I first learned about pokemon in second grade in Germany through the tcg, It was popular to collect the cards, but none of us really knew the rules (this was on an American military base,so I don't know the German pokemon names). When I came back from Germany, I was stuck in a hotel for two months, and during that time, I was introduced to the anime. It was only three or so years ago that I was introduced to the game, my first of which was Soul Silver. I have never finished it sadly, because I don't own it, and it hasn't had a decent (read cheap) price.