The Pokémon Series is a popular franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, first launched in 1996. It includes video games, trading card games, an animated television series, movies, and merchandise. The main premise revolves around fictional creatures called Pokémon, which humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train to battle each other. The franchise's core concept is to "catch 'em all," encouraging players to collect various species of Pokémon. Each game typically involves exploring different regions, battling other trainers, and challenging powerful opponents known as Gym Leaders. The series has become a significant part of global pop culture, appealing to fans of all ages.