CEO of Pokémon Company Believes Franchise Will Reach 100-Year Milestone

Recently, the CEO of The Pokemon Company shared an optimistic belief about the iconic franchise’s future, forecasting the possibility of Pokemon reaching its 100th anniversary. These remarks coincided with the festivities of Pokemon Day 2025, which was marked by a slew of exciting announcements about what’s next for fans.

Pokemon has grown into one of the world’s most celebrated media franchises since its humble beginnings on the Game Boy in 1996 with Pokemon Red and Green in Japan. Over the years, it has expanded beyond just video games, spawning anime series, a vast array of merchandise, and much more. Thanks to its wide-ranging appeal, even those who aren’t avid gamers recognize Pikachu and the Pokemon brand. Following its recent 29th anniversary, the company has expressed a positive outlook for its future endeavors.

In an interview with the BBC, Tsunekazu Ishihara, CEO of The Pokemon Company, expressed confidence in the franchise’s potential longevity, stating, “If we continue focusing on our mission, Pokemon can probably continue to its 50th or 100th anniversary.” His confidence isn’t unfounded considering the continued success of Pokemon games, including the main ones and popular mobile versions like Pokemon TCG Pocket and Pokemon GO. Yet, he also cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation to avoid decline.

The latest Pokemon Presents event underscored this forward-thinking approach, unveiling major announcements for the year ahead. Updates are on the way for beloved games such as Pokemon GO, Pokemon TCG Pocket, and Pokemon Unite. Plus, Netflix fans can look forward to new episodes of Pokemon Concierge. In addition to these, a sneak peek of the anticipated Pokemon Legends: Z-A introduced fans to new starters and gameplay elements, while a brand new PvP game, Pokemon Champions, focused on battling, was also announced.

All these plans show that The Pokemon Company is determined to maintain momentum throughout 2025. Though it’s still early days to predict a 100-year milestone, one thing’s certain: Pokemon isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Fans have numerous thrilling developments to anticipate in the near future.

The enduring appeal and expansive nature of Pokemon make it a truly global phenomenon. A creation of Satoshi Tajiri, this franchise has entrenched itself in pop culture, touching games, television, films, and beyond.