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Tsunekazu Ishihara: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:TsunekazuIshihara.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
[[File:TsunekazuIshihara.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Ishihara in 2023.<ref name=FamitsuPicture>Image from Famitsu issue 1819.</ref>]]
'''Tsunekazu Ishihara''' (''Tsunekaz'' also seen; Japanese: 石原恒和 ''Ishihara Tsunekazu'', born on November 27, 1957) is president and CEO of [[The Pokémon Company]] and producer of Pokémon. He manages all aspects of the Pokémon franchise including the {{pkmn|anime}}, {{pkmn|games}}, and the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|TCG]].
'''Tsunekazu Ishihara''' (''Tsunekaz'' also seen; Japanese: '''石原恒和''' ''Ishihara Tsunekazu'', born November 27, 1957) is the president and CEO of [[The Pokémon Company]], a producer of [[Pokémon]], and the founder and former CEO of [[Creatures, Inc.]] He manages all aspects of the Pokémon franchise including the {{pkmn|anime}}, {{pkmn|games}}, and the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].


==History==
==History==
Ishihara graduated from the University of Tsukuba in 1983, with a master's degree in Art and Design. Soon after, he joined Ape Inc. (which later would become [[Creatures Inc.]]), where he was the producer in such titles as ''{{wp|EarthBound}}'' and ''{{smw|Mario's Picross}}''. His involvement with Pokémon started in the early 1990s, when he started helping with the development of {{game|Red and Green|s}}. Shortly after, he was inspired to create a trading card game based on the titles. In April of 1998, The Pokémon Company was established and Ishihara was given the position of representative director. In 2001, he was named the president.
{{incomplete|section|needs=Better citation needed for the section on Cabbage.}}
Ishihara graduated from the {{wp|University of Tsukuba}} in 1983 with a master's degree in Art and Design.<ref name = cesa>[https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2011/en/press/pdf/110915_01.pdf Mr. Tsunekazu Ishihara wins the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award | Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association]</ref> While earning his degree, Ishihara studied various mechanisms of visual expression, gravitating toward computer-generated art.<ref>Hatakeyama, Kenji; Kubo, Masakazu (December 10, 2000). ポケモン・ストーリー ''[Pokémon Story]''. Nikkei BP. p. 79. ISBN 978-4822241995.</ref> After graduation, Ishihara worked at the advertising agency SPN, owned by the {{jwp|セゾングループ|Seibu Saison Group}}, for two years. Following this, he transferred to Sedic ('''Se'''ibu '''Di'''gital '''C'''ommunications), a film production company with a background in computer graphics also owned by the Seibu Saison Group. At Sedic, Ishihara produced shows about video games for {{wp|Fuji Television}}, including Shigesato Itoi's TV Game Museum and {{jwp|TV's TV}}.<ref>Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 80-82.</ref> During this time, Ishihara, [[Akihiko Miura]], and other Sedic staff developed {{wp|Toshio Iwai}}'s first video game {{wp|Otocky}}, which released in 1987. While making television programs, Ishihara interviewed various figures in the video game industry, including {{wp|Shigesato Itoi}}, {{wp|Koichi Sugiyama}}, and [[Satoshi Tajiri]]. Ishihara was particularly impressed by Tajiri's knowledge of video games as well as his skill in playing them, and the two became close.<ref>Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 82-83.</ref><ref>[https://lavacutcontent.com/satoshi-tajiri-ishihara-interview/ Interview: Tajiri and Ishihara on Pokemon’s Beginnings], translated from July 2000 issue of Nintendo Online Magazine</ref>
 
In 1988, Ishihara published ''Denshi Yuugi Taizen - TV Games'', an encyclopedia of video games, with each game documented in a {{wp|phylogenetic tree}} map. To produce the book, Ishihara traveled across Japan, as well as to the Soviet Union and the United States, and conducted interviews with prominent video game developers. Itoi and Tajiri contributed essays to the book.<ref>Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 83-88.</ref> Ishihara also began playing {{hdt|Tetris}}, which led to him writing ''How to achieve 100,000 points in Tetris'', published in 1989. Ishihara intended to visit the Soviet Union in order to secure the rights to release the game in Japan, but was beaten by {{wp|Henk Rogers}}, whose company Bullet Proof Software published versions for PCs and the Famicom toward the end of 1988. The limitations of Bullet Proof Software's port inspired him to make his own version of Tetris.<ref>[https://www.famitsu.com/news/201406/08054671.html すべては『ドアドア』から始まった――チュンソフト30周年のすべてを中村光一氏と振り返るロングインタビュー【前編】] Chunsoft 30th Anniversary Interview, [https://shmuplations.com/chunsoft30th/ translated by Shmupulations]</ref> Ishihara and [[Akihiko Miura]] pitched different ideas to {{wp|Alexey Pajitnov}}, who selected "exploding Tetris" as a promising idea. Development took two and a half years, and the Ishihara-produced {{hdt|Tetris 2 + Bombliss}} released in 1991, with puzzles contributed by Miura and [[Kouichi Ooyama]].<ref>[https://shmuplations.com/imadethat/ “I made that!” – 1991 Developer Interviews], from the October 1991 issue of Famitsu, translated by Shmupulations</ref>
 
Ishihara left SEDIC in 1991 to become to vice president of Ape Inc., where he produced titles such as ''{{wp|EarthBound}}'' and ''{{smw|Mario's Picross}}''.<ref>Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 98.</ref> After Ape Inc. ceased production activity, he founded [[Creatures, Inc.]] in November 8, 1995,<ref>[https://www.creatures.co.jp/en/company/ Creatures Inc. Company Outline]</ref> with the assistance of [[Satoru Iwata]].<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/ipkj/vol1/ 社長が訊く『ポケットモンスター ハートゴールド・ソウルシルバー』]</ref><ref>[https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/pokemon/0/0 Iwata Asks : Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version : Just Making The Last Train]</ref> There, Ishihara continued assisting in the development of {{game|Red and Green|s}}. Shortly after, he was inspired to create a trading card game based on the titles, ultimately resulting in the creation of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].
 
In April 1998, [[The Pokémon Company]] was established as Pokémon Center, Inc. and Ishihara was given the position of representative director.<ref name = cesa/> In 2001, he was named the president.
 
Announced in 1997, Ishihara was part of a team developing a game with a working title<ref name=Cabbage64Dream></ref> known as '''Cabbage''' (Japanese: '''キャベツ''' ''Kyabetsu'') alongside [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], [[Satoru Iwata]], and {{wp|Shigesato Itoi}}. Originally intended for release on the Nintendo 64DD, Cabbage was a breeding simulator<ref name=CabbageIGN>[https://archive.is/bQtXa The IGN article discussing Cabbage's appearance in 64Dream.]</ref> in which a player was able to raise a pet-like creature, known simply as a Cabbage, a name originating from Itoi.<ref name=Cabbage64Dream>[https://archive.is/UpXPJ 64Dream article on Cabbage.]</ref> It began development in 1996 and was designed around the 64DD, requiring the use of its real-time internal clock.<ref name=CabbageIGN></ref> Cabbage would also have compatibility with the [[Game Boy]], where a player could connect to the 64DD and interact with their pets there.<ref name=CabbageIGN></ref> No builds or gameplay of Cabbage ever surfaced throughout its development. Ishihara's role in Cabbage's development is incredibly vague; it is unclear what Ishihara actually contributed to the game's development, only that he (along with Itoi) became too busy with other projects, according to Miyamoto in 2006.<ref name=Cabbage2006>[https://archive.is/q7861 Article discussing Miyamoto's comments on Cabbage in 2006.]</ref>{{fact}}
 
In April 2023, Ishihara stepped down as CEO of Creatures, Inc., being succeeded by [[Yuji Kitano]].<ref>[https://www.gamesindustry.biz/creatures-inc-sees-leadership-change-as-ceo-and-president-step-down Creatures Inc. sees leadership change as CEO and president step down]</ref>


==Game credits==
==Game credits==
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* '''{{game|Yellow}}''' (1998) - Producer
* '''{{game|Yellow}}''' (1998) - Producer
* '''[[Hey You, Pikachu!]]''' (1998) - Producer
* '''[[Hey You, Pikachu!]]''' (1998) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game (game)|Pokémon Trading Card Game]]''' (1998) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game (video game)|Pokémon Trading Card Game]]''' (1998) - Producer
* '''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''' (1999) - Original Game Staff (Pokémon Products Supervisor; "Pokémon", "EarthBound" Produce)
* '''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''' (1999) - Original Game Staff (Pokémon Products Supervisor; "Pokémon", "EarthBound" Produce)
* '''[[Pokémon Snap]]''' (1999) - Pokémon Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Snap]]''' (1999) - Pokémon Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Stadium (English)|Pokémon Stadium]]''' (1999) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Stadium]]''' (1999) - Producer
* '''{{game|Gold and Silver|s}}''' (1999) - Producer
* '''{{game|Gold and Silver|s}}''' (1999) - Producer
* '''{{wp|Doshin the Giant}}''' (1999) - Executive Producer
* '''{{wp|Doshin the Giant}}''' (1999) - Executive Producer
* '''{{wp|Custom Robo (Nintendo 64)|Custom Robo}}''' (1999) - Producer
* '''{{wp|Custom Robo (Nintendo 64)|Custom Robo}}''' (1999) - Producer
* '''{{nw|Monster Tactics|Monster Tactics}}''' (2000) - Co-Producer (with {{nw|Takehiro Izushi}} of Nintendo. Attributed to "Spiral" with {{nw|Marigul Management}} (Nintendo/Recruit) and {{nw|Sarugakucho}})<!--Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zro0WS2rwyo -->
* '''[[Pokémon Puzzle League]]''' (2000) - Licensing Supervisor
* '''[[Pokémon Puzzle League]]''' (2000) - Licensing Supervisor
* '''[[Pokémon Puzzle Challenge]]''' (2000) - Production
* '''[[Pokémon Puzzle Challenge]]''' (2000) - Production
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* '''{{game|Crystal}}''' (2000) - Producer
* '''{{game|Crystal}}''' (2000) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]''' (2000) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]''' (2000) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!]]''' (2001) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!]]''' (2001) - Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Party mini]]''' (2001) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Party mini]]''' (2001) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Pinball mini]]''' (2001) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Pinball mini]]''' (2001) - Executive Producer
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* '''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''' (2001) - Original Game Staff (Product Supervision: Pokémon; Producer: EarthBound)
* '''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''' (2001) - Original Game Staff (Product Supervision: Pokémon; Producer: EarthBound)
* '''[[Pokémon Tetris]]''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Tetris]]''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Race mini]]''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''{{wp|Custom Robo GX}}''' (2002) - Special Thanks
* '''{{wp|Custom Robo GX}}''' (2002) - Special Thanks
* '''[[Pichu Bros. mini]]''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Machop at Work]]''' (2002) - Producer
* '''[[Machop at Work]]''' (2002) - Producer
* '''[[Kingler's Day]]''' (2002) - Producer
* '''[[Kingler's Day]]''' (2002) - Producer
* '''[[Togepi's Great Adventure]]''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''{{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''{{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}''' (2002) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire]]''' (2003) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire]]''' (2003) - Executive Producer
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* '''[[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]''' (2005) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]''' (2005) - Executive Producer
* '''{{wp|Drill Dozer}}''' (2005) - Special Thanks
* '''{{wp|Drill Dozer}}''' (2005) - Special Thanks
* '''[[Pokémon Trozei]]''' (2005) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Trozei!]]''' (2005) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team]]''' (2005) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team]]''' (2005) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Ranger]]''' (2006) - Executive Producer
* '''{{vg|Pokémon Ranger}}''' (2006) - Executive Producer
* '''{{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}''' (2006) - Executive Producer
* '''{{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}''' (2006) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]''' (2006) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]''' (2006) - Executive Producer
Line 72: Line 87:
* '''[[PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond]]''' (2011) - Executive Producer
* '''[[PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond]]''' (2011) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Conquest]]''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Conquest]]''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''{{game|Black 2 and White 2|s}}''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''{{B2W2}}''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Dream Radar]]''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Dream Radar]]''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity]]''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity]]''' (2012) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Rumble U]]''' (2013) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Rumble U]]''' (2013) - Executive Producer
* '''{{g|X and Y}}''' (2013) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon X and Y]]''' (2013) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Battle Trozei]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Battle Trozei]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Art Academy]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Art Academy]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''' (2014) - Senior Supervisor
* '''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U]]''' (2014) - Senior Supervisor
* '''{{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]]''' (2014) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Rumble World]]''' (2015) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Rumble World]]''' (2015) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]]''' (2015) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]]''' (2015) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Picross]]''' (2015) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Picross]]''' (2015) - Executive Producer
* '''{{OBP|Detective Pikachu|video game}}''' (2016) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Sun and Moon]]''' (2016) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon]]''' (2017) - Executive Producer
* '''{{LGPE}}''' (2018) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''' (2018) - Original Game Supervisor
* '''[[Pokémon Sword and Shield]]''' (2019) - Executive Producer
* '''[[New Pokémon Snap]]''' (2020) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl]]''' (2021) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Legends: Arceus]]''' (2022) - Executive Producer
* '''[[Pokémon Sleep]]''' (2023) - Executive Producer (The Pokémon Company)


==Anime credits==
==Anime credits==
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===Executive producer===
===Executive producer===
* [[Pokémon anime|Pokémon TV series]]
* [[Pokémon anime|Pokémon TV series]]
* [[SS019|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!]]
* [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!]]


===Production supervisor===
===Production supervisor===
* [[Advanced Generation series|''Pocket Monsters: Advanced Generation TV'' series]]
* [[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire|''Pocket Monsters: Advanced Generation TV'' series]]
* ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]''
* ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]''
* ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]''
* ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]''
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* ''[[PK17|Pikachu's Island Adventure]]''
* ''[[PK17|Pikachu's Island Adventure]]''


==Appearances in Games==
==Appearances in games==
[[File:Card GB 2 sprite Ishihara.png|thumb|48px|Ishihara]]
'''Ishihara''' (Japanese: '''Ｍｒ．イシハラ''' ''Mr. Ishihara'') appears in the [[Game Boy Color]] spin-off of the Pokémon TCG, {{vg|Pokémon Trading Card Game}}, as a Pokémon card collector. Ishihara owns over 10,000 cards. He's also written many books about the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].
'''Ishihara''' (Japanese: '''Ｍｒ．イシハラ''' ''Mr. Ishihara'') appears in {{ga|Pokémon Trading Card Game}} as a Pokémon card collector. Ishihara owns over 10,000 cards. He's also written many books about the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].
 
In the game, Ishihara can always be found in [[Ishihara's House|his house]] on the cape to the northwest after being told by someone in the game where he is. He will trade very rare promotional Pikachu cards to the player for rare colorless cards. In order, he will trade a {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Surfing Pikachu|28}} for a {{TCG ID|Jungle|Clefable|1}}, a {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Flying Pikachu|25}} for a {{TCG ID|Fossil|Ditto|3}}, and an alternate design {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Surfing Pikachu|28}} for a {{TCG ID|Base Set|Chansey|3}}. After all three trades have been completed, Ishihara will leave in search of someone who will give him the [[Phantom Cards]].


In the game, Ishihara can always be found in [[Mr. Ishihara's House|his house]] on the cape to the northwest after being told by someone in the game where he is. He will trade very rare promotional Pikachu cards to the player for rare colorless cards. In order, he will trade a {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Surfing Pikachu|28}} for a {{TCG ID|Jungle|Clefable|1}}, a {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Flying Pikachu|25}} for a {{TCG ID|Fossil|Ditto|3}}, and an alternate design {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Surfing Pikachu|28}} for a {{TCG ID|Base Set|Chansey|3}}. After all three trades have been completed, Ishihara will leave in search of someone who will give him the [[Phantom Cards]].
In [[Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!]], Ishihara moves between his house and a new area, [[Mr. Ishihara's Villa|his villa]]. He will still trade cards with the player, but this time, he will be available to duel in his villa after all his trades are completed. He uses the {{TCG|Very Rare Card Deck}}, which contains many rare promotional cards.


In [[Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!]], Ishihara moves between his house and a new area, [[Mr. Ishihara's Villa|his villa]]. He will still trade cards with the player, but this time, he will be available to duel in his villa after all his trades are completed. He uses the {{TCG|Very Rare Card Deck}}, which contains many rare promotional cards.
===Sprites===
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{tcg trainer color dark}}; background: #{{tcg trainer color}}; font-size: 80%;"
|-
| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{tcg trainer color dark}}; background: #{{tcg trainer color light}}"| [[File:TCG2 Ishihara.png]]
| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{tcg trainer color dark}}; background: #{{tcg trainer color light}}"| [[File:TCG2 Ishihara Win.png]]
| style="{{roundy|20px}} border: 2px solid #{{tcg trainer color dark}}; background: #{{tcg trainer color light}}"| [[File:TCG2 Ishihara Loss.png]]
| style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #{{tcg trainer color dark}}; background: #{{tcg trainer color light}} | [[File:Ishihara OD.png]]
| style="{{roundy|80px}} border: 2px solid #{{tcg trainer color dark}}; background: #{{tcg trainer color light}} | [[File:TCG2 Ishihara OD.png]]
|-
| Main sprite from {{color2|000|Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!|Pokémon<br>Trading Card Game 2}}
| Win sprite from {{color2|000|Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!|Pokémon<br>Trading Card Game 2}}
| Loss sprite from {{color2|000|Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!|Pokémon<br>Trading Card Game 2}}
| Overworld sprite<br/>({{color2|000|Pokémon Trading Card Game (video game)|GB1}})
| Overworld sprite<br/>({{color2|000|Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!|GB2}})
|}
 
==Appearances in the TCG==
Tsunekazu Ishihara appears in one promotional card.
{{cardlist/header|Ishihara{{Red GX}}|Dragon|char=yes}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname=[[Ishihara-GX (TPCi Promo 1)|Ishihara]]{{Red GX}}|type=Dragon|enset=Black Star Promos|ennum=TPCi01}}
{{cardlist/footer|Dragon}}
 
==Appearances in animated series==
[[File:Ishihara PTP.png|250px|thumb|Tsunekazu Ishihara in Pokémon: Path to the Peak]]
Tsunekazu Ishihara makes a cameo appearance in the [[Pokémon: Path to the Peak]] episode ''[[PTP04|Worlds]]''.
{{-}}
 
==Interviews mentioning Pokémon==
<small>October 26th, 2023</small><br>
'''Famitsu (Issue 1819) -''' ''[https://archive.org/details/FamiMag1819 "Detective Pikachu has Returned"]''<br>
''feat. [[Hiroyuki Jinnai]]''


==Videos==
==Videos==
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* Images of Ishihara are often incorrectly identified as Pokémon creator [[Satoshi Tajiri]]. The origin of this error is unknown.
* Images of Ishihara are often incorrectly identified as Pokémon creator [[Satoshi Tajiri]]. The origin of this error is unknown.
* Ishihara's favorite Pokémon is {{p|Exeggutor}} because he used it all throughout the debugging and testing of [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions]].
* Ishihara's favorite Pokémon is {{p|Exeggutor}} because he used it all throughout the debugging and testing of [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions]].<ref>(February 9, 2000). "[https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/02/09/abc-news-pokamon-chat-transcript ABC News Pokémon Chat Transcript]." ''IGN''.</ref>
** In a November 2002 interview for {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, Ishihara mentions that his favorite Pokémon is {{p|Pelipper}}.<ref>(November 2002). [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0211/01/01_05/index.html 1-5. 開発者よりみなさまへのメッセージ]。 『ポケットモンスター　ルビー・サファイア』大特集。 ''Nintendo Online Magazine'' (N.O.M). No.52.</ref>
* A hidden Easter egg in {{game|Red and Green|s}} sets the rival's default name to Ishihara as soon as the game is turned on. This name does not appear in the default names list and is overwritten as soon as the player has a chance to choose a name.
* A hidden Easter egg in {{game|Red and Green|s}} sets the rival's default name to Ishihara as soon as the game is turned on. This name does not appear in the default names list and is overwritten as soon as the player has a chance to choose a name.
* One of the default {{player}} names in [[Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|the Japanese Blue]] is '''Tsunekazu''', much as "Satoshi" is for Red and "Shigeru" is for Green.
* One of the default {{player}} names in [[Pokémon Blue Version (Japanese)|the Japanese Pokémon Blue]] is '''Tsunekazu''', much as "Satoshi" is for Red and "Shigeru" is for Green.
** Similarly, one of the default [[rival]] names in [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|Pokémon FireRed Version]] is '''Kaz''' (Japanese: ツネカズ ''Tsunekazu'').
** Similarly, one of the default [[rival]] names in [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|Pokémon FireRed Version]] is '''Kaz''' (Japanese: ツネカズ ''Tsunekazu'').
==References==
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
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* [http://spong.com/feature/10109598 "Tsunekazu Ishihara: The Pokémon Interview" at SPOnG]
* [http://spong.com/feature/10109598 "Tsunekazu Ishihara: The Pokémon Interview" at SPOnG]
* [http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/074/074973p1.html "ABC News Pokémon Chat Transcript" at IGN]
* [http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/074/074973p1.html "ABC News Pokémon Chat Transcript" at IGN]
* [http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/pokemondiamond/news.html?sid=6172003 "Q&A: Head Pokétrainer Tsunekazu Ishihara" at GameSpot]
* [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-head-pokytrainer-tsunekazu-ishihara/1100-6172003/ "Q&A: Head Pokétrainer Tsunekazu Ishihara" at GameSpot]
* [http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/514/514962p1.html "E3 2004: The Pokémon Creators Speak" at IGN]
* [http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/514/514962p1.html "E3 2004: The Pokémon Creators Speak" at IGN]
* [[Media:Tsunekaz Ishihara magazine interview.jpg|Magazine article on Ishihara]]
* [[Media:Tsunekaz Ishihara magazine interview.jpg|Magazine article on Ishihara]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ishihara, Tsunekazu}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ishihara, Tsunekazu}}
{{Card GB NPCs}}
{{Card GB NPCs}}
[[Category:Game cast and crew]]
[[Category:Game staff]]
[[Category:TCG staff]]
[[Category:TCG GB characters]]
[[Category:TCG GB2 characters]]
[[Category:Anime cast and crew]]
[[Category:Anime cast and crew]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:People]]


[[de:Ishihara]]
[[de:Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
[[es:Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
[[it:Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
[[ja:石原恒和]]
[[ja:石原恒和]]
[[zh:石原恒和]]
[[zh:石原恒和]]

Latest revision as of 16:58, 17 May 2024

Ishihara in 2023.[1]

Tsunekazu Ishihara (Tsunekaz also seen; Japanese: 石原恒和 Ishihara Tsunekazu, born November 27, 1957) is the president and CEO of The Pokémon Company, a producer of Pokémon, and the founder and former CEO of Creatures, Inc. He manages all aspects of the Pokémon franchise including the anime, games, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

History

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Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
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Ishihara graduated from the University of Tsukuba in 1983 with a master's degree in Art and Design.[2] While earning his degree, Ishihara studied various mechanisms of visual expression, gravitating toward computer-generated art.[3] After graduation, Ishihara worked at the advertising agency SPN, owned by the Seibu Saison Group, for two years. Following this, he transferred to Sedic (Seibu Digital Communications), a film production company with a background in computer graphics also owned by the Seibu Saison Group. At Sedic, Ishihara produced shows about video games for Fuji Television, including Shigesato Itoi's TV Game Museum and TV's TV.[4] During this time, Ishihara, Akihiko Miura, and other Sedic staff developed Toshio Iwai's first video game Otocky, which released in 1987. While making television programs, Ishihara interviewed various figures in the video game industry, including Shigesato Itoi, Koichi Sugiyama, and Satoshi Tajiri. Ishihara was particularly impressed by Tajiri's knowledge of video games as well as his skill in playing them, and the two became close.[5][6]

In 1988, Ishihara published Denshi Yuugi Taizen - TV Games, an encyclopedia of video games, with each game documented in a phylogenetic tree map. To produce the book, Ishihara traveled across Japan, as well as to the Soviet Union and the United States, and conducted interviews with prominent video game developers. Itoi and Tajiri contributed essays to the book.[7] Ishihara also began playing Tetris, which led to him writing How to achieve 100,000 points in Tetris, published in 1989. Ishihara intended to visit the Soviet Union in order to secure the rights to release the game in Japan, but was beaten by Henk Rogers, whose company Bullet Proof Software published versions for PCs and the Famicom toward the end of 1988. The limitations of Bullet Proof Software's port inspired him to make his own version of Tetris.[8] Ishihara and Akihiko Miura pitched different ideas to Alexey Pajitnov, who selected "exploding Tetris" as a promising idea. Development took two and a half years, and the Ishihara-produced Tetris 2 + Bombliss released in 1991, with puzzles contributed by Miura and Kouichi Ooyama.[9]

Ishihara left SEDIC in 1991 to become to vice president of Ape Inc., where he produced titles such as EarthBound and Mario's Picross.[10] After Ape Inc. ceased production activity, he founded Creatures, Inc. in November 8, 1995,[11] with the assistance of Satoru Iwata.[12][13] There, Ishihara continued assisting in the development of Pokémon Red and Green. Shortly after, he was inspired to create a trading card game based on the titles, ultimately resulting in the creation of the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

In April 1998, The Pokémon Company was established as Pokémon Center, Inc. and Ishihara was given the position of representative director.[2] In 2001, he was named the president.

Announced in 1997, Ishihara was part of a team developing a game with a working title[14] known as Cabbage (Japanese: キャベツ Kyabetsu) alongside Shigeru Miyamoto, Satoru Iwata, and Shigesato Itoi. Originally intended for release on the Nintendo 64DD, Cabbage was a breeding simulator[15] in which a player was able to raise a pet-like creature, known simply as a Cabbage, a name originating from Itoi.[14] It began development in 1996 and was designed around the 64DD, requiring the use of its real-time internal clock.[15] Cabbage would also have compatibility with the Game Boy, where a player could connect to the 64DD and interact with their pets there.[15] No builds or gameplay of Cabbage ever surfaced throughout its development. Ishihara's role in Cabbage's development is incredibly vague; it is unclear what Ishihara actually contributed to the game's development, only that he (along with Itoi) became too busy with other projects, according to Miyamoto in 2006.[16][citation needed]

In April 2023, Ishihara stepped down as CEO of Creatures, Inc., being succeeded by Yuji Kitano.[17]

Game credits

Anime credits

Executive producer

Production supervisor

Supervision

Appearances in games

Ishihara (Japanese: Ｍｒ．イシハラ Mr. Ishihara) appears in the Game Boy Color spin-off of the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Trading Card Game, as a Pokémon card collector. Ishihara owns over 10,000 cards. He's also written many books about the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

In the game, Ishihara can always be found in his house on the cape to the northwest after being told by someone in the game where he is. He will trade very rare promotional Pikachu cards to the player for rare colorless cards. In order, he will trade a Surfing Pikachu for a Clefable, a Flying Pikachu for a Ditto, and an alternate design Surfing Pikachu for a Chansey. After all three trades have been completed, Ishihara will leave in search of someone who will give him the Phantom Cards.

In Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, Ishihara moves between his house and a new area, his villa. He will still trade cards with the player, but this time, he will be available to duel in his villa after all his trades are completed. He uses the Very Rare Card Deck, which contains many rare promotional cards.

Sprites

TCG2 Ishihara.png TCG2 Ishihara Win.png TCG2 Ishihara Loss.png Ishihara OD.png TCG2 Ishihara OD.png
Main sprite from Pokémon
Trading Card Game 2 		Win sprite from Pokémon
Trading Card Game 2 		Loss sprite from Pokémon
Trading Card Game 2 		Overworld sprite
(GB1) 		Overworld sprite
(GB2)

Appearances in the TCG

Tsunekazu Ishihara appears in one promotional card.

IshiharaGX
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion 		Rarity # Japanese
Expansion 		Rarity #
IshiharaGX Dragon Black Star Promos   TPCi01      
 


Appearances in animated series

Tsunekazu Ishihara in Pokémon: Path to the Peak

Tsunekazu Ishihara makes a cameo appearance in the Pokémon: Path to the Peak episode Worlds.

Interviews mentioning Pokémon

October 26th, 2023
Famitsu (Issue 1819) - "Detective Pikachu has Returned"
feat. Hiroyuki Jinnai

Videos

#Pokemon20: The Pokémon Company's Tsunekazu Ishihara

By The Official Pokémon Channel
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.


Trivia

References

  1. ↑ Image from Famitsu issue 1819.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mr. Tsunekazu Ishihara wins the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award | Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association
  3. ↑ Hatakeyama, Kenji; Kubo, Masakazu (December 10, 2000). ポケモン・ストーリー [Pokémon Story]. Nikkei BP. p. 79. ISBN 978-4822241995.
  4. ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 80-82.
  5. ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 82-83.
  6. ↑ Interview: Tajiri and Ishihara on Pokemon’s Beginnings, translated from July 2000 issue of Nintendo Online Magazine
  7. ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 83-88.
  8. ↑ すべては『ドアドア』から始まった――チュンソフト30周年のすべてを中村光一氏と振り返るロングインタビュー【前編】 Chunsoft 30th Anniversary Interview, translated by Shmupulations
  9. ↑ “I made that!” – 1991 Developer Interviews, from the October 1991 issue of Famitsu, translated by Shmupulations
  10. ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 98.
  11. ↑ Creatures Inc. Company Outline
  12. ↑ 社長が訊く『ポケットモンスター ハートゴールド・ソウルシルバー』
  13. ↑ Iwata Asks : Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version : Just Making The Last Train
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 64Dream article on Cabbage.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 The IGN article discussing Cabbage's appearance in 64Dream.
  16. ↑ Article discussing Miyamoto's comments on Cabbage in 2006.
  17. ↑ Creatures Inc. sees leadership change as CEO and president step down
  18. ↑ (February 9, 2000). "ABC News Pokémon Chat Transcript." IGN.
  19. ↑ (November 2002). 1-5. 開発者よりみなさまへのメッセージ。 『ポケットモンスター　ルビー・サファイア』大特集。 Nintendo Online Magazine (N.O.M). No.52.

External links


NPCs in the Trading Card Game Islands
Dr. Mason • Ronald • Mr. Ishihara • Imakuni? • Sam • Aaron • Tap
Club Members • Club Masters • Grand Masters • Team Great Rocket
Enigmatic Masks • Dungeon Masters • Ghost Masters
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