Washington (AFP)

They have delighted children - and sometimes even parents - for more than twenty years: the Pokémon, these miniature creatures with superpowers, are at the party all weekend in Washington.

More than 7,500 people from 49 countries flocked to the US capital to attend the Pokémon World Championships from August 16-18. At first glance, on the first day of this annual event, most participants were twenty years or older.

"I'm 24 years old, but I know I'm young," Amanda Gunkle plays, head to toe with the Pikachu paraphernalia, the star yellow Pokémon.

"I've been a fan (of Pokemon) since I was a kid," she says. She came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her twin brother, to watch the tournament.

No wonder Pokémon seduces the youngest, but, for old fans, the love of these imaginary creatures marry nostalgia and novelties.

The franchise was launched in Japan in 1996 but has not been successful in the United States until the early 2000s.

The brand continues to release video games regularly. There are also Pokemon cards, an animated television series and several movies. The universe attracts different generations, says Elvin Gee, a spokesman for the Pokemon Company.

"It's amazing to watch parents give their cards and video games to their children," says the one who, growing up, was an absolute fan of these fictional creatures.

The popularity of Pokémon has also increased recently with the success of the Pokemon Go smartphone game and the release in May of the movie "Pokémon: Detective Pikachu", which has so far reported more than 430 million dollars worldwide.

John Kim, a fan from New Jersey, a state north of Washington, "really loves" seeing his kids play Pokemon.

"They are forced to learn to lose and win with elegance," he says.

The forty-year-old has driven so far with his family that these two oldest sons - 8 and 11 years old - can participate in the tournament.

At the Kim, Pokémon passion has not passed from father to son. John became a fan when his offspring started playing.

The whole family now plays, even the youngest boy, four years old.

"It's a good strategy game that makes them think," says the 40-year-old family man, adding that he especially likes to see his children play the card game because "it's not a screen ".

In Washington, the goal is also to win. The maximum price is $ 25,000. But rewards are often distributed in the form of scholarships or travel vouchers, especially for minor players.

"Where we come from, whatever language we speak, it does not matter, we try to understand each other and then we have a common interest", describes Yannick Daunais, 38, who took his family here from Quebec so that his 11 year old son could participate in the championships.

As for John Kim, Yannick Daunais started playing Pokemon when his daughters started. He and his son even worked overtime together the days before the tournament.

"We are like a huge family," says her 14-year-old daughter Mya. She and her 12-year-old sister Lidya are disguised as Pikachu and Evoli, another Pokémon.

Like a girl, like a father, the latter agrees: "We are part of a huge Pokemon family."

© 2019 AFP