Hey there, neighbors! It is so good to see you back here for the second stop on our Poké-Mania tour…. We are having such a blast digging through the history of these little pocket monsters and, honestly, we are learning just as much as you are! Spring is definitely trying to make an appearance out there…. honest…. so while we wait for the sun to stay out for more than five minutes, let's hunker down and talk about some of the world's favorite "pocket" residents.
We swapped out the local auction photos for fact-friendly images in this post…. that way you can enjoy the history side of the fun while still checking out our auction links for other fun treasures.
If you caught our last post, you know we are celebrating 30 years of this incredible franchise. It’s hard to believe how far it’s come since those early days in 1996. We’ve seen a lot of awesome goodies come through our auctions here at Funky Junk, from vintage toys and comics to some truly special collector cards…. but even the most seasoned hunters might not know everything about the origins of these iconic characters.
Today we are opening up the "secret files" to share 5 surprising facts that might change the way you look at your collection next time you’re bidding on one of our upcoming auctions. Let’s dive into the fun stuff….
1. Rhydon Was the Real OG (The First Pokémon Ever!)
You might think that Pikachu or Bulbasaur (who is #001 in the Pokédex) was the first creature the designers ever came up with…. but that isn’t the case! The very first Pokémon ever created and finalized was actually Rhydon.
Back when the team at Game Freak was just starting to sketch out their ideas for "Capsule Monsters" (the original name), Rhydon was the foundational design. That’s why you’ll see statues of Rhydon scattered throughout the gyms in the original Game Boy games…. it’s a little tribute to the monster that started it all! For our collectors, finding a vintage Rhydon card or figurine is like owning a piece of the blueprint of the entire franchise. It’s an ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL addition for anyone trying to capture the history of the game.
2. Pikachu Was Almost a…. Cat? (The Daifuku Origins)
We all know Pikachu as the "Electric Mouse," but his early design was a whole different story. When designer Atsuko Nishida first started working on the character, the original concept wasn't a mouse at all.
In the very beginning, Pikachu was inspired by a Japanese dessert called "daifuku"…. which is a round, mochi-style snack! It was basically a long, round blob with ears. Later on, the design shifted to be more "cat-like" before finally landing on the squirrel and mouse inspiration we know today. Can you imagine if the world's most famous mascot looked like a piece of candy? It just goes to show how much care and "funky" creativity went into making these characters so special. We see so many variations of Pikachu "goodies" in our toy auctions, and knowing he started as a little snack makes those vintage plushies even more adorable….
3. Clefairy: The Mascot That Almost Was
Speaking of mascots, Pikachu almost didn't get the top job! Before the anime series was launched, the creators actually intended for Clefairy to be the main face of the franchise.
Clefairy was featured heavily in the early manga as the lead character's partner because it was thought to be cute and engaging for a wide audience. However, as the television show went into production, they realized that Pikachu’s bright yellow color and "cool but cute" vibe would appeal more to both boys and girls across the globe. Poor Clefairy was sidelined to a supporting role, while Pikachu became a global MEGA-STAR. We still think Clefairy is a total treat, and whenever we have vintage Clefairy art glass or figurines in the shop, they always find a loving home with a true fan.
4. What’s in a Name? The "Pocket" Portmanteau
We say the word all the time, but have you ever thought about where "Pokémon" actually comes from? It’s what we call a portmanteau…. which is just a fancy way of saying two words were smashed together!
In Japan, the series was originally called "Pocket Monsters." When it came time to bring the brand to the United States, there was a bit of a trademark conflict with another property called "Monster in My Pocket" (remember those?). To avoid any legal headaches, they shortened "Pocket Monsters" down to "Pokémon." It’s short, it’s punchy, and it’s become one of the most recognizable words in human history! Whether you are looking for vintage cards, comics, or collectibles, that name stands for quality and fun.
5. The Absolute KING of Media (Dominating the Charts)
This is the one that usually blows people's minds…. Pokémon isn't just a popular game, it is actually the HIGHEST-GROSSING media franchise of all time.
That means it has made more money than Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, Marvel, and even Harry Potter! We are talking about nearly $150 billion in total revenue since its birth. This dominance is why the auction market for these items is so "hot" right now. When you see those cards selling for millions, or even the small "treats" in our local auctions going for competitive prices, it’s because the world just can’t get enough. It’s a global phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing down in 2026!
We hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane…. There is so much history packed into those tiny cards and toys! It really makes you appreciate the "goodies" we find in our storage lockers and estate sales even more.
If you are looking to start your own collection or add some UNBELIEVABLE FINDS to your current stash, make sure you keep an eye on our current listings. We frequently have lots featuring:
- Vintage Pokémon cards (holos, base sets, and more!)
- Collector figurines and toys….
- Vintage comic books and manga….
- Unique household goods and memorabilia….
- And so much more!
Don't forget, we make it easy for you to get your treasures. We offer scheduled curbside pickup if you’re local, or we can provide nationwide shipping for our friends further away (you pay shipping and packing fee, of course!).
Stay tuned for Part 3 of our Poké-Mania series coming tomorrow at noon, where we’ll be talking about the BIG MONEY cards: including that legendary $16 million sale! You won't want to miss it….
Happy bidding, everyone!
- Team Funky
