Pokémon became known to Finns in 1999 due to the Finnish-dubbed TV anime. However, Pokémon began in 1996 as a game series (Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, and Pokémon Yellow) on the Nintendo Game Boy. Pokémon games come in various forms, and there are players of all kinds. Some collect and trade Pokémon cards, some play Pokémon console games, while others primarily play Pokémon Go (2016) on their mobile devices. Pokémon can also be played competitively in card and video game tournaments. Pokémon can be viewed as a phenomenon separate from Japanese popular culture and as a series and product line primarily aimed at children. On the other hand, it can be seen as a kind of “gateway” to Japanese popular culture, through which many have found an interest in Japan-related hobbies and have also become interested in other series.
