Pokémon is a Japanese media franchise founded by Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak, managed by The Pokémon Company. It was created as a franchise in 1996, and centers around fictional creatures called Pokémon that are caught, trained, and looked after by Pokémon trainers.
As an avid Pokémon fan who has likely been following the franchise from the beginning, you probably believe that you know everything there is to know about Pokémon. However, that might not be true. Learn some fun facts about Pokémon below that you might not have known.
There Are Thousands of Trading Cards
If you’ve collected Pokémon trading cards for a number of years, you’re likely aware that there are several hundred cards. You’ve probably spent countless hours trying to find them all. However, there aren’t just hundreds; there are, in fact, thousands.
As of 2022, there were 98 English-released trading card sets and 91 Japan-released sets. These figures include special sets. By 2017, English sets contained 9,110 cards, while Japanese sets contained 6,959. In total, at least 23.6 billion Pokémon trading cards have been shipped around the world, including:
- First to ninth-generation sets
- Pre-release cards
- Promotional cards
- Prototype cards
Pikachu Wasn’t Supposed to be the Mascot
Pikachu is a major Pokémon franchise character and is often described as the mascot. It’s also the central mascot for Nintendo and the character that Pokémon fans are most familiar with.
However, it was never supposed to be that way. Pokémon creators were toying with the idea of making Poliwhirl the mascot, which was the favorite of Pokémon creator Satoshi Taijiri. Alternatively, it was going to be Clefairy who would take pride of place in Pokémon promotional activities.
That’s not to say that Clefairy and Poliwhirl didn’t have their time in the spotlight. Poliwhirl was featured as the Pokémon mascot in a TIME Magazine 1999 issue. Clefairy also featured as a protagonist in the first Pokémon manga release.
Poliwag’s Spirals Represent Intestines
Poliwag is a water-type Generation I Pokémon resembling a blue, spherical tadpole. It’s identifiable by its large eyes, pink lips that suction onto rocks, and blue body. However, most people also recognize Poliwag by its black and white spiraled stomach.
It looks like a cute little design feature with no significant meaning, but it’s actually much more than that. The spiral represents Poliwag’s internal organs showing through its semi-transparent skin. If the Pokémon is affected by disease, it has a white tinge. The swirl is also clearer after Poliwag eats. Interestingly, the intestines of a real tadpole aren’t much different. They consist of two spiral coils; an outer and an inner coil, with the inner coil ending at the rectum.
Magikarp’s Signature Move Was a Translation Error
Magikarp is a water-type Pokémon with a signature move we all know and love: Splash. The splash skill causes Magikarp to flail around in front of its enemy, like a literal fish out of water. However, some avid Pokémon fans have always found it a bit strange that some normal-type Pokémon also have the same skill.
Apparently, the name of the skill was lost in translation when being translated from Japanese to English. The skill is called Haneru in Japanese and should translate to hop or jump. That’s clearly not what Magikarp does.
Rhydon Was the First-Ever Pokémon
Because Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander were the three original Pokémon characters, it’s easy to assume that they were the first characters ever created. However, they weren’t, with that title belonging to Rhydon.
Rhydon might be number 112 in the Pokédex, but it was the first the creators ever made. When they started creating Pokémon characters, they originally intended to create dinosaurs, with Rhydon being one of them.
Pokémon Appears On Money
We all know that Pokémon has been popular for decades, but it’s hard to believe it could be so popular that it appears on legal tender currency. The rumors are true – Pokémon really does appear on money.
Visit the self-governing island country of Niue, and you might spot Pikachu on their $1 coins. They minted the themed coin in 2001, and other Pokémon characters have made an appearance over the years, like Charmander, Mewoth, and Bulbasaur. The coins are accepted as legal currency, but most people who obtain them keep them as collectible items.
Pokémon fans generally know a lot about the franchise, including the best trading cards, the strongest Pokémon characters, and the rarest and most expensive cards. However, there are also many facts even the most dedicated fans don’t know. The more you research Pokémon, the more you can learn.