Pokemon - (pronounced Poh-KAY-Mahn) - are known as Pocket Monsters in Japan, where it all began. Pokemon are as popular in Japan as Mickey Mouse is in the United States.,
Pokemon started off as a Nintendo Gameboy game. The primary goal in Pokémon is to find, capture and train various monsters, all in an effort to become the world's greatest Pokémon trainer. There are 150 monsters in 15 different categories. Each category is based on a specific characteristic or element, such as water, fire, etc.
There's a catch, though: there are two versions of the Gameboy game in the U.S., a Red version and a Blue version, and not all of the monsters will be on any one Game Pak. To collect all 150 monsters, you have to trade. In Japan, this monster-collecting feature has made America's trading card frenzy seem tame by comparison. Collecting the monsters is simply addictive -- but that's just the half of it!
Japan has been taken over by monsters, and no, we don't mean Godzilla. The craze over Pokémon has spread from the Pokémon Game Boy games to toys, clothing, cartoons and even snack food. You can't go anywhere in Japan without running into Pokémon, and now, it's taking over America.
Pokémon appeals to many ages and types of fan, which is a big part of why it's so popular. Players enjoy the role-playing, collecting and trading aspects of the game, which make Pokémon so unique.
There is also an animated Pokémon series on TV. Fans of Japanese anime will especially love this series, which is a prime-time hit in Japan. The series is loosely based on the game's plot, following the exploits of a young Pokémon trainer and his tamed Pokémon, Pikachu. The show plays all over the U.S., and has taken away the morning slot in New York from the likes of ABC, CBS, and NBC.
The Pokemon Gameboy Game, and TV show has now been followed up by an addicting Trading Card Game. There is also an extremely popular Pokemon Comic book available.
