STACK #263 September 2026

MOVIE FEATURE

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TIMELINE

T hirty years ago, a humble pair of Game Boy games introduced the world to a simple idea: catch ’em, train ’em, trade ’em, and battle ’em. Pokémon Red and Green launched in Japan in February 1996, developed by Game Freak Inc. and published by Nintendo, with creator Satoshi Tajiri drawing inspiration from his childhood fascination with collecting insects. What began with 151 creatures quickly evolved into something much bigger. The Pokémon Trading Card Game followed, while the animated series debuted in 1997 and transformed Pikachu and Ash into global stars. The first animated feature, Pokémon: The First Movie , hit cinemas in 1999, launching a movie franchise that would eventually span more than 20 animated films. Pokémon's journey from Game Boy to the big screen Words Glenn Cochrane HAPPY BIRTHDAY POKÉMON

1996 It all begins Pocket Monsters Red and Green launch in Japan for Game Boy, introducing 151 creatures and a revolutionary new way to collect, trade, and battle. 1997 Gotta watch ‘em all The Pokémon animated series premieres in Japan, introducing Ash, Pikachu, and Team Rocket and turning the game into a global phenomenon. 1999 Pokemon hits the big screen Pokémon: The First Movie arrives in cinemas, while Pokémon Gold and Silver expand the game world with 100 new Pokémon. 2006 A new generation Pokémon celebrates its tenth anniversary with Diamond and Pearl , while the franchise continues expanding across games, cards, animation, and merchandise. 2016 Pokemon Go Pokémon Go launches and sends millions of Trainers into the real world, turning parks, streets, and landmarks into Pokémon catching hotspots. 2026 30 Years and a new way to play! Pokémon celebrates 30 years with the new Toniebox 2, joined by Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle for screen-free adventures.

reached another milestone in 2019 with Pokémon Detective Pikachu , the franchise's first live-action feature. Starring Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu, it brought the Pokémon world into Hollywood with a dazzling cast of familiar creatures. Today, Pokémon is a global entertainment juggernaut spanning games, cards, animation, cinema, apps, toys, and merchandise. Now, 30 years on, the all-new Pokémon Toniebox 2 is bringing Pikachu and friends to a new generation of fans through screen-free audio entertainment. Gotta catch 'em all!

10 YEARS OF Pokémon Go

R emember when everyone was walking around staring at their phones, hunting for Pokémon? Released in July 2016, Pokémon Go turned the real world into one giant playground, sending millions of Trainers outside to catch Pokémon, battle at Gyms, and meet up for raids. Suddenly, a trip to the shops

could become a hunt for Pikachu, while parks became impromptu gathering spots for players comparing catches. A decade later, the phenomenon is still going strong, with 2026 marking ten years of exploration, discovery, and community. The anniversary celebrations

reached their Mega Finale on September 5-6, when Trainers around the world battled Mega Mewtwo X and Y.

Pokémon Guess Who SKU# 906141

Pokémon Espeon Plush SKU# 909391

Trainer Mission Game SKU# 899703

Pokémon Squirtle Plush SKU# 909397

Trainer Guess Expert Edition SKU# 841151

Pokémon Pikachu Plush SKU# 909396

Trainer Guess Legacy Edition SKU# 899702

Trainer Guess Kanto Edition SKU# 841149

36 SEPTEMBER 2026

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