Pokémon in Greece

This article contains old or outdated information, or has not been updated in a while. Please check the content of this article and update it as required. Reason: information about withdrawal of Nintendo from Greece.

Pokémon in Greece
Flag of Greece
Languages	Greek
Continent	Europe
Original anime airdates
EP001	1999
AG001	2004
DP001	2009
BW001	February 4, 2012
XY001	September 1, 2014
SM001
JN001
HZ001

The Pokémon series first reached Greece in 1999 with the debut of the anime, shortly followed by the release of Pokémon Red and Blue Versions. A wide array of media have appeared since then, including spin-off games, movies, and several books. Following the Pokémon phenomenon of early 00’s, the series maintain a strong fanbase among Greek video game communities to this day. Pokémon is written in Greek script as Πόκεμον, and an official adapted logo has been used for certain instances, such as advertisements.

Pokémon video games

Pokémon video games in Greece typically release on their European release dates. Bilingual packaging in English and Greek became the norm midway through Nintendo DS's lifecycle, with Greek-translated manuals traditionally included along with the English ones gradually being phased out in favor of a brief instructions sheet around the same time. Prior to its divorce from Nintendo of Europe in 2015, Nortec handled their distribution in stores. As of 2016, Nintendo lacks an official distributor in Greece, and retailers have to the import newer games via other channels.

A number of local Pokémon event distributions have been made available in Greece between 2000 and 2014, including key ones like Mew for Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, Deoxys for the Generation III games, and Diancie for Pokémon X and Y. Distribution dates have often deviated from their typical European counterparts, with some Summer 2011 events debuting earlier in Greece, and others being delayed numerous months. Distribution events were being arranged by Nortec and handled by a number of different retailers, including historically Jumbo and Plaisio, and more recently Public and Moustakas.

Two official National Championships took place in 2009 and 2010, also arranged by Nortec in association with the popular fansite Legendary Pokémon.

Pokémon anime

The Pokémon anime in Greece was broadcast on Star Channel until Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Battle Dimension, at which point Disney XD acquired the rights. Irregular broadcasts of specials and movies still happen in Star Channel, especially during holiday seasons, but the regular series now appears exclusively on Disney XD. Older episodes of the series have been made available in VHS and DVD formats, with Ethnos, a newspaper, coming with free DVDs of the series every Saturday during 2007.

In Greece the anime is available on Netflix.

Pokémon movies

The first three Pokémon movies has been brought to Greek cinemas, with Pokémon the First Movie premiering in April 21, 2000. After over six years of hiatus, Jirachi: Wish Maker released in DVD format, in 2006. Pokémon 4Ever, Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias and Destiny Deoxys, followed shortly after, one after another. The initial two movies were also re-released in that time. Pokémon movies are often broadcasted on television. Also Arceus and the Jewel of life, Zoroark: Master of Illusions and Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram was screened on the Greek Disney XD. Most recently on September 7, 2014, Genesect and the Legend Awakened broadcasted on the Greek Disney XD, dubbed in the Greek language. Also, the movie was shown in Cyprus on Nova, a pay tv channel, in the same period. Instead Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice has been skipped for unknown reasons.

Cast and crew

The lead role of Ash Ketchum is dubbed by Voula Kosta (Βούλα Κώστα). Michaela Antoniou (Μιχαέλα Αντωνίου) gave her voice to several main female characters, including Misty, Jessie, Officer Jenny, and Nurse Joy. James is dubbed by Fotis Petridis (Φώτης Πετρίδης), while Meowth and Brock are both voiced by Haris Grigoropoulos (Χάρης Γρηγορόπουλος). Loukas Frangoulis (Λουκάς Φραγκούλης) joined the main cast as Tracey Sketchit. May and Dawn are both dubbed by Stella Bonatsou (Στέλλα Μπονάτσου). Giorgos Mataragkas (Γιώργος Ματαράγκας) joined the cast as Trip in the Best Wishes series.

Pokémon merchandise

The second book of Pokémon Περιπέτειες in Greek

Several different types of Pokémon merchandise has been available in Greece over the years, including toys and an Official Pokémon Magazine.

Pokémon manga

The first fifteen rounds of Pokémon Adventures (Greek: Pokémon Περιπέτειες) were translated into Greek by Modern Times, a publisher. Translation was done by Andreas Kolokythas (Ανδρέας Κολοκύθας). The fifteen rounds were published over five books, and started releasing in 2000, with the first book titled Pokémon Περιπέτειες: Ο Καλύτερος Εκπαιδευτής.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is being distributed in its English format by Kaissa Games, starting with the Base Set.

Related articles

• List of Greek Pokémon themes

External Links

• Legendary Pokémon, Pokémon fansite with a Greek counterpart
• ninty.gr, Greek Nintendo fansite with a strong Pokémon fanbase

This article is part of Project Globe, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon franchise around the world.