Pokémon (Japanese: ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters, ポケモン Pokémon for short) is a series of video games primarily for Nintendo  handheld game systems, as well as the overarching franchise based on these games. Though many things differ depending on a specific canon's interpretation of the series, what remains constant is the focus on creatures known as Pokémon, which can be captured, trained, and used to compete against one another in battle or, more recently, other activities.

Etymology
The Game Boy's limited screen forced short words.

Much as happens with many other words and phrases borrowed from English, the Japanese name for the series, Pocket Monsters, became contracted into "Pockemon" during the development of the original games, likely as much for convenience when referring to it as to save on screen real estate, considering the small size of the Game Boy's screen. The official romanization of "Pockemon" at this time was derived from the contraction of Pocket and Monster, and can be seen explicitly in Primeape Goes Bananas, even in the dub.

The "Pokémon" name used today came about during the translation of the games for an English audience during 1997 and 1998. Whereas in Japan, Pocket Monsters was easily able to be trademarked, the release in America would prove difficult had this name been used, due to the unrelated Monster in my Pocket franchise. Thus, an alternate romanization of the contraction was used, with an accent over the e to indicate its specific pronunciation, poh-kay-mon. Despite this issue, however, the fact that Pokémon is short for Pocket Monsters has been referenced in English, with an NPC in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum asking the player what Pokémon is short for after thinking about the name of the Pokétch, itself a contraction, as well as on the back of the DVD set containing the first, second, and third movies.

Creatures
The creatures themselves, based on various plants, animals, and other concepts, inhabit virtually every corner of the world, no matter which canon's interpretation is seen. Many make their homes in forests and on rural routes stretching across the various regions, while still others are native to cities and other urban centers. Currently, there are 523 known Pokémon.

Typically, Pokémon that are owned by a person are kept in Poké Balls, which allow for them to be quickly sent into battle or to perform a task, but keep them safe and make them easier to transport, with the balls being typically able to fit into a pocket. Many Pokémon owned by Trainers, however, choose to remain outside of their Poké Ball, and travel with their Trainer on foot.

Pokémon begin their lives by hatching from eggs, and many of them will evolve to grow stronger and larger during the course of their lives. Pokémon are not immortal, as can be seen from the Pokémon gravesites found in Lavender Town, Mt. Pyre, and the Lost Tower, though being that their abilities far surpass those of normal animals, it may seem to be this way for those who do not follow the series as closely.

Many Pokémon are much more powerful than others, and some, due to this, have passed into legends that are told in the Pokémon world. It has not been consistently illustrated whether or not these Pokémon really do have the power that their legends state, though the general consensus is that, in the wild, a Pokémon's abilities are truly those of the legends, while a Trainer who captures one in a Poké Ball will limit its power.

Pokémon appear to be based on the Japanese concept of yōkai, special creatures with strange abilities, sometimes even created from household objects.