When did you first hear about Pokemon?

I believe it was during school in grade, uhh... I don't remember, like 3 or 4, but a friend of mine at the time played the games and he showed me Leaf Green, so I wanted to try it out for myself (with Fire Red). ^^

I probably saw it around randomly before then, but that was the first time Pokémon actually registered in my mind as a thing.

a pokemon x and y McDonalds toy

Missed a few episodes but it had to be 1999 when in just aired here in Belgium. There was a big buzz about it and it was even in the newspapers. My mom told me and my nieces.
Soon everyone had trading cards in school, except for me. I actually got my Machop card from a girl from my grade. First ever card was Machop and first ever virtual Pokémon was well, Squirtle.
Oooh, the nostalgia..