Yesterday afternoon, ABCNews.com held an hour-long public chat session with three of the people involved in the production of the Pokémon franchise. Tsunekazu Ishihara (President of Creatures Inc., ), Takashi Kawaguchi (General Manager, Advertisement Department, Nintendo Co., Ltd.) and Masakazu Kubo (Executive Producer of the "Pocket Monster" TV series and movie) were all on-hand to answer attendees' questions during this session.
Here is the direct transcript of that chat.
Moderator: Our guests are here and we'll begin shortly. Welcome all.
Moderator: Welcome all and thanks for joining us. We have with us today three of the minds behind Pokemon, Masakazu Kubo, executive producer at Shogakukan Inc.; Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of Creatures Inc.; and Takashi Kawaguchi, general manager of advertising at Nintendo. Let's begin.
Moderator: A number of people have asked the same question: Why is Pokemon so successful, and were you at all surprised by its success here in the United States?
Tsunekazu Ishihara: Well, first because we were lucky! And also especially in America we have been luckier! We are very surprised by the extent of the success we have had in the states.
Takashi Kawaguchi: We believe that the qualities of each component of what makes up Pokemon is very high, so that is part of the reason I feel it is so successful.
Question (Jason R. Rich): Where do the ideas for the specific Pokemon characters (the creatures) come from? What inspires their names and appearances and what powers they'll have?
Tsunekazu Ishihara: These ideas for each of these monsters came from the imagination of the software developers at Game Freak who get these ideas from their childhood experiences, including from reading Manga, the name for Japanese comic books. Ideas also come from scary experiences they had as kids, catching insects, and so forth. So from these experiences in childhood, these ideas for Pokemon came out.
Question (Michael Zarozinski): What lessons did you learn that could lead to a repeat performance?
Tsunekazu Ishihara: We are still in midst of Pokemon itself, so for a while longer we will still be continuing to work with Pokemon, and we're not really thinking about another a new property, so we are still concentrating on Pokemon. Right now, we are still looking forward with Pokemon, we are not ready to wrap it up yet and look back.
Moderator: Many people are asking: What's next for Pokemon?
Tsunekazu Ishihara: The next big thing will be the Gold and Silver versions. Animation and card games with new characters will be issued based on these two new versions.
Question (Michael Hird): Hey, My name is Michael Hird and I'd like to ask when does Poke'mon Stadium and Poke'mon Gold and Silver come out here in Australia? Also Does Ash ever get to see Mewtwo and Mew again in the cartoon series? Another thing, I heard that there is also a new Pikachu Vacation movie out called Pikachu's Vacation is this true? And will Ash's Pikachu ever evolve?
Takashi Kawaguchi: Yes, the Gold and Silver and Pokemon Stadium will be issued in Australia as well. Look for Stadium around April and Gold and Silver in October.
Masakazu Kubo: The Pikachu's Vacation has already been shown in Australia. It's a short film that was shown with "Pokemon the First Movie". Ash's Pikachu will not evolve.
Question (Linda): Doesn't Digimon infringe on your copyrights?
Takashi Kawaguchi: I feel it's probably not appropriate for me to comment on Digimon in this forum.
Question (Brian Forest): I am a fan of the Pokemon series and movies. Are there any plans to bring "Revelation Lugia" and "Llore of the Unknow Tower" to America? Also, will we be seeing any Gold/Silver characters such as Pichu in the TV series?
Masakazu Kubo: We have plans to release Lugia on July 21st in the States. The next movie, "Lord of the UNKNOWN Tower," we've not announced any plans outside of Japan. But of course look forward to this announcement soon! As far as the Gold and Silver characters joining the TV series, that's still a secret! Keep watching! If you need more information, please ask Gail Tilden at Nintendo of America!
Question (John): Hi, I heard Ash catches a Snorlax is it true? Will Brock rejoin sometime later?
Masakazu Kubo: Good question! You'll find out soon if you keep watching the animated TV show on Kids WB!
Question (Chas Goguen): Where could somebody send their PokTmon artwork and/or stories to get them noticed? I've drawn and written a lot of stuff in my time, and I'd really like it if folks like you could see 'em.
Masakazu Kubo: If you want to share your art with us, you can email it to pokemon.com, or mail it in to Nintendo Power Magazine.
Question (Ian): ok 1 more question... Do you belive there is an age limit to pokTmon? im 14 and in love with it. I also know of other people ranging up to 19 who like it. Why did you market mainly to kids, and not the rest of us "poke-maniacs"
Masakazu Kubo: I have a 50-year old friend who likes Pokemon!
Tsunekazu Ishihara: People who are "poke-maniacs" can get information through this kind of medium, here on-line.
Question (Jim Macmain): I have read about a new pokemon game called Pokemon X. It's supposed to be an online game that uses some sort of cell phone interface. In terms of being online, will it be similar to Ultima Online where every person you see in the game is an actual human playing the game? What can we expect from this new game?
Tsunekazu Ishihara: There is no such thing as "Pokemon-X." However, there is a project with some of the elements you referred to under development in Japan. We don't have any specifics to share with you right now.
Moderator: A number of people have asked how you respond to parents here in America who say that Pokemon teaches children gambling?
Takashi Kawaguchi: We don't believe Pokemon encourages gambling, and gambling is not part of the Pokemon concept.
Moderator: A few people want to know: What are your favorite Pokemon, and why?
Tsunekazu Ishihara: Exeggutor is my favorite. That's because I was always using this character while I was debugging the program.
Masakazu Kubo: Meowth is my favorite. That's because he's not a major character in the Game Boy game, but he's a lead character in the animation.
Takashi Kawaguchi: Charmander is my favorite for two reasons. It was the first character I picked when I play the Game Boy game for the first time. Also, the Charmander episode of the TV animation is very moving.
Moderator: I'd like to thank our guests for joining us today and thank you for your questions.
Chat transcript courtesy of ABCNEWS.com
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