The Pokemon Company President Compares Pokemon and Shogi

The Pokémon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara and professional shogi player Sota Fujii sat down for a conversation in a recent article published in the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. The two discussed the similarities between Pokemon and shogi. [Thanks, Game Watch!]

During the interview, President Ishihara said that he has enjoyed playing shogi since childhood as it has been around longer than Pokemon. Meanwhile, Fujii said that he hadn’t had much experience with Pokemon until recently but that he has played Pokemon GO.

Ishihara and Fujii commented that both Pokemon and shogi are similar, as both are “mind sports” that promote strategic thinking abilities in 1v1 player scenarios. In both games, players need to observe their opponent’s movements and plan their own moves ahead.

Ishihara jokingly added that, in the 5 and 6-year-old categories for both games, there are some naughty children competing, and the people responsible for both Pokemon and shogi tournaments want them to compete calmly and make it a rule to shake hands and promote sportsmanship behavior.

The conversation was held to celebrate the upcoming Pokémon Ryuo Tournament 2024, which will determine the strongest Pokemon player in Japan. The tournament will be held on February 25, 2024, at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theatre in Shibuya, Tokyo, which is the same venue where the 7-round shogi Ryuo Tournament is held every year between October and December.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the latest titles in the series and are immediately available on Nintendo Switch. The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk add-ons are also available.