In what year was The Pokémon Company founded?

The Pokémon Company was founded in 1998.

It began as Pokémon Center Co., Ltd., established through a joint investment by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. The company was created to operate Pokémon Center stores in Japan and coordinate the growing franchise’s commercial activities.

In October 2000, the organization expanded beyond the retail business and adopted the name The Pokémon Company. Its responsibilities include brand management, licensing, marketing, publishing, and production across games, cards, animation, films, and merchandise.

The company is distinct from Game Freak, which develops the main role-playing games, and from Nintendo, which publishes or distributes many Pokémon titles. The three companies remain closely connected through ownership and franchise management, but they perform different business roles.