How to Watch The Entire Pokemon Series in Order
Pokemon, short for "Pocket Monster," is an animated series created by Satoshi Tajiri. Interestingly, the series' main character is named after the creator himself.
From its first release to the present day, Pokemon has soared in popularity to become a favorite anime not just in Japan, but all around the world. Its universal appeal spans across diverse audiences and resonates with people of various ages and backgrounds.
Blending fantasy with adventure, this series has been a staple in the anime world for over twenty years. Despite the growing competition from new anime series, Pokemon continues to charm and maintain a dedicated fanbase.
With numerous Pokemon series released over the years, it can be a bit overwhelming to keep track. But don't worry, we're here to guide you through the Pokemon anime series to make it easy to follow.
1. Pokemon Original Series
- Release Year: 1997
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Yuyama Kunihiko and Hidaka Masamitsu
- Main Characters: Pikachu, Satoshi, Takeshi, Kasumi, Togepi
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Ueda Yuuji, Iizuka Mayumi, Koorogi Satomi
- Total Episodes: 276
Dive into the first adventure of Satoshi as he starts his quest to be a great Pokemon Master. It all begins when 10-year-old Satoshi gets a chance to make his dream come true.
However, he oversleeps, and by the time he gets there, three Pokemon are already taken. Luckily, there's still one left: Pikachu, a spirited electric-type Pokemon. Their meeting kicks off Satoshi's thrilling adventures in the Pokemon world.
This initial series is made up of six exciting parts: Pokemon: Indigo League, Pokemon: Adventures in The Orange Islands, Pokemon: Johto Journeys, Pokemon: Johto League Champions, Pokemon: Master Quest, and Pokemon: Advance.
These stories follow Satoshi and Pikachu as they travel through different regions and face various challenges and battles. They're joined by Kasumi, who specializes in water Pokemon, and Takeshi, a rock Pokemon expert.
Their journey isn't just about Pokemon battles. They also encounter Team Rocket, a tricky duo bent on stealing Pokemon. Watch as Satoshi and his friends go through these adventures and face off against their cunning foes.
2. Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire
- Release Year: 2002
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Directors: Yuyama Kunihiko, Hidaka Masamitsu
- Main Characters: Pikachu, Satoshi, Takeshi, Haruka, Masato
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Ueda Yuuji, Kawana Midori, Yamada Fushigi
- Total Episodes: 40
"Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire" is the second series in the Pokemon world, inspired by the third-generation Pokemon games. Here, we follow Satoshi on his exciting journey through the Hoenn region, aiming to compete in the Hoenn League. Misty, his longtime companion, is with him on this adventure.
Along the way, Satoshi meets May and Max, a pair of siblings also aspiring to be Pokemon Masters. Initially, they aren’t too keen on Pokemon battles, but they quickly find their passion and make their way to the Hoenn Grand Festival.
This series brings some fresh changes. Satoshi chooses Treecko as his starter Pokemon, marking a shift from his previous choices. Plus, there’s a noticeable change in style for our characters. Satoshi ditches his iconic hat for a new look, and Misty also sports a cooler, updated outfit.
Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire is divided into four exciting parts: Pokemon: Advance, Pokemon: Advance Challenge, Pokemon: Advance Battle, and Pokemon: Battle Frontier. Watch as the characters embark on new adventures, facing challenges and growing along the way.
3. Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl
- Release Years: 2006 - 2010
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Yuyama Kunihiko
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Ueda Yuuji, Toyoguchi Megumi, Kozakura Etsuko
- Total Episodes: 191
In "Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl," Satoshi's quest to become a Pokemon Master continues. Yet again, Team Rocket tries to capture Pikachu, but their plan fails. During this chaos, Pikachu gets lost in a forest, leading Satoshi on a search to find his beloved Pokemon.
During his search, Satoshi reunites with Takeshi. Takeshi shares stories of his recent adventures and introduces Satoshi to Shinji, a rival trainer who values power over his Pokemon's feelings.
As they track down Pikachu, Satoshi and Takeshi meet Hikari, an aspiring Pokemon coordinator. Hikari joins them in their quest, and together, they finally reunite with Pikachu.
With Pikachu back, Satoshi, Takeshi, and Hikari set off on a new adventure across the Sinnoh region, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
4. Pokemon The Series: Black and White
- Release Year: 2011
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Yuyama Kunihiko
- Main Characters: Pikachu, Satoshi, Dent, Iris, Victini
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Miyamono Mamoru, Yuuki Aoi, Mizuki Nana
- Total Episodes: 132
"Pokemon The Series: Black and White" brings fresh changes, especially in the characters' looks to match the new style of Ken Sugimori. The characters now have rounder, more expressive eyes with larger irises and visible pupils.
Satoshi appears more grown-up with brown eyes. Even Jessi and James sport a new look with straighter and longer hair.
The story unfolds with Delia (Satoshi's mother) and Prof Oak taking a holiday to the Unova region. There, Satoshi encounters new characters like Dragon Master Iris and the city leaders of Striaton, along with Detective Cilan.
Satoshi's journey in Unova is full of excitement. He earns eight Unova badges and faces off against the nefarious Team Plasma.
After their showdown, Satoshi, Cilan, and Iris head to the Eastern Unova region for the Vertress competition. However, Satoshi faces a tough loss in the quarter-finals against Cameron.
Iris and Cilan also reach impressive heights but eventually embark on their own paths. Iris heads to Johto, while Cilan continues his adventures. As for Satoshi, his next destination is the Kalos region.
The journey in Unova is captured in 132 episodes, divided into four exciting parts: Pokemon: Black and White, Pokemon: Black and White Rival Destinies, Pokemon: Black and White Adventures in Unova, and Pokemon: Black and White - Adventures in Unova and Beyond.
5. Pokemon The Series: XY
- Release Year: 2013
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Yuyama Kunihiko
- Main Characters: Pikachu, Satoshi, Serena, Citron, Eureka
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Makiguchi Mayuki, Kaji Yuki, Kanai Mika
- Total Episodes: 93
"Pokemon The Series: XY" takes Satoshi and his ever-faithful Pikachu to the exciting region of Kalos. Their big goal is to win the ultimate Pokemon Master badge.
In Kalos, they meet new friends like Citron, a genius scientist and teacher, and Serena, who’s on a mission to find her true passion. Their journey is filled with fresh challenges and smart strategies as they face an ever-trickier Team Rocket.
Their adventure kicks off in Miare, a town in Kalos famous for its many Pokemon. Here, they encounter Citron and his sister Eureka. Satoshi challenges them to a battle, but things heat up when Team Rocket follows them to Kalos and starts causing trouble.
Meanwhile, in the peaceful town of Asame, we meet Serena, a diligent girl who trains in horseback riding daily with her horse Sihorn. They're both aspiring athletes with big dreams.
The story of "Pokemon The Series: XY" unfolds in various episodes, leading up to the next part of the saga: "Pokemon the Series: XYZ."
6. Pokemon The Series: Sun and Moon
- Release Year: 2016
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Yuyama Kunihiko
- Main Characters: Pikachu, Satoshi, Lilie, Suiren, Mao
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Shindou Kei, Kikuchi Hitomi, Ueda Reina
- Total Episodes: 146
Join Satoshi and Pikachu in "Pokemon The Series: Sun and Moon" for a brand-new, thrilling adventure. This time, they find themselves on the stunning Alola Island, a place of new challenges and exciting opportunities.
On Alola Island, Satoshi finds a school dedicated to teaching about Pokemon. It's here he meets Lilie, a girl who loves Pokemon but is afraid to touch them.
As they explore, they encounter a variety of powerful Pokemon with amazing abilities they've never seen before. These discoveries and the intense battles of Pokemon Masters on the island inspire Satoshi and Pikachu to extend their stay.
Their journey in Alola isn't just about watching battles; they're there to learn new moves and strategies to become stronger competitors.
7. Pokemon Journey: The Series
- Release Year: 2019
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Yuyama Kunihiko
- Main Characters: Pikachu, Satoshi, Gou, Hibani, Kojiro
- Voice Actors: Yamashita Daiki, Hayashibara Megumi, Miki Shinichiro
- Total Episodes: 48
In "Pokemon Journeys: The Series," Satoshi and Pikachu embark on a new chapter with new friends, including Gou and Professor Sakuragi. Invited by Professor Sakuragi, Satoshi and Gou team up for an exciting research project.
This partnership leads them on incredible adventures across various regions. They visit new places and encounter unique Pokemon, some even with the astounding gigantamax power.
Their journey begins with Professor Sakuragi's announcement of a mysterious new Pokemon at Vermilion City Harbour. At the harbour, Satoshi comes across Lugia, a legendary Pokemon known for its battle prowess.
It's during this thrilling encounter with Lugia that Satoshi meets Gou. To his surprise, Gou is also engaged in a battle with the legendary Pokemon. This shared experience marks the start of their joint adventures in the world of Pokemon.
8. Pokemon Master Journeys: The Series
- Release Years: 2020 - 2021
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Directors: Tomiyasu Daiki, Kodaira Maki
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Yamashita Daiki, Hayashibara Megumi
- Total Episodes: 42
"Pokemon Master Journeys: The Series" is the exciting second season of "Pokemon Journeys: The Series," first aired on December 11, 2020. You can catch this series on Netflix.
In this season, Satoshi and Gou continue their thrilling travels across eight regions, including the Galar region from "Pokemon Sword and Shield: The Crown Tundra." Their home base is at the Cerise Laboratory in Vermillion City, Kanto.
One of their memorable experiences at the Vermillion City research center involves an Eevee evolving. Intrigued by Satoshi, Gou, and Pikachu, this Eevee sneaks out of the center and starts following Koharu, Sakuragi's daughter, everywhere she goes.
9. Pokemon Master Ultimate Journeys: The Series
- Release Years: 2021 - 2023
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Directors: Tomiyasu Daiki, Kodaira Maki
- Voice Actors: Ootani Ikue, Matsumoto Rica, Yamashita Daiki, Hayashibara Megumi
- Total Episodes: 57 + 5 Specials
"Pokemon Master Ultimate Journeys: The Series" picks up right after "Pokemon Master Journeys: The Series." This third season of "Pokemon Journeys: The Series" premiered from December 17, 2021, to March 24, 2023, and is also available on Netflix.
This season follows the adventures of Satoshi, Gou, and Koharu as they explore Vermillion City. Satoshi's success in battles sees his ranking soar in the World Coronation Series. Meanwhile, Gou continues his dedicated work on the Mew project.
A new adventure starts when Satoshi and Gou, while traveling to Lateral City by train, run into Onion, a boy who lost his train ticket and ended up on a mysterious ghost train. Join them as they embark on this new and exciting chapter in their Pokemon journey.
10. Pokémon Horizons: The Series
- Release Years: 2023 - Present
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Producer: OLM
- Director: Saori Den
- Voice Actors: Suzuki Minori, Yashiro Taku, Terasaki Yuka, Hayashibara Megumi
- Total Episodes: 43
"Pokémon Horizons: The Series," directed by Saori Den, brings a fresh perspective to the Pokemon world. The story revolves around Liko, a girl from the Paldea region, who dreams of becoming a Pokemon trainer. She sets off to attend Indigo Academy in the distant Kanto region.
Before her journey begins, Liko receives a special pendant from her grandmother, meant to protect her. But things take a turn when a mysterious group called the Explorers starts chasing her for the pendant.
Liko’s life changes when she’s rescued by the Rising Volt Tacklers, a group of adventurers led by Friede and his Pokemon Lizardon. Together with Friede and his cat Pokemon Nyahoja, Liko goes on an adventure to discover the secret powers of her pendant.
This is the latest in the exciting Pokemon anime series, with each episode unfolding new, gripping tales that leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next part of the story.
The creators and directors keep the series fresh and engaging, introducing new characters and Pokemon with unique abilities. This dedication has made the Pokemon series a hit, popularized through games, cards, and various merchandise.
So, who's your favorite Pokemon character? If you don't have one yet, maybe it's time to dive into the world of Pokemon and discover its legendary creatures.