What was The Pokémon Company originally called?

The Pokémon Company was originally called Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. The company was founded in 1998 to manage Pokémon Center stores and later expanded into broader franchise management.

The venture was established by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, the three companies closely connected with the Pokémon games and brand. Its initial purpose was narrower than the modern organization’s responsibilities: it focused on specialized Pokémon merchandise stores in Japan.

In October 2000, Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was reorganized and renamed The Pokémon Company. Its role expanded to include licensing, marketing, publishing, and brand management across video games, cards, animation, films, merchandise, and other products.

The first Pokémon Center store opened in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, in July 1998. The company’s name can therefore be confused with the retail chain, but the corporate organization and the stores are not identical. The Pokémon Company manages the franchise, while Pokémon Center stores are one part of its commercial activity.