User:Chao/TW
| Pokémon in Taiwan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Language | Mandarin | |||
| Continent | Asia | |||
| Original anime airdates | ||||
| EP001 | November 28, 1998 | |||
| AG001 | December 13, 2003 | |||
| DP001 | October 28, 2007 | |||
| BW001 | January 28, 2011 | |||
| XY001 | August 3, 2014 | |||
| SM001 | January 28, 2017 | |||
| JN001 | June 27, 2020 | |||
| HZ001 | February 9, 2024 | |||
The Pokémon (Chinese: 寶可夢 Bǎokěmèng) franchise first reached Taiwan in 1998.
Names
Since 2019, the official Chinese translations of both "Pocket Monsters" and "Pokémon" have been unified under the name 寶可夢, an approximate transcription of Pokémon. Previously, after the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon in 2016, the term "Pocket Monsters" was distinguished by translating it as 精靈寶可夢, including the word 精靈 (creature). According to Tsunekazu Ishihara, the intention of the rename was to keep the pronunciation of "Pokémon" consistent throughout the world. However, the newer name still takes its former translations into account by incorporating parts from the two into it.[1]
Prior to Sun and Moon, Pokémon was officially translated as 神奇寶貝 ("magical creatures"). According to the opening text and narrations in the Taiwanese dub, the term 神奇寶貝 is a contraction of the phrase 「神奇的口袋中的寶貝」 ("the magical creatures in the pocket"). Nintendo had previously used both translations on its official website prior to X and Y.
However, since the announcement of the new Chinese translation of Pokémon (精靈寶可夢 / 精灵宝可梦), the Pocket Monsters XY&Z season, M19 and Adventures manga distributed in Taiwan and Hong Kong remains translated under their respective former translation. However in late 2017, the Adventures manga distributed in Taiwan gradually adapts the official translations provided by Nintendo HK despite the translation of Pokémon (神奇寶貝) remaining unchanged. The Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon anime released in Taiwan and Hong Kong was the first media to fully use the new Chinese translation of Pokémon (精靈寶可夢), along with the other official translations that are used in Pokémon Sun and Moon provided by Nintendo HK.
Previously, the anime, manga, and various guidebooks have also given names to the Pokémon, characters, locations and other important terminologies. With the release of Sun and Moon, Nintendo has provided a new set of names for the first 151 Pokémon, with some receiving completely new names[2]. For more information on these localized names for Pokémon, see List of Chinese Pokémon names.
The name was also trademarked by Nintendo in mainland China and Taiwan, but has never been used by official media. Similarly, the names 神奇小魔怪 ("magical little monsters") and 魔怪家族 ("monster family") were trademarked by Nintendo and Top-Insight in Taiwan, but were also never used.
Pokémon video games
Pokémon Sun and Moon are the first set of games to be officially translated into Chinese, available in both Traditional and Simplified characters. In the years prior to the release of the Chinese localizations, only the Japanese and English versions of the video games were made available in Taiwan.
In 2016, the Pokémon Video Game National Championships was held in Taipei on June 11 and in Hong Kong on July 3.
Pokémon anime
With the exception of summarizing episodes, side story episodes, the infamous EP038, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, and the clip shows, all episodes and all 23 movies have been dubbed into both Mandarin.
All episodes prior to Pokémon Journeys: The Series have been aired. The first 23 Pokémon movies have also been released, with the thirteenth movie being released just 20 days after the Japanese premiere. Subsequent movies were released within a few months after the Japanese premiere.
Music
Unlike most other dubs, the Taiwanese dub generally keeps the original Japanese opening and ending themes.
An original Mandarin theme song was used in the place of the Japanese theme when Pokémon the Series: Black & White is broadcast on YoYoTV. Nevertheless, the Japanese theme was used in the fourteenth movie. The anime had later switched back to the original Japanese theme for unknown reasons. However, the new episodes in MOD continued to use the new Mandarin theme after the switch from the Japanese theme.
In Pokémon Horizons: The Series, the English version of We Go is used in place of Heart-Pounding Diary.
Cast and crew
Many voice actors and actresses have contributed to the production of the Chinese dubs of the Pokémon anime.
| Character | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Ash Ketchum | 汪世瑋 Wāng Shìwěi* 賀世芳 Hè Shìfāng* 李明幸 Li Míngxìng* |
| Gary Oak | 詹雅菁 Zhān Yǎjīng* 王瑞芹 Wáng Ruìqín* |
| Misty | 林美秀 Lín Měixiù* 謝佼娟 Xiè Jiǎojuān 龍顯蕙 Lóng Xiǎnhuì 林凱羚 Lín Kǎilíng |
| Jessie | 詹雅菁 Zhān Yǎjīng 姚敏敏 Yáo Mǐnmǐn 盧敘榮 Lú Xùróng |
| James | 吳東原 Wú Dōngyuán 陳進益 Chén Jìnyì 符爽 Fù Shuǎng 孫誠 Sūn Chéng |
| Meowth | 汪世瑋 Wāng Shìwěi 雷碧文 Léi Bìwén 龍顯蕙 Lóng Xiǎnhuì 林凱羚 Lín Kǎilíng |
| Brock | 于正昇 Yú Zhèngshēng* (Paul Yu) 梁興昌 Liáng Xìngchāng 符爽 Fù Shuǎng |
| Tracey Sketchit | 符爽 Fú Shuǎng |
| May | 傅曼君 Fù Mànjūn |
| Max | 詹雅菁 Zhān Yǎjīng |
| Dawn | 林美秀 Lín Měixiù |
| Paul | 李世揚 Li Shìyáng |
| Iris | 林美秀 Lín Měixiù |
| Cilan | 于正昇 Yú Zhèngshēng (Paul Yu) |
| Serena | 詹雅菁 Zhān Yǎjīng |
| Clemont | 劉如蘋 Liú Rúpíng |
| Bonnie | 林美秀 Lín Měixiù |
| Rotom Pokédex | 于正昇 Yú Zhèngshēng |
| Lillie | 詹雅菁 Zhān Yǎjīng |
| Kiawe | 吳東原 Wú Dōngyuán |
| Mallow | 劉如蘋 Liú Rúpíng |
| Lana | 林美秀 Lín Měixiù |
| Sophocles | 林美秀 Lín Měixiù |
| Goh | 詹雅菁 Zhān Yǎjīng |
| Chloe | 徐瑀甄 Xú Yǔzhēn |
| Liko | 林沛笭 Lín Pèilíng |
| Roy | 王貞令 Wáng Zhēnlìng |
Distribution
All dubs of the anime are mainly based on the original Japanese version with the exception of M22.
The Mandarin dub of the Pokémon anime and Pokémon movie is currently distributed by Mighty Media (曼迪傳播). Prior to BW130 and M17, the Taiwanese dub of both the anime and movie were distributed by Top Insight (群英社). The anime has aired in several different channels, such as China Television, YoYoTV, MOMO Kids, Cartoon Network, and MOD.
Since Spring 2019, the Pokémon the Series: XY and the Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon have been made available on Netflix for Taiwan with subtitles in both traditional and simplified Chinese. On February 28, 2020 (UTC+8), Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution had also seen its worldwide release (excluding Japan and Korea) on Netflix with a Mandarin dub featuring a completely different set of actors.
Pro-Insight International Co., Ltd. (博英社國際股份有限公司), a subsidiary of Top Insight International, was the former distributor of anime and movie-related merchandise such as toys and DVD sets in parts of Asia. As of January 2014, all Pokémon-related content have been removed from both its corporate and commercial website, while its Pokémon-related merchandise have now been pulled out from the Taiwanese market.
Pokémon manga
Pokémon Adventures has been translated into various versions in Chinese. The Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) version is translated by Ching Win Publishing Co., Ltd. (青文出版社有限公司), while the Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong) version is translated by its subsidiary, Hong Kong Ching Win Publishing Co., Ltd. (香港青文出版社有限公司). The Simplified Chinese (Mainland China) version had previously been translated by Jilin Publishing Group (吉林出版集团). The manga has also been launched on bilibili with current translations being handled by Shanghai Viz Communication Co., Ltd. (上海碧日咨询事业有限公司), a subsidiary of Shogakukan.
CoroCoro was also distributed under the name 快樂快樂月刊. As of 2015, CoroCoro has ended serialization in all three regions. Since February 2015, a digital version of the magazine (無限誌) has taken CoroCoro's place in the serialization of various manga, which includes the Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) version of X & Y chapter of Pokémon Adventures.
Various manga series are currently translated by Ching Win Publishing Group with the exception of Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Magical Pokémon Journey, The Electric Tale of Pikachu, and Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All that were translated by Da Ran Culture (大然文化). As the latter company had become defunct since 2003, the sequels of Pokémon Pocket Monsters such as Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl were taken over by Ching Win Publishing Group. Ching Win has also translated Pokémon Zensho, Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure!, Pokémon Try Adventure, and several movie manga adaptations as well as a number of guidebooks.
Translations
| Manga | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Adventures | 神奇寶貝特別篇 |
| Pokémon Pocket Monsters | 神奇寶貝 |
| The Electric Tale of Pikachu | 電擊皮卡丘 |
| Magical Pokémon Journey | 皮卡丘大冒險 我愛PiPiPi |
| Pokémon Zensho | 漫畫版 神奇寶貝全書 |
| Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All | 神奇寶貝一把抓 |
| Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys | 神奇寶貝金·銀版：黃金少年 |
| Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure! | 神奇寶貝 鑽石·珍珠篇 |
| Pocket Monsters DP | 神奇寶貝鑽石·珍珠歡樂祭 |
| Pokémon Try Adventure | 神奇寶貝三隻組挑戰大冒險 |
Gallery
The Electric Tale of Pikachu in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Magical Pokémon Journey in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Pokémon Diamond & Pearl Adventure! in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Golden Boys in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Pokémon Adventures volume 3 in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Pokémon Try Adventure in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Pokémon Zensho in traditional Mandarin (Taiwan)
Pokémon Trading Card Game
Pre Sun & Moon Era
Prior to the Sun & Moon era, only two sets of the Trading Card Game were officially printed in Traditional Chinese. The Pikachu card from the Jungle expansion was released in Traditional Chinese as part of the 2000 Pikachu World Collection. This was followed by Base Set, which was released by Wizards of the Coast in 2000 and distributed by Hasbro Hong Kong (孩之寶香港) in Taiwan and Hong Kong using the red variant of the Pokémon logo with the title 神奇寶貝集換式紙牌遊戲. Later in 2006, EX Legend Maker (傳說的締造者) and EX Trainer Kit 2 (訓練家裝備組) were released by Pokémon USA, Inc. and distributed by Funbox Toys (麗嬰國際) in Taiwan under the title 集換式卡片遊戲 to commemorate the PokéPark theme park.[3]
After 2006, TCG products released in Taiwan and Hong Kong are English-language sets and decks released by The Pokémon Company International and distributed by Maxsoft. In 2009, JFL Trading was authorized by Maxsoft as the local distributor in Hong Kong with the rights to hold local Play! Pokémon tournaments. In 2017, MTG Mint Card was authorized to distribute TCG products in Taiwan, who then authorized local company KKTCG (名卡有限公司) to handle local release and Play! Pokémon events.
While TCG products were introduced in Taiwan and Hong Kong during this period, they were never officially released in Mainland China, and none of the cards were printed in Simplified Chinese, which is mainly used in Mainland China over Traditional Chinese.
Sun & Moon and Later Eras
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao
In 2019, The Pokémon Company started localizing, manufacturing and releasing the Trading Card Game in several regions across southeast Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. The Pokémon Trading Card Game (集換式卡牌遊戲) was localized in Traditional Chinese and made available in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao under the new unified translation (寶可夢) in October 2019 starting with the All Stars Collection (眾星雲集組合篇) expansion. MTG Mint Card was authorized by KKTCG continues to be the distributor in Taiwan until 2020, when the distributor role was taken over by Justan (傑仕登股份有限公司), a local company purchased by MTG Mint Card and received authorization by The Pokémon Company to manage the Pokémon brand in Taiwan, including TCG products.
4 Traditional Chinese sets were released over the Sun & Moon era, with each set covering cards from multiple sets released in Japan in an effort to catch up with Japanese releases. In June 2020, Traditional Chinese releases entered the Sword & Shield era with the Sword & Shield (劍&盾) expansion, and with the next expansion Infinite Power (無極力量) including cards from Legendary Heartbeat - the latest set in Japan at the time, the catch-up was considered done, and starting from Amazing Volt Tackle The Pokémon Company switched to releasing Japanese sets in Traditional Chinese instead of sets exclusive to the language. New Traditional Chinese sets are now being released at a regular pace, with most sets released 2 weeks after the releases of corresponding Japanese sets.
Pokémon Battrio
Pokémon Battrio (神奇寶貝 三隻組對戰) was released in Taiwan in 2010, making it the only country outside of Japan to have released the arcade game. Many of the machines were found in department stores throughout Taiwan. Nine sets were released with the last being Rayquaza.
The merchandise ended in Taiwan on December 2012 due to lower-than-expected popularity, the end of the Taiwanese contractor's contract, and the earlier retirement of the machines in Japan. All Taiwanese versions of the arcade machine have been removed and it is still unknown whether the Taiwanese game chips were playable in Japan.
Pokémon Tretta (PokémonTRETTA) was released in Taiwan in April 2016 by SEGA Taiwan, and in Hong Kong in 2017 by Hit-Style Ltd..
Events
There are also several events held in Taiwan. One of the first events were featured in PokéPark during 2006, but only for the Japanese language games. Mew, Jirachi and Celebi were distributed. Old Sea Map was also distributed for the pre-release ticket of the eighth movie. Keldeo and Meloetta were distributed in commemoration of the 15th movie during 2012, while Genesect and Mewtwo were distributed in 2013. Both Pikachu and Sylveon were also distributed in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Nintendo HK currently handles the distributions in both regions.
A PokéPark theme park was opened in Taiwan in 2006.
Pokémon Center Taipei opened in Taipei on December 8, 2023
Related articles
External links
- The Pokémon Company
- Nintendo
- Video games
- Pokémon Sun and Moon website (Traditional Chinese)
- Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon website (Traditional Chinese)
- Anime
- Manga
- Others
References
