Shigeru Ohmori conceived Pokémon Pokopia as a Pokémon spin-off during Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s development.
Ohmori was the director of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and had earlier worked on Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire as a map designer. While considering new directions for the franchise, he returned to the idea of creating Pokémon habitats and imagined a game in which players could shape those environments themselves.
That concept developed into Pokopia’s focus on cultivating land, constructing homes, and encouraging Pokémon to live together. Ohmori served as the game’s concept and senior director, giving him a role in its overall creative direction.
This fact is distinct from the game’s art direction and chief direction. Marina Ayano was the art director, while Takuto Edagawa was the chief director. Ohmori’s contribution was the initial concept and senior oversight rather than sole development of every system.