Who is Satoshi Tajiri, the father of Pokémon?

If you’re passionate about video games, manga, or anime, it’s impossible that you didn’t grow up with Pokémon. But do you know who’s behind those creatures that fascinated millions of young people around the world? Today, Cartoon Toi invites you to discover the story of Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon. From his childhood fascination with insects to the creation of the Pokémon universe, and his work as a video game writer, learn about the anecdotes and key moments of his career.

Satoshi Tajiri’s Rise

A Young Boy Passionate About Insects

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

Beyond their behavior, he was fascinated by how they interacted with their environment. His classmates often called him “Dr. Bug” because he was so passionate about insects. Satoshi even organized insect exchanges with his friends, similar to how children trade Pokémon cards at recess.

This aspect of his youth, combined with his boundless imagination, fueled his creativity and laid the foundation for his future career as a writer. Those childhood days spent tracking and trading creatures would, decades later, become a reality for many Pokémon fans.

His Love for Video Games

During his teenage years, just as the first home consoles were appearing in Japanese households, young Satoshi fell in love with video games. This budding interest quickly turned into a genuine passion when arcade halls started popping up around him. He spent hours playing, testing every new game with insatiable curiosity.

It wasn’t just the games themselves 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 drove 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 give players unique experiences. As a visionary, he saw video games not just as entertainment, but as a way to connect people with one another.

The Foundation of Game Freak

Satoshi was determined to work in this universe, so in 1989 he founded his own magazine, Game Freak. Soon after, he met Ken Sugimori, and together they turned their fanzine into a video game development studio. Ken would later design all the Pokémon characters. This was the beginning of an adventure that would revolutionize the gaming industry!

The name “Game Freak” reflected their shared dream of creating games that weren’t conventional, something the market lacked at the time. Their goal was clear: to make entertaining games that spark players’ imaginations around the world. This ambition drove them to find innovative ways to include never-before-seen gameplay elements.

From the earliest days of Game Freak, the duo showed unbridled creative energy. Satoshi and his team worked tirelessly, often late into the night, to bring their ideas to life. It was in this driven and passionate environment that the concept for Pokémon began to take shape, inspired by Satoshi’s childhood love of insects.

The Success of the Pokémon Phenomenon

After years of development and refinement, the first game, Pokémon Red and Green, was launched in Japan in 1996. This innovative game allowed players to catch, trade, and battle unique creatures called Pokémon.

The public reception was incredible. Children all over Japan were captivated by the opportunity to collect these creatures and become Pokémon Masters. The game introduced a new social dimension through the ability to trade Pokémon between Game Boy devices via the Link Cable. This was a revolutionary idea that created a passionate, committed community.

Internationally, the Pokémon franchise was an even bigger hit, becoming a true global pop culture phenomenon. Alongside the launch of Pokémon trading cards, manga, and anime, the brand’s popularity surged, with millions of fans worldwide. Later, there was even a Pokémon movie release…

This success exceeded all expectations and solidly established Game Freak as a leader 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?

There are frequent rumors that Satoshi Tajiri might be on the autism spectrum, specifically with Asperger’s syndrome. This information has never been officially confirmed by the Pokémon writer or those around him. The speculation likely stems from his intense childhood focus on his interests, a trait commonly linked to Asperger’s. Despite the lack of confirmation, this belief persists in many articles and online discussions.

Which Are His Favorite Pokémon?

In various interviews, Satoshi Tajiri has mentioned that among all Pokémon, Poliwhirl is his favorite. This Pokémon resembles a small frog with a swirl on its belly. Although very simple, it represents Tajiri’s love of nature and aquatic creatures.

Who Drew the Pokémon?

Satoshi only served as the writer of Pokémon; he’s not the artist. The original Pokémon designs were primarily the work of Ken Sugimori, Game Freak’s art director. Sugimori brought Tajiri’s concepts to life, drawing most of the original 151 Pokémon for the first Pokémon games. His artistic style became a hallmark of the franchise and continues to influence Pokémon designs to this day.

There’s a Manga About Satoshi Tajiri’s Life

Beyond Satoshi Tajiri’s numerous accomplishments in gaming, his life and career inspired Nintendo to dedicate a manga to him. Entitled "Aux origines du phénomène planétaire - Biographie du créateur de Pokémon,” this manga recounts his life from his childhood up to the creation of the Pokémon franchise.

How Wealthy Is Satoshi Tajiri?

Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, has an estimated net worth of between 10 and 15 million dollars as of 2024. Although he created one of the most profitable media franchises in the world, his fortune isn’t as high as one might think because he doesn’t fully own the Pokémon franchise. Nintendo and other entities hold significant shares of the intellectual property, which limits how much profit directly goes to him.

Satoshi Tajiri’s Works

Title	Year	Role	Description
Mendel Palace	1989	Producer, Director, Game Designer	An action-puzzle video game.
Magical Tarurūto-kun	1992	Producer	A game based on a popular Japanese manga and anime.
Mario & Wario	1993	Director, Game Designer	A puzzle game for the Super Nintendo that used the SNES mouse.
Pulseman	1994	Director, Game Design	A platform game created for the Mega Drive.
Pokémon Red and Blue	1996	Director, Game Designer, Writer	The first Pokémon games, launching a worldwide franchise.
Bushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha	1997	Concept, Game Design	An RPG for the Super Nintendo.
Pokémon Yellow	1998	Director, Game Designer, Writer	A special version of Pokémon Red and Blue featuring Pikachu.
Pokémon Gold and Silver	1999	Director, Game Designer	The second generation of Pokémon, introducing new features and Pokémon.
Pokémon Crystal	2000	Director	An enhanced version of Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire	2002	Executive Director	The third generation of Pokémon for the Game Boy Advance.
Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire	2003	Executive Director	An application that lets you manage and store Pokémon on the GameCube.
Pokémon Emerald	2004	Executive Director	An enhanced version of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen	2004	Writer, Executive Director	Remakes of the first Pokémon games, with new features.
Drill Dozer	2005	Executive Producer	An action game for the Game Boy Advance.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl	2006	Executive Producer	The fourth generation of Pokémon for the Nintendo DS.
Pokémon Platinum	2008	Executive Producer	An enhanced version of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl	2008	Senior Supervisor	A popular multiplayer fighting title for the Wii.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver	2009	Executive Producer	Remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver with improved features.
Pokémon Black and White	2010	Executive Producer	The fifth generation of Pokémon, introducing the Unova region.
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2	2011	Executive Producer	Sequels to Pokémon Black and White, offering new features.
Pokémon X and Y	2013	Executive Producer	Sixth generation of Pokémon. Takes place in the Kalos region. Introduced Mega Evolution.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire	2014	Executive Producer	A 3D remake of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
Tembo the Badass Elephant	2015	Executive Producer	A 2D platform game where players control a combat elephant against an evil force.
Pokémon Sun and Moon	2016	Executive Producer	The seventh generation of Pokémon, featuring new species and the tropical Alola region.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	2017	Executive Producer	An enhanced version of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Satoshi Tajiri’s Awards

• IGN's Best of 1999: Pokémon Red and Blue won Best RPG for the Game Boy Color.
• Interactive Achievement Awards (2000): Pokémon Red and Blue received multiple nominations, including Game of the Year.
• Game Developers Choice Awards (2000): Tajiri received the Innovation Award for his role in developing Pokémon.
• Game Developers Conference (2001): Tajiri was honored for 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.