Who created the original Pokémon concept for Nintendo’s Pokémon series?

Satoshi Tajiri created the original Pokémon concept for Nintendo’s Pokémon series.

Tajiri founded Game Freak, first as a video-game fanzine and later as a development company. His childhood interest in collecting insects inspired the central idea of finding, collecting, and trading creatures.

Tajiri proposed the concept to Nintendo, where development eventually brought together Game Freak, Nintendo, and Creatures. The first games were released in Japan in 1996 after a lengthy development period.

Shigeru Miyamoto was an important Nintendo producer and mentor during development, but he did not create the Pokémon concept. Tajiri is also distinct from Ken Sugimori, who handled much of the original character artwork.