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{{incomplete|article|Needs more (and reliable) sources; add more recent and relevant information, if available}}
{{Company Infobox
[[Image:The_Pokémon_Company_International_logo.png|right|thumb|The Pokémon Company International logo]]
| name = The Pokémon Company International
'''The Pokémon Company International''' (abbreviated to '''TPCi''') is a subsidiary of '''[[The Pokémon Company]]''' in Japan, responsible for managing the [[Pokémon]] franchise outside of Asia.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/about/ About The Pokémon Company International | Pokemon.com]</ref> In Australia, the Pokémon franchise is managed by {{wp|Nintendo Australia}}. In South Korea, the franchise is managed by '''Pokémon Korea, Inc.''', which started operations in 2006 alongside Nintendo of Korea.
| logo = The Pokémon Company International logo.png
 
| logo_size = 250px
The company was formed in 2009 with the merger of '''Pokémon USA''' and '''Pokémon UK''' into a single international subsidiary.
| caption = The Pokémon Company International logo
| founded = February 2001
| headquarters = Bellevue, Washington & London, UK
| type = Subsidiary
| owner = [[The Pokémon Company]]
| subsidiaries = The Pokémon Company International Ireland Limited
| industry = Video games, licencing
| links = Consumer: [https://www.pokemon.com/us/ pokemon.com] <br />Corporate: [https://corporate.pokemon.com/en-us/ corporate.pokemon.com]
}}
'''The Pokémon Company International''' (often abbreviated to '''TPCi''') is a wholly owned subsidiary of [[The Pokémon Company]] that was first established in February 2001, as Pokémon USA, Inc.<ref name="his">[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/history/ ''Company History'' - The Pokémon Company] (retrieved April 21, 2020)</ref> In 2009, it merged with the Pokémon UK office<ref name="merger">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090413121437/http://worldscreen.com/articles/display/20547 ''Pokémon Merges North American, European Operations'' - World Screen] (archived from the original April 13, 2009; retrieved April 21, 2020)</ref> to create a company that is responsible for "brand management, licensing, marketing, the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], the [[Pokémon anime|animated TV series]], home entertainment, and the [[Pokémon.com|official Pokémon website]]" in markets outside of Asia,<ref name="TPCi">[https://www.pokemon.com/us/about-pokemon/ ''About the Pokémon Company International'' - The Pokémon Company International] (retrieved April 21, 2020)</ref> as well as managing [[Pokémon Center (store)#United States 2|PokemonCenter.com]] in the United States. [[Kenji Okubo]] is the current President and CEO.


==History==
==History==
[[Image:PUSA logo.png|right|thumb|Old Pokémon USA logo]]
{{Outdated|section}}
===As Pokémon USA===
[[File:PUSA logo.png|thumb|250px|The logo of the former Pokémon USA, Inc.]]
Pokémon USA, Inc. (or PUSA) was founded in February 2001 to handle the licensing and marketing of [[Pokémon]] in all territories outside of Asia. The first President of PUSA was [[Tatsumi Kimishima]]. In 2002, he was replaced by [[Akira Chiba]], when Kimishima was promoted to President of [[Nintendo]] of America following Minoru Arakawa's retirement.
The Pokémon Company International was founded in February 2001 as Pokémon USA, Inc.<ref name="his" /> in {{wp|New York City}}. It was created to manage the Pokémon franchise outside of Asia, with responsibility for "licensing, merchandising, TV animation, trading card games, theatrical releases, home video entertainment, the official Pokémon website" and other areas<ref name="Wizards">[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221442/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20031229005065/en/Pokemon-USA-Wizards-Coast-Resolve-Dispute#.VgMkXIHP32c ''Pokémon USA, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Resolve Dispute'' - Business Wire] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>.
 
In 2003, the distribution agreement with [[Wizards of the Coast]] for the Pokémon trading cards ended. After this, Pokémon USA took over as the manufacturer and distributor of the {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}}.
 
In January 2006, the licensing and merchandising agreement between [[4Kids Entertainment]] and Pokémon USA expired. This agreement included the [[dub]]bing of the {{pkmn|anime}} so Pokémon USA switched to producing the English dub in association with [[TAJ Productions]] which had worked with 4Kids on [[season]]s [[S01|one]] through [[S05|five]]. The recasting of the main characters created [[Pokémon USA recasting controversy|a large controversy]]. In May of the same year, {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Kids' WB!}} announced that it would be dropping all anime from its autumn lineup in its move to {{wp|The CW}}, which included the Pokémon anime. Pokémon USA went into negotiations with {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}} to air past and future episodes of Pokémon, which turned out successful. In June, a ''Master Toy'' licensing agreement was signed with {{wp|Jakks Pacific}}.


In 2007, [[Kenji Okubo]] became the President when Akira Chiba stepped down. In 2008, the production of the dub moved to [[DuArt Film & Video]].
The company's first president was [[Tatsumi Kimishima]] (who would later go on to become president of [[Nintendo]])<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180911211854/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/5-reasons-why-tatsumi-kimishima-is-good-for-nintendo ''5 Reasons Why Tatsumi Kimishima is Good for Nintendo'' - USgamer] (retrieved April 21, 2020)</ref>, and on November 16, 2001, it oversaw the opening of [[Pokémon Center (store)#United States|Pokémon Center NY]] at the {{wp|Rockefeller Center}} in New York<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20011119104638/http://www.pokemoncenter.com/pkstore/text_2.asp ''Pokémon says “I Choose You!” To Rockefeller Center for First U.S. Store Dedicated To the Growing Worldwide Phenomenon'' - Pokémon USA, Inc.] (archived from the original November 19, 2001; retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>.  


In February 2009, PUSA announced a deal with {{wp|Toys "R" Us}} in which stores would have a dedicated ''Pokémon Boutique''. A deal was also announced with [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]], in which the company will be distributing the [[Pokémon movie]]s on {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}.
In 2002 Tatsumi Kimishima was succeeded by [[Akira Chiba]] as president. Following threatened litigation, the licencing agreement with [[Wizards of the Coast]] for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] ended in 2003<ref name="Wizards" />, and Pokémon USA, Inc. brought the production and distribution of the game in-house.


===As Pokémon UK===
In March 2003, the Pokémon UK office opened in {{wp|London}}, {{pmin|the United Kingdom|United Kingdom}}<ref name="his" />.
Pokémon UK was established in March 2003, to handle the licensing and marketing of [[Pokémon]] throughout the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, and in Africa.  


In 2007, Red Central was commissioned by Pokémon UK to create a {{wp|marketing}} style guide for Europe.
On January 20, 2005, the journal ''{{wp|Nature (journal)|Nature}}'' published an article in which a group of researchers named a newly discovered {{wp|Zbtb7|cancer-causing gene}} "Pokemon"<ref>[https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03203 ''Role of the proto-oncogene Pokemon in cellular transformation and ARF repression'' - Nature] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>. Pokémon USA, Inc. responded by threatening legal action, as they said that the image of Pokémon could be undermined by associating it with cancer. As a result, the gene was renamed<ref>[https://www.nature.com/articles/438897a ''Pokémon blocks gene name'' - Nature] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>.


In 2008, a partnership with {{wp|Network Distributing|Network}} was announced. Network will distribute the [[Pokémon movie]]s and {{DL|List of anime episodes|anime episodes}} on {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}. It was also announced {{wp|Jetix#Jetix Europe|Jetix Europe}} (now {{wp|Disney XD}}) would air the next [[season]] of the [[Pokémon anime]].
Up until 2006, the licensing and merchandising for Pokémon outside of Asia was outsourced to [[4Kids Entertainment]]. On December 23, 2005 Pokémon USA, Inc. and 4Kids Entertainment announced that they had agreed not to renew the representation agreement set to expire on December 31 that year, and licencing was brought fully in-house by Pokémon USA, Inc.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200522071511/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20051223005061/en/Pokemon-USA-Moves-Licensing-In-House-2006-4Kids ''Pokémon USA Moves Licensing In-House in 2006; 4Kids Entertainment to Transition Its Representation of Pokémon'' - Business Wire] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>. Part of this agreement involved the [[dub]] of the {{pkmn|anime}}, and from [[S09|season nine]] onwards Pokémon USA, Inc. changed to using [[TAJ Productions]] for this process. This also involved the recasting of many main characters, a move that proved to be [[Pokémon USA recasting controversy|controversial]].


===Merger===
In 2007, Akira Chiba stepped down as president and he was replaced by [[Kenji Okubo]], previously executive vice president and head of Pokémon USA’s {{wp|Seattle}} office. In his new role, he was leader of Pokémon’s operations in New York, Seattle and London<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180227034726/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20071211006030/en/President-Pokemon-USA-Step ''President of Pokémon USA, Inc. to Step Down'' - Business Wire] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>.
{{bulbanews|Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK merge}}
Pokémon USA merged with Pokémon UK in April 2009. The two companies now work under the name ''The Pokémon Company International'', which is responsible for the [[Pokémon|Pokémon franchise]] in all territories outside of Asia. The company's president is [[Kenji Okubo]], the former head of Pokémon USA. Okubo said the two companies had worked closely together on a day-to-day basis and that the change in name was done to reflect the connection between the two offices and ensure their worldwide reach.
{{-}}
==Criticism==
===Voice actor controversy===
{{main|Pokémon USA recasting controversy}}
Pokémon USA received some complaints after the initial airing of ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]''. They were accused of lying about not being able to use the [[List of English voice actors|voice actors]] from [[4Kids Entertainment]] due to contract issues. This claim was denied by the voice actors themselves (with the exception of [[Stuart Zagnit]]), but never by 4Kids Entertainment.


They also faced criticism in regards to [[Kayzie Rogers]] (credited as "Jamie Peacock") in voicing {{Ash|Ash Ketchum}}. Many fans complained about her portrayal of the character. In response, Pokémon USA announced that they would make a new [[dub]] of the ''The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon'' with improved voices. The new dub became available on the [[M08|eighth movie]] {{wp|DVD-Video|DVD}}, and was aired on October 28, 2006 on {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}}.
In 2008, Pokémon USA, Inc. moved production of the anime dub from TAJ Productions<ref>[http://www.pokebeach.com/2008/01/taj-productions-no-longer-dubbing-pokemon ''TAJ Productions No Longer Dubbing Pokemon'' - PokéBeach] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref> to [[DuArt Film & Video]]. That year, Pokémon UK worked with design agency Red Central to create a marketing style guide for Europe<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180911211827/http://www.creativematch.com/news/pok-mon-launches-european-branding/94049/ ''Pokémon launches European branding guide for a new era'' - creativematch] (archived from the original September 11, 2018; retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>, announced a partnership with Network Distributing to distribute the [[Pokémon movie]]s and anime on {{wp|DVD}} in the UK<ref>[http://pkmn.net/?action=news&page=viewnews&id=673 ''UK to get all Pokémon seasons on DVD?'' - PKMN.NET] (retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>, and announced {{wp|Jetix#Jetix Europe|Jetix Europe}} (now {{wp|Disney XD Europe}}) would air the anime from [[S11|season 11]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107164354/http://www.jetixeurope.com/site/press_office/press_releases/pokemon.html ''Jetix becomes new home of Pokémon in Europe'' - Jetix Europe Ltd.] (archived from the original November 7, 2012; retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>.


At {{wp|San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con 2006}}, it was revealed that Ash's voice actor would change and that his new voice actress would be the then nineteen-year-old [[Sarah Natochenny]]. Although generally accepted as a talented actress with many non-animation credits to her name, some fans criticized the company and [[TAJ Productions]] for their decision to hire Sarah Natochenny, as she had no experience with {{wp|anime}} {{wp|voice-over}}s; they claimed that Sarah Natochenny was too inexperienced. Nonetheless, [[Veronica Taylor]], the first actress to voice Ash, was only twenty-years-old and had only started acting when she landed the role, although she had previously voiced anime roles prior to being cast as Ash.
In February 2009, Pokémon USA, Inc. struck a deal with {{wp|Toys "R" Us}} in which their stores would have a dedicated ''Pokémon Boutique'' until the end of the year<ref>[http://kotaku.com/5149612/pokemon-boutique-invades-toys-r-us ''Pokémon Boutique Invades Toys R Us'' - Kotaku] (accessed April 22, 2020)</ref>, and in the same month announced a DVD distribution deal with [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] for [[M11|Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090226214139/http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20090218/LA7257918022009-1.html ''Pokémon Comes to DVD in an all-new Feature-Length Movie'' - PR Newswire] (archived from the original February 26, 2009; retrieved April 22, 2020)</ref>.


===Game Corner censorship===
On April 9, 2009 it was announced that Pokémon USA, Inc. and Pokémon UK would be unifying their operations under the name The Pokémon Company International. Kenji Okubo said that the rationale behind the move was that the two companies had worked closely together on a day-to-day basis, and that the change in name was done to reflect the connection between the two offices and ensure their worldwide reach<ref name="merger" />.
English releases of {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} renamed the {{tc|PI|Gambler}} Trainer class "Gamer" and altered their dialogue to remove references to gambling. The English versions of the [[Generation IV]] games renamed Gamblers to "{{wp|Private investigator|PI}}" instead; however, the references to gambling were kept.


In the European Union, the releases of {{game|Platinum}} replaced the [[slot machine]]s in the [[Veilstone Game Corner]] from {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}} with non-playable [[Slot machine#European Platinum|game machines]] as a result of changes in the classification standards at {{wp|Pan European Game Information|PEGI}}.<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/european-pokemon-platinums-missing-game-corner-explained/ European Pokemon Platinum's missing Game Corner explained | GamesRadar] ([https://archive.today/mRcAt archived copy])</ref>
In 2020, all European (minus British) activities of the brand were transferred to a new branch located in Dublin, Ireland. This was due to the effects of {{wp|Brexit}}.


All non-Japanese releases of {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}} replace the slot machines of the two Game Corners in [[Goldenrod City]] and [[Celadon City]] with a new game called [[Voltorb Flip]]. In this minigame, [[coin]]s are not wagered against a win or a loss but instead given out for completing a level. While many find the game to be entertaining, the change removed the ability to buy coins, effectively making Voltorb Flip a requirement for obtaining them.
==Offices==
The Pokémon Company International has its headquarters in {{wp|Bellevue, Washington}} and {{wp|London}}, {{pmin|the United Kingdom|United Kingdom}}.


All [[core series]] games released since, starting with {{game|Black and White|s}}, feature no Game Corner at all. In {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, the [[Mauville Game Corner]] has been explicitly closed down, referencing this fact.
* 10400 NE 4th Street, Suite 2800, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States


===Pokémon.com misinformation===
* 3rd Floor Building 10, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5XS, United Kingdom
{{main|Pokémon.com#Errors}}
Despite being the official site, [[Pokémon.com]]'s pages often have inaccuracies and errors. A notable example is claiming that players of {{game|Red and Blue|s}} can find {{p|Mew}} instead of {{p|Mewtwo}} in [[Cerulean Cave]].<ref>[http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-red-version-and-pokemon-blue-version/ Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version | Pokémon Video Games] ([https://archive.today/8GUgw archived copy])</ref>


==Anime dub edits==
The Pokémon Company International Ireland Limited has its headquaters in {{wp|Dublin}}, {{pmin|Ireland}}.
Like [[4Kids Entertainment|4Kids]], TPCi makes changes while [[dub]]bing the {{pkmn|anime}}, but they are more limited in scope. Music edits are common and dialogue edits are usually done to obfuscate explicit religious or death references and match the {{wp|Audio to video synchronization|lip-flap}}. Paint edits, which 4Kids is infamous for, are rarely performed by TPCi. Also, in every episode TPCi has dubbed to date, the "To Be Continued" screen is extended by three seconds. The reasons for this are unknown.


==Litigation==
* 3rd Floor, 2 Central Plaza, Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 TOX4, Ireland
{{incomplete|section}}
In January 2005, an issue of the science magazine ''{{wp|Nature (journal)|Nature}}'' featured an article in which a group of researchers named a newly discovered {{wp|Zbtb7|cancer-causing gene}} "Pokémon". Later that year, Pokémon USA had promised to take legal action, causing the gene to be renamed.


==External links==
==External links==
===Official websites===
'''Official websites'''
* [http://www.pokemon.com/us Pokémon.com] (English)
* [http://www.pokemon.com/us/country/ Pokémon.com Country Selector]
** [http://www.pokemon.com/us/country/ Country Selector]
** [http://www.pokemon.com/us/ US website]
* [http://www.pokemon.nl Pokémon.nl] (Dutch)
*** [https://corporate.pokemon.com/en-us/ US corporate website]
* [http://www.pokemon.fr Pokémon.fr] (French)
** [http://www.pokemon.com/uk/ UK website]
* [http://www.pokemon.com/de Pokémon.com/de] (German)
*** [https://corporate.pokemon.com/en-gb/ UK corporate website]
* [http://www.pokemon.it Pokémon.it] (Italian)
* [http://www.pokemon.com/pt Pokémon.com/pt] (Portuguese)
* [http://www.pokemon.com/es Pokémon.com/es] (Spanish)


===Official website accounts===
'''Social media'''
* [https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Facebook}} (English/International)
* [https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Facebook}} <small>(English/International)</small>
* [https://pokemon.tumblr.com The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Tumblr}} <small>(English/International)</small>
* [https://www.instagram.com/pokemon/?hl=en The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Instagram}} <small>(English/International)</small>
* Twitter
* Twitter
** [https://www.twitter.com/Pokemon The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} (English)
** [https://www.twitter.com/Pokemon The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} <small>(English)</small>
** [https://www.twitter.com/PokemonFR The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} (French)
** [https://twitter.com/PokemonNewsUK The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} <small>(UK English)</small>
** [https://www.twitter.com/PokemonDEU The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} (German)
** [https://www.twitter.com/PokemonFR The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} <small>(French)</small>
** [https://www.twitter.com/PokemonIT The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} (Italian)
** [https://www.twitter.com/PokemonDEU The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} <small>(German)</small>
** [https://www.twitter.com/Pokemon_ES_ESP The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} (Spanish)
** [https://www.twitter.com/PokemonIT The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} <small>(Italian)</small>
** [https://www.twitter.com/Pokemon_ES_ESP The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|Twitter}} <small>(Spanish)</small>
* YouTube
* YouTube
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/Pokemon The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (English)
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/Pokemon The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(English)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOfficieel The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (Dutch)
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOfficieel The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(Dutch)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOfficielFR The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (French)
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOfficielFR The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(French)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/Pokemonoffiziell The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (German)
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/Pokemonoffiziell The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(German)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonUfficiale The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (Italian)
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonUfficiale The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(Italian)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOficialPT The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (Portuguese)
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOficialPT The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(Portuguese)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOficialES The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} (Spanish)
** [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTVSfDNBRYINEfo6oZ1v6Nw The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(Russian)</small>
** [https://www.youtube.com/user/PokemonOficialES The Pokémon Company International] on {{wp|YouTube}} <small>(Spanish)</small>
* [https://www.pinterest.com/pokemon/ The Pokémon Company International on Pinterest]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Project Mass Media notice}}


[[Category:Pokémon meta]]
[[Category:Pokémon meta]]
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[[fr:The Pokémon Company International]]
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Revision as of 22:06, 22 March 2024

The Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International logo.png
The Pokémon Company International logo
Founded February 2001
Headquarters Bellevue, Washington & London, UK
Type Subsidiary
Owner(s) The Pokémon Company
Subsidiaries The Pokémon Company International Ireland Limited
Industry Video games, licencing
Website

Consumer: pokemon.com
Corporate: corporate.pokemon.com

The Pokémon Company International (often abbreviated to TPCi) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pokémon Company that was first established in February 2001, as Pokémon USA, Inc.[1] In 2009, it merged with the Pokémon UK office[2] to create a company that is responsible for "brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website" in markets outside of Asia,[3] as well as managing PokemonCenter.com in the United States. Kenji Okubo is the current President and CEO.

History

140Kabuto.png This section contains old or outdated information, or has not been updated in a while.
Please check the content of this section and update it as required.
The logo of the former Pokémon USA, Inc.

The Pokémon Company International was founded in February 2001 as Pokémon USA, Inc.[1] in New York City. It was created to manage the Pokémon franchise outside of Asia, with responsibility for "licensing, merchandising, TV animation, trading card games, theatrical releases, home video entertainment, the official Pokémon website" and other areas[4].

The company's first president was Tatsumi Kimishima (who would later go on to become president of Nintendo)[5], and on November 16, 2001, it oversaw the opening of Pokémon Center NY at the Rockefeller Center in New York[6].

In 2002 Tatsumi Kimishima was succeeded by Akira Chiba as president. Following threatened litigation, the licencing agreement with Wizards of the Coast for the Pokémon Trading Card Game ended in 2003[4], and Pokémon USA, Inc. brought the production and distribution of the game in-house.

In March 2003, the Pokémon UK office opened in London, United Kingdom[1].

On January 20, 2005, the journal Nature published an article in which a group of researchers named a newly discovered cancer-causing gene "Pokemon"[7]. Pokémon USA, Inc. responded by threatening legal action, as they said that the image of Pokémon could be undermined by associating it with cancer. As a result, the gene was renamed[8].

Up until 2006, the licensing and merchandising for Pokémon outside of Asia was outsourced to 4Kids Entertainment. On December 23, 2005 Pokémon USA, Inc. and 4Kids Entertainment announced that they had agreed not to renew the representation agreement set to expire on December 31 that year, and licencing was brought fully in-house by Pokémon USA, Inc.[9]. Part of this agreement involved the dub of the anime, and from season nine onwards Pokémon USA, Inc. changed to using TAJ Productions for this process. This also involved the recasting of many main characters, a move that proved to be controversial.

In 2007, Akira Chiba stepped down as president and he was replaced by Kenji Okubo, previously executive vice president and head of Pokémon USA’s Seattle office. In his new role, he was leader of Pokémon’s operations in New York, Seattle and London[10].

In 2008, Pokémon USA, Inc. moved production of the anime dub from TAJ Productions[11] to DuArt Film & Video. That year, Pokémon UK worked with design agency Red Central to create a marketing style guide for Europe[12], announced a partnership with Network Distributing to distribute the Pokémon movies and anime on DVD in the UK[13], and announced Jetix Europe (now Disney XD Europe) would air the anime from season 11[14].

In February 2009, Pokémon USA, Inc. struck a deal with Toys "R" Us in which their stores would have a dedicated Pokémon Boutique until the end of the year[15], and in the same month announced a DVD distribution deal with Universal Studios Home Entertainment for Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior[16].

On April 9, 2009 it was announced that Pokémon USA, Inc. and Pokémon UK would be unifying their operations under the name The Pokémon Company International. Kenji Okubo said that the rationale behind the move was that the two companies had worked closely together on a day-to-day basis, and that the change in name was done to reflect the connection between the two offices and ensure their worldwide reach[2].

In 2020, all European (minus British) activities of the brand were transferred to a new branch located in Dublin, Ireland. This was due to the effects of Brexit.

Offices

The Pokémon Company International has its headquarters in Bellevue, Washington and London, United Kingdom.

  • 10400 NE 4th Street, Suite 2800, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States
  • 3rd Floor Building 10, Chiswick Park, 566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5XS, United Kingdom

The Pokémon Company International Ireland Limited has its headquaters in Dublin, Ireland.

  • 3rd Floor, 2 Central Plaza, Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 TOX4, Ireland

External links

Official websites

Social media

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Company History - The Pokémon Company (retrieved April 21, 2020)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pokémon Merges North American, European Operations - World Screen (archived from the original April 13, 2009; retrieved April 21, 2020)
  3. ↑ About the Pokémon Company International - The Pokémon Company International (retrieved April 21, 2020)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pokémon USA, Inc. and Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Resolve Dispute - Business Wire (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  5. ↑ 5 Reasons Why Tatsumi Kimishima is Good for Nintendo - USgamer (retrieved April 21, 2020)
  6. ↑ Pokémon says “I Choose You!” To Rockefeller Center for First U.S. Store Dedicated To the Growing Worldwide Phenomenon - Pokémon USA, Inc. (archived from the original November 19, 2001; retrieved April 22, 2020)
  7. ↑ Role of the proto-oncogene Pokemon in cellular transformation and ARF repression - Nature (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  8. ↑ Pokémon blocks gene name - Nature (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  9. ↑ Pokémon USA Moves Licensing In-House in 2006; 4Kids Entertainment to Transition Its Representation of Pokémon - Business Wire (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  10. ↑ President of Pokémon USA, Inc. to Step Down - Business Wire (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  11. ↑ TAJ Productions No Longer Dubbing Pokemon - PokéBeach (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  12. ↑ Pokémon launches European branding guide for a new era - creativematch (archived from the original September 11, 2018; retrieved April 22, 2020)
  13. ↑ UK to get all Pokémon seasons on DVD? - PKMN.NET (retrieved April 22, 2020)
  14. ↑ Jetix becomes new home of Pokémon in Europe - Jetix Europe Ltd. (archived from the original November 7, 2012; retrieved April 22, 2020)
  15. ↑ Pokémon Boutique Invades Toys R Us - Kotaku (accessed April 22, 2020)
  16. ↑ Pokémon Comes to DVD in an all-new Feature-Length Movie - PR Newswire (archived from the original February 26, 2009; retrieved April 22, 2020)


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