The Pokémon TCG, which launched in late 1996, saw its first major expansions in 1997.
On , the Pokémon anime premiered on TV Tokyo in Japan. PokГ©mon (1997)1997
The year marked the definitive explosion of Pokémon into a multimedia juggernaut. While the video games debuted in Japan in 1996, 1997 was the year the franchise solidified its cultural footprint through the launch of the iconic animated series and the expansion of its trading card game. 1. The Animated Series Launch The Pokémon TCG, which launched in late 1996,
: By late 1997, Game Freak was already deep into development for the "Generation II" sequels, which were showcased at Nintendo Space World '97 (featuring many "beta" designs that never made the final cut). 3. The Trading Card Game (TCG) While the video games debuted in Japan in
: Initially a mail-order exclusive, it became more widely available, featuring updated graphics and dialogue.
: While Clefairy was originally considered for the role, Pikachu was chosen as Ash's starter, a decision that would eventually make it one of the most recognized fictional characters in history.