Which company was established in 2000 to manage the Pokémon franchise?

The Pokémon Company was established in 2000 to manage the Pokémon franchise.

The organization was created by the franchise’s principal rights holders: Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak. It coordinates licensing, marketing, merchandise, publishing, and other business activities across Pokémon’s many media formats.

The company’s corporate history can cause confusion. It was originally established as Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. in 1998, primarily to operate Pokémon Center stores. It was restructured and renamed The Pokémon Company in 2000 as the franchise expanded.

The Pokémon Company International manages the brand outside Asia and was formed later, in 2009. This distinction matters because The Pokémon Company and its international subsidiary are related organizations, but they are not identical entities.