The Critical Frog: What Makes Pokemon Such a Success?

Every series that gives birth to a fan community has something special that makes it leave a lasting impact on their viewers or players. This is common in not only video gaming, but TV and film as well. And most of the time, this aspect it what makes the subject work with both audiences and critics, as well as starting a trend that can influence future creators. And most of the time, these aspects can have a good impact on the makers of the generation: the multi-film crossovers of Marvel films allowed for more interaction between characters and interesting situations (DC would later attempt this with Batman V. Superman). Last year's breakout indie game hit Undertale offered a unique aspect on the typical RPG setup with lovable characters and the ability to kill or be kind to your foes, with consequences for your actions, and this touched and intrigued enough people to allow it to be labeled one of the greatest video games of all time. Even cartoons such as Adventure Time or My Little Pony can make critics and fans swoon with deep stories (in the former's case) or their direct interaction and understanding of their fanbase (I have a long-held belief that the second season and beyond of My Little Pony would be completely different if there was no Brony phenomenon). But of all the fan-attracting magnets in the history of media, one reigns supreme: the decade-spanning legacy of the Pokemon franchise. 

I'd explain what Pokemon is, but it's kind of pointless nowadays: much like the Mario brothers or Dragon Ball Z, a show with such a massive impact on the media as a whole eventually seeps into the knowledge database of people with no desire to have it there. Most people nowadays can name at least 10 of the things off the top of their heads. The classic game franchise taking place in a world of magical creatures (which you immediately proceed to make fight each other) has spanned over twenty years and over 700 lovable Pokemon, and with another sequence of games (Sun and Moon) on the way, shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. And with a well-tried formula, basic game play and creative Pokemon, the games appeal to all ages. Adults who grew up with the original Red, Blue and Green (because someone is going to bring it up anyways) can share their experiences with their children with the newest games  It's a franchise that spans generations, older than quite a few of it's fans (technically, you could make the argument that My Little Pony does that too, but we Bronies don't like to talk about that). But what is it that makes it such a strong force in the market? 

We're all aware of the media enterprise that Pokemon has created. In addition to the wildly popular video games, it's spawned multiple TV shows, trading cards, toys, and a heap of films among other things (maybe I'll do a Pokemon summer someday), with fans always expanding on it. The games have even risen to insane levels of competitive play, giving birth to more strategic combinations and play styles than you can imagine. Everyone has their favorite type, and no matter what, everyone has a favorite Pokemon that they have an attachment to. It's similar to the gaming style in that no matter what the situation, there's always a favorite card, piece or character you find yourself drawn to, that eventually you form a bond with (I still remember my first Pokemon- this post's for you, Twinky the Charizard)

Maybe that's the big key to Pokemon- that there's something that keeps us coming back. The knowledge that we always have something waiting for us around the corner. The fact that these digital creatures have their own personalities, natures and responses makes them so much more than groups of pixels. It's nice to have a world whereyou're the champion. Maybe, just maybe, what makes the series such a success lies in it's ability to make us feel like one.