March Edition 2026: As the Journey Continues: Pokémon's Ultimate Reign

I choose you! Starting off with just a few Pocket Monsters, Pokémon became popular within two years after its first series was released! Pokémon was originally created by Satoshi Tajiri, a Japanese game designer. It was originally a video game, but then turned into an anime series and then spread across Japan. Then, the franchise was exported to North America and Australia, and after Pokémon was released in Europe, the global craze peaked. 

Inspired by his childhood hobby of collecting insects, Tajiri had decided he wanted to make a game where you can catch, train, and battle creatures. But what would he name these creatures? You can already guess—Pokémon. The name is a mix of Pocket Monsters, which perfectly described his game concept; cute, powerful monsters that would fit in your pocket (if you play it on a Game Boy). Additionally, the original name was "Capsule Monsters", but it was changed due to trademark issues and shortened to "Pocket Monsters" for simplicity and branding. 

The very first Pokémon series was “Pokémon: Indigo League”. Many other Pokémon series were developed after that, like “Pokémon: The Johto Journeys” and “Pokémon Journeys”. At the end of “Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys”, the main character Ash Ketchum leaves the anime to go on another adventure. Afterward, a new Pokémon anime with a new main character was created: “Pokémon Horizons the Series” (some people call it Horizons). This anime introduces a ten-year-old girl named Liko whose first Pokémon is Sprigatito. This series continues into another one called “Pokémon Horizons the Series: the Search for Laqua”. The most recent Pokémon series aired is “Pokémon Horizons the Series: Rising Hope”, which was released on January 6th, 2026.

People around the world have favorite Pokémon, but the most likable one is obviously Pikachu. This little energetic Pokémon is the franchise’s global mascot. But why Pikachu? Why not Eevee, Charizard, or any other Pokémon? Apparently, Pikachu isn’t Tajiri’s favorite Pokémon–he has a fondness for the Poliwag evolution line. Pikachu is Pokémon’s global mascot because producers chose it for its universal appeal, cute design, and bright yellow color that stands out, making it perfect for merchandising and attracting both boys and girls, unlike the initially favored pink Clefairy, which seemed too feminine. Pairing Pikachu with Ash Ketchum was an excellent idea.

After the “Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys” series ended, Ash had not come back in Horizons. Instead, a new main character was introduced in Horizons. Her name was Liko. Fans want Ash to come back in Pokémon, and they’re already making up theories on how Ash meets Liko and her friends. Pokémon fan theories are wild ideas about lore, often dark or complex, suggesting Ditto is a failed Mew clone, Gengar is Clefable's ghost, Ash's dad is Giovanni, the world is post-apocalyptic, or Ash never ages due to an Everstone, with theories explaining everything from character origins (N as a Zoroark) to world-building mysteries like the Great Pokémon War. 

Spotting fake Pokémon cards involves checking for poor print quality, wrong fonts, off colors (especially the blue back), fuzzy text, and flat holographics, while real cards have sharp details, correct accents (like the é in Pokémon), a distinct black line between layers (visible when torn), and a specific feel. Always compare with known real cards and buy from reputable sellers to ensure authenticity. 

Now we come to Pokéballs. Pokéballs capture Pokémon by converting their mass into energy or data for storage, allowing transport and easy access, with the Pokémon existing in a digital/subspace realm inside. The logic involves weakening the Pokémon (reducing its "data"), using special technology (often Apricorns) to contain it, and programming it to recognize the trainer's ID, though powerful Pokémon can break out due to strong will or insufficient weakening, causing the ball to short out. 

Pokémon's battle mechanics of Mega Evolution, Dynamax, and Z-Moves each provide unique statistical impacts during battle. Mega Evolution permanently boosts a Pokémon's base stats by a total of 100 points (excluding HP), and may also change its type or ability for the remainder of the battle, but is limited to specific Pokémon species and requires a held Mega Stone. In contrast, Dynamaxing is available to all Pokémon in the Galar region for three turns and doubles the Pokémon's HP, while all other stats remain the same. Dynamax moves (Max Moves) replace the Pokémon's standard attacks and have powerful secondary effects, such as creating terrain or raising allied stats. Lastly, Z-Moves are a one-time-per-battle attack or status effect that any Pokémon can use if it holds the corresponding Z-Crystal. Damaging Z-Moves have a power that scales with the base move and are guaranteed to hit, while Z-Status moves provide a powerful extra effect, such as a full HP restore or an omni-boost to stats, in addition to the original move's effect.

You can buy a vast array of Pokémon items like Trading Cards (TCG), plush toys, video games, figures, apparel (shirts, hats, socks), accessories (bags, keychains, Pokeballs), home goods (decor, towels, clocks), and stationery from major retailers like Walmart, specialized stores like Plaza Japan, official sites like Pokemon Center, and even replicas from The Wand Company, with options ranging from basic toys to high-end collectibles. 

Here at Hopkins Middle School, students favor characters like Ash Ketchum, Misty, Professor Oak, Goh, and Team Rocket characters. As for the Pokémon, most liked ones include Pikachu, Charizard, Eevee, Mew, Mewtwo, Rayquaza, and more. If students could choose a job from the Pokémon World, most of them would be like Goh, a trainer who wants to catch every single Pokémon in the world. Students also would want to be a Pokémon master or a professor. Kids love the action, the catching, and the epic battling they see in Pokémon. Even though Pokémon is truly amazing, there are some recommendations. For example, students say that Team Rocket gets too repetitive sometimes, and to add more Pokémon, as well as adding different themes to the Pokémon shows.

Pokémon has more than one thousand Pokémon, but fans want the Pokémon world to expand. They want more species and more Pokémon. Maybe even more evolution additions. Many fans want Eevee to have more evolutions or “Eeveelutions” as they call it. They also want other Pokémon Mega Evolutions, and more Gigantamax Pokémon. In addition, people also want there to be more Pokémon types as well. There are 18 official Pokémon types: Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy, with the newest "unofficial" type being Stellar, making 19 in total in the latest games, all detailing strengths and weaknesses in combat. 

Pokémon GO Fests are large-scale, annual celebrations for the mobile game Pokémon GO, featuring special in-game bonuses, rare Pokémon spawns, unique raids, and real-world gatherings in major cities (like Chicago, Tokyo, Copenhagen) and sometimes globally, while Poké Fests (or Poké Fests) refer more broadly to general Pokémon fan conventions with collectibles, panels, and voice actors, distinct from the official Niantic-run GO Fests, though both celebrate Pokémon. GO Fests have evolved from early physical events to include virtual global experiences, offering ticket holders enhanced gameplay, special research, and exclusive rewards tied to themed habitats and legendary Pokémon.

From its beginnings inspired by Satoshi Tajiri’s insect collection, the Pokémon franchise has become a global phenomenon, releasing new series such as the 2026 Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope. The franchise engages fans through strategic elements like Mega Evolutions and Stellar types, the Trading Card Game, and community events such as GO Fests and school activities. More information is available on the Hopkins Middle School website.