The Pokémon anime, 1997 to today

The Pokémon anime, all of it.

From Ash oversleeping in Pallet Town to Liko and the crew of the Brave Olivine. Every TV series and film, the web series, the main cast, the episodes people still talk about, and where to watch each era in the US.

Currently airing

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Liko and Roy · Paldea, Galar, Kalos, and Blueberry Academy in Unova

The first series in 26 years without Ash as the lead. Liko's pendant brings her to Terapagos and the Rising Volt Tacklers. Season 4 is on TV in Japan now.

On TV in Japan now

Wonders Ahead (Wonder Voyage in Japan)

This season started in Japan on May 22, 2026. The newest one, HZ156 "Tatsugiri, Order Up!", aired on November 6, 2026. The English dub starts on Netflix in the US on February 27, 2027. Where to watch

Series guide

Every TV series.

In order, from Indigo League in 1997 to today.

1997 - 2002 Concluded

Pokémon: The Original Series

276 episodes · Ash Ketchum

Region. Kanto, Orange Archipelago, Johto

The series that detonated a global phenomenon. Ten-year-old Ash gets stuck with a defiant Pikachu and walks out of Pallet Town. Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket lock in.

2002 - 2006 Concluded

Pokémon: Advanced Generation

192 episodes · Ash Ketchum

Region. Hoenn, Kanto Battle Frontier

Ash travels Hoenn with new Coordinator-in-training May and her younger brother Max. Pokémon Contests debut. Battle Frontier reactivates Kanto in the back half.

2006 - 2010 Concluded

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl

191 episodes · Ash Ketchum

Region. Sinnoh

Ash meets Dawn, a Coordinator following her mother's footsteps with Piplup. Fan-praised animation, Paul rivalry, and the Sinnoh League Top 4 vs. Tobias's Darkrai.

2010 - 2013 Concluded

Pokémon: Best Wishes (Black & White)

142 episodes · Ash Ketchum

Region. Unova, Decolora Islands

A near-reset of the formula. Ash travels Unova with Iris and Cilan. His Pikachu starts depowered; new Unovan Pokémon get full spotlight.

2013 - 2016 Concluded

Pokémon the Series: XY / XYZ

140 episodes · Ash Ketchum

Region. Kalos

Widely cited as the best-animated and best-written era. Mega Evolution debuts; Ash-Greninja arrives; Kalos League finals reframe Ash as a top-tier trainer.

2016 - 2019 Concluded

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

146 episodes · Ash Ketchum

Region. Alola

Slice-of-life Pokémon School sitcom with a chibi art style. Z-Moves replace Mega Evolution. Ash wins his first regional championship at the Alola League.

2019 - 2023 Concluded

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

147 episodes · Ash Ketchum and Goh

Region. All eight prior regions plus Hisui flashbacks

Ash and new co-protagonist Goh work as research fellows under Professor Cerise. The World Coronation Series tournament arc closes Ash's 26-year run by making him World Champion.

2023 to now Airing

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

156 episodes so far · Liko and Roy

Region. Paldea, Galar, Kalos, and Blueberry Academy in Unova

The first series in 26 years without Ash as the lead. Liko's pendant brings her to Terapagos and the Rising Volt Tacklers. Season 4 is on TV in Japan now.

Main cast

Who travels with Ash. Who travels with Liko.

Every recurring protagonist across the franchise, in series order. Companions, rivals, and the new Horizons crew.

Ash Ketchum

Indigo League

Protagonist, Seasons 1 through 25 (1997 to 2023)

Key partners. Pikachu, Charizard, Sceptile, Infernape, …

From Pallet Town. Wakes up late on day one, gets stuck with a Pikachu that refuses to enter a Poké Ball, walks across nine regions over 26 in-universe years. Eventually becomes the canonical Pokémon World Champion.

Read full guide →

Misty

Indigo League

Cerulean Gym Leader; water-type specialist

Key partners. Staryu, Starmie, Psyduck, Togepi (raised from egg), …

Youngest of the four Sensational Sisters. Joins Ash after he wrecks her bike with Pikachu and grudgingly follows him until he pays her back (he never quite does). Raised Togepi from an egg.

Read full guide →

Brock

Indigo League

Former Pewter Gym Leader; Pokémon Breeder, later Pokémon Doctor

Key partners. Onix → Steelix, Geodude, Crobat (Zubat → Golbat → Crobat), Ludicolo, …

Eldest of ten siblings. Former Pewter Gym Leader who hands the gym to his father Flint and travels with Ash as a Pokémon Breeder hopeful. Falls for every Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny he meets.

Read full guide →

Tracey Sketchit

Adventures in the Orange Islands

Pokémon Watcher; later Professor Oak's lab assistant

Key partners. Marill, Venonat, Scyther

Pokémon Watcher who sketches species in the wild. Replaces Brock during the Orange Islands arc when Brock stays with Prof. Ivy. Once Ash returns to Kanto, Tracey takes the Prof. Oak assistant job.

Read full guide →

May

Advanced Generation

Coordinator from Petalburg City

Key partners. Blaziken (Torchic → Combusken → Blaziken), Beautifly (Wurmple → Silcoon → Beautifly), Skitty, Munchlax, …

Daughter of Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader. Started her journey to travel, not battle. Fell into Coordinating and pioneered the Pokémon Contest format for the anime.

Read full guide →

Max

Advanced Generation

May's younger brother; cast Pokédex expert

Too young to legally own Pokémon during his run. Travels as the team's walking encyclopedia. Promised to begin his own journey by visiting every Hoenn Gym Leader.

Read full guide →

Dawn

Diamond & Pearl

Coordinator from Twinleaf Town

Key partners. Piplup (refuses to evolve), Buneary, Pachirisu, Mamoswine (Swinub → Piloswine → Mamoswine), …

Daughter of Top Coordinator Johanna. Her Piplup refuses to evolve, becoming Dawn's signature shoulder partner. Reached the Sinnoh Grand Festival finals.

Read full guide →

Iris

Best Wishes

Aspiring Dragon Master from the Village of Dragons; later Unova Champion

Key partners. Axew (Tusk Pokémon, partner), Excadrill, Emolga, Dragonite (Dragonair → Dragonite during BW142)

Travels Unova with Ash and Cilan. Frequently calls Ash a "kid" and is occasionally right. Becomes Champion of Unova by Journeys (revealed in the World Coronation Series).

Read full guide →

Cilan

Best Wishes

Striaton City Gym Leader (grass-type); A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur

Key partners. Pansage, Stunfisk, Crustle (Dwebble → Crustle)

Eldest of the Striaton triplet Gym Leaders (with Chili and Cress). Tastes everything: food, fashion, situations, Pokémon. Coined or revived "evaluating" as a verb in about every fourth sentence.

Read full guide →

Serena

XY

Pokémon Performer pursuing Kalos Queen

Key partners. Braixen (Fennekin → Braixen), Pancham, Sylveon (Eevee → Sylveon)

Childhood friend of Ash from Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp. Best known for the "Amourshipping" goodbye kiss in XYZ's finale.

Read full guide →

Clemont

XY

Lumiose City Gym Leader (electric-type); inventor

Key partners. Bunnelby, Chespin, Luxray (Shinx → Luxio → Luxray), Heliolisk, …

Bonnie's older brother. Inventions almost always blow up on first demo. Strongest of the Kalos Gym Leaders by a stretch in canon.

Read full guide →

Bonnie

XY

Clemont's younger sister

Key partners. Dedenne (Clemont caught and gifted to her), Squishy (Zygarde Core, temporary partner)

Too young to be a trainer, but cares for Dedenne and briefly bonds with the legendary Squishy (Zygarde Core).

Read full guide →

Lillie

Sun & Moon

Daughter of Lusamine, Aether Foundation president

Key partners. Snowy (Alolan Vulpix → Alolan Ninetales)

Initially unable to touch Pokémon due to childhood trauma involving Nihilego. Her arc through Sun & Moon is the emotional core of the Alola era as she rebuilds the bond and confronts her mother.

Read full guide →

Lana

Sun & Moon

Fisher; water-type specialist

Key partners. Popplio → Brionne → Primarina, Eevee

Quiet, devious, and capable of inventing horror stories with a perfectly flat face. Her family runs a charter fishing business.

Read full guide →

Kiawe

Sun & Moon

Fire-type rider / dancer from Akala Island

Key partners. Turtonator, Alolan Marowak, Charizard (family Charizard for Ride deliveries)

Heir to a Tauros / Miltank delivery business. Performs the fire-type Z-Move dances with full conviction. Carries himself like the cast's older sibling even when he isn't.

Read full guide →

Mallow

Sun & Moon

Chef-in-training; grass-type

Key partners. Steenee → Tsareena, Shaymin (briefly)

Family runs a Heahea City restaurant. Stronger battler than the slice-of-life framing suggests; her Tsareena is one of the more competitively scary partners of the SM cast.

Read full guide →

Sophocles

Sun & Moon

Tech prodigy; electric-type specialist

Key partners. Togedemaru, Charjabug → Vikavolt

Coder, drone-pilot, and Hokulani Observatory regular. Solves problems with sensors and homebrew firmware. Provides comedic ballast to Kiawe's intensity.

Read full guide →

Goh

Pokémon Journeys

Co-protagonist; Vermilion-based Research Fellow under Professor Cerise

Key partners. Scorbunny → Raboot → Cinderace, Suicune, Regieleki, Mew (long-term goal)

Aims to catch every Pokémon and meet Mew. Catch-first-ask-later philosophy gives the Journeys roster its sprawl. His friendship arc with Ash is the spine of the series.

Read full guide →

Chloe Cerise

Pokémon Journeys

Daughter of Professor Cerise

Key partners. Eevee (resists evolving), Yamper

Reluctant trainer who eventually picks up a Pokédex of her own. Her Eevee deliberately resists evolving despite encountering every stone and method on screen.

Read full guide →

Liko

Pokémon Horizons

Co-lead; a student who joins the Rising Volt Tacklers

Key partners. Sprigatito → Floragato → Meowscarada, Hatenna → Hattrem → Hatterene, Charcadet → Armarouge

A shy student whose pendant holds Terapagos. She is the first lead of a Pokémon TV series who is not Ash.

Read full guide →

Roy

Pokémon Horizons

Co-lead; a boy with an Ancient Poké Ball

Key partners. Fuecoco → Crocalor → Skeledirge, Wattrel → Kilowattrel, Lucario

A boy who carries an Ancient Poké Ball. He climbs aboard the Brave Olivine one night and soon joins the crew.

Read full guide →

Dot

Pokémon Horizons

Rising Volt Tacklers member who streams videos as Nidothing

Key partners. Quaxly → Quaxwell → Quaquaval, Tinkatink → Tinkatuff → Tinkaton, Gholdengo

A member of the crew who streams videos online as Nidothing. She keeps to herself at first.

Read full guide →

Friede

Pokémon Horizons

Captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers

Key partners. Captain Pikachu, Charizard

Captain of the Rising Volt Tacklers. He and Captain Pikachu lead the crew of the Brave Olivine.

Read full guide →

Theatrical films

Every Pokémon movie.

Two films, I Choose You! and The Power of Us, tell their own story apart from the TV series; they are marked below.

Coming next

2027

Pokémon: Wild Card

A new feature-length animated film about a Pokémon Trading Card Game player and his Mimikyu. It starts coming out around the world in 2027. No US date or service yet.

Announced

1990s

1998

Pokémon: The First Movie

Trainers are lured to New Island where a genetically engineered Mewtwo plots to replace humans and Pokémon with clones.

1999

Pokémon: The Movie 2000

Ash must collect three elemental orbs to summon Lugia and stop collector Lawrence III from kidnapping the legendary birds.

2000s

2000

Pokémon 3: The Movie

Unown make Molly Hale's wishes real, conjuring a phantom Entei that kidnaps Ash's mother Delia.

2001

Pokémon 4Ever

A Pokémon Hunter from the future captures Celebi while a boy from 40 years prior befriends Ash.

2002

Pokémon Heroes

Thieves Annie and Oakley invade Alto Mare to steal the Soul Dew.

2003

Jirachi: Wish Maker

A magician seeks to use the Millennium Comet's Jirachi to revive Groudon.

2004

Destiny Deoxys

A crystallized Deoxys returns to LaRousse City years after its mate was killed by Rayquaza.

2005

Lucario and the Mystery of Mew

Ash is mistaken for the Aura Guardian Sir Aaron by a sealed Lucario; they trek to the Tree of Beginning to save Mew.

2006

Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

Ash helps Pokémon Ranger Jackie escort Manaphy's egg through pirate-infested seas.

2007

The Rise of Darkrai

Dialga and Palkia battle over Alamos Town; Darkrai is wrongly blamed.

2008

Giratina and the Sky Warrior

Shaymin and Giratina cross between the Reverse World and ours, pursued by Zero.

2009

Arceus and the Jewel of Life

Ash time-travels to prevent a betrayal that turns Arceus against humanity.

2010s

2010

Zoroark: Master of Illusions

A captured mother Zoroark causes chaos at a tournament while her cub Zorua searches for her.

2011

Black: Victini and Reshiram / White: Victini and Zekrom

A descendant of the People of the Vale tries to restore a fallen kingdom using legendary power.

2012

Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice

A Keldeo fleeing Kyurem seeks help from the Swords of Justice.

2013

Genesect and the Legend Awakened

Cloned Genesect rampage in New Tork City; a different Mewtwo intervenes.

2014

Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction

Princess Diancie seeks to make a Heart Diamond as Yveltal awakens.

2015

Hoopa and the Clash of Ages

Hoopa's dark Unbound half is freed and summons legendary Pokémon to attack Dahara City.

2016

Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel

Volcanion and the artificial Pokémon Magearna must escape the Azoth Kingdom.

2017

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!

Alternate-continuity retelling of Ash's earliest journey, climaxing with Ho-Oh.

Alternate continuity
2018

Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us

An ensemble of strangers in Fula City save the Wind Festival from Zeraora and a toxic gas leak.

Alternate continuity
2019

Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution

Full-CGI shot-for-shot remake of the 1998 original.

2020s

2020

Secrets of the Jungle

A boy raised in the jungle by Zarude must reconcile his human and Pokémon families.

Web series · YouTube and Netflix

The spinoffs are where the franchise lets the studio gloves come off.

Studio Colorido on Twilight Wings, WIT on Hisuian Snow, dwarf Studios on Concierge. Different teams, different tones, all canon-adjacent.

2002-2004 OLM

Pokémon Chronicles

22 episodes · TV (Japan) / Cartoon Network (US)

Anthology focused on side characters (Misty, Tracey, Jessie / James, Ritchie, the Pichu Brothers). Includes the Legend of Thunder! arc starring Jimmy and Marina from Pokémon Crystal.

2013 OLM

Pokémon Origins

4 episodes · TV / streaming

Retells Red's game-canon journey through FireRed / LeafGreen. The Charizard / Venusaur final episode is the high-water mark.

2016 OLM

Pokémon Generations

18 episodes · YouTube

Eighteen short episodes recapping vignettes from Gen I through VI. Animation quality varies by episode but the format works.

2020 Studio Colorido

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

8 episodes · YouTube

Galar-set web series. Different cast each episode, watercolor-soft visual style. Often cited as the best-looking thing the brand has produced.

2021 OLM

Pokémon Evolutions

8 episodes · YouTube

25th-anniversary tribute series. One episode per region (Galar back to Kanto). The Cynthia / Volkner / Steven episodes are standouts.

2022 WIT Studio

Pokémon: Hisuian Snow

3 episodes · YouTube

Three-episode tie-in with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, set in ancient Hisui. Tone of dark, regional folklore. WIT Studio (Attack on Titan) at full bore.

2023 WIT Studio

Pokémon: Path to the Peak

3 episodes · YouTube

TCG-focused mini series following hopeful TCG player Aaliyah. Quiet, character-focused; closer to a slice-of-life short.

2023-2025 dwarf Studios

Pokémon Concierge

8 episodes · Netflix

Stop-motion ONA. Down-on-her-luck Haru works at the Pokémon Resort with manager Ms. Watanabe and trainee Tyler. Season 1 (Dec 2023, 4 eps); Season 2 (Sep 2025, 4 eps) introduced Sealeo, Shinx / Luxray, Arcanine, Corphish.

Cultural moments · the episodes that shaped the run

The moments that landed.

Iconic episodes, era-defining matches, and one that the world has never been allowed to re-air.

  1. EP001
    1997-04-01 · Pokémon, I Choose You!

    Pikachu's debut as Ash's reluctant starter. The bicycle gets fried; Spearow swarm the trainer; Ho-Oh flies overhead. The franchise's opening shot, still imitated 29 years later.

    Open episode →
  2. EP038
    1997-12-16 · Electric Soldier Porygon

    Banned worldwide after a "paka-paka" red / blue strobe (12 Hz alternation) triggered photosensitive seizures in roughly 700 viewers. Holds the Guinness record for "Most Photosensitive Epileptic Seizures Caused by a Television Show." Has never re-aired anywhere. Porygon's evolutionary line has not headlined an episode since.

    Open episode →
  3. AG192
    2006-09-14 · Home is Where the Start Is!

    Last episode of the Advanced Generation era. May and Max depart; the show transitions to Diamond & Pearl. Genre-defining cast change.

    Open episode →
  4. SM139
    2019-09-15 · Enter the Champion!

    Ash defeats Gladion's Lycanroc to win the Manalo Conference. His FIRST regional Pokémon League championship after 22 in-universe years. The fandom's collective catharsis episode.

    Open episode →
  5. JN132
    2022-11-11 · Partners in Time!

    Ash defeats Champion Leon in the World Coronation Series Masters Tournament to become the Pokémon World Champion (Monarch). A title 25 years in the making.

    Open episode →
  6. JN147
    2023-03-24 · The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!

    Final regular episode starring Ash and Pikachu. Closes their 26-year run with a rainbow and a glimpse of Ho-Oh, mirroring EP001's final shot. Ash walks off into the horizon.

    Open episode →
  7. HZ001
    2023-04-14 · The Pendant That Starts It All: Part One

    Liko's first episode, and the first series premiere without Ash as the lead. The Rising Volt Tacklers and their airship, the Brave Olivine, enter the story. The hand-off to a new generation is complete.

    Open episode →

Where to watch · US, October 2026

Legal streaming homes.

No single service hosts the complete catalog. The Pokémon TV app closed on March 28, 2024; viewers now mix Netflix, Tubi, YouTube and digital purchases. Every season and film, service by service.

Episode guide

Every episode, browsable.

Click a series to open its season list, or scroll the full chronological feed. Linking from /pokedex/X-slug?pokemon=Pikachu filters to episodes featuring that species.

Show every episode in order

Common questions.

How many Pokémon anime episodes are there?

Our guide lists 1,390 TV episodes, from Indigo League in 1997 to the newest Pokémon Horizons episode, which aired in Japan on November 6, 2026. Ash Ketchum led the first 1,234. Horizons, with Liko and Roy, began in April 2023 and has 156 so far. Films and web series are counted separately.

Did Ash Ketchum win the Pokémon League?

Yes, twice. Ash won the Alola League (Manalo Conference) in 2019, his first regional championship after 22 in-universe years. Then in November 2022 he defeated Champion Leon in the World Coronation Series Masters Tournament to become the canonical Pokémon World Champion (Monarch). His final episode aired March 24, 2023.

Who is the protagonist after Ash?

Liko, a student from Paldea, and Roy, a boy with an Ancient Poké Ball, share the lead of Pokémon Horizons: The Series. They first appeared in April 2023 with the Rising Volt Tacklers, the crew of the airship Brave Olivine (Friede, Dot, Murdock, Orla and Captain Pikachu). They are the first leads of the main TV series who are not Ash.

What is the banned Pokémon episode?

"Electric Soldier Porygon" (EP038), aired December 16, 1997 in Japan only. A red / blue strobe sequence at 12 Hz triggered photosensitive seizures in roughly 700 viewers. The episode holds a Guinness World Record for "Most Photosensitive Epileptic Seizures Caused by a Television Show" and has never re-aired in any country. Porygon and its evolutions have not headlined an episode since.

Where can I watch Pokémon episodes?

In the US, Netflix has Pokémon Horizons (Seasons 1 to 3), XY to XYZ, Pokémon Concierge and the first 52 Indigo League episodes. Tubi streams Indigo League, Black & White, XY and Sun & Moon free with ads, and the official Pokémon TV YouTube channel has Seasons 1 to 10 free. Journeys is not streaming in the US right now; Apple TV sells it. The Pokémon TV app closed on March 28, 2024. Next on Netflix: Pokémon Horizons: Wonders Ahead Part 1, on February 27, 2027.

How many Pokémon movies are there?

23 theatrical films came out between 1998 and 2020, counting the 2019 CGI remake of the first one. Two of them (I Choose You! in 2017 and The Power of Us in 2018) tell their own story, apart from the TV series. The next one, Pokémon: Wild Card, starts coming out around the world in 2027.

What is Pokémon Concierge?

A stop-motion Netflix ONA produced by dwarf Studios. Season 1 (Dec 28, 2023, 4 episodes) follows down-on-her-luck Haru working at the Pokémon Resort with manager Ms. Watanabe and trainee Tyler. Season 2 (Sep 4, 2025, 4 more episodes) added Sealeo, Shinx / Luxray, Arcanine, and Corphish to the resort.

Episode list last checked November 9, 2026. The sources we use are on our acknowledgements page. Pokémon, character names and series titles are © Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures Inc., The Pokémon Company, OLM Inc. and their studio partners. This is an unofficial fan guide.