Which company was renamed The Pokémon Company in October 2000 after managing Pokémon Center stores?

Pokémon Center Co., Ltd. was renamed The Pokémon Company in October 2000 after managing Pokémon Center stores.

The company was founded in April 1998 as a joint venture involving Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak. Its initial role was to operate specialized Pokémon merchandise stores in Japan, beginning with the first Pokémon Center in Tokyo.

In October 2000, the organization expanded beyond store operations and adopted the name The Pokémon Company. Its responsibilities grew to include brand management, licensing, marketing, publishing, and coordination across games, cards, animation, films, and merchandise.

The date can cause confusion because the company’s corporate predecessor began in 1998, while The Pokémon Company name dates from 2000. The Pokémon Company International was created later to manage the franchise in regions outside Asia.