There’s no denying that Pokémon has changed a lot since its original Pokémon renders, but its steady upward trajectory makes it evident that it can match evolving technologies and adjust to the changing preferences of its loyal fan base.
We draw on the popularity of Pokémon with a collection of 30 best Pokémon memes that contain funny references to the game, the unique evolution of Pokémon creatures, and fan-favorite scenes.
So, whether you followed the anime series, played the original Nintendo versions, or downloaded the Pokémon Go spin-off to join the bandwagon of gamers, you’ll be able to relate to and appreciate the world of Pokémon and its fabulous characters.
How “Wasei Eigo” Gave Birth to the Iconic Name
Pokémon is an abbreviation for “pocket monster,” which fittingly describes the creatures in the series and the game. According to Sherman Smith (Facts, 2024), the word “Pokémon” is an example of Japanese “wasei-eigo,” which translates as “Japanese-made English” (1).
Wasei eigo or Japlish involves creating new Japanese words by combining syllables from common English words to form unique Japanese-sounding terms.
Megan Taylor Stephens (Bokksu, 2022) (2) argues that Japanese people are familiar with English from a young age because it is taught early in school. Although Japanese kids may not be as proficient in functional, conversational English, they enjoy experimenting with the language and inventing new words.
According to Stephens, the influence of wasei eigo doesn’t rely solely on formal avenues, such as education and geopolitics. Instead, Japanese-English terms usually stem from exposure to pop culture, daily life, and brand marketing within Japan.
Sprinkling English words and phrases into Japanese gives terms a hip, youthful vibe, making Pokémon fit right into that Japlish mode. Other common examples of wasei eigo include “donmai” for “I don’t mind,” “potechi” for “potato chip,” and even “sararimam” for “salaryman” or “office worker.”
#4 “When You’re Chosen for the Battle”
What Does the Name Pikachu Mean?
In the world of Pokémon, the lead creature of the game and franchise is Pikachu, a bubbly, quirky yellow pocket monster who bounces around with the child protagonist Ash. While the other monsters have earned their own following, Pikachu has always been the game’s central character.
In a 2023 feature for the PC Gamer, Richard Moore explains that Pikachu’s name comes from a couple of combined Japanese phrases (3). The word “pika” often refers to a sparkle or glisten of light, while “chu” is the sound a mouse makes. The phrase combination is likened to a form of onomatopoeia in the Japanese language, mimicking the animal’s sound. Put together, the name Pikachu translates to an “electric mouse.”
#8 Pokédex Facts
How Pokémon Go Revitalized the Franchise
Pokémon was initially created for the Gameboy in 1996 as a role-playing game. After nearly 30 years of prominence, it has become one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time, with successful anime series, movies, merchandise, and the super popular spin-off game Pokémon Go.
Pokémon Go heralded a new era for the Pokémon franchise, according to Shivanjali Pawar (Enterprise Apps Today, 2023) (4). It exploded onto the mobile gaming market in 2016 and was downloaded 130 million times around the globe in the first month after its release. This made it the most downloaded game in the industry at the time of its launch. It has also ranked as the 5th highest-grossing game worldwide.
Currently, Pokemon Go has grown to a staggering 150 million users worldwide, with 9 million hunting for Pokemon daily. Although this is a notable decrease from the daily figures in the app’s heyday during its launch year in 2016, it still represents the highest annual number since 2016.
Pawar also reports that Pokémon Go’s in-app purchases were valued at $703.74 million in 2022, making the game a worldwide hit. Since its launch in 2016, it has had over 1.1 billion downloads.
#10 “When Pokémon Events Are ‘Too Complex,’ but You Survived the Puzzle Days of Ruby and Sapphire”
#14 The Pokémon Journey Never Ends
#19 The Grown-Up Kid
