* Satoshi Tajiri is the creator of the concept and the game's core mechanics. He was inspired by his childhood hobby of collecting insects and wanted to create a game that captured that experience.
* Ken Sugimori is the character designer and primary artist. He designed the iconic Pokemon characters, as well as the overall look and feel of the Pokemon world.
While there were many people involved in the development and success of Pokemon, Tajiri and Sugimori are considered the primary creators of the franchise.