How Many Pokemon Are There?
The History of Pokemon and Its Evolution
The Pokemon franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori in Japan in 1995. Tajiri, a video game enthusiast and bug collector, came up with the idea for Pokemon based on his childhood hobby of catching and collecting insects. The name “Pokemon” is short for “Pocket Monsters,” which refers to the creatures that players capture and train in the games.
The first Pokemon games, Pokemon Red and Green, were released for the Game Boy in Japan in 1996. The games were an immediate success, and a year later they were released in North America as Pokemon Red and Blue. Since then, the franchise has expanded to include video games, trading card games, movies, TV shows, and merchandise.
Over the years, the design and mechanics of the Pokemon games have evolved. New features have been added, such as the ability to breed Pokemon, participate in online battles, and explore vast regions with diverse ecosystems. With each new generation of games, new Pokemon have been introduced, bringing the total number of Pokemon to over 900 as of 2021.
The popularity of Pokemon has also led to numerous spin-off games and media, such as the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series and the Pokemon anime. The franchise continues to attract fans of all ages and has become a cultural phenomenon around the world.
How Pokemon Are Created and Designed
The process of creating a new Pokemon starts with a concept or idea. This could be based on anything from a real-life animal to an object or even a mythological creature. Once the concept is established, the Pokemon designers work on developing the Pokemon’s appearance and characteristics.
The designers typically start with sketches and illustrations of the Pokemon. These early designs may be refined or changed completely before the final design is chosen. Once the design is finalized, it is modeled in 3D using computer software.
The Pokemon’s characteristics are also carefully crafted. Each Pokemon has a type, such as fire, water, or grass, which determines its strengths and weaknesses in battles. The Pokemon’s abilities, moves, and stats are also defined.
In addition to the main series games, there are also spin-off games that feature unique designs and mechanics. For example, the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series features Pokemon as the main characters, while the Pokemon Ranger series focuses on capturing and befriending wild Pokemon.
Overall, the creation and design of Pokemon is a complex process that involves a team of talented artists and game developers. The end result is a diverse collection of unique creatures that capture the imagination of players around the world.
The Number of Pokemon by Generation
The number of Pokemon in the franchise has steadily increased with each new generation of games. Here is a breakdown of the number of Pokemon by generation:
Generation 1: The first generation of Pokemon, which includes Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow, introduced 151 Pokemon.
Generation 2: The second generation, which includes Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, introduced 100 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 251.
Generation 3: The third generation, which includes Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, introduced 135 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 386.
Generation 4: The fourth generation, which includes Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, introduced 107 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 493.
Generation 5: The fifth generation, which includes Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, introduced 156 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 649.
Generation 6: The sixth generation, which includes Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, introduced 72 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 721.
Generation 7: The seventh generation, which includes Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, introduced 81 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 802.
Generation 8: The eighth generation, which includes Pokemon Sword and Shield, introduced 89 new Pokemon, bringing the total to 898 as of 2021.
As the franchise continues to grow, it is likely that more new Pokemon will be introduced in future generations.
The Different Types of Pokemon
There are 18 different types of Pokemon in the franchise, each with its own strengths and weaknesses in battle. Here is a breakdown of each type:
Normal: The Normal type is the most basic type, and many Pokemon have this type as their primary or secondary type. Normal-type moves are not very effective against Rock, Steel, and Ghost-type Pokemon.
Fighting: The Fighting type is strong against Normal, Rock, Steel, Ice, and Dark-type Pokemon, but weak against Flying, Psychic, and Fairy-type Pokemon.
Flying: The Flying type is strong against Grass, Fighting, and Bug-type Pokemon, but weak against Electric, Ice, and Rock-type Pokemon.
Poison: The Poison type is strong against Grass and Fairy-type Pokemon, but weak against Ground and Psychic-type Pokemon.
Ground: The Ground type is strong against Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, and Steel-type Pokemon, but weak against Water, Grass, and Ice-type Pokemon.
Rock: The Rock type is strong against Flying, Bug, Fire, and Ice-type Pokemon, but weak against Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel-type Pokemon.
Bug: The Bug type is strong against Grass, Psychic, and Dark-type Pokemon, but weak against Fire, Flying, and Rock-type Pokemon.
Ghost: The Ghost type is strong against Psychic and Ghost-type Pokemon, but weak against Dark-type Pokemon.
Steel: The Steel type is strong against Rock, Ice, and Fairy-type Pokemon, but weak against Fire, Fighting, and Ground-type Pokemon.
Fire: The Fire type is strong against Grass, Ice, Bug, and Steel-type Pokemon, but weak against Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokemon.
Water: The Water type is strong against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokemon, but weak against Grass, Electric, and Dragon-type Pokemon.
Grass: The Grass type is strong against Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokemon, but weak against Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug-type Pokemon.
Electric: The Electric type is strong against Water and Flying-type Pokemon, but weak against Ground-type Pokemon.
Psychic: The Psychic type is strong against Fighting and Poison-type Pokemon, but weak against Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type Pokemon.
Ice: The Ice type is strong against Grass, Ground, Flying, and Dragon-type Pokemon, but weak against Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel-type Pokemon.
Dragon: The Dragon type is strong against Dragon-type Pokemon, but weak against Fairy-type Pokemon.
Dark: The Dark type is strong against Psychic and Ghost-type Pokemon, but weak against Fighting, Bug, and Fairy-type Pokemon.
Fairy: The Fairy type is strong against Fighting, Dragon, and Dark-type Pokemon, but weak against Poison and Steel-type Pokemon.
Catching ‘Em All: Tips and Tricks for Collecting Pokemon
For many Pokemon fans, the goal is to catch as many Pokemon as possible. Here are some tips and tricks for collecting Pokemon in the games:
1. Explore every area: Make sure to thoroughly explore each area in the game, as different Pokemon may appear in different locations.
2. Use different types of Poke Balls: Different types of Poke Balls have different catch rates, so using different types can increase your chances of catching a Pokemon.
3. Level up your Pokemon: The higher level your Pokemon are, the easier it will be to catch other Pokemon. Consider using a Pokemon with the False Swipe move, which leaves the target with at least 1 HP.
4. Use status conditions: Inflicting a status condition on a wild Pokemon, such as sleep or paralysis, can make it easier to catch.
5. Trade with other players: Trading with other players can help you obtain Pokemon that are not available in your version of the game.
6. Attend events: Attending events, such as Pokemon distributions or community events, can provide opportunities to obtain rare and exclusive Pokemon.
7. Use the GTS: The Global Trade Station (GTS) allows players to trade Pokemon with others around the world, giving you access to Pokemon you may not be able to obtain otherwise.
8. Breed Pokemon: Breeding Pokemon can result in eggs that hatch into new Pokemon, allowing you to obtain Pokemon with different abilities or moves.
9. Complete the Pokedex: Finally, completing the Pokedex is the ultimate goal for many Pokemon collectors. This requires catching or obtaining every Pokemon in the game, including those that are only available through special events or trades.
