahere.com/manga/pokemon_adventures/v01/c001/
Pokèmon Apokèlypse. (2010). Retrieved from
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/05/Apokelypse-poster.jpg/395pxApokelypse-poster.jpg
Pokemon Cards. (2013). Retrieved from http://g33kingout.com/wpcontent/uploads/2013/09/pokemon_cards_by_theemerald-d5iyn4l.jpg
Pokemon Database. (2013). Retrieved from http://pokemondb.net/
Savanna Chiang
ENGL425-01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NG0qDHCPGM&feature=youtu.be
Pokemon FireRed. Retrieved from
http://coolrom.com/screenshots/gba/Pokemon%20FireRed%20(2).jpg
Pokemon Forever. (2013). Retrieved from
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u561/confessor93/Pokemonforever_zpsc4371c84.
png
Pokemon Games for the Gameboy. (2012). Retrieved from
http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/800/draft_lens18143887module151464
281photo_1310567268Pokemon_Gameboy_Games.jpg
Pokemon Logo. (2013). Retrieved from
http://publishingdigitalmatters.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/pokemon_logo1.jpg?w=558
&h=252
Pokemon Merchandise. (2011). Retrieved from http://i.imgur.com/FCrpN.jpg
Pokemon Movies Boxarts. Retrieved from
http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120225115345/pokemon/images/thumb/5/5b/
Pokemon_Movies_Boxarts.JPG/558px-Pokemon_Movies_Boxarts.JPG
Pokemon Shipwreck. (2012). Retrieved from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ybx093lEi0/UHJaZEuN33I/AAAAAAAAAQY/6ktf1hJj_5E/s1600/PokemonShipwreck.jpg
Pokemon Stadium 2. Retrieved from http://www.psypokes.com/stadium2/title.jpg
Pokemon XY. (2013). Retrieved from https://encryptedtbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQy29sYTJGttyTclKFYt7MlFsMoENf5oko212oFNHBj
IY8_LCFI
Red. (2010). Retrieved from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_x_w0u4_yaEk/TRdacFEsZI/AAAAAAAAAUE/b2LTvTQR1Dc/S1600-R/red3.jpg
Romance or Violence? (2012). Retrieved from
http://images4.fanpop.com/image/polls/543000/543471_1284913304642_full.jpg
Siegler, J., & Loeffler, T. (1997). Pokemon Theme (Recorded by Jason Paige). Pokemon: 2.B.A. Master
(CD). New York City, NY: Koch Records.
Steel Enterprise. (2011). Ash and Pikachu. Retrieved from
http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/333/b/7/ash_and_pikachu__old_pokemon__gameb
oy_by_steelenterprise-d4hnlc4.jpg