Pokémon's no doubt been at the forefront of everybody's minds this week as we finally got our first proper glimpse at Pokémon Legends: Z-A ahead of its launch later this year.
As part of the wider Pokémon Day celebrations, the BBC recently caught up with The Pokémon Company's CEO, Tsunekazu Ishihara, to discuss the franchise and its future. Crucially, Ishihara reckons that Pokémon has the potential to reach its 100th anniversary, so long as the company maintains focus on its mission.
"If we continue focusing on our mission, Pokémon can probably continue to its 50th or 100th anniversary. But if we become complacent and go with the flow, that's when Pokémon will go downhill."
We've no doubt that Pokémon has the potential to achieve this, but we also wouldn't be surprised if there are those who believe the company has already gotten somewhat complacent. Scarlet and Violet specifically were widely criticised for their poor visuals and awful performance, but with sales still breaking records, one has to wonder just how much these aspects really matter.
So what is The Pokémon Company's mission? Well, according to Ishihara, it's "connecting the real and virtual worlds". Quite broad, we're sure you'll agree, but it certainly fits what Pokémon has been doing for the past three decades. With the new title Pokémon Champions looking to bridge the gap between Switch users and mobile users, this will no doubt further the company's goals into the foreseeable future.
Let's just hope Pokémon Showdown doesn't get nuked, though!
Do you think Pokémon could reach its 100th anniversary? Does TPC need to make any changes to ensure this happens? Let us know with a comment.
[source bbc.co.uk]
Comments 37
Sure, lots of movie studios hitting their 100th anniversaries now. Mickey Mouse is over 90 years old too. I’m sure Pikachu and the gang will be here for a long, long time.
Yeah if everyone keeps buying it even when it’s sub-par 😆
Arceus was the best in ages. Sad to see them throw all of that out for Z-A.
if he doesn't think it can last forever, that's a bit of a concerning view for the CEO to have. there's no reason at all to think it can't always exist
So that would be the 35th generation around that mark?
By that point there will be a Pokémon that looks like a stapler, you mark my words.
Sure thing , just make good INNOVATIVE games ...
I can definitely see that happen and I really hope so, too - while I'll be the first to say that there are certain aspects to the Pokémon franchise that could and should be better at the same time it still brings so much joy to so many people all around the world (and soon even more than before considering that the games and the TCG are about to get translated into Latin American Spanish) that overall I can't help but wish it well!
It will be fun playing Pokemon with rocks as we huddle in our post-apocalyptic caves. 😃
@Markatron84 Stapleron will surely appear within the next decade at most.
This made me wonder when Pokemon will enter public domain. So I looked it up and it won’t happen In our lifetime, thats for sure. Unfortunate because I would love to see how TPC and Nintendo handle that.
@CrispyMango92 Don't worry, the Nintendo Switch 4 will immortalize every single person who uses it.
By complacent, does he mean "conformist" or "pandering"? That wasn't very clear, but both words have a very opposite meaning in this case.
Also, is it just me or has it been a long time since Game Freak was avaliable for interviews?
Pokemon reaching 100 years is pretty reasonable unless smth big happens, but will we see a new eeveelution before then? hmmmmmmmmm.....
As long as Gamefreak and Pokemon Company continue to release slop that people rush to buy I'm sure they'll survive long enough to experience more and more years.
"Well sure, Wynaut?"
Corrected the title for you. 🫡
Well I won't be around when it turns 100 So I can't look forward to complates about it Looking like a playstation 15 game.
That shows pride and arrogance.pokemon wont be here in a century.
I mean.. yeah, by nature of you making Pokémon a thing, it's guaranteed anniversaries for the rest of time.. that's how age works...
Basically; don’t do what you’re doing right now, right?
Sure. Can’t wait to catch all 3,300 Pokémon’s by then 👍
Mickey Mouse is 96 years old. Pokemon has made more money. Doesn't seem impossible to me.
The real question is...will we still be around in 71 more years?
Mario is about to celebrate his 40th anniversary being about as popular as he has ever been, Pokemon will easily follow-suit. I don't see 100 years being a challenge whatsoever.
It won't get one if the world ends before then. WW1 got a 100th anniversary. Whether it is still big enough with the pensioners at that point is the big question.
Weird way to say it, but I understand what he means.
I don't know, Gen 6 and 7 felt pretty complacent to me.
As I understand, if Pokemon reaches 100, that makes them yokai according to Japanese mythology.
That makes Level-5 about 83 years ahead of you, Game Freak!
@westman98 Mario is almost ready for Social Security!
@jesse_dylan we know next to nothing about the game yet how are people already rippign on this game. Also the battling seems like an evolution of Arceus? Hows that throwing it all away?
Hopefully by then we have real pokemon or atleast hyper real pokemon vr
If Ash Ketchum is still 10 years old boy in the future year 2096 on 100th Anniversary, dang...!
He must be a living sleeping beauty. 🤣
By the time it reach 100 years, the Pokemon generation is already more than Gen 33.
@premko1 why people buy them regardless...
Well it is is a cultural zeitgeist so why not. Jobs for generations.
Yeah I can see it lasting over 100 years. My back of the envelope calculations say there will be almost 100000 Pokemon by then. Or hats. Lots of hats for pikachu.
I mean, unless someone figures out how to stop time from progressing, it’s literally impossible for Pokémon not to turn 100 years old.
I feel like eventually Pokemon will die out.
Just bring back battle tower/battle tent, contests, post-e4 area (battle zone), and the ability re-challenge gym leaders and I'll continue supporting the games.
Famous last words. 90% chance we'll look back at this in 10 years and laugh.
100 years? Really? With how poor the quality of the series has been I'll be surprised if it does lol
And now I’m reminded of the fact that there will be new entries in many beloved franchises released after I’m gone. Hopefully, if I ever have any, my grandkids will get to experience a new Punch-Out!! and Mega Man X9.
But in the meantime… gimme the successor to Mario Odyssey!
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