Pokémon Executive Says Connecting the World Is a Critical Focus for the Franchise’s Next RPG
The next Pokémon generation isn’t just another batch of creatures, regions, and starter‑picking anxiety — at least not according to Tsunekazu Ishihara. The president and CEO of The Pokémon Company says the “major driving force” behind the next mainline Pokémon game is something bigger than graphics, gimmicks, or whatever new battle mechanic fans will argue about for the next decade. For him, it’s about connection — the idea that Pokémon has the power to bring the world together.
And honestly? That’s the kind of energy the franchise needs as it steps into its 30th anniversary.
A New Pokémon Generation Built on a Global Mission
In a video message shared during the New York Game Awards — where Pokémon received the Andrew Yoon Legend Award — Ishihara reflected on the series’ three‑decade journey and how its global reach has shaped his vision for the next game.
He admitted that back in the Red & Green days, he wasn’t sure the series would resonate outside Japan. (Imagine telling 1996 Ishihara that Pokémon would one day dominate global pop culture, spawn world championships, and turn Pikachu into a mascot more recognizable than most world leaders.)
But now? Ishihara sees the games worldwide embrace as the heart of the franchise’s future. Watching trainers from across the globe battle, trade, and laugh together at the World Championships reaffirmed something for him: It isn’t just a game — it’s a universal language.
“When I see so many people enjoying Pokémon with smiles on their faces, transcending language and cultural barriers, I truly feel that Pokémon has the power to connect the world,” he said. And that feeling, he emphasized, is what’s shaping the next generation.
What That Means for the Next Pokémon Game
Game Freak is keeping the next mainline entry locked down tighter than a Master Ball around a level 2 Pidgey. No region reveal. No starters. No silhouettes. Not even a cheeky tease in the background of a trailer.
But Ishihara’s comments give us a rare peek behind the curtain — not at the game itself, but at the philosophy driving it.
Here’s what we can reasonably expect based on his statements:
1. A Bigger Focus on Global Play
Pokémon has always been social, but Ishihara’s emphasis on worldwide connection suggests the next generation may lean even harder into global features — co‑op, trading, events, or something entirely new.
2. A Return to Universal Appeal
Ishihara said he’s “convinced of the richness and depth” of the original games and their “universal appeal”. That sounds like a hint that the next generation may blend classic design with modern scale — something fans have been begging for since Legends: Arceus and Scarlet/Violet took the series in new directions.
3. A Game Designed to Bring People Together
Not just mechanically, but emotionally. Pokémon has always been about connection — between players, between trainers and their Pocket Monsters, between generations of fans. Ishihara wants to amplify that.
Pokémon at 30: A Franchise Still Growing
This year marks 30 years of the series, and Ishihara made it clear that the company isn’t slowing down. “We will continue doing our best to deliver new Pokémon worlds to people all around the world,” he said.
And while the next mainline game remains a mystery, fans won’t be starving for content. The life‑sim spin‑off Pokopia launches March 5, giving players a cozy, slightly weird, post‑human world to explore while we wait for the big reveal.
But make no mistake: the next generation is coming. And Ishihara’s comments suggest it’s being built with intention — not just as another entry, but as a celebration of what Pokémon has become: a global community.
Why Ishihara’s Vision Matters
Pokémon is one of the few franchises that genuinely crosses borders. Kids, adults, competitive players, casual fans — everyone finds something in it. Ishihara sees that as the franchise’s superpower, and he wants the next game to lean into it.
It’s a refreshing sentiment in an industry obsessed with trends, monetization, and “live service” buzzwords. Instead of talking about features, Ishihara is talking about people — the millions who grew up with the franchise, the new fans discovering it, and the global community that forms around every new release.
If the next generation is built on that foundation, it could be something special.
Conclusion
The next Pokémon generation is still under wraps, but Ishihara’s message gives us a clear direction: a game built not just to entertain, but to connect. As Pokémon enters its 30th year, the franchise isn’t just looking back — it’s looking outward, toward a global audience that has embraced it for decades.
And if Pokémon really does have the power to connect the world, the next generation might be the one that proves it.
