Pokemon is everything and everywhere. Even if youve never played the video game or traded cards, its nearly impossible to have never heard of Pokemon. The 27-year-old media franchise is part of our cultural consciousness. With its origins in video games, the franchise has also produced more than 1,200 TV episodes, the popular Trading Card Game, the mobile game Pokemon GO, movies and more.

But Pokemon had humble beginnings. No one really understood it at first and the game almost didnt get created. So what was it about Pokemon that turned it into a global sensation? Why do people love these creatures so much? In these pages, youll learn about how this game got its start, the difference between each generation of video games and some of the most beloved Pokemon of all time among the 1,000-plus that exist today. Well cover all the basics of this game, from how to get started playing and the basic terms to know, to how to read a trading card from top to bottom. Youll also find out whats new in the world of Pokemon. Well also dive into the origins of the top-selling trading card game and some of its hits to show up on the big screen. Finally, well share some of the most impressive Pokemon fans and the collections theyve built from their dedication, Pokemon A to Z and a chance to test your knowledge about the whole franchise with a quiz.