Junichi Masuda is born in Yokohama, Japan. His early life is characterized by a keen interest in music and technology, laying the foundation for his future career. He develops an appreciation for various musical genres, a trait that would later influence his compositional style for the Pokémon games.

Masuda joins Game Freak, a small independent game development studio. Initially, he works primarily as a programmer and composer. This early period allows him to hone his skills in game development and familiarize himself with the team that would later revolutionize the gaming landscape.

Masuda serves as a composer and programmer for the original Pokémon games, 'Pokémon Red and Green' (later released as 'Pokémon Blue' in some territories). He creates iconic tracks like the 'Pokémon Center' theme and the 'Battle!' themes which immediately capture the hearts of players and become synonymous with the Pokémon experience. His contributions are critical to the games' success and memorable atmosphere.

Masuda continues his role as a composer and programmer for 'Pokémon Gold and Silver.' He pushes the boundaries of the Game Boy Color's sound capabilities, crafting new and memorable tunes while also contributing to the technical aspects of the game. The success of Gold and Silver solidifies Pokémon's place as a major franchise.

For 'Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire,' Masuda steps into the role of director for the first time. He oversees the development process and introduces several new features, including abilities and natures, adding strategic depth to the gameplay. This marks a significant turning point in his career, showcasing his leadership and design skills.

Masuda continues his role as director for 'Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.' He introduces the Global Trade System (GTS), significantly expanding the game's online capabilities and fostering a global Pokémon trading community. This demonstrates his ability to integrate innovative features that enhance the player experience.

Masuda directs 'Pokémon X and Y,' the first main series Pokémon games on the Nintendo 3DS. These games introduce Mega Evolution and a fully 3D world, representing a major technological leap for the franchise. Masuda's leadership ensures a smooth transition to a new generation of hardware while retaining the core appeal of Pokémon.

Masuda serves as producer and director of 'Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!' and 'Let's Go, Eevee!', which are reimaginings of 'Pokémon Yellow' with mechanics inspired by 'Pokémon GO.' This shows Masuda's willingness to experiment with new gameplay formulas and attract a wider audience to the Pokémon franchise.

Masuda is a producer on 'Pokémon Sword and Shield' for the Nintendo Switch. He oversees the development of the Galar region and the introduction of Dynamaxing. These titles were highly anticipated as the first mainline Pokemon games on a home console.

Masuda is appointed as Chief Creative Fellow at The Pokémon Company. In this role, he continues to contribute his expertise to the overall direction and creative vision of the Pokémon franchise, advising on various projects and ensuring the series remains innovative and engaging for fans worldwide.