The Pokémon Company was founded under the name Pokémon Center Co. on April 23, 1998.
The organization began as a joint venture involving Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak. Its first purpose was to manage Pokémon Center stores in Japan, including the specialized merchandise business that grew around the game series.
The company did not immediately use its modern name or manage every part of the franchise. In October 2000, Pokémon Center Co. expanded its role and was renamed The Pokémon Company, giving it broader responsibility for licensing, publishing, marketing, and brand management.
This creates two dates that are sometimes confused. 1998 marks the company’s founding, while 2000 marks the restructuring and adoption of the name The Pokémon Company. The three founding owners remain central to Pokémon’s corporate structure.