Originating in Japan as part of a video game created by Nintendo for its Game Boy system, Pokémon (pronounced POH-kay-mahn) is the American name for 150 cartoon characters that each have their own power and personality. Their phenomenal success in Japan--where they're called Pocket Monsters--has come to America with Pokémon products such as a television show, a movie, trading cards, dolls, books, and more. Whether you play the video games or with the trading cards, the core of the Pokémon mission is summed up in its slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all!" You are challenged to become a Pokémon trainer, which means you train Pokémon for battle and trade them with other trainers in hopes of capturing more Pokémon and becoming a Pokémon master.