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Series guide · Diamond & Pearl

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl

Concluded 2006 - 2010 193 episodes Ash Ketchum

Region. Sinnoh

Generally cited as the fandom's most popular era. Diamond & Pearl modernized the animation pipeline, doubled down on long battle arcs, and gave Ash his most narratively satisfying rival in Paul (whose entire arc is about how to treat Pokémon as a trainer). Dawn debuts as a co-protagonist following her Top Coordinator mother Johanna's footsteps; her Piplup refuses to evolve and stays the shoulder partner. Brock returns for his final regular run. Team Galactic's bid to reshape reality with Dialga and Palkia gives the era its single most apocalyptic villain plot. The Sinnoh League itself is the show's strongest tournament arc up to that point, capped by the infamous Tobias / Darkrai match where Ash takes out a Latios in defeat.

Story arcs · 4 major beats

How the series moves.

  1. DP001-DP052

    Diamond and Pearl

    Ash arrives in Sinnoh, meets Dawn and her Piplup, reunites with Brock. Picks Turtwig from Rowan; the Sinnoh badge run begins. Paul introduced as a foil.

  2. DP053-DP104

    Battle Dimension

    Continues the gym challenge; Dawn enters Sinnoh Contests. Team Galactic's plot escalates; Mt. Coronet research begins. Includes the Pokémon Origins-style Spear Pillar setup.

  3. DP105-DP157

    Galactic Battles

    Team Galactic captures the Lake Guardians (Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf). Cyrus tries to remake reality. Climax features Champion Cynthia confronting Cyrus in person.

  4. DP158-DP193

    Sinnoh League Victors

    Lily of the Valley Conference. Ash defeats Paul in the quarterfinals (the franchise's most-cited rival victory). Falls to Tobias's Darkrai then Latios in the semifinals. Cast splits at the end.

Format introductions

What this era introduced.

  • Physical / Special split (anime-acknowledged)
  • Pokémon Contests in Sinnoh format (Visual then Battle)
  • Underground hideaway references
  • Mt. Coronet legendary trio

Key episodes · the ones to watch

Episodes that mattered.

  1. DP001
    Following a Maiden's Voyage!

    Dawn's debut. Picks Piplup; sets up the Coordinator arc. Lighter, brighter aesthetic than AG.
  2. DP054
    When Pokémon Worlds Collide!

    Champion Cynthia debuts in person. Iconic introduction that the games could not match.
  3. DP131
    Battling a Cute Drama!

    Dawn vs. Ursula. The Hearthome Contest finale, a high point for Dawn's arc.
  4. DP184
    Familiarity Breeds Strategy!

    Ash vs. Paul, Sinnoh League quarterfinal. The single most demanded match in DP fandom history.
  5. DP191
    The Semifinal Frontier!

    Ash vs. Tobias, Sinnoh League semifinal. Tobias's Darkrai sweep through the tournament was the franchise's only "this guy has a legendary" plot until Champions in 2026.

Competitive climax

League result.

Top 4 at the Sinnoh League (Lily of the Valley Conference). Defeated rival Paul in the quarterfinals; lost to Tobias's Darkrai + Latios in the semifinals.

Cast rotation

Who travels, who rivals, who villains.

Ash KetchumPikachuDawnPiplupBrockPaulBarryZoeyKennyConwayChampion CynthiaCyrusTeam Galactic Commanders

Theme notes

Opening songs and scoring.

JP OP "Together" by Akihiro Mayama defined the early-2010s Pokémon soundscape. The Sinnoh League finale used "Together2010" with full orchestration.

Reception

How it lands now.

The fandom's benchmark for "what Pokémon anime can be at its best." Animation quality holds up. Paul rivalry is studied as one of anime's better antagonist-to-respect arcs. The Tobias finale is divisive (some love it, some never forgave the show).

Episode database · 191 entries

Every episode in the series.

JP debut 2006-09-28, DP001 "Following a Maiden's Voyage!". Latest entry DP191 "Memories Are Made of Bliss!" (2010-09-09).

Show all 191 episodes
  1. DP001 Following a Maiden's Voyage! 2007-04-20
  2. DP002 Two Degrees of Separation! 2007-04-20
  3. DP003 When Pokémon Worlds Collide! 2007-04-20
  4. DP004 Dawn of a New Era! 2007-06-07
  5. DP005 Gettin' Twiggy with It! 2007-06-11
  6. DP006 Different Strokes for Different Blokes! 2007-06-12
  7. DP007 Like it or Lup It! 2007-06-13
  8. DP008 Gymbaliar! 2007-06-14
  9. DP009 Setting the World on its Buneary! 2007-06-18
  10. DP010 Not on My Watch Ya Don't! 2007-06-19
  11. DP011 Mounting a Coordinator Assault! 2007-06-20
  12. DP012 Arrival of a Rival! 2007-06-21
  13. DP013 A Staravia Is Born! 2007-06-25
  14. DP014 Leave it to Brocko! 2007-06-26
  15. DP015 Shapes of Things to Come! 2007-06-27
  16. DP016 A Gruff Act to Follow! 2007-06-28
  17. DP017 Wild in the Streets! 2007-07-02
  18. DP018 O'er the Rampardos We Watched! 2007-07-03
  19. DP019 Twice Smitten, Once Shy! 2007-07-05
  20. DP020 Mutiny in the Bounty! 2007-07-09
  21. DP021 Ya See We Want an Evolution! 2007-07-10
  22. DP022 Borrowing on Bad Faith! 2007-07-11
  23. DP023 Faced with Steelix Determination! 2007-07-12
  24. DP024 Cooking Up a Sweet Story! 2007-07-16
  25. DP025 Oh Do You Know the Poffin Plan! 2007-09-01
  26. DP026 Getting the Pre-Contest Titters! 2007-09-01
  27. DP027 Settling a Not-So-Old Score! 2007-09-08
  28. DP028 Drifloon on the Wind! 2007-09-15
  29. DP029 The Champ Twins! 2007-09-22
  30. DP030 Some Enchanted Sweetening! 2007-09-29
  31. DP031 The Grass-Type is Always Greener! 2007-10-06
  32. DP032 An Angry Combeenation! 2007-10-13
  33. DP033 All Dressed Up with Somewhere to Go! 2007-10-20
  34. DP034 Buizel Your Way Out of This! 2007-10-27
  35. DP035 An Elite Meet and Greet! 2007-11-03
  36. DP036 A Secret Sphere of Influence! 2007-11-10
  37. DP037 The Grass Menagerie! 2007-11-17
  38. DP038 One Big Happiny Family! 2007-11-24
  39. DP039 Steamboat Willies! 2007-12-01
  40. DP040 Top-Down Training! 2007-12-08
  41. DP041 A Stand-Up Sit-Down! 2007-12-15
  42. DP042 The Electrike Company! 2007-12-22
  43. DP043 Malice in Wonderland! 2007-12-29
  44. DP044 Mass Hip-Po-Sis! 2008-01-05
  45. DP045 Ill-Will Hunting! 2008-01-12
  46. DP046 A Maze-ing Race! 2008-01-19
  47. DP047 Sandshrew's Locker! 2008-01-26
  48. DP048 Ash and Dawn! Head for a New Adventure!! 2007-09-27
  49. DP049 Dawn's Early Night! 2008-01-26
  50. DP050 Tag! We're It...! 2008-02-01
  51. DP051 Glory Blaze! 2008-02-01
  52. DP052 Smells Like Team Spirit! 2008-02-01
  53. DP053 Tears for Fears! 2008-04-12
  54. DP054 Once There Were Greenfields 2008-04-19
  55. DP055 Throwing the Track Switch 2008-04-26
  56. DP056 The Keystone Pops! 2008-05-10
  57. DP057 Bibarel Gnaws Best! 2008-05-17
  58. DP058 Nosing 'Round the Mountain! 2008-05-24
  59. DP059 Luxray Vision! 2008-05-31
  60. DP060 Journey to the Unown! 2008-06-07
  61. DP061 Team Shocker! 2008-06-14
  62. DP062 Tanks for the Memories! 2008-06-21
  63. DP063 Hot Springing a Leak! 2008-06-28
  64. DP064 Riding the Winds of Change! 2008-07-05
  65. DP065 Sleight of Sand! 2008-07-12
  66. DP066 Lost Leader Strategy! 2008-07-19
  67. DP067 Crossing the Battle Line! 2008-07-26
  68. DP068 A Triple Fighting Chance! 2008-08-02
  69. DP069 Enter Galactic! 2008-08-09
  70. DP070 The Bells Are Singing! 2008-08-16
  71. DP071 Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1 2008-11-01
  72. DP072 Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 2 2008-11-08
  73. DP073 Crossing Paths 2008-08-23
  74. DP074 Pika and Goliath! 2008-08-30
  75. DP075 Our Cup Runneth Over! 2008-09-06
  76. DP076 A Full Course Tag Battle! 2008-09-13
  77. DP077 Staging a Heroes' Welcome! 2008-09-20
  78. DP078 Pruning a Passel of Pals! 2008-09-27
  79. DP079 Strategy with a Smile! 2008-10-11
  80. DP080 The Thief That Keeps on Thieving! 2008-10-18
  81. DP081 Chim-Charred! 2008-10-25
  82. DP082 Cream of the Croagunk Crop! 2008-11-15
  83. DP083 A Crasher Course in Power! 2008-11-22
  84. DP084 Hungry for the Good Life! 2008-12-06
  85. DP085 Fighting Fear with Fear! 2008-12-13
  86. DP086 Arriving in Style! 2008-12-20
  87. DP087 The Psyduck Stops Here! 2008-12-27
  88. DP088 Camping it Up! 2009-01-03
  89. DP089 Up Close and Personable! 2009-01-10
  90. DP090 Ghoul Daze! 2009-01-17
  91. DP091 One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team! 2009-01-24
  92. DP092 A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine! 2009-01-31
  93. DP093 Playing the Leveling Field! 2009-02-07
  94. DP094 Doc Brock! 2009-02-14
  95. DP095 Battling the Generation Gap! 2009-02-21
  96. DP096 Losing Its Lustrous! 2009-02-28
  97. DP097 Double Team Turnover! 2009-03-07
  98. DP098 If the Scarf Fits, Wear It! 2009-03-21
  99. DP099 A Trainer and Child Reunion! 2009-03-28
  100. DP100 Aiding the Enemy! 2009-04-04
  101. DP101 Barry's Busting Out All Over! 2009-04-11
  102. DP102 Shield with a Twist! 2009-04-18
  103. DP103 Jumping Rocket Ship! 2009-04-25
  104. DP104 Sleepless in Pre-Battle! 2009-05-02
  105. DP105 Get Your Rotom Running! 2009-05-09
  106. DP106 A Breed Stampede! 2009-05-16
  107. DP107 Ancient Family Matters! 2009-05-23
  108. DP108 Dealing with Defensive Types! 2009-05-30
  109. DP109 Leading a Stray! 2009-06-06
  110. DP110 Steeling Peace of Mind! 2009-06-13
  111. DP111 Saving the World from Ruins! 2009-06-20
  112. DP112 Cheers on Castaways Isle! 2009-06-27
  113. DP113 Hold the Phione! 2009-07-04
  114. DP114 Another One Gabites the Dust! 2009-07-11
  115. DP115 Stealing the Conversation! 2009-07-18
  116. DP116 The Drifting Snorunt! 2009-07-25
  117. DP117 Noodles! Roamin' Off! 2009-08-01
  118. DP118 Pursuing a Lofty Goal! 2009-08-08
  119. DP119 Trials and Adulations! 2009-08-15
  120. DP120 Fushigi na Ikimono Poketto Monsutā! 2009-03-26
  121. DP121 The Lonely Snover! 2009-08-22
  122. DP122 Stopped in the Name of Love! 2009-08-29
  123. DP123 Old Rivals, New Tricks! 2009-09-05
  124. DP124 To Thine Own Pokémon Be True! 2009-09-12
  125. DP125 Battling a Cute Drama! 2009-09-26
  126. DP126 Classroom Training! 2009-10-03
  127. DP127 Sliding Into Seventh! 2009-10-10
  128. DP128 A Pyramiding Rage! 2009-10-17
  129. DP129 Pillars of Friendship! 2009-10-24
  130. DP130 Frozen on Their Tracks! 2009-10-31
  131. DP131 Pedal to the Mettle! 2009-11-07
  132. DP132 Evolving Strategies! 2009-11-14
  133. DP133 Uncrushing Defeat! 2009-11-21
  134. DP134 Promoting Healthy Tangrowth! 2009-12-05
  135. DP135 Beating the Bustle and Hustle! 2009-12-12
  136. DP136 Gateway to Ruin! 2009-12-19
  137. DP137 Three Sides to Every Story! 2009-12-26
  138. DP138 Strategy Begins at Home! 2010-01-02
  139. DP139 A Faux Oak Finish! 2010-01-09
  140. DP140 Historical Mystery Tour! 2010-01-16
  141. DP141 Challenging a Towering Figure 2010-01-23
  142. DP142 Where No Togepi Has Gone Before! 2010-01-30
  143. DP143 An Egg Scramble! 2010-02-06
  144. DP144 Gone With the Windworks! 2010-02-13
  145. DP145 A Rivalry to Gible On! 2010-02-20
  146. DP146 Dressed for Jess Success! 2010-02-27
  147. DP147 Bagged Then Tagged! 2010-03-06
  148. DP148 Try for the Family Stone! 2010-03-13
  149. DP149 Sticking with Who You Know! 2010-03-20
  150. DP150 Unlocking the Red Chain of Events! 2010-03-27
  151. DP151 The Needs of the Three! 2010-04-03
  152. DP152 The Battle Finale of Legend! 2010-04-10
  153. DP153 The Treasure Is All Mine! 2010-04-17
  154. DP154 Mastering Current Events! 2010-04-24
  155. DP155 Double-Time Battle Training! 2010-05-01
  156. DP156 A Meteoric Rise to Excellence! 2010-05-08
  157. DP157 Gotta Get a Gible! 2010-05-15
  158. DP158 Regaining the Home Advantage! 2010-06-05
  159. DP159 Short and to the Punch! 2010-06-12
  160. DP160 A Marathon Rivalry! 2010-06-19
  161. DP161 Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn! 2010-06-26
  162. DP162 Playing the Performance Encore! 2010-07-03
  163. DP163 Fighting Ire with Fire! 2010-07-10
  164. DP164 Piplup, Up and Away! 2010-07-17
  165. DP165 Flint Sparks the Fire! 2010-07-24
  166. DP166 The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore! 2010-07-31
  167. DP167 Teaching the Student Teacher! 2010-08-07
  168. DP168 Keeping in Top Forme! 2010-08-14
  169. DP169 Pokémon Ranger: Heatran Rescue! 2010-10-16
  170. DP170 An Elite Coverup! 2010-08-21
  171. DP171 Dawn of a Royal Day! 2010-08-28
  172. DP172 With the Easiest of Grace! 2010-09-04
  173. DP173 Dealing with a Fierce Double Ditto Drama! 2010-09-11
  174. DP174 Last Call-First Round! 2010-09-18
  175. DP175 Opposites Interact! 2010-09-25
  176. DP176 Coming Full-Festival Circle! 2010-10-02
  177. DP177 A Grand Fight for Winning! 2010-10-09
  178. DP178 For the Love of Meowth! 2010-10-23
  179. DP179 The Eighth Wonder of the Sinnoh World! 2010-10-30
  180. DP180 Four Roads Diverged in a Pokémon Port! 2010-11-06
  181. DP181 Bucking the Treasure Trend! 2010-11-13
  182. DP182 An Old Family Blend! 2010-11-20
  183. DP183 League Unleashed! 2010-11-27
  184. DP184 Casting a Paul on Barry! 2010-12-04
  185. DP185 Working on a Right Move! 2010-12-11
  186. DP186 Familiarity Breeds Strategy! 2010-12-18
  187. DP187 A Real Rival Rouser! 2011-01-08
  188. DP188 Battling a Thaw in Relations! 2011-01-15
  189. DP189 The Semi-Final Frontier! 2011-01-22
  190. DP190 The Brockster Is In! 2011-01-29
  191. DP191 Memories Are Made of Bliss! 2011-02-05

Editorial facts hand-verified May 2026 against Bulbapedia, Wikipedia, and Pokemon.com. Episode data from the Wikipedia MediaWiki parse. Pokémon, character names, and series titles © Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures Inc., The Pokémon Company, OLM Inc. This is an unofficial fan reference.