Who created the Pokémon franchise, which began as a Game Boy video-game idea?

Satoshi Tajiri created the Pokémon franchise, which began as a Game Boy video-game idea.

Tajiri founded Game Freak, initially a video-game magazine that became a development company. His childhood interest in collecting insects inspired the central concept of finding, collecting, and trading creatures.

Tajiri proposed the project to Nintendo, and development began for the Game Boy. Ken Sugimori created the artwork, while other Game Freak developers worked on programming, music, and game design. The project eventually became Pocket Monsters Red and Green.

A common mix-up is crediting Shigeru Miyamoto as Pokémon’s creator. Miyamoto was an important Nintendo producer and helped guide the project, but Tajiri originated the franchise. Sugimori is especially associated with Pokémon’s visual designs, not the original concept itself.