Today, Pokémon Was Born 23 Years Ago

On February 27, 1996, Pokémon Red and Blue were released, giving birth to one of the most popular franchises in history.

Card games, sequels and anime followed, all of which have been enormously popular. Pokémon director took to Twitter to celebrate the series’s birth, adding, “Today is a day that’s been supported by numerous people. I have nothing but gratitude.”

1996年2月27日、23年前の今日、ポケモンは生まれました。そこから漫画、アニメ、映画、商品と広がり、さらに世界に広がっていきました。多くの方々に支えられて今日という日があります。感謝しかありません。引き続き応援よろしくお願い致します！#ポケモン23周年 #みんなありがとう pic.twitter.com/6mayAhBL7O

— 増田順一@Pokémon (@Junichi_Masuda) February 27, 2019

On Twitter, fans have also been thanking Pokémon for the past 23 years.

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1100625236620242944

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1100556360859607040

#ポケモン23周年

23年おめでとう(*´ω`*ﾉﾉ☆ﾊﾟﾁﾊﾟﾁ

何時までも長く永く愛されるポケモン💕
これからも長く永く応援しています！ pic.twitter.com/xSPhgBMFON

— 桜月 (@sakuradsuki) February 26, 2019

Happy birthday @Pokemon @Junichi_Masuda @GAMEFREAK_info 🎂
Thank you for all these years of play.#PokemonDay #JourneePokemon pic.twitter.com/LKeQl3p7GO

— Mâmotto Pokémon Collection (@MamottoDragabas) February 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/embed/status/1100516664381042688

#ポケモン23周年
おめでとうございます🎊
英文合ってるか不安^^; pic.twitter.com/WdXGFgaSkm

— ちゃこ (@ParusMinor30) February 26, 2019

#ポケモン23周年
誰かが走り抜けた道 pic.twitter.com/utuZbl7ZIp

— 黒焦 (@96coge) February 26, 2019

It's technically the 27th in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, so happy Pokémon Day, y'all! It's also my birthday! Hopefully today's Direct will bring good news!

Art commissioned from @Rumwik! pic.twitter.com/jvzpMzGiE2

— Sparky 📚 @ 320 🦭✨ & 352 🌿✨ (@skytroops25) February 27, 2019