No sooner had the uproarious pedometer craze swept across the archipelago than an entirely new temptation quietly seized the children's attention.
The display windows of toy stores on shopping streets seemed to have been enchanted overnight.
The space that had originally held traditional dolls and robots was now occupied by a group of brightly colored "new residents" in all shapes and forms.
Manufacturers authorized by Sega, including Dongka Company, San-X, and Mattel, launched the first batch of Pokémon merchandise at astonishing speed.
Plush Pikachu wore adorably goofy smiles, the tips of Charmander's tails seemed to burn with warm flames, Squirtle's round little head made people want to reach out and give it a pat, while Bulbasaur lay quietly in the corner, the seed on its back seeming to brim with vigorous life.
Besides these palm-sized plush figures, there were also crystal-clear Poké Ball-shaped keychains, refracting enchanting colors beneath the lights.
A few sheets of shiny stickers printed with Pokémon designs ignited the most primal collecting desire in the lower-grade children.
What drew the children's eyes most was the "Poké Ball holster belt" modeled after the gear Ash Ketchum wore in the animation.
With a simple nylon fastener design, it came in styles that could hold three Poké Balls or six Poké Balls, instantly striking the boys' dream of becoming "real Trainers."
As soon as the school bell rang, the children were like little birds freed from their cages, chattering as they surged toward these shops.
They pressed themselves against the display glass, their little faces almost sticking to it, their eyes glittering with longing.
"Whoa! Look at that Pikachu hat! If you wear it, it's like you've got a Pikachu sitting on your head!"
"I want that Charmander backpack! It looks like it's clinging to my back!"
"That belt is