This article is especially close to my heart because it ties back to one of my core childhood memories. Seeing it now, through the lens of someone older and working in strategy, gives me a completely new appreciation for it.

In my opinion, the greatest marketing campaign in the world is Pokémon. For years, Pokemon had this formula and it was simple: almost predictable for every game: beat the gyms, take down the villainous organization, face the boss right before the Elite Four, capture the legendary Pokémon, and then dive into becoming the champion and then post-game content.

But over time, Pokémon realized something important: their audience was shifting. The people engaging with the brand weren’t just fresh-faced kids discovering it for the first time, they were veterans, people like me who had grown up playing the games or watching the show and they were slowly leaving.

And that’s when they pulled off something brilliant.

They released an anthology series that completely reignited millions of people’s love for Pokémon. It wasn’t just entertainment—it was a spark that made me, and countless other kids, dream of becoming Pokémon trainers all over again. We imagined mega evolutions, crafted battle stances, came up with slogans, and built our dream Pokémon parties. I know this sounds cringey, but hey! We were kids living the life at the time. (I’ll drop mine below.)

Let’s start with the first one. Pokemon Origins.

Here’s the trailer, but honestly, I don’t want to spoil the experience for you. Even if you’re an adult, I highly recommend watching it. Not just because it’s fun, but because it’s a masterclass in storytelling and helping kids and adults in noticing the smallest details. As kids, we didn’t really pick up on that back then, we were too busy being blown away by the animation, the cool factor, and, let’s be real… Charizard.

(PS: The overall show is way better than the trailer. The trailer honestly undersells just one minute for four episodes, each about 20 minutes long.)

What Pokémon Origins did was genius. It made older fans remember what it felt like to play the very first Pokémon Game Boy games: Red, Blue, and eventually Green. It represented the original starters—Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle back into the spotlight. The team knew it didn’t make sense to market this kind of nostalgia-heavy series to only kids, especially given the production costs. So instead, they crafted a mini-series that followed each stage of the original game.

The result? It reignited nostalgia for long-time fans while also sparking curiosity in younger viewers about the “basic” and “old-school” version of Pokémon. This was brilliant marketing, it targeted two markets at once and revived interest in the franchise at a time when it was starting to feel repetitive. ( Unova era was two games in the same region, plus the season dragging on forever.)

So this indeed do wonders. With heavy and great reviews.

If Origins was a love letter to the first games, Generations turned it into a full scrapbook. This time in a true anthology format. Instead of following a single hero’s journey, it delivered short, game-faithful episodes spanning multiple generations.

This series was strategic. It acted as a marketing bridge to the 20th anniversary, keeping the brand buzzing on social media while stoking both old and new fans’ excitement ahead of the mainline releases. Each of its 18 episodes focuses on a specific region and its lore, adapting iconic in-game moments into cinematic form.

It was widely praised for its attention to detail, diverse stories, and ability to make you feel like you were playing those moments again—only this time, with the scale and polish of an animated production. And because it’s an anthology, you can jump in anywhere. I won’t spoil too much, but instead of a trailer, here’s one random episode to give you a taste.

(This one’s my personal favorite—Mega Evolution, Rayquaza, Deoxys, and absolutely amazing storytelling.)

What made this episode magical was how much it taught without feeling like a lesson. Kids picked up empathy, critical thinking, and emotional depth—not because the show forced it, but because the story naturally pulled you in. In this episode alone, you learned about mystery, suspense, and bravery, all while being swept up in the action.

It was the kind of experience that made you reflect without even realizing it. And honestly, if you’ve got your own thoughts on it, drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear different takes.

This series wasn’t just a hit; it was a marketing goldmine. Pokémon was raking in millions thanks to the surge in game sales and renewed popularity the show generated.

But then came the bad news. They decided to drop Mega Evolution, the one gimmick that everyone loved. As Sun and Moon rolled out, sales and hype began to dip. Pressure from Nintendo to shift onto a new console didn’t help either. Why was that such a big deal? Because Pokémon’s empire had been built on the Nintendo DS, and with its discontinuation, there was no longer a reason for new fans to go back and buy the 18 existing DS titles. In one move, they cut off a revenue stream that had been thriving for years.

The first Pokémon game to hit the Nintendo Switch was a remake with a slightly modern twist: Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!. It blended the classic Yellow experience with streamlined mechanics and a few nods to the mobile phenomenon Pokémon GO.

But for now, we’re going to set this one aside—it’s part of the story, but not the main chapter we’re focusing on just yet.

Next comes in Pokemon Twilight Wings:

Pokémon Sword & Shield was a huge gamble for the franchise. For the first time, they scrapped the traditional gym system and overhauled the entire storyline. Everything was reimagined.

They had now abolished the typical gym system and overall storyline. They completely revamped it. Now in order to build hype it strictly focused on the Galar region, showcasing new characters and Pokémon. It was praised for its unique animation style and deeper character exploration. Seriously peak animation. As a marketing tool, it enhanced interest in Sword & Shield, situated between expansions, and offered a fresh way to keep existing players engaged. It heavily boosted anticipation for DLC and merchandise, and was noted for strong emotional storytelling.

BACK TO THE TOPIC! SORRY!

Twilight Wings instead of focusing just on a Pokémon trainer’s gym challenge or one story line, it followed multiple interconnected stories of different characters in Galar. From gym leaders to citizens, and even Pokémon. Thus showing how their lives are influenced by the region’s Pokémon League and its Champion, Leon.

The tone is more slice-of-life and emotional than a standard Pokémon series. Each episode spotlights a different perspective:

• A young boy in a hospital who dreams of meeting Leon, who is sick and is inspired to persevere through for Leon.
• Gym leaders are preparing for battles as the landscape of this region is a competition amongst the best.
• Stories about friendship, rivalry, and personal growth all create a better and exciting plot

It’s beautifully animated, short (each episode is only about 6–7 minutes), and works as a way to explore Galar’s world and characters beyond the main games. It is a great analytical tool and something to ponder upon.

Here is a small scene that just shows so much emotions and growth!

Like seriously, the dialogue, the music, the theme. It was perfect. Made for children and yet responded and resonated with adults.

My final one, the one that quite literally saved the Pokemon Franchise was: Pokemon Evolutions.

Pokemon Evolutions was Produced for Pokémon’s 25th anniversary and it celebrated each main game region. It launched amid major franchise events, boosted brand presence and reinforced fan loyalty. Evolutions anchored its anniversary marketing and garnered positive fan feedback for its animation and lore-rich storytelling. It served as one of the most successful promotional tie-in events ahead of new games and merchandise.

It was my favorite because it was my entire childhood in a newer and better way.
Everything about this was so amazing mesmerizing. A bored teenager me who missed his childhood had something to celebrate about and help move on.

My favorite episode because it is anthology was episode 6!

(Zinnia, the last Lorekeeper of Hoenn, tries to recreate the ancient summoning of Mega Rayquaza by stealing mega stones, only to realize she isn’t the one destined to wield its power. In the end, May restores Rayquaza’s strength, allowing it to Mega Evolve and face Deoxys(a hard challenge) in a climactic battle.)

The next two games after this? I’ll be honest, they were pretty underwhelming. In an effort to salvage them, Pokémon released accompanying shows to keep interest alive.

Unfortunately, I never actually watched these series, by then I was older, busier, and juggling more responsibilities (you know, real-life side quests). So instead, here’s an AI-generated summary of what they were about.

•   Pokémon Hisuian Snow (2022):
•   Released to coincide with the launch of Legends: Arceus, this series introduced audiences to the Hisui region with a focus on lore and atmosphere.
•   Enhanced game marketing by giving players narrative and visual context for the new game world, increasing emotional investment and driving social media conversation.
•   Pokémon Paldean Winds (2023):
•   Tied to Scarlet & Violet, highlighting the Paldea region and its new characters. Used as a marketing vehicle for the latest game and DLC, maintaining interest after release.
•   Animation and storytelling praised in reviews; increased engagement for Scarlet & Violet post-launch.

Overall conclusion is: Each anthology functioned as an effective promotional asset, boosting fan engagement, nostalgia, and excitement ahead of or alongside major game releases. They helped maintain broad interest in the franchise, reconnected lapsed fans, and served as platforms for showcasing new regions and Pokémon. While concrete audience numbers are largely unavailable, sustained positive reception and active fan participation across social media and YouTube underscore their marketing success.

This wasn’t my professional, analytical deep-dive article but it’s more of a commentary on my childhood. So, drop in the comments what your favorite was, and make sure you watch them all!