How Japanese Religion Influenced Pokemon

Last updated on: April 27, 2021 at 11:36 am

March 2, 2021 by Andrew Henry

You might know that Pokémon is a Japanese video game, but did you know that many Pokémon designs were influenced by Japanese religion, mythology, and folklore? In fact, you can see Shintoism and Buddhism throughout the entire franchise.

Watch this video to learn more!

About Andrew Henry

Andrew M. Henry has a PhD from the Graduate Division of Religious Studies at Boston University specializing in Ancient Christianity. Andrew’s research focuses on magical ritual in the late antique Mediterranean with a particular interest in the material evidence of these practices such as ritual space, “magical” artifact assemblages, amulets, and apotropaic inscriptions. You can read more about the author here.