Pokémon (an abbreviation for Pocket Monsters[b] in Japan) is a Japanese media franchise managed by The Pokémon Company, a company founded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. The franchise was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996,[4] and is centered on fictional creatures called "Pokémon". In Pokémon, humans, known as Pokémon Trainers, catch and train Pokémon to battle other Pokémon for sport. All media works within the franchise are set in the Pokémon universe. The English slogan for the franchise is "Gotta Catch ‘Em All!".[5][6] There are currently 913 Pokémon species.
Ash Ketchum (Japanese: サトシ Satoshi) is the main character of the Pokémon anime. He is also the main character of various manga based on the anime, including The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Ash & Pikachu, and Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl. He is a Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town whose goal is to become a Pokémon Master. His starter Pokémon was a Pikachu that he received from Professor Oak after arriving late at his laboratory. On his journeys around the Pokémon world, he's been accompanied by a multitude of close friends. In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, he becomes the first Champion of the Alola region's Pokémon League. In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, he becomes one of the eight best Trainers in the world within the World Coronation Series.
Gary Oak is a character appearing in Pokémon the Series. He is the grandson of Professor Oak and the rival of Ash Ketchum in the first few seasons. His Starter Pokémon was a Squirtle, later evolving into a Blastoise. Gary Oak is a tall, thin young man with light skin, brown eyes, and tall, brown spiky hair.