Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was founded in 1998.
Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak established the company as a joint venture to manage Pokémon Center merchandise stores in Japan. Its creation reflected the franchise’s rapid expansion beyond video games into retail products, cards, animation, films, and licensing.
The first Pokémon Center store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, on July 18, 1998. The company initially focused on operating these specialized stores rather than managing every part of the global Pokémon brand.
After Pokémon Gold and Silver increased international demand for licensed products, the organization broadened its responsibilities. In October 2000, Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was renamed The Pokémon Company. This history creates a common date mix-up: the organization’s roots date to 1998, while the current name and expanded role began in 2000.