What was The Pokémon Company originally called when founded in 1998?

The Pokémon Company was originally called Pokémon Center Co., Ltd.

Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak founded the company on April 23, 1998. Its initial purpose was narrower than the modern organization’s role: it managed specialized Pokémon Center merchandise stores in Japan. The first Pokémon Center store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, in July 1998.

In October 2000, Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was reorganized and renamed The Pokémon Company. The expanded organization took responsibility for broader franchise management, including licensing, marketing, publishing, and coordination across games, cards, animation, and merchandise.

This history creates a common naming confusion. The company’s 1998 legal predecessor and its modern 2000 name are not identical. The Pokémon Company International is also a separate subsidiary formed later to manage operations outside Asia.