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: ''If you were looking for the Italian anime opening, see [[Gotta Catch 'em All! (song)]].''
:''For other uses, see [[Gotta catch 'em all! (disambiguation)]].''
----
----
[[File:English_motto.png|thumb|right|250px|The logo for the phrase.]]
[[File:English motto.png|thumb|250px|The original logo for the phrase]]
'''Gotta catch 'em all!''' is the English slogan of the Pokémon franchise, with references to it abound in [[Pokémon]] [[canon]] and was the English slogan of the [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]]. The Japanese equivalent is '''ポケモンゲットだぜー！''' (Pokémon <sc>get</sc> da ze~!, also spelt '''ポケモンＧＥＴだぜー！''')
[[File:Gotta Catch Em All logo.png|thumb|260px|The phrase logo as of [[Pokémon X and Y]]]]
'''"Gotta catch 'em all!"''' is the English slogan of the [[Pokémon]] franchise, including the English language [[Pokémon games|Pokémon video games]]. The Japanese equivalent is '''"Get Pokémon!"''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンゲットだぜー！''' ''Pokémon <sc>get</sc> da ze~!'', also spelt '''ポケモンＧＥＴだぜー！''')


==History==
The slogan "Gotta catch 'em all!" was created by [[Norman J. Grossfeld]], the president of 4Kids Productions (a former subsidiary of [[4Kids Entertainment]]) from 1994 to 2010. He introduced the slogan, along with three or four alternatives, during a pitch meeting with representatives from [[Nintendo]], [[Hasbro]], and 4Kids Entertainment (then known as Leisure Concepts, Inc.). According to Grossfeld, during the meeting, one lawyer from either Nintendo or Hasbro rejected the slogan due to concerns over it being too declarative, but they were overruled as the other participants in the meeting liked "Gotta catch 'em all!" the best. The participants had also considered the slogan "Catch 'em if you can", one of Grossfeld's alternative suggestions. Grossfeld even had a song written that incorporated the "Catch 'em if you can" slogan that ultimately went unused.<ref>Sands, Tara, & Yurko, Steve. "Nor-man's Land with Norman Grossfeld." ''4Kids Flashback'', Spreaker, 13 Dec 2023. [https://www.4kidsflashback.com/episodes/4kids-normans-land https://www.4kidsflashback.com/episodes/4kids-normans-land], 6:02–7:57.</ref>
==In the core series games==
[[File:Crystal EN boxart.png|thumb|250px|{{game|Crystal}}, the last game to feature the catchphrase on its boxart.]]
The first pair of Pokémon games released in North America, {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, were labeled with the catchphrase below the Pokémon logo. Their sequels, {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}, and later, {{game|Crystal}}, had the catchphrase in the same position. {{game|Yellow}} was the only exception, instead advertising that it was the "Special {{p|Pikachu}} Edition" of the game below the logo.
The first pair of Pokémon games released in North America, {{game|Red and Blue|s}}, were labeled with the catchphrase below the Pokémon logo. Their sequels, {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}, and later, {{game|Crystal}}, had the catchphrase in the same position. {{game|Yellow}} was the only exception, instead advertising that it was the "Special {{p|Pikachu}} Edition" of the game below the logo.
The slogan was taken out of the box art for {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, although pre-release versions of the box art indicate that the slogan was initially intended to be kept, but was dropped sometime between January 2003 and March 2003. The slogan has not reappeared in any Pokémon game box art since, but has appeared in promotional materials such as the trailers for {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuP4goGGWT4 Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 2007 commercial]</ref> and {{g|X and Y}}.
==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Trading Card Game===
In {{vg|Pokémon Trading Card Game}}, Hood in the [[Lightning Club]] references this slogan by saying: "Got all the Legendary Pokémon cards? Yeah! Gotta catch 'em all!(TM)" Additionally, one of the decks found in the [[Auto Deck Machine]] is named {{TCG|Replace 'Em All Deck}}. Both instances were added in the English localization; they are not seen in the Japanese original text.
===Pokémon Play It! series===
In the "What's a Pokémon?" lesson from both [[Pokémon Play It!]] and [[Pokémon Play It! Version 2]], {{OBP|Julie|Play It!}} says this about the {{pkmn|Trading Card Game}}: "There are {{TCG|type|seven symbols and seven types}} of Pokémon. Catch 'em all!".
===PokéROM===
The slogan of [[PokéROM]] is "Gotta learn 'em all!".
===Pokémon Project Studio===
The slogan of [[Pokémon Project Studio Red and Blue]] is "Gotta make 'em all!".


==In the anime==
==In the anime==
The most obvious reference to the catchphrase in the {{pkmn|anime}} was introduced in the [[EP001|first episode]] by [[Ash Ketchum]] himself. Promising that he would catch all of the Pokémon in the {{pkmn|world}}, Ash set off on his journey. However, up to the current point in the anime, Ash has only progressed to 66 captures of Pokémon, just over 10% of the total number of Pokémon known as of [[Generation V]]. Moreover Ash does not at all focus on catching as many species as he can; he even expresses distaste for Gary's training method of "catching them all".
The most noticeable reference to the catchphrase in the {{pkmn|anime}} was introduced in the [[EP001|first episode]] by the main protagonist, [[Ash Ketchum]], himself. Promising that he would {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} all of the Pokémon in the {{pkmn|world}}, Ash set off on his journey. However, up to the current point in the anime, Ash has only progressed to 94 captures of Pokémon, just over 10% of the total number of Pokémon known as of [[Generation VIII]]. Moreover, Ash does not at all focus on catching as many species as he can; he even expresses distaste for Gary's training method of "catching them all". A future character, [[Goh]], would make catching every Pokémon and completing his [[Pokédex]] one of his goals. The motto also seems to be a pun for Pokémon photographers, as [[Robert's grandfather]] "caught them all" and {{Todd}} "catches" Pokémon.
 
The reference was used as the title of the penultimate episode of the [[original series]], ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later!]]''. In this episode, both {{an|Brock}} and {{an|Misty}} return to [[Kanto]], leaving Ash to head to the [[Hoenn]] region alone.


Another anime reference comes in the lyrics of different songs. It is featured in the [[Pokémon Theme|original opening theme]], as well as in the chorus of the [[Pokérap]]. It is also found in [[Pokémon Johto|the theme]] for [[Pokémon: The Johto Journeys|The Johto Journeys]], the anime's third season. The lyrics include, in reference to the {{cat|Generation II Pokémon|Pokémon introduced in Gold and Silver}}, that "you still gotta catch 'em all!".
The slogan was referenced in the English-language version of ''[[M07|Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys]]''; {{an|Brock}} says the phrase when collecting food from a haywire robotic vending machine during a power outage (with "them all", in this instance, being hot dogs).


One of the final references was the title of the second-to-last episode of the [[original series]], ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later!]]''. In this episode, both {{an|Brock}} and {{an|Misty}} return to [[Kanto]], leaving Ash to head to the [[Hoenn]] region alone.
The line was later said by {{MTR}} in ''[[AG012|The Lotad Lowdown]]''.


The [[Pokérap GS]] used the catchphrase quite prominently.
The "Gotta catch 'em all!" phrase appears in the opening animation for [[Pokémon Chronicles]] and is also seen in the [[Who's That Pokémon?]] segment in ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''. However, in certain international versions, the line is replaced with respective ''Pokémon the Series: XY'' localized logos.


The line was later said by {{MTR}} in ''[[AG012|The Lotad Lowdown]]''.
==In music==
This phrase is featured in the [[Pokémon Theme|original opening theme]], as well as in the chorus of the [[Pokérap]]. It is also found in [[Pokémon Johto|the theme]] for [[S03|The Johto Journeys]], the anime's third season. The lyrics include, in reference to the {{cat|Generation II Pokémon|Pokémon introduced in Gold and Silver}}, that "you still gotta catch 'em all!". A new, remixed version of the original theme was used as the opening for the [[S17|first season of ''Pokémon the Series: XY'']].


The line is also referenced in the song [[Can't Stop Catchin' 'Em All]] several times.
The [[Pokérap GS]] uses the catchphrase quite prominently.


==Retirement==
There's a Pokémon soundtrack by [[HAL Laboratory, Inc.|HAL Laboratory]] named [[Pokémon Gotta Catch the Sound!]], which includes the [[Pokémon Snap]] music theme Gotta Snap Em’ All.
The slogan was retired around 2003, with the release of {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}. Instead of the now-familiar phrase appearing below the Pokémon logo, the game's version name appeared there. This held true for the remaining games of [[Generation III]], and would later prove to be the standard with the release of the [[Generation IV]] games, {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}.


The retirement was possibly due to the large amount of Pokémon now required to capture to complete the [[National Pokédex]], 649 as of Generation V. It may as well have been due to the incompatibility between the [[Generation II]] and Generation III games, as all of the Pokémon known as of the third generation were not available between Ruby and Sapphire, unlike what had been the case with Red and Blue and Gold and Silver.
The line is referenced in the song [[Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All)]] several times.


The slogan may also have been taken out of use since it was a target of critics of the game and franchise (with some saying the phrase was an equivalent to, "Gotta buy 'em all").
==In the manga==
In the [[VIZ Media]] edition of [[Pokémon Adventures]] [[Pokémon Adventures volume 14|volume 14]], [[Professor Oak (Adventures)|Professor Oak]] makes a reference to the slogan, saying that {{adv|Crystal}} "truly catches them all".


An English-language commercial was released that features the phrase in the United States. It is also used as the slogan for the {{DL|Jubilife TV|Catch That Pokémon Show}} in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}. This does not, however, mean that the slogan will make a permanent return, rather it's just a reference to the now defunct slogan.
==In merchandise==
The slogan for the [[1999 Burger King promotional Pokémon toys]] was "Gotta catch 'em here!", a reference to the franchise's slogan.


The slogan was referenced in the English-language version of ''[[M07|Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys]]'' when {{an|Brock}} says the phrase when collecting food from a haywire robotic vending machine during a power outage (with "them all", in this instance, being hot dogs).
==Retirement and return==
The slogan was temporarily retired from the [[Pokémon games]] around 2003, with the release of {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}. Instead of the now-familiar phrase appearing below the Pokémon logo, the game's version name appeared there. This held true for the remaining games of [[Generation III]], and would later prove to be the standard for subsequent [[generation]]s with the release of the [[Generation IV]] games, {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}. However, the slogan is still used in certain promotional materials for those games.


The phrase was heard in the end of the American {{2v|Diamond|Pearl}} commercial.
The retirement was possibly due to the large amount of Pokémon now required to capture to complete the [[National Pokédex]], 386 at the time the slogan was retired. It may as well have been due to the incompatibility between the [[Generation II]] and Generation III games, as all of the Pokémon known as of the third generation were not available between Ruby and Sapphire, unlike what had been the case with Red and Blue and Gold and Silver.


It is also often used on some newer [[Pokémon merchandise]], particularly toys.
The slogan may also have been taken out of use since it was a target of critics of the game and franchise (with some saying the phrase was an equivalent to, "Gotta buy 'em all").


On the Pokémon {{game|Black and White|s}} official website, the slogan is referenced in the "Pokémon" section of the site. A link to the new Pokémon is labeled with the phrase "See 'Em All."
An English-language Diamond and Pearl commercial was released that features the phrase in the United States. It is also used as the slogan for the {{DL|Jubilife TV|Catch That Pokémon Show}} in {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}. This did not, however, mean that the slogan made a permanent return, rather it was just a reference to the then defunct slogan.


==Rewards==
On the {{game|Black and White|s}} official website, the slogan is referenced in the "Pokémon" section of the site. A link to the new Pokémon is labeled with the phrase "See 'Em All."
[[File:Pokemoncrystal.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Game featuring the catchphrase.]]
In the games, the reward for catching all the Pokémon available in the game was a [[diploma]], proof of the feat. However, from the beginning, rumors appeared about a greater reward for attaining the ultimate goal of catching them all. Specifically, in Red and Blue, rumors circulated that after the player had {{pkmn2|caught}} the 150 {{cat|Generation I Pokémon}}, if they showed their full [[Pokédex]] to the [[Game Freak]] employees in [[Celadon Condominiums]], they would be rewarded with the elusive 151st Pokémon, {{p|Mew}}. These rumors, however, were false, as the only reward offered for capture of 150 Pokémon was the Diploma; Mew was only officially available through [[Nintendo]]-sponsored events, though otherwise available through the [[Mew glitch]].


The same was true of the Generation II games, where showing a 249-Pokémon Pokédex (minus {{p|Celebi}} and Mew) would have the same developers give the player another diploma. With the retirement of the slogan, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire only required the player to complete the 200-Pokémon [[List of Pokémon by Hoenn Pokédex number|Hoenn Pokédex]] (lacking {{p|Jirachi}} and {{p|Deoxys}}) to receive a diploma, though the 386-Pokémon [[National Pokédex]] still remained as a goal for players who wanted bragging rights.
On September 14, 2013, the phrase was once again used in a trailer that was accidentally leaked on the Pokémon YouTube channel and advertised a new website called "www.gottacatchemall.com" - a website offering people in the United States a chance to win {{g|X and Y}} related prizes in the sweepstakes from September 16 until October 12, 2013. The site required the first name of the user, their respective e-mail address, a username and the code "XY1012" to open. The site scattered various codes around various sites on the internet as "Easter eggs" to unlock {{i|Poké Ball}}s on the website, and thus, a "Pokémon, a digital gift, and a chance to win". The site now has a new logo for the phrase "Gotta catch 'em all!". The new logo is now used for all videos on [[The Pokémon Company International]]'s YouTube channel, along with a Pikachu saying "Pika!". The logo was also used in the [[Pokémon anime|Pokémon anime's]] [[Who's That Pokémon?]] segment on ''Pokémon the Series: XY''.


In the Generation IV games, by the time the [[Elite Four]] and {{pkmn|Champion}} are defeated, the player will have seen almost all of the Pokémon in the [[List of Pokémon by Sinnoh Pokédex number|Sinnoh Pokédex]], if not all 150; it is possible to do this even before entering the [[Hall of Fame]]. The reward for this is the National Pokédex, allowing the player to go on a true quest to actually catch them all once more, though this feat requires catching more than three times as many Pokémon as it would take to complete the Sinnoh Pokédex. Catching 482 of the 493 Pokémon—{{p|Mew}}, {{p|Lugia}}, {{p|Ho-Oh}}, {{p|Celebi}}, {{p|Jirachi}}, {{p|Deoxys}}, {{p|Manaphy}}, {{p|Phione}}, {{p|Darkrai}}, {{p|Shaymin}}, and {{p|Arceus}} are not required—results in the awarding of another diploma.
The slogan is alluded to in a promotional video uploaded on January 12, 2023, celebrating the Pokémon franchise having 1008 Pokémon in the National Pokédex. The video ends with the phrase, "Did you catch 'em all?"<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa08Y-fhfTI One Thousand Pokémon! &#129395;]" The Official Pokémon YouTube channel. ''YouTube''.</ref>


==Trivia==
The promotional blurb for the {{TCG|151}} expansion of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] contains the phrase "Gotta Catch ’Em All!"
* The slogan for the [[1999 Burger King Promotional Pokémon toys]] was "Gotta Catch 'em Here!", an obvious reference to the franchise's slogan.
* The slogan's appearance on pre-release boxart for {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}} indicates that it was initially intended to be kept, but was dropped sometime between January and March of 2003.
* In the [[VIZ Media]] edition of  [[Pokémon Adventures]] [[Pokémon Adventures volume 14|volume 14]], [[Professor Oak (Adventures)|Professor Oak]] makes a reference to the slogan, saying about [[Crystal (Adventures)|Crys]], that, "she truly catches them all".


==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=AAFFAA|bordercolor=FFAAAA
{{langtable|color=AAFFAA|bordercolor=FFAAAA
|cs= Chyťte je všechny!
|ja={{tt|ポケモンゲットだぜー！ <small>''Pokémon getto da ze!</small>|I'll get Pokémon!}}
|da= Du skal fange dem!
|ar={{tt|!ساْ جمعها الْان <small>''Sa jmʿha alan!''</small>|Collect them now!}}
|fi= Omakseni saan!<br>{{tt|Kaikki kerätään!|Pokémon Theme full version}}
|eu={{tt|Bildu guztiak!|Collect all!}}
|fr_ca= Attrape-les tous!
|bg={{tt|Да ги уловим! <small>''Da gi ulovim!</small>|To catch!}}
|fr_eu= Attrapez-les tous!
|ca={{tt|Fes-te'ls tots teus!|Make 'em all yours!}}
|de= Schnapp' sie dir alle!
|zh_cmn={{tt|收服神奇寶貝！ <small>''Shōufú Shénqí Bǎobèi!''</small>|Get Pokémon!}}
|he= !חייב לתפוס את כולם ''khayav litfos et kulam!''
|hr={{tt|Moraš skupit sve!|You have to gather all!}}
|it= Gotta catch 'em all!
|cs={{tt|Chyťte je všechny!|Catch all of them!}}<br>{{tt|Všechny chytit máš!|You have to catch all!}}{{tt|*|Season 1 theme song}}
|no= Du må fange dem alle!
|da={{tt|Du ska' fange dem!|You've gotta catch them!}}<br>{{tt|Jeg ska' fange dem!|I've gotta catch them!}}{{tt|*|Used to create variation in the different themes using the catchphrase, usually following 'Du ska' fange dem' and is not a changed version of the catchphrase.}}
|pl= Złap je wszystkie!
|nl={{tt|Ik wil ze allemaal!|I want them all!}}
|hu= Szerezd meg hát mind!
|fi={{tt|Omakseni saan!|I can get them for myself!}}<br>{{tt|Kaikki kerätään!|All will be collected!}}{{tt|*|Pokémon theme (Movie and CD) and Pokémon Adventures}}
|ru= Всех их соберём! ''vseh ikh soberom!''
|fr_ca={{tt|Attrape-les tous!|Catch them all!}}
|pt_br= {{tt|Temos que pegar!|Gotta catch 'em}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Attrapez-les tous!|Catch them all!}}
|pt_eu= Vou apanhá-los todos!
|de={{tt|Schnapp' sie dir alle!|Grab 'em all!}}<br>{{tt|Komm und schnapp sie dir!|Come and grab 'em for yourself!}}{{tt|*|Season 1 and 17 theme song}}
|es_eu= ¡Hazte con todos!
|el={{tt|Τα θέλω τώρα εδώ! <small>''Ta thélo̱ tóra edó̱!''</small>|I want them here now!}}
|es_la= ¡Atrápalos ya!<br>{{tt|¡Tienes que atraparlos!|Pokémon Chronicles opening}}
|he={{tt|!חייבים לתפוס את כולם <small>''Ħayavim litfos et kulam!''</small>|Must catch them all!}}
|sv= {{tt|Måste fånga fler!|Gotta catch more!}}
|hi={{tt|करने है हासिल! ''<small>Karne hai haasil!</small>''|Have to Acquire!}} {{tt|*|Cartoon Network dub of anime}} <br> {{tt|पाना हर एक को! ''<small>Pana Har Ek Ko!</small>''|Obtaining Each One!}}{{tt|*|Hungama dub of anime for season 1 and 17 opening theme}} <br> {{tt|है पकडना ऊन सबको! ''<small>Hai Pakardna Un Sabko!</small>''| Have to Catch Them All!}}{{tt|*|Hungama TV dub of anime for season 3 opening theme}}
|ro= Să ii prind pe toți!
|hu={{tt|Szerezd meg hát mind!|Get them all back!}}
|is={{tt|Þarf að fanga þá!|Must catch them!}}
|it=Gotta catch 'em all! <sup>[[Generation I|Gen I]] to [[Generation V|Gen V]]</sup><br>{{tt|Acchiappali tutti!|Catch them all!}}{{tt|*|Used for official Italian merchandising in the first two generations}} <sup>[[Generation VI|Gen VI]] onwards</sup>
|no={{tt|Fanger alle nå!|Catch all now!}}<br>{{tt|Du må fange dem alle!|You must catch them all!}}
|mk={{tt|Треба да ги освојам! <small>''Treba da gi osvojam!''</small>|We need to win!}}
|pl={{tt|Złap je wszystkie!|Catch them all!}}<br>{{tt|Czy już wszystkie masz?|Do you have all of them?}}{{tt|*|Season 1 and 17 theme song}}
|pt_br={{tt|Temos que pegar!|We have to catch!}}<br>{{tt|Agarre todos... se puder!|Grab them all... if you can!}}{{tt|*|Pokémon red and blue}}<br>{{tt|Pegue todos... se puder!|Catch them all... if you can!}}{{tt|*|Pokémon gold and silver}}
|pt_eu={{tt|Vou apanhá-los todos!|I'll catch them all}}{{tt|*|Pokémon theme (TV)}}<br>{{tt|Apanhá-los todos!|Catch them all!}}{{tt|*|Pokémon theme (CD)}}
|ro={{tt|Să îi prind pe toți!|To catch them all!}}
|ru={{tt|Поймать их всех! <small>''Poymat' ikh vsekh!''</small>|To catch'em all!}}{{tt|*|Season 17 theme song}}<br>{{tt|Всех их соберём! <small>''Vsekh ikh soberyom!''</small>|We'll collect'em all!}}{{tt|*|Season 1 theme song}}
|sr={{tt|Треба да скупиш све <small>''Treba da skupiš sve!''</small>|You should collect them all!}}
|es_eu={{tt|¡Hazte con todos!|Make yourself with all!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Atrápalos ya!|Catch them now!}}<br>{{tt|¡Tienes que atraparlos!|You have to catch them!}}{{tt|*|Pokémon Chronicles opening}}<br>{{tt|¡Es para todos!|It's for all!}}{{tt|*|magazines in Mexico and used to promote the anime in Hulu}}<br>{{tt|¡Hazte con todos!|Make yourself with all!}}{{tt|*|TCG in Spanish, books and game trailers}}
|sv={{tt|Måste fånga fler!|Gotta catch more!}}<br>{{tt|Måste fånga allihop|Gotta catch them all}}{{tt|*|Pokérap GS}}<br>{{tt|Fånga allihop|Catch them all}}{{tt|*|Kanto Pokérap}}
|ta={{tt|தேடி பேடிப்போ மெய்! ''<small>Thedi Pedipo Mey!</small>''|Search and catch them all!}}{{tt|*|Hungama dub of anime}}
|te={{tt|వెతికి పట్టుకుంట! ''<small>Vethiki Pattukunta!</small>''|Search and catch them all!}}{{tt|*|Hungama dub of anime for season 1 theme}}<br>{{tt|పట్టుకుంటా! ''<small>Pattukunta!</small>''|Catch them all!}}{{tt|*|Hungama dub of anime for season 17 theme}}
|th={{tt|มาจับโปเกมอนกันเถอะ! <small>''ma jub pokemon gun ter!</small>|I'll get Pokémon!}}
|tr={{tt|Hepsini topla!|Collect them all!}}
|ur=کرنا ہے حاصل(<small>Karne Hai Haasil!</small>)
|uk={{tt|Разом збери усіх!|Together bring them all!}}
}}
}}
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Pokémon meta]]
[[Category:Pokémon meta]]


[[it:Gotta catch 'em all! (slogan)]]
[[es:Gotta catch 'em all!]]
[[it:Acchiappali tutti!]]
[[ja:Gotta catch 'em all!]]
[[zh:收服到寶可夢了]]

Latest revision as of 04:57, 24 March 2024

For other uses, see Gotta catch 'em all! (disambiguation).
The original logo for the phrase
The phrase logo as of Pokémon X and Y

"Gotta catch 'em all!" is the English slogan of the Pokémon franchise, including the English language Pokémon video games. The Japanese equivalent is "Get Pokémon!" (Japanese: ポケモンゲットだぜー！ Pokémon get da ze~!, also spelt ポケモンＧＥＴだぜー！)

History

The slogan "Gotta catch 'em all!" was created by Norman J. Grossfeld, the president of 4Kids Productions (a former subsidiary of 4Kids Entertainment) from 1994 to 2010. He introduced the slogan, along with three or four alternatives, during a pitch meeting with representatives from Nintendo, Hasbro, and 4Kids Entertainment (then known as Leisure Concepts, Inc.). According to Grossfeld, during the meeting, one lawyer from either Nintendo or Hasbro rejected the slogan due to concerns over it being too declarative, but they were overruled as the other participants in the meeting liked "Gotta catch 'em all!" the best. The participants had also considered the slogan "Catch 'em if you can", one of Grossfeld's alternative suggestions. Grossfeld even had a song written that incorporated the "Catch 'em if you can" slogan that ultimately went unused.[1]

In the core series games

Pokémon Crystal, the last game to feature the catchphrase on its boxart.

The first pair of Pokémon games released in North America, Pokémon Red and Blue, were labeled with the catchphrase below the Pokémon logo. Their sequels, Pokémon Gold and Silver, and later, Pokémon Crystal, had the catchphrase in the same position. Pokémon Yellow was the only exception, instead advertising that it was the "Special Pikachu Edition" of the game below the logo.

The slogan was taken out of the box art for Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, although pre-release versions of the box art indicate that the slogan was initially intended to be kept, but was dropped sometime between January 2003 and March 2003. The slogan has not reappeared in any Pokémon game box art since, but has appeared in promotional materials such as the trailers for Pokémon Diamond and Pearl[2] and Pokémon X and Y.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Trading Card Game

In Pokémon Trading Card Game, Hood in the Lightning Club references this slogan by saying: "Got all the Legendary Pokémon cards? Yeah! Gotta catch 'em all!(TM)" Additionally, one of the decks found in the Auto Deck Machine is named Replace 'Em All Deck. Both instances were added in the English localization; they are not seen in the Japanese original text.

Pokémon Play It! series

In the "What's a Pokémon?" lesson from both Pokémon Play It! and Pokémon Play It! Version 2, Julie says this about the Trading Card Game: "There are seven symbols and seven types of Pokémon. Catch 'em all!".

PokéROM

The slogan of PokéROM is "Gotta learn 'em all!".

Pokémon Project Studio

The slogan of Pokémon Project Studio Red and Blue is "Gotta make 'em all!".

In the anime

The most noticeable reference to the catchphrase in the anime was introduced in the first episode by the main protagonist, Ash Ketchum, himself. Promising that he would catch all of the Pokémon in the world, Ash set off on his journey. However, up to the current point in the anime, Ash has only progressed to 94 captures of Pokémon, just over 10% of the total number of Pokémon known as of Generation VIII. Moreover, Ash does not at all focus on catching as many species as he can; he even expresses distaste for Gary's training method of "catching them all". A future character, Goh, would make catching every Pokémon and completing his Pokédex one of his goals. The motto also seems to be a pun for Pokémon photographers, as Robert's grandfather "caught them all" and Todd "catches" Pokémon.

The reference was used as the title of the penultimate episode of the original series, Gotta Catch Ya Later!. In this episode, both Brock and Misty return to Kanto, leaving Ash to head to the Hoenn region alone.

The slogan was referenced in the English-language version of Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys; Brock says the phrase when collecting food from a haywire robotic vending machine during a power outage (with "them all", in this instance, being hot dogs).

The line was later said by Meowth in The Lotad Lowdown.

The "Gotta catch 'em all!" phrase appears in the opening animation for Pokémon Chronicles and is also seen in the Who's That Pokémon? segment in Pokémon the Series: XY. However, in certain international versions, the line is replaced with respective Pokémon the Series: XY localized logos.

In music

This phrase is featured in the original opening theme, as well as in the chorus of the Pokérap. It is also found in the theme for The Johto Journeys, the anime's third season. The lyrics include, in reference to the Pokémon introduced in Gold and Silver, that "you still gotta catch 'em all!". A new, remixed version of the original theme was used as the opening for the first season of Pokémon the Series: XY.

The Pokérap GS uses the catchphrase quite prominently.

There's a Pokémon soundtrack by HAL Laboratory named Pokémon Gotta Catch the Sound!, which includes the Pokémon Snap music theme Gotta Snap Em’ All.

The line is referenced in the song Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All) several times.

In the manga

In the VIZ Media edition of Pokémon Adventures volume 14, Professor Oak makes a reference to the slogan, saying that Crystal "truly catches them all".

In merchandise

The slogan for the 1999 Burger King promotional Pokémon toys was "Gotta catch 'em here!", a reference to the franchise's slogan.

Retirement and return

The slogan was temporarily retired from the Pokémon games around 2003, with the release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Instead of the now-familiar phrase appearing below the Pokémon logo, the game's version name appeared there. This held true for the remaining games of Generation III, and would later prove to be the standard for subsequent generations with the release of the Generation IV games, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. However, the slogan is still used in certain promotional materials for those games.

The retirement was possibly due to the large amount of Pokémon now required to capture to complete the National Pokédex, 386 at the time the slogan was retired. It may as well have been due to the incompatibility between the Generation II and Generation III games, as all of the Pokémon known as of the third generation were not available between Ruby and Sapphire, unlike what had been the case with Red and Blue and Gold and Silver.

The slogan may also have been taken out of use since it was a target of critics of the game and franchise (with some saying the phrase was an equivalent to, "Gotta buy 'em all").

An English-language Diamond and Pearl commercial was released that features the phrase in the United States. It is also used as the slogan for the Catch That Pokémon Show in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. This did not, however, mean that the slogan made a permanent return, rather it was just a reference to the then defunct slogan.

On the Pokémon Black and White official website, the slogan is referenced in the "Pokémon" section of the site. A link to the new Pokémon is labeled with the phrase "See 'Em All."

On September 14, 2013, the phrase was once again used in a trailer that was accidentally leaked on the Pokémon YouTube channel and advertised a new website called "www.gottacatchemall.com" - a website offering people in the United States a chance to win Pokémon X and Y related prizes in the sweepstakes from September 16 until October 12, 2013. The site required the first name of the user, their respective e-mail address, a username and the code "XY1012" to open. The site scattered various codes around various sites on the internet as "Easter eggs" to unlock Poké Balls on the website, and thus, a "Pokémon, a digital gift, and a chance to win". The site now has a new logo for the phrase "Gotta catch 'em all!". The new logo is now used for all videos on The Pokémon Company International's YouTube channel, along with a Pikachu saying "Pika!". The logo was also used in the Pokémon anime's Who's That Pokémon? segment on Pokémon the Series: XY.

The slogan is alluded to in a promotional video uploaded on January 12, 2023, celebrating the Pokémon franchise having 1008 Pokémon in the National Pokédex. The video ends with the phrase, "Did you catch 'em all?"[3]

The promotional blurb for the 151 expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game contains the phrase "Gotta Catch ’Em All!"

In other languages

Language Title
Japan Flag.png Japanese ポケモンゲットだぜー！ Pokémon getto da ze!
The Arab world Flag.png Arabic !ساْ جمعها الْان Sa jmʿha alan!
Basque Flag.png Basque Bildu guztiak!
Bulgaria Flag.png Bulgarian Да ги уловим! Da gi ulovim!
Catalonia Flag.png Catalan Fes-te'ls tots teus!
Mandarin Chinese 收服神奇寶貝！ Shōufú Shénqí Bǎobèi!
Croatia Flag.png Croatian Moraš skupit sve!
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Chyťte je všechny!
Všechny chytit máš!*
Denmark Flag.png Danish Du ska' fange dem!
Jeg ska' fange dem!*
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Ik wil ze allemaal!
Finland Flag.png Finnish Omakseni saan!
Kaikki kerätään!*
French Canada Flag.png Canada Attrape-les tous!
France Flag.png Europe Attrapez-les tous!
Germany Flag.png German Schnapp' sie dir alle!
Komm und schnapp sie dir!*
Greece Flag.png Greek Τα θέλω τώρα εδώ! Ta thélo̱ tóra edó̱!
Israel Flag.png Hebrew !חייבים לתפוס את כולם Ħayavim litfos et kulam!
India Flag.png Hindi करने है हासिल! Karne hai haasil! *
पाना हर एक को! Pana Har Ek Ko!*
है पकडना ऊन सबको! Hai Pakardna Un Sabko!*
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian Szerezd meg hát mind!
Iceland Flag.png Icelandic Þarf að fanga þá!
Italy Flag.png Italian Gotta catch 'em all! Gen I to Gen V
Acchiappali tutti!* Gen VI onwards
Macedonia Flag.png Macedonian Треба да ги освојам! Treba da gi osvojam!
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Fanger alle nå!
Du må fange dem alle!
Poland Flag.png Polish Złap je wszystkie!
Czy już wszystkie masz?*
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Temos que pegar!
Agarre todos... se puder!*
Pegue todos... se puder!*
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Vou apanhá-los todos!*
Apanhá-los todos!*
Romania Flag.png Romanian Să îi prind pe toți!
Russia Flag.png Russian Поймать их всех! Poymat' ikh vsekh!*
Всех их соберём! Vsekh ikh soberyom!*
Serbia Flag.png Serbian Треба да скупиш све Treba da skupiš sve!
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America ¡Atrápalos ya!
¡Tienes que atraparlos!*
¡Es para todos!*
¡Hazte con todos!*
Spain Flag.png Spain ¡Hazte con todos!
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Måste fånga fler!
Måste fånga allihop*
Fånga allihop*
Tamil Flag.png Tamil தேடி பேடிப்போ மெய்! Thedi Pedipo Mey!*
India Flag.png Telugu వెతికి పట్టుకుంట! Vethiki Pattukunta!*
పట్టుకుంటా! Pattukunta!*
Thailand Flag.png Thai มาจับโปเกมอนกันเถอะ! ma jub pokemon gun ter!
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Hepsini topla!
Ukraine Flag.png Ukrainian Разом збери усіх!
Pakistan Flag.png Urdu کرنا ہے حاصل(Karne Hai Haasil!)

References

  1. ↑ Sands, Tara, & Yurko, Steve. "Nor-man's Land with Norman Grossfeld." 4Kids Flashback, Spreaker, 13 Dec 2023. https://www.4kidsflashback.com/episodes/4kids-normans-land, 6:02–7:57.
  2. ↑ Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 2007 commercial
  3. ↑ "One Thousand Pokémon! 🥳" The Official Pokémon YouTube channel. YouTube.
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