Why has Pokémon been successful for SO long?

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Moltres Rider

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    basically self explanatory, Why has Pokémon been successful for so long like it has? other games and anime franchises have died and Pokémon lives on... Digimon, Sailor Moon, DBZ, etc. seems to make no more games or TV episodes or merchandise, but Pokémon has been successful since the 90's and STILL is extremely successful! why has Pokémon's success lived so long?
     
    I could imagine that it has something to do with how the Pokémon anime has been running for so long. Because of the anime, many people (foremost children) get word of the whole franchise and thus get into the games. It's ironic, seeing how the anime is pretty repetitive all the time and one of the most boring anime I've ever seen. (Just my opinion)

    Beside that, I get the feeling that Pokémon has become a part of Japan's culture that simply can't be erased. Japanese people seem to love games in which you collect animals and take care of them, in general.

    Looking at Digimon, though, there's still Digimon games being made, even though many of them may not have been released out of Japan. Also, there will be a new Sailor Moon anime coming out this summer, so you see, those two franchises haven't died yet.
     
    I agree with LaVida .. i think it all started with the anime .. (thats how i "met" Pokémon) ..
     
    Very interesting question. My feeling is that Pokemon is just the perfect concept. It combines so many different addicting traits.

    Longing for a pet? The game has you capture creatures that become your friends.

    Love competition? Your goal is to be the very best and defeat everyone. As you get through tough battles, it bonds you to favorites even further.

    Just like collecting things? A common hobby, there's not much more fun than collecting different types/species from different regions.

    There's a ton of other factors that make this, basically, the perfect series.
     
    Uh Digimon's last anime season aired in 2012, not like it hasn't lasted. DBZ just released a new movie in the past month and Sailor Moon is being remade this summer. So you used bad examples of things that "died out". :P

    I would say Pokemon is so popular still because it constantly reels in new people with its simplicity. People complain that they aren't catering to the older gamers, but then the older gamers who complained that the third gen didn't grow up with them grew away from the franchise, and now we have on PC tons of people that started as a kid with the third gen and loved it, which they couldn't have done if it was made for older kids.
     
    It's simple, fun, and continuous. They can always make new games, pokemon, regions, anime. Each generation of kids gets a taste of something.
     
    Even as someone who's played numerous other monster collecting games I'm not sure I can answer that. The other titles typically have better mechanics and more creative means of collecting, so I'd chalk it up to a combination of Pokemon's accessibility and community. It's not over when you put down the Gameboy/DS.

    The other titles OP mentioned are primarily TV, and I think in Dragonball's case GT's writing didn't draw in the crowds that the previous ones did and that took a lot of wind out of its sails. That's always a risk.
     
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    I dont think there is any one reason it's all the little things. the anime has been going for years and they still haven't run out of pot. as well as that, the games change a little each time while still maintaining the game-play that everyone loves. that would also explain why the other games like Ranger and Mystery Dungeon were never as successful, because the people at gamefreak have already created the perfect pet/collecting/rpg/battle game and those little spin-offs had no chance.
     
    It's because with the creation of pokémon there came more than just a story of a few heroes and all of the universe confining itself to their endeavours. They created a universe, where stories can unfold beyond just a focus plotline. There's place for everyone to realise their own stories within its framework, and imagine the unsung parts of its other inhabitants inside the franchise. It is succesful because of its open-endedness, never really reaching a finish line where the story ends and the universe ends, because everything that the heroes needed to do was done, and nothing else matters. Such a universe offers lots of creative freedom to its fans, and spawns a community that not only observes and loves the franchise, but can participate, be active, roleplay, draw, imagine new regions, new people, new stories, new pokémon, etcetera. It's this kind of formula that allows some other worlds to attain similar success: Minecraft, The Elder Scrolls, Digimon, Harry Potter... just take the main story, the main heroes, and the main locations right out of the picture, and it still stands.
     
    Because nobody does what it does as well as it does it. Also it's addictive.
     
    I really don't know. Probably to please the fans that have been loyal to them for years. Also it aims at the younger audiences. I personally don't like the new pokemon games or the show anymore. There isn't anything else new about it. I want something new, something for me to enjoy for weeks or months. The last game that did that for me was Soul Silver. The Poke walker had an amazing effect on me. I just LOVED it. There were several new things in Black and White 2, but nothing big enough for me to enjoy. Maybe those small changes is what's bringing people back. We may never know.
     
    The reason Pokémon has been around and been successful for so long is that there is a constant stream of new ideas and new Pokémon being unveiled every three to four years to start a new generation. Were it not for these updates, the franchise probably would be waning and on its way to demise by now.
     
    I guess...it's the inventiveness and the sheer simplicity. Nobody can not understand the story - it's just a kid, capturing these monsters you can keep close to you, out making friends and exploring the world. Nothing to get confused with. Also, you always get something new every few years e.g. new region, Pokemon, characters, etc. The producers keep it fresh.
     
    I really think the lasting appeal of Pokemon has continued thanks to the franchise's success across so many different mediums. Because the games were so wildly popular when they first came out, it led to the creation of the anime, the TCG, spinoff games, merchandise, etc.

    The reason why I think the games were so popular in the first place was because they were simple to play, and featured a pretty straightforward story. Sure, it was aimed moreso at kids, but it wasn't so childish that it kept older players from enjoying it, too. Plus, as the generations went on, the story, characters and Pokemon may have changed, but the basic concept of catching and training Pokemon has stayed the same since day one, which makes it easy for both the new players and longtime supporters.

    Now, with Pokemon having some many different ways to attract a new audience, it's easier to find one thing to latch on to and enjoy, without neccessarily having to like all of the other options (just like how many of the younger fans get started with the show, and a number of older fans only play the games). There aren't too many other franchises I can think of that can reach this broad of an audience, which is why I think Pokemon will continue to be successful for as long as it wants to be.
     
    Because it is perfect for all ages! It teaches compassion and determination to kids and distracts them from violence. It can be used in board games, games, movies, series, novels and is totally original! (Besides some fifth generation Pokemon, I mean, there is an actual tortoise)...
     
    It is quite an interesting question. I am a 90's kid and I met Pokemon by the TV shows at the time when I was like 5, it started growing onto me very quickly! Soon enough I started collecting the cards, I then got my very first GBA when I was about 7 or something, it was a purple normal GBA Advance, and I know first Pokemon game I played was Blue, then Ruby, then LG etc etc, and then come 98 the first film had been released and I loved it! While playing the games, and collecting cards and so on. So I think its just because everything influenced me and my mum even joined in on influencing me on it too!
     
    A combination of very good business savvy and genuine innovation from all involved in the franchise. Pokemon is a gigantic media empire, and it's a testament to both that it's still going strong today. Even if it's not as zeitgeist-y as it was in its first few years, the money and fans are still rolling in!
     
    Short answer but i think its because slot of people started watching pokemon when they were kids and as they were growing up theg bought games to play and little kids also played them so i guess pokemon kinda appeals to multiple ages to insure that it gets alot of business i mean in 18 and im going to buy X and Y soon so yup its working :)
     
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