What Japanese title is the Pokémon franchise known by?

The Pokémon franchise is known in Japan by the title Pocket Monsters.

The Japanese title is written in katakana as Poketto Monsutā and is commonly rendered in English as Pocket Monsters. Pokémon is the shortened international name used for the franchise and its fictional creatures.

The first Japanese games were titled Pocket Monsters Red and Green, and the original anime was also known as Pocket Monsters. The shortened name helped the brand work across markets while preserving its connection to the initial concept of collecting creatures.

The name Pokémon is written with an acute accent over the e in international branding. This spelling distinguishes the franchise name from ordinary English words and reflects the contraction of Pocket Monsters. The term is not a separate species or game mechanic; it is the franchise’s localized brand name.