Did you know that Pokémon comics were more popular than cards in the early days?

When it comes to Pokémon, everyone immediately thinks of the video games or the famous trading cards. But few know that the Pokémon comics played a key role in the early years of the franchise , and for a time were even more popular than the cards!

It all began in October 1996 , with the launch of the first Pokémon video games ( Red and Green ) in Japan. Trading cards arrived shortly after, allowing children to catch, collect, and battle their favorite Pokémon. An immediate phenomenon, destined to become global.

But already in March 1997 , the Pokémon manga debuted, first with Dengeki! Pikachu and then with the most famous series, Pokémon Adventures . These stories not only tell the adventures of Ash/Satoshi and his friends, but also introduce characters, bonds, and dialogue that the video games and cards could not convey.
For many young Japanese readers of the time, the comic was the first real way to “experience” the world of Pokémon , making it immediately more engaging than the cards, which were still seen primarily as a collectible game.

In practice, cards and comics supported each other , but for a short time comics had a narrative advantage: they offered complete stories, emotions and memorable characters, while cards were still a gaming phenomenon.

Today, of course, Pokémon cards are iconic and beloved around the world, but it's interesting to remember that the franchise's success doesn't come from the cards alone . The stories and adventures told in the comics have helped create the magic of Pokémon, captivating generations of fans and fueling the desire to collect, play, and dream.

The next time you open a pack of cards, remember: every Pikachu, Bulbasaur, or Charizard owes a lot to the first pages of a Japanese manga , where it all began.