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From engaging video games to thrilling animated series, Pokémon has attracted fans from all over the globe since its creation. However, Satoshi Tajiri, the creator and the so-called father of Pokémon, is surprisingly not as profusely rich in personal assets.
Despite Pokémon’s insane amount of success, other mangakas like Eiichiro Oda and Akira Toriyama are far richer than that of Tajiri. Even other similar Shonen series also have considerably higher net worths. This extreme contrast certainly brings forth questions in the economics of intellectual property in addition to the wealth distribution within the entertainment industry.
IfOne Pieceis in Millions, ThenPokémonis in Billions!
Japanese entertainment industry has, no doubt, produced some amazingly excellent franchises, andOne Pieceis certainly one of them. Eiichiro Oda’s magnum opus captivated millions of fans worldwide and brought him unprecedented financial success. Today he proudly sports the crown as therichest mangaka of all time, with an estimated net worth of $230 Million.
However, while this wealth may be staggering, it does little to compare with the behemoth that is Pokémon. As of this writing in August 2021,Pokémonhas hit an impressive $105 Billion (NOT Million) in revenue. This cements its franchise as thehighest-performing media-related franchisein the world.
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Such a humongous figure stems from the diverse revenue streams of Pokémon, which range from merchandise sales, video games, box office successes, home entertainment, book sales, and even the sale of jet aircraft. The scale at which Pokémon has taken over is so massive that it would topple even the popularity of the biggest franchises in the world, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, to stand tall and proud.
Despite That, Satoshi Tajiri’s Actual Net Worth is Negligible to Oda’s. But Why!
The personal fortune of Satoshi Tajiri, mastermind of thePokémonphenomenon, may have revolutionized the world of gaming and entertainment, but, surprisingly, it has a seemingly modest tale to tell. According to a survey article byCartoon Toi, Tajiri’s estimated net worth in 2024 stands at a relatively humble $10-15 Million.
This figure is certainly astonishingly low, taking into account the stratospheric success ofPokémonand its status as one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. And the basis for it, lies in the ownership structure of the intellectual property regardingPokémon. Unlike some of the other rich mangakas, Tajiri doesn’t have full ownership rights over the franchise.
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In reality, significant portions are retained by Nintendo and other entities which significantly dilutes the profits that go to him. Consequently, though Pokémon makes billions of dollars every year, most of it has to be allocated to the producers, distributors, etc. So, Tajiri’s share is very meager, and his personal riches amount to just a fraction of the expected amount. Such a scenario truly shows how ownership of intellectual property is layered within your beloved anime industry, shedding light on this harsh truth.
Most of the seasons ofPokémonare available to watch onNetflix&Amazon Prime.
Diganta Mondal
Anime Content Writer
Articles Published :741
Diganta Mondal is an avid Content Writer at Fandomwire, specializing in anime and pop culture-related stuff. With over 600 published articles, he boasts his knowledge on this beloved media and strives to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts all across the globe.Despite having a non-journalism educational background, his love for shows like Vinland Saga, Violet Evergarden, and other Naoki Urasawa works constantly inspires him to share informative news, theories, and recommendations on almost all anime genres, aiming to create a shared platform for nerdy discussions.
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