When was The Pokémon Company officially renamed from Pokémon Center Co.?
Answer
October 2000
The company was officially renamed The Pokémon Company in October 2000.
The organization began as Pokémon Center Co., Ltd., a joint venture formed by Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak on April 23, 1998. Its initial purpose was to manage specialized Pokémon merchandise stores, including the first Pokémon Center in Tokyo.
As the franchise expanded, the company needed a broader role than operating retail locations. The renamed Pokémon Company centralized the management of Pokémon licensing, merchandising, marketing, and other commercial activities across the franchise.
The Pokémon Company is distinct from Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak, although those companies are closely connected through ownership and partnership arrangements. Pokémon USA was established later, in February 2001, to support the franchise in the United States. Confusing the 1998 founding date with the 2000 renaming date is one of the most common timeline errors.