Pokémon, short for "Pocket Monsters," was born in Japan where it soon eclipsed both Tamagotchi and Sailor Moon as the newest craze. They are anime-style creatures that, using various "element" powers (earth, water, fire, etc.,) battle each other in arenas to win their trainers fame and fortune. After taking Japan by storm, Pokémon was introduced to America, where it became an overnight sensation.

The Video Game: Actually what started it all, the concept of Pokémon started in a Nintendo Game Boy game. There are three versions, red, blue, and yellow, each containing basically the same game but containing slightly different sets of monsters. The idea is that you have to trade to collect them all. There are over 150 Pokémon, and your goal in the game is to defeat rival trainers and become a Pokémon Master.

TV: The TV Show version of Pokémon is debatably a bigger success than the game, for it's the TV Show that primarily inspired the merchandise. The TV episodes chronicle Ash Ketchum who, with friends Misty adn Brock and his first Pokémon, Pikachu, follow the same course as the game: a journey to become Pokémon Master.

Trading Cards: Just as popular as the show, Pokémon is also a card game. Somewhat similar to "Magic," the cards allow you to "battle" someone else with your Pokémon. Several of the cards cost upwards of $100.

Merchandise: You can find Pokémon clothes, binders, folders, lucn boxes, books, key chains, bean bags, and pencil sharpeners everywhere. Go to Japan to find Pokémon spatulas and Christmas cookies. Pokémon merchandise has even weaseled its way into the game of the century, The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time: the Keaton Mask looks suspiciously like a certain yellow fuzzball, and I wonder where the "chu" in "Bombchu" came from?

The Pokémon phenomenon is, if anything, spreading, and does not seem to be anywhere near over, especially considering Kids WB already has a Pokémon movie sequel and three-quel set for the next few years. Stay tuned!