What company was created by rebranding Pokémon Center Co. in October 2000?

The Pokémon Company was created by rebranding Pokémon Center Co. in October 2000. The renamed company took responsibility for managing the wider Pokémon franchise rather than focusing only on Pokémon Center stores.

Pokémon Center Co. had been founded in April 1998 as a joint venture involving Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. Its initial purpose was to operate specialized Pokémon merchandise stores in Japan. The first Pokémon Center store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, in July 1998.

After the 2000 reorganization, The Pokémon Company handled brand management, licensing, marketing, publishing, and other franchise activities. Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak remain the three companies associated with ownership and management of the brand. The Pokémon Company International was later established to manage Pokémon business outside Asia.