Pokémon CEO Envisions Franchise Reaching 100-Year Milestone

The CEO of The Pokemon Company has recently shared a rather optimistic forecast for the beloved franchise, expressing the belief that Pokemon might very well celebrate its centennial anniversary. These sentiments come on the heels of Pokemon Day 2025, during which an array of exciting announcements were made about the franchise’s future plans.

Having cemented itself as one of the largest media franchises globally, Pokemon’s influence has only intensified over the years. Starting in 1996 with Pokemon Red and Green on the Game Boy in Japan, the franchise rapidly grew, expanding into nine generations of core games and numerous spin-offs. Beyond gaming, Pokemon has successfully entered the realms of anime, merchandising, and beyond. With its widespread popularity and iconic mascot, Pikachu, even those who don’t play video games are familiar with Pokemon. As the franchise just marked its 29th anniversary, the company’s leadership shared a gleeful and forward-looking outlook.

In a candid chat with the BBC, Tsunekazu Ishihara, the CEO of The Pokemon Company, voiced his vision for the series, suggesting that Pokemon could last well into its 50th or even 100th year. This optimism is rooted in the years of success that the franchise has enjoyed. Mainline titles continue to break sales records, while mobile games like Pokemon TCG Pocket and Pokemon GO sustain impressive popularity. Despite this success, Ishihara also sounded a note of caution. He emphasized the risks of stagnation, warning that resting on past accomplishments could send the series “downhill” and that innovation should remain at the forefront.

Recently, The Pokemon Company hosted a Pokemon Presents event, filling fans in on some of the major updates planned for the coming months. Announcements included new content for games like Pokemon GO, Pokemon TCG Pocket, and Pokemon Unite. Additionally, the return of Pokemon Concierge on Netflix was confirmed. A sneak peek at the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A was shown, complete with new gameplay and starters unveiled. A brand-new title was also announced—Pokemon Champions, a PvP game focusing on thrilling Pokemon battles.

With so much on the horizon for 2025, it’s shaping up to be an engaging year for Pokemon enthusiasts. While only time will tell if the franchise eventually celebrates its centennial milestone, for now, The Pokemon Company is showing no signs of slowing down. This exuberance assures fans that there’s much to be excited about in the near future.