The world of Pokemon draws from many inspirations. The creator of the series, Satoshi Tajiri, has revealed that Pokemon was inspired by his childhood insect-collecting hobby, and the games are meant to be a way for kids to experience that same joy in an urban area. Since the release of the first games in 1996, the series has expanded its range of influences and while Japanese myths and folktales are still a strong influence, elements from myths from around the world can be found in Pokemon games.