Which company was originally called Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. before becoming The Pokémon Company?

The company now known as The Pokémon Company was originally called Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. It was established in 1998 and initially focused on operating Pokémon Center stores in Japan.

The business was later restructured and renamed The Pokémon Company in 2000. Its responsibilities expanded beyond retail to include licensing, brand management, publishing, marketing, and coordination across the Pokémon franchise.

The company is closely connected with Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, the three companies associated with Pokémon's ownership and development. That relationship sometimes causes people to describe Nintendo alone as the owner or manager, but The Pokémon Company handles much of the franchise's coordinated business activity.

The Pokémon Company International was established later to manage Pokémon operations outside Asia. Distinguishing the original Japanese company from its international subsidiary helps explain why different corporate names appear in Pokémon's history and legal credits.