The Pokémon Company International: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:The_Pokémon_Company_International_logo.png|right|thumb|The Pokémon Company International logo]] | [[Image:The_Pokémon_Company_International_logo.png|right|thumb|The Pokémon Company International logo]] | ||
'''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 and Australia. This includes licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the | '''The Pokémon Company International''' (abbreviated to '''TPCi''') is a subsidiary of [[The Pokémon Company]] in Japan, responsible for managing the [[Pokémon|Pokémon franchise]] outside of Asia and Australia. This includes licensing, marketing, the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], the {{pkmn|anime}}, home entertainment, the [[Pokémon.com|official Pokémon website]] ([http://www.pokemon.com/us link]) and former [[Pokémon Center (store)|store]] in New York City (Pokémon Center New York, now known as [http://www.nintendoworldstore.com/ Nintendo World]). | ||
The company was formed in 2009 with the merger of Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK into a single international subsidiary. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[Image:PUSA logo.png|right|thumb|Old Pokémon USA logo]] | [[Image:PUSA logo.png|right|thumb|Old Pokémon USA logo]] | ||
===As Pokémon USA=== | ===As Pokémon USA=== | ||
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 | 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. | ||
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 | 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 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". | 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. | ||
In January 2006, the licensing and merchandising agreement between [[4Kids Entertainment]] and Pokémon USA expired. This agreement included | 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 [[Pokémon: Indigo League|one]] through [[Pokémon: Master Quest|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]]. | In 2007, [[Kenji Okubo]] became the President when Akira Chiba stepped down. In 2008, the production of the dub moved to [[DuArt Film & Video]]. | ||
In February 2009, PUSA announced a deal with Toys R Us in which stores would have a dedicated ''Pokémon Boutique''. A deal was also announced [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] in which | 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}}. | ||
===As Pokémon UK=== | ===As Pokémon UK=== | ||
Pokémon UK was established in March 2003, to handle the licensing and marketing of Pokémon throughout the | 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 marketing style guide for Europe. | In 2007, Red Central was commissioned by Pokémon UK to create a {{wp|marketing}} style guide for Europe. | ||
In 2008, a partnership with {{wp|Network | 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]]. | ||
===Merger=== | ===Merger=== | ||
Pokémon USA | {{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. | |||
{{-}} | |||
==Criticisms== | |||
===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}}. | |||
Pokémon USA | |||
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. | |||
=== | ===Removal of Game Corner slot machines=== | ||
In {{game|Platinum}}, due to the then-recent stricter anti-gambling laws in the European Union<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/european-pokemon-platinums-missing-game-corner-explained/ European Pokemon Platinum's missing Game Corner explained | GamesRadar]</ref>, the [[Veilstone Game Corner]]'s [[slot machine]]s were all replaced in the European localizations (including the UK release) with "[[game machine]]s" which would randomly give out some [[Coin]]s if checked but could not be played on. This extended into {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, which removed the slot machines altogether in all non-Japanese releases, replacing them with [[Voltorb Flip]] and disallowing the {{player}} from buying Coins. | |||
Given the above situation, this could explain the absence of Game Corners in every [[Version|core series]] [[Pokémon game]] since [[Generation V]]. | |||
==Fake Twitter account== | ==Fake Twitter account== | ||
[[File:FakeTweet.png|thumb|right | [[File:FakeTweet.png|thumb|right|The deleted tweets<br>'''(Warning: contains profanity)''']] | ||
On | On December 9, 2009, the {{wp|Twitter}} user "PokemonCompany" posted vulgar "tweets", calling those users who had followed him in hopes that they would get exclusive [[Pokémon]] information "idiots". He then urged them to subscribe to his {{wp|YouTube}} channel. Though the "tweets" linking the Twitter account to a YouTube user have since been deleted, several more, also vulgar in nature and directed at those who remained following the account, were posted in the following hour. | ||
== Related articles == | This situation arose after a large amount of tweets were made for the user's "Trainer Tuesday", in which he claimed questions would be answered in a manner similar to [[Pokémon.com]]'s now-discontinued mailbag. [[Nintendo]] was contacted about this user but they have not responded. | ||
{{-}} | |||
==Related articles== | |||
* [[Wizards of the Coast]] | * [[Wizards of the Coast]] | ||
* [[Pokémon USA recasting controversy]] | * [[Pokémon USA recasting controversy]] | ||
== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Pokémon meta]] | [[Category:Pokémon meta]] | ||
Revision as of 11:55, 25 November 2013
|
This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Needs more (and reliable) sources; add more recent and relevant information, if available |
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 and Australia. This includes licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the anime, home entertainment, the official Pokémon website (link) and former store in New York City (Pokémon Center New York, now known as Nintendo World).
The company was formed in 2009 with the merger of Pokémon USA and Pokémon UK into a single international subsidiary.
History
As Pokémon USA
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.
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 Trading Card Game.
In January 2005, an issue of the science magazine Nature featured an article in which a group of researchers named a newly discovered cancer-causing gene "Pokémon". Later that year, Pokémon USA had promised to take legal action, causing the gene to be renamed.
In January 2006, the licensing and merchandising agreement between 4Kids Entertainment and Pokémon USA expired. This agreement included the dubbing of the anime so Pokémon USA switched to producing the English dub in association with TAJ Productions which had worked with 4Kids on seasons one through five. The recasting of the main characters created a large controversy. In May of the same year, Kids' WB! announced that it would be dropping all anime from its autumn lineup in its move to The CW, which included the Pokémon anime. Pokémon USA went into negotiations with Cartoon Network to air past and future episodes of Pokémon, which turned out successful. In June, a Master Toy licensing agreement was signed with 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.
In February 2009, PUSA announced a deal with 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 movies on DVD.
As Pokémon UK
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 marketing style guide for Europe.
In 2008, a partnership with Network was announced. Network will distribute the Pokémon movies and anime episodes on DVD. It was also announced Jetix Europe (now Disney XD) would air the next season of the Pokémon anime.
Merger
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 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.
Criticisms
Voice actor controversy
- Main article: 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 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 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 eighth movie DVD, and was aired on October 28, 2006 on Cartoon Network.
At 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 anime voice-overs; 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.
Removal of Game Corner slot machines
In Pokémon Platinum, due to the then-recent stricter anti-gambling laws in the European Union[1], the Veilstone Game Corner's slot machines were all replaced in the European localizations (including the UK release) with "game machines" which would randomly give out some Coins if checked but could not be played on. This extended into Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, which removed the slot machines altogether in all non-Japanese releases, replacing them with Voltorb Flip and disallowing the player from buying Coins.
Given the above situation, this could explain the absence of Game Corners in every core series Pokémon game since Generation V.
Fake Twitter account
On December 9, 2009, the Twitter user "PokemonCompany" posted vulgar "tweets", calling those users who had followed him in hopes that they would get exclusive Pokémon information "idiots". He then urged them to subscribe to his YouTube channel. Though the "tweets" linking the Twitter account to a YouTube user have since been deleted, several more, also vulgar in nature and directed at those who remained following the account, were posted in the following hour.
This situation arose after a large amount of tweets were made for the user's "Trainer Tuesday", in which he claimed questions would be answered in a manner similar to Pokémon.com's now-discontinued mailbag. Nintendo was contacted about this user but they have not responded.
