CEO of Pokémon Company Anticipates Franchise Reaching 100-Year Milestone

The CEO of The Pokemon Company, Tsunekazu Ishihara, recently expressed his belief that the Pokemon franchise could celebrate its 100th anniversary. This optimistic perspective was shared following Pokemon Day 2025, where they announced a series of exciting developments and future plans.

Pokemon has enjoyed immense popularity globally, growing significantly since its inception on the Game Boy in 1996 with Pokemon Red and Green in Japan. Over the years, it has expanded into numerous areas, including nine mainline game generations, various spin-offs, anime, merchandise, and more. Pikachu, the franchise’s iconic mascot, has become a cultural symbol, recognized even by those unfamiliar with gaming. As they recently marked their 29th anniversary, The Pokemon Company remains hopeful about what lies ahead.

In an interview with the BBC, Ishihara highlighted the potential for the franchise’s longevity, suggesting that with continued focus on their mission, Pokemon could thrive for another half-century or even a century. This prediction aligns with the franchise’s track record of success, with mainline titles still achieving high sales and mobile games like Pokemon TCG Pocket and Pokemon GO maintaining their popularity. However, Ishihara cautioned against resting on their laurels, emphasizing that complacency could lead to a decline if they don’t continuously innovate.

The anticipation surrounding these comments was heightened by the recent Pokemon Presents event, where they unveiled numerous thrilling updates. These included new content for Pokemon GO, Pokemon TCG Pocket, and Pokemon Unite, as well as additional episodes for Netflix’s Pokemon Concierge. The showcase also debuted a glimpse of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, highlighting gameplay and introducing new starters. Additionally, fans were treated to the announcement of Pokemon Champions, a new PvP game centered on Pokemon battles.

With an intriguing lineup set for the rest of 2025, all eyes are on The Pokemon Company to see how they deliver on these promises. While it’s yet to be seen if they’ll eventually mark a 100-year milestone, the current trajectory suggests they’re not planning to slow down anytime soon. For now, Pokemon enthusiasts have plenty to get excited about in the months to come.