Who created the original Pokémon concept that became the 30-year-old franchise?

Satoshi Tajiri created the original Pokémon concept that became the 30-year-old franchise.

Tajiri founded the video game developer Game Freak and drew on his childhood interest in collecting insects when imagining a game about finding and exchanging creatures. The Game Boy’s communication cable gave him a way to turn that collecting idea into a social game based on trading between players.

Development of the project, originally called Pocket Monsters, lasted several years. Tajiri directed the concept while other important collaborators shaped the finished series. Ken Sugimori handled much of the artwork, and Nintendo provided publishing and development support.

A common mix-up is crediting Shigeru Miyamoto as Pokémon’s creator because Miyamoto advised the project and influenced the decision to release paired versions. However, the original concept and series creation are attributed to Tajiri. The franchise’s three principal corporate owners are Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak.