Pokémon: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages – Own it on DVD TODAY – Pokémon: A Journey Through the Ages

With the release of the original Pokémon movie trilogy later this year and the release of Pokémon: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages today we wanted to take a look at the franchise from it’s fairly modest roots right on through to it’s incredible recent virality.

Starting out in the then relatively unknown world of Game Boy RPGs of the mid-90s, Pokémon, or Pocket Monsters: Red and Green was the first property in what has since become a global cultural icon of both the film and video game industry.

Produced by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the original Game Boy, Pokémon: Red and Green, released in 1996 could have no idea of the cultural significance it was going to have, not only for a brand but for an entire generation. Fast forward to the present day and Pokémon still holds those original fans, those original players very close to its heart.

But before Pokémon GO, before the movies and before the animated series there was the highly successful Trading Card Game (TCG) that had fans searching high and low for the coveted, elusive, ‘legend status’ worthy Shiny Pokémon. With the ability to elevate the initial Game Boy properties to a plane beyond imagination (for a 9 year old kid anyway) the TCG had a significant impact on the future of Pokémon as a whole.

Arguably it was this initial reaction to the Kanto hero, Ash Ketchum from Red and Green that sparked a revelatory opportunity to create an animated television series of his quest to catch’ em all. Somewhat separate from, but no less inspired by Red and Green, Pokémon: Indigo League partnered Ash with a small electric mouse known as Pikachu. Quite possibly the most recognised global brand mascot since Pokémon’s inception some twenty years ago.

With an original storyline, new characters and new adventures the Pokémon series attracted a whole host of new fans and paved the way for the Pokémon movies to build on the adventures of Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu like never before. With big, bold storylines introducing rare Pokémon previously unseen in the anime series, the films offered fans a new medium to explore the world of Pokémon and they were an instant hit.

With the initial, fervent, adoring reaction to Pikachu, Pokémon: Yellow was released in 1998 (2000 UK) as an extension of Red and Green. But also as a means to tap into the release of the Game Boy Colour that once again evolved the franchise to new heights: quite apt considering the premise and game play mechanics.

The first Pokémon movie was released in UK cinemas in April 2000, a couple of months before Pokémon: Yellow hit European markets which was in no way a hindrance to its success, on the contrary. The film played heavily into the adventures of Ash and Pikachu and gave the new game a more personal and involved approach that really pushed the brand to where we see it today. Testament to this new approach and the success of both movie and game they enjoyed incredible releases and the first movie went on to gross over $163.6 million worldwide.

Since the early days of Ash’s adventures the movie series has spanned multiple Generations, fictional worlds and duels with Team Rocket. Pokémon: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages is released on DVD today and marks the eighteenth movie in the franchise, quite impressive for its relatively humble origins. But while Hoopa looks forward to the next chapter we’re also treated to the release of the original Pokémon movie trilogy on limited edition Steelbook later this year which will no doubt inspire many of the first Pokémon players back into action.

The rich, fictional, immersive and consumable universe of the Pokémon franchise that attracted so many fans upon its inception has paid immeasurable dividends to the popularity of the franchise. The release of both Hoopa and the Clash of Ages and Sun and Moon this year is testament to that fact and for a franchise heading into its third decade, Pokémon is only growing stronger: making those ever so cherished Pokémon cards you’ve stashed at the back of the wardrobe that much more significant.