Who is Satoshi Tajiri, the father of Pokémon?

If you are passionate about video games , manga , anime , it is impossible that you did not grow up with Pokémon . But do you know who is behind these creatures that have fascinated millions of young people around the world? Today, Cartoon Toi lets you discover the story of Satoshi Tajiri , the creator of Pokémon. From his fascination with insects since childhood to the creation of the Pokémon universe, including his contributions as a video game writer , discover the anecdotes and key moments of his career.

The Rise of Satoshi Tajiri

A young boy passionate about insects

Born in Tokyo on August 28, 1965, Satoshi Tajiri grew up in a suburb near the Japanese capital, at the time still surrounded by greenery and nature. As a child, he spent hours in the forests and fields near his home, feeding his passion for insects .

Beyond their behavior, he was fascinated by the way they interacted with their environment. His classmates often called him "Dr. Bug," as he was so passionate about insects. Satoshi even organized insect swaps with his friends , much like kids who trade Pokémon cards in the playground.

This aspect of his youth, combined with his overflowing imagination , fueled his creativity but above all laid the foundations for his future career as a screenwriter . These days spent tracking and trading creatures would, decades later, become a reality for many Pokémon fans.

His love for video games

As a teenager, when the first consoles appeared in Japanese homes, young Satoshi fell in love with video games . This budding interest quickly turned into a real passion when arcades began to open around him. He would spend hours playing, testing each new game with an insatiable curiosity.

It wasn't the game itself that captivated him, but the creative potential behind each title. He was fascinated by how developers used technology to tell stories and build virtual adventures. This led him to teach himself programming and game design .

Satoshi imagined how he could improve the games he played. He dreamed of creating his own worlds , his own games that could offer players unique experiences. As a visionary, he didn't just see video games as entertainment, but more as a way to connect people with each other .

The Founding of Game Freak

Satoshi absolutely wanted to work in this universe, so he founded his own magazine, Game Freak , in 1989. He would meet Ken Sugimori shortly after, with whom he transformed his fanzine into a video game development studio. It was Ken who would draw all the Pokémon characters . We were at the beginning of an adventure that would revolutionize the gaming industry !

The name "Game Freak" came from their shared dream of creating games that were unconventional, something that was sorely lacking in the market. Their goal was clear: to design entertaining games that would spark the imagination of players around the world. This ambition drove them to look for innovative ways to incorporate never-before-seen gameplay elements.

From the early days of Game Freak, the two were full of creative energy . Satoshi and his team worked hard, often late into the night, to bring their ideas to life. It was in this passionate and relentless environment that the concept of Pokémon began to take shape, inspired by Satoshi's childhood passion for insects.

The success of the Pokémon phenomenon

After years of development and refinement, the first Pokémon Red and Green game was released in Japan in 1996. This innovative game gave players the ability to capture, trade, and battle with unique creatures called Pokémon.

The response from the public was incredible. Children all over Japan were fascinated by the possibility of collecting these creatures and becoming Pokémon Masters . The game introduced a new social dimension with the ability to trade Pokémon between Game Boy devices using the Link Cable . It was a revolutionary idea that helped create a community that was as passionate as it was engaged.

And internationally, the Pokémon franchise has enjoyed even greater success, becoming a true global pop culture phenomenon . In addition to the appearance of Pokémon cards, the manga and anime quickly emerged, further strengthening Pokémon's notoriety with millions of fans around the world. Later, we will even be entitled to the release of a Pokémon movie...

This success exceeded all expectations and firmly established Game Freak as a reference in the gaming industry . Satoshi Tajiri transformed his passions into one of the most beloved and followed franchises of all time.

Some anecdotes about Satoshi Tajiri

Is Satoshi Tajiri autistic?

Rumors often circulate that Satoshi Tajiri is autistic, suffering from Asperger's syndrome . This information has never been officially confirmed by the Pokémon writer or his close relations. These speculations seem to stem from his intense focus on his interests since childhood, a trait commonly associated with Asperger's. Despite the lack of confirmation , this belief persists in many articles and discussions on the internet.

What are his favorite Pokémon?

Satoshi Tajiri has mentioned in various interviews that out of all the Pokémon, Poliwhirl is his favorite. This Pokémon resembles a small frog with a spiral on its belly. Although very simple, it symbolizes Tajiri's love for nature and aquatic creatures.

Who designed the Pokémon?

Satoshi is only the writer of Pokémon, not the artist. The original Pokémon designs were primarily the work of Ken Sugimori , the art director at Game Freak. It was Sugimori who brought Tajiri's concepts to life, drawing most of the original 151 Pokémon for the first Pokémon games. His art style has become iconic to the franchise and continues to influence Pokémon character design to this day.

There is a manga about the life of Satoshi Tajiri

In addition to Satoshi Tajiri's many accomplishments in the gaming world, his life and career have inspired Nintendo, who have dedicated a manga to him. Entitled " The Origins of the Global Phenomenon - Biography of the Creator of Pokémon ," this manga traces his story from his childhood to the creation of the Pokémon franchise.

How much is Satoshi Tajiri worth?

Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, has an estimated net worth of $10 million to $15 million in 2024. Despite creating one of the most profitable media franchises, his net worth is not as high as one might think because he does not own the Pokémon franchise outright. Nintendo and other entities own significant portions of the intellectual property, limiting the amount of profits that go directly to him.

The works of Satoshi Tajiri

Title	Year	Role	Description
Mendel Palace	1989	Producer, Director, Game Designer	An action-puzzle video game.
Magical Tarurūto-kun	1992	Producer	Game based on popular Japanese manga and anime.
Mario & Wario	1993	Director, Game Designer	A puzzle game for the Super Nintendo, using the SNES mouse.
Pulseman	1994	Direction, Game Design	Platform game created for the Mega Drive.
Pokemon Red and Blue	1996	Director, Game Designer, Scenario	The first games in the Pokémon series, launching a worldwide franchise.
Bushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha	1997	Concept, Game Design	An RPG for the Super Nintendo.
Pokemon Yellow	1998	Director, Game Designer, Screenwriter	Special version of Pokémon Red and Blue, featuring Pikachu.
Pokemon Gold and Silver	1999	Director, Game Designer	Second generation of Pokémon, introducing new features and Pokémon.
Pokemon Crystal	2000	Director	Enhanced version of Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire	2002	Executive Director	Third generation of Pokémon for the Game Boy Advance.
Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire	2003	Executive Director	Application for managing and storing Pokémon on GameCube.
Pokemon Emerald	2004	Executive Director	Enhanced version of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green	2004	Screenplay, Executive Director	Remakes of the first Pokémon, with new features.
Drill Dozer	2005	Executive Producer	Action game for the Game Boy Advance.
Pokémon Pearl and Diamond	2006	Executive Producer	Fourth generation of Pokémon for the Nintendo DS.
Pokémon Platinum	2008	Executive Producer	Enhanced version of Pokémon Pearl and Diamond.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl	2008	Senior Supervisor	Popular multi-character fighting title for the Wii.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver	2009	Executive Producer	Remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver with improved features.
Pokemon Black and White	2010	Executive Producer	Fifth generation of Pokémon introducing the Unova region.
Pokemon Black and White 2	2011	Executive Producer	Pokémon Black and White sequels, with new features.
Pokémon X and Y	2013	Executive Producer	Sixth generation of Pokémon. The story takes place in the Kalos region. With the mechanics of Mega Evolution.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire	2014	Executive Producer	3D remake of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
Tembo the Badass Elephant	2015	Executive Producer	2D game in which players control a fighting elephant fighting against an evil force.
Pokemon Sun and Moon	2016	Executive Producer	Seventh generation of Pokémon, featuring new species and the tropical Alola region.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	2017	Executive Producer	Enhanced version of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Satoshi Tajiri's Rewards

• IGN's Best of 1999 : Pokémon Red and Blue were named Best RPG for the Game Boy Color.
• Interactive Achievement Awards (2000) : Pokémon Red and Blue received several nominations, including for Game of the Year.
• Game Developers Choice Awards (2000) : Tajiri received the Innovation Award for his role in the development of Pokémon.
• Game Developers Conference (2001) : Tajiri was honored with Excellence in Game Design.
• Golden Joystick Awards (2016) : Pokémon Go won Innovation of the Year.
• Game Developers Choice Awards (2017) : Pokémon Go also won Best Mobile/Handheld Game.
• IGN Top 100 Game Creators : Tajiri is listed as one of the greatest game creators of all time for turning Pokémon into a global phenomenon.