What company manages brand licensing and production for the Pokémon franchise?

The Pokémon Company manages brand licensing, production, publishing, marketing, and related business for the Pokémon franchise.

The organization began as Pokémon Center Co., Ltd., founded in April 1998 by Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak. Its original role focused on operating Pokémon Center stores in Japan.

In October 2000, the company expanded its responsibilities and adopted the name The Pokémon Company. Its work covers a broad range of Pokémon products, including games, trading cards, animation, films, merchandise, and licensing.

The company is sometimes confused with Nintendo because Nintendo publishes many Pokémon games and owns a share of the franchise. Game Freak develops most main-series games, while Creatures is closely involved with the trading card game and other production. The Pokémon Company coordinates the larger brand.