Pokemon Pokemon ( Japanese : ポケモン Hepburn : Pokemon , English: / ˈ p oʊ k ɪ ˌ m ɒ n , - k i -, - k eɪ -/ ) , [1] [2] [3] [ not in citation given ] also known as Pocket Monsters ( ポケットモンスター ) in Japan, is a media franchise managed by The Pokemon Company , a Japanese consortium between Nintendo , Game Freak , and Creatures . [4] The franchise copyright is shared by all three companies, but Nintendo is the sole owner of the trademark. [5] The franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1995, [6] and is centered on fictional creatures called "Pokemon" , which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. The English slogan for the franchise is "Gotta Catch 'Em All". [7] [8] Works within the franchise are set in the Pokemon universe . The franchise be...