Tsunekazu Ishihara
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 animated series, games, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
History
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Better citation needed for the section on Cabbage. |
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
- Mendel Palace (1989) - Special Thanks
- Mario & Wario (1993) - Producer
- EarthBound (1994) - Special Effects Artist, Line Producer
- Mario's Picross (1995) - Director, Screen Graphic Designer
- Mario's Super Picross (1995) - Director, Screen Graphic Designer
- Pokémon Red and Green (1996) - Producer
- Pokémon Blue (1996) - Producer
- Picross 2 (1996) - Director
- Game Boy Camera (1998) - Special Thanks
- Pokémon Stadium (Japanese) (1998) - Producer
- Pokémon Yellow (1998) - Producer
- Hey You, Pikachu! (1998) - Producer
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (1998) - Producer
- Super Smash Bros. (1999) - Original Game Staff (Pokémon Products Supervisor; "Pokémon", "EarthBound" Produce)
- Pokémon Snap (1999) - Pokémon Producer
- Pokémon Stadium (1999) - Producer
- Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999) - Producer
- Doshin the Giant (1999) - Executive Producer
- Custom Robo (1999) - Producer
- Monster Tactics (2000) - Co-Producer (with Takehiro Izushi of Nintendo. Attributed to "Spiral" with Marigul Management (Nintendo/Recruit) and Sarugakucho)
- Pokémon Puzzle League (2000) - Licensing Supervisor
- Pokémon Puzzle Challenge (2000) - Production
- Custom Robo V2 (2000) - Supervisor
- Pokémon Crystal (2000) - Producer
- Pokémon Stadium 2 (2000) - Producer
- Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR! (2001) - Producer
- Pokémon Party mini (2001) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Pinball mini (2001) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Zany Cards (2001) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Puzzle Collection (2001) - Executive Producer
- Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001) - Original Game Staff (Product Supervision: Pokémon; Producer: EarthBound)
- Pokémon Tetris (2002) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Race mini (2002) - Executive Producer
- Custom Robo GX (2002) - Special Thanks
- Pichu Bros. mini (2002) - Executive Producer
- Machop at Work (2002) - Producer
- Kingler's Day (2002) - Producer
- Togepi's Great Adventure (2002) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire (2003) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Channel (2003) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire (2003) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Colosseum (2003) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (2004) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Emerald (2004) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Dash (2004) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (2005) - Executive Producer
- Drill Dozer (2005) - Special Thanks
- Pokémon Trozei! (2005) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team (2005) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Ranger (2006) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Battle Revolution (2006) - Executive Producer
- Picross DS (2007) - Special Thanks
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness (2007) - Executive Producer
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) - Senior Supervisor
- Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (2008) - Executive Producer
- My Pokémon Ranch (2008) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Platinum (2008) - Executive Producer
- Picross 3D (2009) - Very Special Thanks
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (2009) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Rumble (2009) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (2009) - Executive Producer
- PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure (2009) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (2010) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Black and White (2010) - Executive Producer
- Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure (2011) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Rumble Blast (2011) - Executive Producer
- PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond (2011) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Conquest (2012) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 (2012) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Dream Radar (2012) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (2012) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Rumble U (2013) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon X and Y (2013) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Battle Trozei (2014) - Executive Producer
- The Thieves and the 1000 Pokémon (2014) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Art Academy (2014) - Executive Producer
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (2014) - Senior Supervisor
- Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Rumble World (2015) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon (2015) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Picross (2015) - Executive Producer
- Detective Pikachu (2016) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017) - Executive Producer
- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (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)
Animation credits
Executive producer
Production supervisor
- Pocket Monsters: Advanced Generation TV series
- The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
- Spell of the Unown: Entei
- Mewtwo Returns
- Pikachu's PikaBoo
- Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias
- Jirachi: Wish Maker
- Destiny Deoxys
- Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
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
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.
Ishihara 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 | # |
Ishihara | Black Star Promos | TPCi01 | |||||
Appearances in animated series
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
| |
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here. |
Trivia
- Images of Ishihara are often incorrectly identified as Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri. The origin of this error is unknown.
- Ishihara's favorite Pokémon is Exeggutor because he used it all throughout the debugging and testing of Pokémon Red and Green Versions.[18]
- In a November 2002 interview for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Ishihara mentions that his favorite Pokémon is Pelipper.[19]
- A hidden Easter egg in Pokémon Red and Green 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 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 Version is Kaz (Japanese: ツネカズ Tsunekazu).
References
- ↑ Image from Famitsu issue 1819.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mr. Tsunekazu Ishihara wins the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award | Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 80-82.
- ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 82-83.
- ↑ Interview: Tajiri and Ishihara on Pokemon’s Beginnings, translated from July 2000 issue of Nintendo Online Magazine
- ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 83-88.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ “I made that!” – 1991 Developer Interviews, from the October 1991 issue of Famitsu, translated by Shmupulations
- ↑ Hatakeyama & Kubo (2000), p. 98.
- ↑ Creatures Inc. Company Outline
- ↑ 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』
- ↑ Iwata Asks : Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version : Just Making The Last Train
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 64Dream article on Cabbage.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 The IGN article discussing Cabbage's appearance in 64Dream.
- ↑ Article discussing Miyamoto's comments on Cabbage in 2006.
- ↑ Creatures Inc. sees leadership change as CEO and president step down
- ↑ (February 9, 2000). "ABC News Pokémon Chat Transcript." IGN.
- ↑ (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
- Global Information Summit, "Creating Contents that Reach Deeply into Our Lifestyles"
- "Master of the Pocket Monster Universe puts success down to better experience" at Times Online
- "Tsunekazu Ishihara: The Pokémon Interview" at SPOnG
- "ABC News Pokémon Chat Transcript" at IGN
- "Q&A: Head Pokétrainer Tsunekazu Ishihara" at GameSpot
- "E3 2004: The Pokémon Creators Speak" at IGN
- Magazine article on Ishihara