Pokémon is a popular franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, featuring fictional creatures called Pokémon that trainers capture and train to battle each other. The franchise began with video games and has expanded into trading card games, animated series, movies, and merchandise, captivating audiences worldwide. The core gameplay involves capturing Pokémon, training them, and battling against other trainers. Each Pokémon has unique abilities and types, which adds strategy to battles. The franchise promotes themes of friendship, adventure, and competition, making it a beloved part of pop culture since its debut in 1996.