As a child growing up in suburban Japan, Satoshi Tajiri was deeply fascinated by insects. He would spend hours collecting them, observing their behaviour, and studying their habitats; an activity that earned him the childhood nickname "Dr Bug". This intense, focused interest, often a hallmark of autism, later inspired the core concept of Pokémon: collecting, understanding and battling small creatures. Satoshi Tajiri, the visionary behind the iconic Pokémon franchise, is widely believed to be on the autism spectrum — the subject discussed below.

Satoshi struggled in traditional schooling and was seen as a misfit by many, but he found purpose in video games and design. His unique thinking and creative vision led him to conceptualise a game where players could explore, collect and trade creatures — a world now beloved by millions. What began as a niche Game Boy title in 1996 grew into a global phenomenon, with Pokémon becoming one of the most successful multimedia franchises in history.

Tajiri's story is a shining example of how neurodivergent minds can........

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