The enduring popularity of Japanese games is nothing short of a phenomenon. Whether they’ve been created as games from the outset, or been adapted from their manga or anime origins, they’ve proven a hit around the world for decades.

In celebration of iconic games from Japan, today we take a look at one of the country’s most popular creations, Pokémon Masters.

Whether you’re new to the world of Pokémon or a veteran of the series, Pokémon Masters is a thrill to play, as you head to the island of Pasio and form a team of Trainers and Pokémon who join up to become Sync Pairs and engage in battles.

Sync Pairs were the “Pocket Monsters” series of Trainers and Pokémon who stood in front of the players as Gym Leaders, the Elite Four and Champions in the original series. Seeing these Sync Pairs team up and fight together now is extremely exciting, especially for those who have played the “Pocket Monsters” series before.

Tetsuya Iguchi, one of the game’s producers, tells us about some of the special characteristics of the most popular Sync Pairs.

“Wallace’s glorious aura and Milotic’s graceful form were a fantastic visual combination. In Pokémon Masters, in order for Milotic to be an indispensable presence in the art Wallace draws, it’s not only about the physical appearance, but also drawn with a style of mutual trust and matching breath,” says Tetsuya.

The beautiful Sync Pair’s technique is eye-catching, but Wallace’s “Grand Illusion” that he reveals during battle is unique. Explaining how the name for this move came about, Tetsuya says, “If one can hold up even after receiving a lot of damage in this state of resistance, then the abnormal state is reflected back to the enemy – it really is an ‘illusion!’.”

Elesa is a trainer who loves an Electric-type Pokémon and a Gym Leader in Nimbasa City in the Unova region. She wears a specially designed costume called the Sygna suit and is paired up with Rotom, a Plasma Pokémon.

“She feels overwhelmed by Pasio where various Sync Pairs gather, but the mischievous Rotom puts her in a cheerful mood. Their bond was forged in Pasio and I hope that shows in the Sync Pairs episodes within the game,” Tetsuya says.

The purpose of Elesa wearing the Sygna suit during battle is to achieve “Breathtaking”, a unique move that makes it easier for Sync Pairs to come out.

This move seems to have been named so because it is “a Sync Pairs move which shows the superb combination of Elesa and Rotom. This move is one which can send the count forward suddenly to the point that the Sync Pairs activate the move and it really is ‘breathtaking’ for both the player and the opponent,” Tetsuya says.

Red is a Trainer from the Kanto region of Pallet Town (Japanese: Masara Town). In Pokémon Red and Blue (Japanese: Pocket Monster Red and Green), he was the main character and in subsequent titles, he often appears as a very powerful trainer.

In Pokémon Masters, Red’s Sync Pair is a Charizard that can also achieve Mega Evolution. Red is also a Trainer who wears the Sygna suit.

Red, now regarded as a legendary Trainer in the world of Pokémon, and his partner, Charizard, are among the game’s standout characters.

“You could say that Red and Charizard are the real origin of Trainers and Pokémon. I think they are the most suitable combination of Sync Pairs in Pokémon Masters, a game that brings together all generations of Trainers and Pokémon,” says Tetsuya.

Red’s move is called “My Destiny!“ This move, which provides a strong feeling that you are going to win, will certainly lead your team to victory.

“Red is always depicted as a highly skilled and legendary trainer – not only in Pokémon Red and Blue but way beyond. He believes in his Pokémon and is confident they can lead him to victory,” says Tetsuya.

In addition to the Sync Pairs described here, the Pokémon Masters world, where many Trainers and Pokémon ties are drawn, is full of character appeal – and you’ll quickly grow to love their larger-than-life personalities.