tech
‘The kids were right’: 30 years of Pokémon, from school-wide bans to multimillion-dollar trading cards
Pokémon outlived the moral panic of its early days in Australia and its staying power has proved that simple joy can cross borders
TL;DR
- Cheez TV, a popular Australian children's breakfast show, introduced Pokémon to the country in 1998.
- The Pokémon craze led to a moral panic in the Australian media, with concerns about witchcraft, violence, and addiction.
- Schools implemented bans on Pokémon trading cards, leading to protests and debates.
- Despite negative reactions, Pokémon fostered community and cross-cultural connections among children.
- Pokémon has become the largest media franchise in the world, celebrated for its emphasis on simple joys and uniting people.