Which company became Pokémon’s main corporate manager after its 2000 restructuring?

The Pokémon Company became Pokémon’s main corporate manager after its 2000 restructuring.

The organization began as Pokémon Center Co. Ltd. in 1998, initially handling specialized Pokémon merchandise stores. It was restructured and renamed The Pokémon Company in 2000, giving it a broader role in managing licensing, marketing, retail, and coordination across the franchise.

The company is jointly owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. Game Freak develops the main video games, while Creatures has been involved in areas including the trading card game and other production work. The Pokémon Company coordinates these separate parts rather than replacing the companies that created them.

The Pokémon Company International was established later to manage the franchise outside Asia. This distinction matters because The Pokémon Company is the Japan-based corporate entity, while its international subsidiary handles many overseas operations. Both names are connected, but they are not interchangeable.