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[[File:Early anime film frame.jpg|thumb|230px|Early anime frame from [[EP093]]]]
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Pokémon the Series''}}
The '''Pokémon anime''', often referred to as just "the anime" by Pokémon fans, is a collective term referring to currently {{#expr: {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Original series episodes}} - 8 + {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Advanced Generation series episodes}} - 6 + {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Diamond & Pearl series episodes}} - 5 + {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Best Wishes series episodes}}}} main series episodes, {{#expr: {{PAGESINCATEGORY:Movies}} - 2}}  movies, and a number of side-story episodes, all focusing on [[Pokémon]]. The great majority of these focus on [[Ash Ketchum]], a [[Pokémon Trainer]] from [[Pallet Town]], and his journey toward his ultimate goal of being a [[Pokémon Master]], his many friends, and most especially his Pokémon, who he considers his partners and friends.
[[File:Pokémon the Series logo.png|thumb|The English logo for ''Pokémon the Series'']]
'''''Pokémon the Series''''' is an [[Pokémon animation|animated]] {{wp|Television show|TV series}} that follows the adventures of [[Ash Ketchum]], a [[Pokémon Trainer]] from [[Pallet Town]], and his journey toward his ultimate goal of being a [[Pokémon Master]]; as well as {{ashfr|his many friends}}, and most especially {{cat|Ash's Pokémon|his Pokémon}}, whom he considers his partners and friends. Though it is ultimately based upon the {{pkmn|games}} and draws heavily from them, many concepts which are only touched on in the games are spun in a unique way, and expanded on. It is the first animated series of the [[Pokémon animated series|Pokémon animated series]], and is succeeded by ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]''.


Though the anime is ultimately based upon the {{pkmn|games}} and draws heavily from them, many concepts which are only touched on the games are spun in a unique way, and expanded on.
In the West, it consists of 1,224 episodes<!--all episodes counted as part of a dub season, including Holiday Hi-Jynx, EP090, and EP092--> across 25 [[season]]s, and has spawned a number of {{pkmn|movie}}s and other {{DL||related media}}. It premiered on September 7, 1998 with the broadcast of ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]'' in {{wp|Broadcast syndication|syndication}} in {{pmin|the United States}}, and concluded on July 29, 2023 with the broadcast of ''[[JNS05|Distant Blue Sky!]]'' on Cartoon Network in {{pmin|Canada}} (later released on September 8, 2023 on [[Netflix]] in the United States).<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/ash-ketchums-10-most-iconic-traveling-companions Ash Ketchum’s 10 Most Iconic Traveling Companions | Pokemon.com]</ref> In Japan and Asia, ''Pokémon the Series'' corresponds to the first seven [[series]] of the Pokémon animated TV series (with ''The Beginning'' and ''Gold and Silver'' being combined as one series), which originally aired on [[TV Tokyo]] from April 1, 1997 to March 24, 2023.


The anime is now broadcast in 74<ref>http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/10/12/pokemon_stats/</ref> different countries, many times being {{cat|Pokémon around the world|dubbed}} into other languages for different locales.
==Terminology==
In the United States, the TV show was initially shown under the title ''Pokémon''. The term ''Pokémon the Series'' was not introduced until 2013, with the debut of ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''. While ''Pokémon the Series'' was initially synonymous with the Pokémon animated series as a whole, they have diverged since the release of ''Pokémon Horizons: The Series''. [[The Pokémon Company International]] considers ''Pokémon Horizons: The Series'' to be a separate animated series, and defines ''Pokémon the Series'' as the preceding animated series consisting of the 25 seasons featuring Ash and Pikachu; both of these animated series are still part of the Pokémon animated series, however.<ref name="brand_sheet">[https://press.pokemon.com/en/products/Pokemon-Brand-Sheet Pokémon Brand Sheet (August 2023)] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231020225912if_/https://img-cdn-us.gamespress.com/files/PokemonAmerica/2023/04/040006-bcfd00a8/Pokemon_Brand_Sheet_%28August_2023%29.pdf?sv=2018-03-28&sr=b&sig=4y22hI4timKJhKVZ7c%2FXl5ss1Wxoytd%2F3PQIpvnk6Yo%3D&se=2023-11-01T03%3A00%3A00Z&sp=r&rsct=application%2Foctet-strem&rscd=attachment&lightbox=y&ex=2023-11-01+03%3A00%3A00&sky=bcba49ba6f65da8bd7b3d2d7a83d96435c6160d4a534c467b76a0fcbfa767daf archived])</ref><ref>[https://parents.pokemon.com/en-us/animation/ Pokémon Parents Official Website | Pokémon Animation]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/celebrate-the-best-of-pokemon-the-series-on-pokemon-tv Celebrate the Best of ''Pokémon the Series'' on Pokémon TV | Pokemon.com]</ref>


==Overview==
In Japan and Asia, there is no official term that corresponds to the term ''Pokémon the Series'' as used by TPCi. Instead, ''Pokémon Horizons: The Series'' is treated as merely the eighth series of the Pokémon animated series.
From the [[EP001|very first episode]], Ash has been the central character, making his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master known to all he meets. Though initially, he only became a Pokémon Trainer with the goal of beating his rival, [[Gary Oak]], the many Pokémon Ash has met over his journey have shown him what being a Pokémon Master really is. Unlike most Trainers from Pallet, and indeed, unlike players of {{game2|Red|Green|Blue}} and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, Ash did not start his journey with {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, or {{p|Squirtle}}, as he arrived late to {{an|Professor Oak}}'s lab to receive his [[starter Pokémon]]. Instead, Ash was given the only Pokémon Oak had left to give, a {{AP|Pikachu}} that did not enjoy being inside its Poké Ball, and from there Ash learned to treat his Pokémon as partners, earning Pikachu's trust by keeping it safe from a flock of {{p|Spearow}} he angered.


Since then, Ash has journeyed across all five of the regions that appear in the [[main series]] games, as well as the [[Orange Archipelago]], a "filler region" he visited to hold off the beginning of his journey in [[Johto]] until closer to the release of {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}. In each, he battles against the native [[Gym Leader]]s for their [[badge]]s, as do Trainers in the main series games, to compete in the regional [[Pokémon League]], a tournament, rather than five battles straight against the [[Elite Four]] and {{pkmn|Champion}}. While his initial strategy was to continue using the same party over the course of his journey, letting some Pokémon go when they were required to do something or wanted to train, he has, since his journey in Hoenn, changed strategy, and now uses only those Pokémon which he has caught in the region, alongside Pikachu, to battle against Gym Leaders, with his explanation to Dawn being that he wants to prove to the young, unevolved Pokémon he meets in each new region that ''they'' can win if they try.
==Plot==
[[File:Ash Epilogue.png|thumb|250px|Ash and Pikachu]]
From the [[EP001|first episode]], Ash has been the central character, making his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master known to all he meets. Though initially he only became a Pokémon Trainer with the goal of beating his rival, [[Gary Oak]], the many Pokémon Ash has met over his {{pkmn|journey}} have shown him what being a Pokémon Master really is. Unlike most Trainers from Pallet, and unlike players of {{game2|Red|Green|Blue}} and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, Ash did not start his journey with {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, or {{p|Squirtle}}, as he arrived late to {{an|Professor Oak}}'s [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|lab]] to receive his [[first partner Pokémon]]. Instead, Ash was given the only Pokémon Oak had left to give, a {{AP|Pikachu}} that did not enjoy being inside his {{i|Poké Ball}}. From there, Ash learned to treat his Pokémon as partners, earning Pikachu's trust by keeping him safe from a flock of {{p|Spearow}} he angered.


Over the course of the series, Ash has had several {{AP|friends}} who travel with him, typically across one region, who assist him in his journey as much as he assists in theirs. {{an|Misty}}, the Gym Leader from [[Cerulean City]] in the games, joins him in the [[original series]], as does {{an|Brock}}, [[Pewter City]]'s Gym Leader, in [[Kanto]], [[Johto]], [[Hoenn]], and [[Sinnoh]]. [[Tracey Sketchit]], an amateur [[Pokémon Watcher]], joins Ash during his Orange Archipelago journey, but leaves him on Ash's return to Pallet to become an assistant to Professor Oak, his hero. {{an|May}} and {{an|Dawn}}, rookie {{pkmn|Coordinator}}s, join Ash for the duration of the {{series2|Advanced Generation}} and {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, respectively; in these he mentors them much as Brock and Misty did him, while [[Max]], May's brother, who is too young to own Pokémon, looks up to Ash for the duration of the ''Advanced Generation'' series. {{an|Iris}} and {{an|Cilan}} travel with Ash in the [[Best Wishes series]].
Since then, Ash has journeyed across the first eight of the regions that appear in the [[core series]] [[Pokémon games]], as well as the [[Orange Islands]], a region he visited before [[Johto]] until it was closer in time to the real-world release of {{game|Gold and Silver|s}}. In the regions outside of [[Galar]], he battles against the local [[Gym Leader]]s for their [[Badge]]s, just like the players of the core series games, to compete in the regional [[Pokémon League]]—however, the League is a [[Pokémon League Conference|championship tournament]] rather than five battles straight against the [[Elite Four]] and {{pkmn|Champion}}. In [[Kanto]], he has also once competed for [[Symbol]]s while challenging the {{gdis|Battle Frontier|III}}. While his initial strategy was to continue using the same party over the course of his {{pkmn|journey}}, letting some Pokémon go when they were required to do something or wanted to train, he eventually changed this strategy starting with his journey in Hoenn. From then on, he has used only those Pokémon which he has caught in the region, alongside Pikachu, to battle against Gym Leaders, with his explanation to {{an|Dawn}} being that he wants to prove to the young, unevolved Pokémon he meets in each new region that ''they'' can win if they try.
[[File:Ash and friends JN OP 5.png|250px|thumb|left|Photographs of Ash and all of his friends]]
Over the course of the series, Ash has had several {{AP|friends}} who travel with him, typically across one region, who assist him in his journey as much as he assists in theirs. {{an|Misty}}, the Gym Leader from [[Cerulean City]] in the games, joins him in Kanto, the [[Orange Islands]], and [[Johto]], as does {{an|Brock}}, [[Pewter City]]'s Gym Leader, in Kanto, Johto, [[Hoenn]], and [[Sinnoh]]. [[Tracey Sketchit]], an amateur [[Pokémon Watcher]], joins Ash during his Orange Islands journey, but leaves him on Ash's return to Pallet to become an {{TP|Professor|assistant}} to Professor Oak, his hero. {{an|May}} and {{an|Dawn}}, rookie {{pkmn|Coordinator}}s, join Ash for the duration of ''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]'' and ''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]'', respectively; in these he mentors them much as Brock and Misty did him, while [[Max]], May's brother who is too young to own Pokémon, looks up to Ash for the duration of ''Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire''. {{an|Iris}} and {{an|Cilan}} travel with Ash in ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]''. Inventor {{an|Clemont}}, his sister {{an|Bonnie}}, and Ash's childhood friend {{an|Serena}} travel with Ash in ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''. Like Max, Bonnie is too young to own Pokémon, but cares for her brother's {{TP|Clemont|Dedenne}}. In ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'', Ash attends the [[Pokémon School]] instead of traveling around the [[Alola]] region. As such, his new friends—{{an|Lillie}}, {{an|Mallow}}, {{an|Kiawe}}, {{an|Lana}}, and {{an|Sophocles}}—are not traveling companions but classmates. In ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', Ash's sole new traveling companion is [[Goh]], a Trainer who aims to catch every Pokémon species in the {{pkmn|world}}, with his ultimate goal being to catch the [[Mythical Pokémon]] {{an|Mew}}.
{{-}}


The anime is produced in Japan, and airs on [[TV Tokyo]] nearly every Thursday at 7 PM, as it has since the [[EP038|Porygon incident]] was resolved (it aired on Tuesdays at the same time prior to this). Many fans consider the dialog and events mentioned in the Japanese version to be the "true canon", while the various dubs are regarded to be overridden if something stated in them differs from something said in a Japanese episode.
==Episodes==
In the West, the episodes of ''Pokémon the Series'' are divided into 25 [[season]]s across eight [[series]]. These series divisions were introduced starting in 2013 with the debut of ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'', with the episodes from the prior 16 seasons being retroactively grouped into five series in certain {{cat|Animation home video|home video}} and [[List of digital home video releases of Pokémon animation|video-on-demand releases]]. In Japan and Asia, the episodes corresponding to ''Pokémon the Series'' are divided into seven series, with some of these series themselves being divided into smaller arcs.


In Japan, the anime is divided into four [[series]]: [[Original series|Pocket Monsters]], [[Advanced Generation series|Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation]], [[Diamond & Pearl series|Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl]] and [[Best Wishes series|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes]]. Outside of it, these four series are further divided into [[season]]s spanning roughly 52 episodes, and currently {{cat|Anime seasons|numbering fourteen}}. The show is mainly aimed at children, and as such, mature topics such as death are not often brought up, though sometimes they appear in movies. There are generally some references meant for adults, though these are kept to a minimum especially outside of Japan.
The following tables summarize the Japanese titles, the English titles, and the [[List of Japanese opening themes|Japanese]] and [[List of English opening themes|English opening themes]] used during each series. Seasons follow the digital release definition.


==Television series==
===''[[Original series|Pokémon the Series: The Beginning]]''===
===[[Original series]]===
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{yellow color}}; background: #{{yellow color}}; width: 100%;"
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{yellow color}}; background:#{{yellow color}}; width:100%"
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{red color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{red color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
! style="background: #{{yellow color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="background:#{{yellow color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{green color light}}" colspan="3" | US
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{green color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{red color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{red color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{red color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{red color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | Season
! style="background:#{{red color light}}" | First episode
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{green color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{green color light}}" | Opening theme
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="background:#{{green color light}}" | First episode
| [[File:OPJ01.png|150px|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]<br>[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Original series logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters]]<br>[[Original series|Pocket Monsters]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:OPJ01.png|150px|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]<br>[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:EP001.png|150px|EP001]]<br>[[EP001]]
| [[File:Season1 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Indigo League]]<br>[[S01|Pokémon:<br>Indigo League]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:OPE01.png|150px|Pokémon Theme]]<br>[[Pokémon Theme]]
| [[File:EP001.png|150px|EP001]]<br>[[EP001]]
| [[File:EP001.png|150px|EP001]]<br>[[EP001]]
| [[File:Indigo League theme.png|150px|Indigo League]]<br>[[Pokémon: Indigo League|Indigo League]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPE01.png|150px|Pokémon Theme]]<br>[[Pokémon Theme]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Season2 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands]]<br>[[S02|Pokémon:<br>Adventures in the Orange Islands]]
| [[File:EP001.png|150px|EP001]]<br>[[EP001]]
| [[File:EP052.png|150px|EP052]]<br>[[EP052]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
|-
| [[File:OPJ02.png|150px|The Rivals]]<br>[[The Rivals]]
| style="{{roundybl|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:Original series Orange Islands logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters: Episode Orange Islands]]<br>[[Original series|Pocket Monsters:<br>Episode Orange Islands]]
| [[File:EP081.png|150px|EP081]]<br>[[EP081]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ02.png|150px|The Rivals]]<br>[[The Rivals]]
| [[File:Orange Islands theme.png|150px|Orange Islands]]<br>[[Pokémon: The Adventures in the Orange Islands|The Adventures in the Orange Islands]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:EP081.png|150px|EP081]]<br>[[EP081]]
| [[File:OPE02.png|150px|Pokémon World]]<br>{{so|Pokémon World}}
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE02.png|150px|Pokémon World]]<br>{{so|Pokémon World}}
| [[File:EP081.png|150px|EP081]]<br>[[EP081]]
| style="{{roundybr|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:EP081.png|150px|EP081]]<br>[[EP081]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
|}
| [[File:OPJ03.png|150px|OK!]]<br>[[OK!]]
</div>
| [[File:EP117.png|150px|EP117]]<br>[[EP117]]
 
| [[File:Johto Journeys logo.png|150px|Johto Journeys]]<br>[[Pokémon: The Johto Journeys|The Johto Journeys]]
===''[[Original series|Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver]]''===
| [[File:OPE03.png|150px|Pokémon Johto]]<br>[[Pokémon Johto]]
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
| [[File:EP117.png|150px|EP117]]<br>[[EP117]]
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{crystal color}}; background:#{{crystal color}}; width:100%"
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{gold color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
| [[File:OPJ04.png|150px|ATBAPM Whiteberry]]<br>[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master#Opening animation: TV OP 4|ATBAPM Whiteberry]]
! style="background:#{{crystal color}}" rowspan="7" |
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{silver color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|-
! style="background:#{{gold color light}}" | Title
! style="background:#{{gold color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background:#{{gold color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{silver color light}}" | Title
! style="background:#{{silver color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background:#{{silver color light}}" | First episode
|-
| rowspan="3" style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|7px}}" | [[File:Original series GS logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters: Episode Gold & Silver]]<br>[[Original series|Pocket Monsters:<br>Episode Gold & Silver]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ03.png|150px|OK!]]<br>[[OK!]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:EP117.png|150px|EP117]]<br>[[EP117]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season3 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: The Johto Journeys]]<br>[[S03|Pokémon:<br>The Johto Journeys]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE03.png|150px|Pokémon Johto]]<br>[[Pokémon Johto]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:EP117.png|150px|EP117]]<br>[[EP117]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ04.png|150px|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]<br>[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master#Opening animation: TV OP 4|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]
| [[File:EP192.png|150px|EP192]]<br>[[EP192]]
| [[File:EP192.png|150px|EP192]]<br>[[EP192]]
| [[File:Johto League Champions logo.png|150px|Johto League Champions]]<br>[[Pokémon: Johto League Champions|Johto League Champions]]
| [[File:Season4 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Johto League Champions]]<br>[[S04|Pokémon:<br>Johto League Champions]]
| [[File:OPE04.png|150px|Born to Be a Winner]]<br>[[Born to Be a Winner]]
| [[File:OPE04.png|150px|Born to Be a Winner]]<br>[[Born to Be a Winner]]
| [[File:EP158.png|150px|EP158]]<br>[[EP158]]
| [[File:EP158.png|150px|EP158]]<br>[[EP158]]
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPJ05.png|150px|Ready Go!]]<br>[[Ready Go!]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ05.png|150px|Ready Go!]]<br>[[Ready Go!]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:EP239.png|150px|EP239]]<br>[[EP239]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:EP239.png|150px|EP239]]<br>[[EP239]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:MQ logo.jpg|150px|Master Quest]]<br>[[Pokémon: Master Quest|Master Quest]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season5 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Master Quest]]<br>[[S05|Pokémon:<br>Master Quest]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPE05.png|150px|Believe in Me]]<br>[[Believe in Me]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE05.png|150px|Believe in Me]]<br>[[Believe in Me]]
| align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:EP210.png|150px|EP210]]<br>[[EP210]]
| style="{{roundybr|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:EP210.png|150px|EP210]]<br>[[EP210]]
|}
|}
</div>


===[[Advanced Generation series]]===
===''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]''===
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{emerald color}}; background: #{{emerald color}}; width: 100%;"
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{ruby color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{emerald color}}; background:#{{emerald color}}; width:100%"
! style="background: #{{emerald color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{ruby color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{sapphire color light}}" colspan="3" | US
! style="background:#{{emerald color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{sapphire color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{ruby color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{ruby color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{ruby color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{ruby color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background: #{{sapphire color light}}" | Season
! style="background:#{{ruby color light}}" | First episode
! style="background: #{{sapphire color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{sapphire color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{sapphire color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{sapphire color light}}" | Opening theme
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="background:#{{sapphire color light}}" | First episode
|- style="background:#FFF"
| rowspan="3" | [[File:Advanced Generation series logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire|Pocket Monsters<br>Advanced Generation]]
| [[File:OPJ06.png|150px|Advance Adventure]]<br>[[Advance Adventure]]
| [[File:OPJ06.png|150px|Advance Adventure]]<br>[[Advance Adventure]]
| [[File:AG001.png|150px|AG001]]<br>[[AG001]]
| [[File:AG001.png|150px|AG001]]<br>[[AG001]]
| [[File:Advanced.png|150px|Advanced]]<br>[[Pokémon: Advanced|Advanced]]
| [[File:Season6 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Advanced]]<br>[[S06|Pokémon:<br>Advanced]]
| [[File:OPE06.png|150px|I Wanna Be a Hero]]<br>[[I Wanna Be a Hero]]
| [[File:OPE06.png|150px|I Wanna Be a Hero]]<br>[[I Wanna Be a Hero]]
| [[File:AG001.png|150px|AG001]]<br>[[AG001]]
| [[File:AG001.png|150px|AG001]]<br>[[AG001]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ07.png|150px|Challenger!!]]<br>[[Challenger!!]]
| [[File:OPJ07.png|150px|Challenger!!]]<br>[[Challenger!!]]
| [[File:AG070.png|150px|AG070]]<br>[[AG070]]
| [[File:AG070.png|150px|AG070]]<br>[[AG070]]
| [[File:Advanced Challenge logo.png|150px|Advanced Challenge]]<br>[[Pokémon: Advanced Challenge|Advanced Challenge]]
| [[File:Season7 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Advanced Challenge]]<br>[[S07|Pokémon:<br>Advanced Challenge]]
| [[File:OPE07.png|150px|This Dream]]<br>[[This Dream]]
| [[File:OPE07.png|150px|This Dream]]<br>[[This Dream]]
| [[File:AG041.png|150px|AG041]]<br>[[AG041]]
| [[File:AG041.png|150px|AG041]]<br>[[AG041]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ08.png|150px|Pokémon Symphonic Medley]]<br>[[Pokémon Symphonic Medley]]
| [[File:OPJ08.png|150px|Pokémon Symphonic Medley]]<br>[[Pokémon Symphonic Medley]]
| [[File:AG105.png|150px|AG105]]<br>[[AG105]]
| [[File:AG105.png|150px|AG105]]<br>[[AG105]]
| [[File:Advanced Battle logo.png|150px|Advanced Battle]]<br>[[Pokémon: Advanced Battle|Advanced Battle]]
| [[File:Season8 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Advanced Battle]]<br>[[S08|Pokémon:<br>Advanced Battle]]
| [[File:OPE08.png|150px|Unbeatable]]<br>[[Unbeatable]]
| [[File:OPE08.png|150px|Unbeatable]]<br>[[Unbeatable]]
| [[File:AG093.png|150px|AG093]]<br>[[AG093]]
| [[File:AG093.png|150px|AG093]]<br>[[AG093]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:OPJ09.png|150px|Battle Frontier]]<br>{{so|Battle Frontier}}
| [[File:AG135.png|150px|AG135]]<br>[[AG135]]
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPJ10.png|150px|Spurt!]]<br>[[Spurt!]]
| rowspan="2" style="{{roundybl|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:Advanced Generation Battle Frontier 2006 logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation Battle Frontier]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire|Pocket Monsters<br>Advanced Generation<br>Battle Frontier]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:AG166.png|150px|AG166]]<br>[[AG166]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ09.png|150px|Battle Frontier]]<br>{{so|Battle Frontier}}
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Battle Frontier Title.png|150px|Battle Frontier]]<br>[[Pokémon: Battle Frontier|Battle Frontier]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:AG135.png|150px|AG135]]<br>[[AG135]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPE09.png|150px|Battle Frontier]]<br>{{OBP|Battle Frontier|dub}}
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Battle Frontier logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Battle Frontier]]<br>[[S09|Pokémon:<br>Battle Frontier]]
| align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:AG146.png|150px|AG146]]<br>[[AG146]]
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE09.png|150px|Battle Frontier]]<br>{{OBP|Battle Frontier|dub}}
| rowspan="2" style="{{roundybr|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:AG146.png|150px|AG146]]<br>[[AG146]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ10.png|150px|Spurt!]]<br>[[Spurt!]]
| [[File:AG166.png|150px|AG166]]<br>[[AG166]]
|}
|}
</div>


===[[Diamond & Pearl series]]===
===''[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl]]''===
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{platinum color}}; background: #{{platinum color}}; width: 100%;"
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{diamond color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{platinum color}}; background:#{{platinum color}}; width:100%"
! style="background: #{{platinum color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{diamond color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{pearl color light}}" colspan="3" | US
! style="background:#{{platinum color}}" rowspan="6" |  
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{pearl color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{diamond color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{diamond color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{diamond color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{diamond color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background: #{{pearl color light}}" | Season
! style="background:#{{diamond color light}}" | First episode
! style="background: #{{pearl color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{pearl color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{pearl color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{pearl color light}}" | Opening theme
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="background:#{{pearl color light}}" | First episode
| [[File:OPJ11.png|150px|Together]]<br>[[Together]]
|-
| [[File:DP001.png|150px|DP001]]<br>[[DP001]]
| rowspan="4" style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|7px}}" | [[File:Diamond and Pearl Series logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl|Pocket Monsters<br>Diamond & Pearl]]
| [[File:PokemonSinnohLeague1.png|150px|Diamond and Pearl]]<br>[[Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl|Diamond and Pearl]]
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ11.png|150px|Together]]<br>[[Together]]
| [[File:OPE10.png|150px|Diamond and Pearl]]<br>{{so|Diamond and Pearl}}
| rowspan="2" style="background:#FFF" | [[File:DP001.png|150px|DP001]]<br>[[DP001]]
| [[File:DP001.png|150px|DP001]]<br>[[DP001]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season10 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl]]<br>[[S10|Pokémon:<br>Diamond and Pearl]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE10.png|150px|Diamond and Pearl]]<br>{{so|Diamond and Pearl}}
| colspan="2" style="background: #{{platinum color}}" |
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:DP001.png|150px|DP001]]<br>[[DP001]]
| [[File:PokemonSinnohLeague2.png|150px|Battle Dimension]]<br>[[Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Battle Dimension|Battle Dimension]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:Pokémon Battle Dimension logo.png|150px|Pokémon: DP Battle Dimension]]<br>[[S11|Pokémon: DP<br>Battle Dimension]]
| [[File:OPE11.png|150px|We Will Be Heroes]]<br>[[We Will Be Heroes]]
| [[File:OPE11.png|150px|We Will Be Heroes]]<br>[[We Will Be Heroes]]
| [[File:DP053.png|150px|DP053]]<br>[[DP053]]
| [[File:DP053.png|150px|DP053]]<br>[[DP053]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ12.png|200px|High Touch!]]<br>[[High Touch!]]
| [[File:OPJ12.png|166px|High Touch!]]<br>[[High Touch!]]
| [[File:DP096.png|150px|DP096]]<br>[[DP096]]
| [[File:DP096.png|150px|DP096]]<br>[[DP096]]
| [[File:PokémonSinnohLeague3-2.png|150px|Galactic Battles]]<br>[[Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Galactic Battles|Galactic Battles]]
| [[File:Galactic Battles Logo.png|150px|Pokémon: DP Galactic Battles]]<br>[[S12|Pokémon: DP<br>Galactic Battles]]
| [[File:OPE12.png|200px|Battle Cry - (Stand Up!)]]<br>[[Battle Cry - (Stand Up!)]]
| [[File:OPE12.png|166px|Battle Cry - (Stand Up!)]]<br>[[Battle Cry - (Stand Up!)]]
| [[File:DP105.png|150px|DP105]]<br>[[DP105]]
| [[File:DP105.png|150px|DP105]]<br>[[DP105]]
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPJ13.png|200px|The Greatest - Everyday!]]<br>[[The Greatest - Everyday!]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ13.png|166px|The Greatest - Everyday!]]<br>[[The Greatest - Everyday!]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:DP158.png|200px|DP158]]<br>[[DP158]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:DP158.png|166px|DP158]]<br>[[DP158]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPE13.png|200px|Sinnoh League Victors]]<br>[[Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors|Sinnoh League Victors]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season 13 Logo.png|150px|Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors]]<br>[[S13|Pokémon: DP<br>Sinnoh League Victors]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:OPE13.png|200px|We Will Carry On!]]<br>[[We Will Carry On!]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE13.png|166px|We Will Carry On!]]<br>[[We Will Carry On!]]
| align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:DP158.png|200px|DP158]]<br>[[DP158]]
| style="{{roundybr|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:DP158.png|166px|DP158]]<br>[[DP158]]
|}
|}
</div>


===[[Best Wishes series]]===
===''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]''===
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{unova color}}; background: #{{unova color}}; width: 100%;"
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{black color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{unova color}}; background:#{{unova color}}; width:100%"
! style="background: #{{unova color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{black color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{white color light}}" colspan="3" | US
! style="background:#{{unova color}}" rowspan="6" |  
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{white color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{black color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{black color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{black color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{black color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | Season
! style="background:#{{black color light}}" | First episode
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | Theme song
! style="background:#{{white color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{white color light}}" | Opening theme
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="background:#{{white color light}}" | First episode
| width="200px" | [[File:OPJ14.png|200px]]<br>{{OBP|Best Wishes!|song}}
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:BW001.png|200px|BW001]]<br>[[BW001]]
| [[File:Pokemon Best Wishes Series.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes!]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White|Pocket Monsters<br>Best Wishes!]]
| width="200px" |[[File:OPE14.png|200px|Pokémon:Black & White|Black & White]]<br>[[Pokémon: Black & White|Black & White]]
| [[File:OPJ14.png|166px|Best Wishes!]]<br>{{OBP|Best Wishes!|song}}
| width="200px" |[[File:OPE14.png|200px|Black and White]]<br>[[Black and White (song)|Black and White]]
| [[File:BW001.png|166px|BW001]]<br>[[BW001]]
| [[File:BW001.png|200px|BW001]]<br>[[BW001]]
| [[File:Season 14 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: Black & White]]<br>[[S14|Pokémon:<br>Black & White]]
| [[File:OPE14.png|166px|Black and White]]<br>{{so|Black and White}}
| [[File:BW001.png|166px|BW001]]<br>[[BW001]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:Best Wishes 2 logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Season 2]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White|Pocket Monsters<br>Best Wishes! Season 2]]
| [[File:OPJ15.png|166px|Be an Arrow!]]<br>[[Be an Arrow!]]
| [[File:BW085.png|166px|BW085]]<br>[[BW085]]
| [[File:Season 15 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies]]<br>[[S15|Pokémon: BW<br>Rival Destinies]]
| [[File:OPE15.png|166px|Rival Destinies]]<br>[[Rival Destinies (song)|Rival Destinies]]
| [[File:BW049.png|166px|BW049]]<br>[[BW049]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:Best Wishes Season 2 Episode N logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Season 2: Episode N]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes!<br>Season 2: Episode N]]
| [[File:OPJ15 3.png|166px|Be an Arrow! 2013]]<br>[[Be an Arrow!#Opening animation: Version 2 (BW109 – BW122)|Be an Arrow! 2013]]
| [[File:BW109.png|166px|BW109]]<br>[[BW109]]
| [[File:Season 16 logo.png|150px|Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova]]<br>[[S16|Pokémon: BW<br>Adventures in Unova]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:OPE16.png|166px|It's Always You and Me]]<br>[[It's Always You and Me]]
| [[File:BW098.png|166px|BW098]]<br>[[BW098]]
|-
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|7px}}" | [[File:Best Wishes Season 2 Decolora Adventure logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Season 2: Decolora Adventure]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes!<br>Season 2: Decolora Adventure]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ16.png|166px|Summerly Slope]]<br>[[Summerly Slope]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:BW123.png|166px|BW123]]<br>[[BW123]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season 16 logo 2.png|150px|Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond]]<br>[[S16|Pokémon: BW<br>Adventures in Unova and Beyond]]
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybr|7px}}" | [[File:BW123.png|166px|BW123]]<br>[[BW123]]
|}
|}
</div>


===Side series===
===''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''===
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{colorschemedark|Hoso}}; background: #{{colorschemedark|Hoso}}; width: 100%;"
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{colorschemelight|Hoso}}" | Japanese name
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{kalos color}}; background:#{{kalos color}}; width:100%"
! style="background: #{{colorschemelight|Hoso}}" | Japanese run
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{x color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
! style="background: #{{colorschemelight|Hoso}}" | English name
! style="background:#{{kalos color}}" rowspan="6" |  
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{colorschemelight|Hoso}}" | English run
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{y color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| ポケットモンスター アンコール<br><small>[[Pocket Monsters Encore]]</small>
| October 19, 1999 — September 17, 2002
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| 週刊ポケモン放送局<br><small>[[Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station]]</small>
| October 15, 2002 — September 28, 2004
| [[Pokémon Chronicles]]
| June 3, 2006 — September 30, 2006
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | ポケモン☆サンデー<br><small>[[Pokémon Sunday]]</small>
! style="background:#{{x color light}}" | Title
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | October 3, 2004 — September 26, 2010
! style="background:#{{x color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background:#{{x color light}}" | First episode
! style="background:#{{y color light}}" | Title
! style="background:#{{y color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background:#{{y color light}}" | First episode
|- style="background:#FFF"
| rowspan="3" | [[File:XY series logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters XY]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: XY|Pocket Monsters<br>XY]]
| [[File:OPJ17.png|166px|V (Volt)]]<br>[[V (Volt)]]
| [[File:XY001.png|166px|BW001]]<br>[[XY001]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Pokémon the Series XY logo.png|120px|Pokémon the Series: XY]]<br>[[S17|Pokémon the Series:<br>XY]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:OPE17.png|166px|Pokémon Theme (Version XY)]]<br>[[Pokémon Theme#Opening animation: Dub OP 17|Pokémon Theme (Version XY)]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:XY001.png|166px|BW001]]<br>[[XY001]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ17 2.png|166px|Mega V (Mega Volt)]]<br>[[V (Volt)#Opening animation: Version 2 (XY029 – XY054)|Mega V (Mega Volt)]]
| [[File:XY029.png|166px|XY029]]<br>[[XY029]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ18.png|166px|Mad-Paced Getter]]<br>[[Mad-Paced Getter]]
| [[File:XY055.png|166px|XY055]]<br>[[XY055]]
| [[File:Season 18 logo.png|120px|Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest]]<br>[[S18|Pokémon the Series:<br>XY Kalos Quest]]
| [[File:OPE18.png|166px|Be a Hero]]<br>[[Be a Hero]]
| [[File:XY050.png|166px|XY050]]<br>[[XY050]]
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | ポケモン☆サンデー<br><small>[[Pokémon Smash]]</small>
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|7px}}" | [[File:XY & Z logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters XY&Z]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: XY|Pocket Monsters<br>XY&Z]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | October 3, 2010 — present
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ19.png|166px|XY&Z]]<br>{{OBP|XY&Z|song}}
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:XY094.png|166px|XY094]]<br>[[XY094]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season 19 logo.png|120px|Pokémon the Series: XYZ]]<br>[[S19|Pokémon the Series:<br>XYZ]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE19.png|166px|Stand Tall]]<br>[[Stand Tall]]
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybr|7px}}" | [[File:XY094.png|166px|XY094]]<br>[[XY094]]
|}
|}
</div>


==Movies==
===''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]''===
{{main|Pokémon movie}}
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
Since 1998 in Japan, and since 1999 in the US, a Pokémon movie has been released annually, most often focusing on a legendary Pokémon. These movies are almost always a large success in Japan, and remain at least somewhat successful in the US and other countries, having been aired on Cartoon Network as a special since [[M09|the ninth movie]], and having theatrical releases during the first five seasons.
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{alola color}}; background:#{{alola color}}; width:100%"
 
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{sun color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
The movies are not considered by all Pokémon fans to be canon to the show, with some preferring to think of them occurring in an alternate timeline. This theory comes from the fact that Ash and his friends do not seem to be profoundly affected in the show by the events of the movies. Many, however, see the movies as being akin to [[filler episode]]s, as none of their [[party|parties]] change, and no [[Gym Leader]]s are defeated nor [[Contest]]s won. This is presumably the correct interpretation, as not only have most of the events of the movies been referenced at least peripherally in the show, but also, several of the events of even ''major'' episodes have been forgotten by the writers of later episodes.
! style="background:#{{alola color}}" rowspan="6" |  
 
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{moon color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
===Original series===
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{yellow color}}; background: #{{yellow color}}; width: 100%;"
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{red color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
! style="background: #{{yellow color light}}" rowspan="2" | Pikachu Project
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{green color light}}" colspan="2" | US
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{red color light}}" | Japanese title
! style="background:#{{sun color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{red color light}}" | Release date
! style="background:#{{sun color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | English title
! style="background:#{{sun color light}}" | First episode
! style="background: #{{green color light}}" | Release date
! style="background:#{{moon color light}}" | Title
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="background:#{{moon color light}}" | Opening theme
| [[File:M01Japanese.png|150px|Mewtwo's Counterattack]]<br>ミュウツーの逆襲<br><small>''Mewtwo's Counterattack''</small>
! style="background:#{{moon color light}}" | First episode
| July 18, 1998
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 1 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M01|Pikachu Project 1998]]
| [[File:Movie 1 poster.png|150px|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]<br>[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]
| November 10, 1999
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:M02Japanese.png|150px|Phantom Pokémon: Lugia's Explosive Birth]]<br>幻のポケモン　ルギア爆誕<br><small>''Phantom Pokémon: Lugia's Explosive Birth''</small>
| July 17, 1999
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 2 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M02|Pikachu Project 1999]]
| [[File:P2kposter.jpg|150px|The Power of One]]<br>[[M02|The Power of One]]
| July 21, 2000
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:M03Japanese.png|150px|Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei]]<br>結晶塔の帝王爆誕<br><small>''Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei''</small>
| July 8, 2000
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 3 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M03|Pikachu Project 2000]]
| [[File:SpellOfTheUnown poster.jpg|150px|Spell of the Unown]]<br>[[M03|Spell of the Unown]]
| April 6, 2001
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:M04Japanese.png|150px|Celebi: An Encounter Through Time]]<br>セレビィ時を超えた遭遇<br><small>''Celebi: An Encounter Through Time''</small>
| July 7, 2001
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 4 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M04|Pikachu Project 2001]]
| [[File:Pokemon forever.jpg|150px|Celebi: Voice of the Forest]]<br>[[M04|Celebi: Voice of the Forest]]
| October 11, 2002
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:M05Japanese.png|150px|Guardian Gods of the City of Water: Latias and Latios]]<br>水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス<br><small>''Guardian Gods of the City of Water: Latias and Latios''</small>
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|7px}}" rowspan="4" | [[File:SM series logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon]]<br>[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon|Pocket Monsters<br>Sun & Moon]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | July 13, 2002
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ20 2.png|166px|Alola!!]]<br>[[Alola!!]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Pikachu the Movie 5 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M05|Pikachu Project 2002]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:SM001.png|166px|SM001]]<br>[[SM001]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:PokéMovie 5.png|150px|Pokémon Heroes]]<br>[[M05|Pokémon Heroes]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season 20 logo.png|150px|Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]<br>[[S20|Pokémon the Series:<br>Sun & Moon]]
| align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | May 16, 2003
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE20.png|166px|Under The Alolan Sun]]<br>[[Under The Alolan Sun]]
|}
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:SM001.png|166px|SM001]]<br>[[SM001]]
 
|- style="background:#FFF"
===''Advanced Generation'' series===
| [[File:OPJ21.png|166px|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master -20th Anniversary-]]<br>[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master#Opening animation: SM OP 2|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master<br>-20th Anniversary-]]
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{emerald color}}; background: #{{emerald color}}; width: 100%;"
| [[File:SM030.png|166px|SM030]]<br>[[SM030]]
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{ruby color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Season 21 logo.png|150px|Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon—Ultra Adventures]]<br>[[S21|Pokémon the Series:<br>Sun & Moon—Ultra Adventures]]
! style="background: #{{emerald color light}}" rowspan="2" | Pikachu Project
| rowspan="2" | [[File:OPE21.png|166px|Under The Alolan Moon]]<br>[[Under The Alolan Moon]]
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{sapphire color light}}" colspan="2" | US
| rowspan="2" | [[File:SM044.png|166px|SM044]]<br>[[SM044]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:OPJ22 2.png|166px|Future Connection]]<br>[[Future Connection]]
| [[File:SM061.png|166px|SM061]]<br>[[SM061]]
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{ruby color light}}" | Japanese title
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ23 13.png|166px|Your Adventure]]<br>[[Your Adventure]]
! style="background: #{{ruby color light}}" | Release date
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:SM091.png|166px|SM091]]<br>[[SM091]]
! style="background: #{{sapphire color light}}" | English title
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:Season 22 logo.png|150px|Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends]]<br>[[S22|Pokémon the Series:<br>Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends]]
! style="background: #{{sapphire color light}}" | Release date
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE22.png|166px|The Challenge of Life]]<br>[[The Challenge of Life]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybr|7px}}" | [[File:SM093.png|166px|SM093]]<br>[[SM093]]
| [[File:M06Japanese.png|150px|Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi]]<br>七夜の願い星 ジラーチ<br><small>''Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi''</small>
| July 19, 2003
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 6 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M06|Pikachu Project 2003]]
| [[File:M06 Poster.png|150px|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]<br>[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]
| June 1, 2004
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:M07Japanese.png|150px|Sky-Splitting Visitor: Deoxys]]<br>裂空の訪問者 デオキシス<br><small>''Sky-Splitting Visitor: Deoxys''</small>
| July 17, 2004
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 7 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M07|Pikachu Project 2004]]
| [[File:M07 poster.png|150px|Destiny Deoxys]]<br>[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]
| January 22, 2005
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:Pokemon2005poster.jpg|150px|Mew and the Wave-Guiding Hero: Lucario]]<br>ミュウと波導の勇者 ルカリオ<br><small>''Mew and the Wave-Guiding Hero: Lucario''</small>
| July 16, 2005
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 8 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M08|Pikachu Project 2005]]
| [[File:M08 DVD cover.png|150px|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]<br>[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]
| September 19, 2006
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:M09Japanese.png|150px|Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy]]<br>ポケモンレンジャーと蒼海の王子 マナフィ<br><small>''Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy''</small>
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | July 15, 2006
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Pikachu the Movie 9 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M09|Pikachu Project 2006]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Movie 9 English Cover.png|150px|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]<br>[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]
| align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | March 23, 2007
|}
|}
</div>


===''Diamond & Pearl'' series===
===''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''===
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{platinum color}}; background: #{{platinum color}}; width: 100%;"
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{diamond color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
{| class="roundy c" style="border:1px solid #{{galar color}}; background:#{{galar color}}; width:100%"
! style="background: #{{platinum color light}}" rowspan="2" | Pikachu Project
! style="{{roundytl|7px}}; background:#{{sword color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | Japan
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{pearl color light}}" colspan="2" | US
! style="background:#{{galar color}}" rowspan="7" |  
! style="{{roundytr|7px}}; background:#{{shield color light}}; width:50%" colspan="3" | United States
|-
|-
! style="background: #{{diamond color light}}" | Japanese title
! style="background:#{{sword color light}}" | Title
! style="background: #{{diamond color light}}" | Release date
! style="background:#{{sword color light}}" | Opening theme
! style="background: #{{pearl color light}}" | English title
! style="background:#{{sword color light}}" | First episode
! style="background: #{{pearl color light}}" | Release date
! style="background:#{{shield color light}}" | Title
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
! style="background:#{{shield color light}}" | Opening theme
| [[File:Dialga vs. Palkia vs. Darkrai poster.jpg|150px|Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai]]<br>ディアルガVSパルキアVSダークライ<br><small>''Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai''</small>
! style="background:#{{shield color light}}" | First episode
| July 14, 2007
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 10 poster.jpg|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M10|Pikachu Project 2007]]
| rowspan=4 | [[File:Pocket Monsters 2019 logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters]]<br>[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series|Pocket Monsters]]
| [[File:RiseOfDarkraiCover.jpg|150px|The Rise of Darkrai]]<br>[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]
| [[File:OPJ24.png|166px|One, Two, Three]]<br>[[One, Two, Three]]<br><small>(feat. After the Rain)</small>
| February 24, 2008
| [[File:JN001.png|166px|JN001]]<br>[[JN001]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Season 23 logo.png|150px|Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]<br>[[S23|Pokémon Journeys:<br>The Series]]
| [[File:Movie 11 final poster.png|150px|Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin]]<br>ギラティナと氷空の花束 シェイミ<br><small>''Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin''</small>
| rowspan=2 | [[File:OPE23.png|166px|The Journey Starts Today]]<br>[[The Journey Starts Today]]
| July 19, 2008
| rowspan=2 | [[File:JN001.png|166px|JN001]]<br>[[JN001]]
| [[File:Pikachu the Movie 11 poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M11|Pikachu Project 2008]]
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:Giratina and the Sky Warrior.png|150px|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]<br>[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]
| [[File:OPJ24 2.png|166px|One, Two, Three]]<br>[[One, Two, Three#Opening animation: Version 2 (JN032 – JN049)|One, Two, Three]]<br><small>(feat. Nishikawa-kun and Kirishō)</small>
| March 31, 2009
| [[File:JN032.png|166px|JN032]]<br>[[JN032]]
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[File:Movie 12 Arceus Choukoku Jikuu e Oha Suta poster.jpg|150px|Arceus: To a Conquering Spacetime]]<br>アルセウス 超克の時空へ<br><small>''Arceus: To a Conquering Spacetime''</small>
| [[File:OPJ24 3.png|166px|One, Two, Three]]<br>[[One, Two, Three#Opening animation: Version 3 (JN050 – JN099)|One, Two, Three]]<br><small>(feat. Karaage Sisters)</small>
| July 18, 2009
| [[File:JN050.png|166px|JN050]]<br>[[JN050]]
| [[File:Movie12poster2.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M12|Pikachu Project 2009]]
| [[File:Season 24 logo.png|150px|Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series]]<br>[[S24|Pokémon Master Journeys:<br>The Series]]
| [[File:Arceus and the Jewel of Life.png|150px|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]
| [[File:OPE24.png|166px|Journey to Your Heart]]<br>[[Journey to Your Heart]]
[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]
| [[File:JN049.png|166px|JN049]]<br>[[JN049]]
| November 20, 2009<!--
|- style="background:#FFF"
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
| [[File:OPJ24 4.png|166px|One, Two, Three]]<br>[[One, Two, Three#Opening animation: Version 4 (JN100 – JN136)|One, Two, Three]]<br><small>(feat. Ash & Goh)</small>
| [[File:Ruler of Illusions Zoroark.png|150px|Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark]]<br>幻影の覇者ゾロアーク<br><small>''Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark''</small>
| [[File:JN100.png|166px|JN100]]<br>[[JN100]]
| July 10, 2010
| [[File:Season 25 logo.png|150px|Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series]]<br>[[S25|Pokémon Ultimate Journeys:<br>The Series]]
| [[M13|Pikachu Project 2010]]
| [[File:OPE25.png|166px|With You]]<br>[[With You]]
| Unannounced
| [[File:JN091.png|166px|JN091]]<br>[[JN091]]
| Unannounced-->
|-
|-
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Ruler of Illusions Zoroark.png|150px|Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark]]<br>幻影の覇者ゾロアーク<br><small>''Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark''</small>
| style="{{roundybl|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:Pokémon Aim to Be a Pokémon Master logo.png|150px|Pocket Monsters: Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]<br>[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series|Pocket Monsters:<br>Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | July 10, 2010
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPJ28.png|166px|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master -with my friends-]]<br>[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master#Opening animation: JN OP 5|Aim to Be a Pokémon Master<br>-with my friends-]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Movie13 Pikachu the movie.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M13|Pikachu Project 2010]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:JN137.png|166px|JN137]]<br>[[JN137]]
| align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:M13 poster.jpg|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M13|Zoroark: Master of Illusions]]
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:To Be a Pokémon Master logo.png|150px|Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master]]<br>[[S25|Pokémon:<br>To Be a Pokémon Master]]
| align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | February 5, 2011
| style="background:#FFF" | [[File:OPE26.png|166px|Gotta Catch Em All]]<br>[[Gotta Catch Em All (song)|Gotta Catch Em All]]
| style="{{roundybr|7px}}; background:#FFF" | [[File:JN137.png|166px|JN137]]<br>[[JN137]]
|}
|}
</div>
==Related media==
While ''Pokémon the Series'' specifically refers to the television show, several other animated works take place within the show's continuity and world. These works can generally be identified by the presence of characters who have interacted with Ash Ketchum or his friends at some point.
===Movies===
[[File:Movie 1 poster.png|thumb|150px|Poster for the first movie]]
{{main|Pokémon movie}}
From 1998 to 2020, a tie-in Pokémon movie featuring {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} as the protagonists was released in theaters annually, most often focusing on a {{pkmn2|Legendary}} or [[Mythical Pokémon]]. These films were initially a large success worldwide, with all 23 films having received wide releases in Japan, the first three movies receiving wide releases internationally, and later films occasionally receiving limited releases outside of Japan.


===''Best Wishes'' series===
The movies are not considered by all people to be canon to the show, with some preferring to think of them occurring in an alternate timeline. This theory comes from the fact that Ash and his friends do not seem to be profoundly affected in the show by the events of the movies, which tend to have a lot of peril and drama. Others, however, see the movies as being akin to [[filler episode]]s, as none of their [[party|parties]] change, and no [[Gym Leader]]s are defeated nor [[Pokémon Contest]]s won. This is presumably the correct interpretation, as not only have most of the events of the movies been referenced at least peripherally in the show, but also, several of the events of even ''major'' episodes have been forgotten by the writers of later episodes.
{| align="center" style="{{roundy|10px}} border: 1px solid #{{black color}}; background: #{{black color}}; width: 100%;"
 
! style="{{roundytl|5px}} background: #{{white color light}}" colspan="2" | Japan
In Japan, the first 16 movies are branded as part of their respective series, replacing ''Pocket Monsters'' (ポケットモンスター) in the series title with ''Pocket Monsters the Movie'' (劇場版ポケットモンスター, lit. ''Pocket Monsters: Movie Version''). The ''Pokémon the Series: XY'' movies instead begin with the phrase ''Pokémon the Movie XY'' (ポケモン・ザ・ムービー　ＸＹ). Unlike the previous movies, the [[I Choose You! trilogy|trilogy]] consisting of ''[[M20|I Choose You!]]'', ''[[M21|The Power of Us]]'', and ''[[M23|Secrets of the Jungle]]'' take place in an alternate continuity involving Ash Ketchum, and do not connect directly to the events of the television series airing at the same time; the logo design that was initially created for these movies was later used for ''Pokémon Journeys: The Series''.
! style="background: #{{black color light}}" rowspan="2" | Pikachu Project
 
! style="{{roundytr|5px}} background: #{{white color light}}" colspan="2" | US
The movies have also received tie-in media of their own. They primarily focus on [[Ash's Pikachu]] or other Pokémon and characters from their corresponding movie, rather than on Ash himself.
|-
* The '''[[Pikachu short|bonus mini-movies]]''' are shorts which were shown theatrically with their corresponding movie in Japan. The first six movies and movies 15–18 all had an accompanying short.
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | Japanese title
* '''''[[Slowking's Day]]''''' is a short featuring the {{p|Slowking}} from ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' which was broadcast on TV Tokyo on January 1, 2000.
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | Release date
* '''''[[The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin]]''''' is a special feature on the ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'' DVD consisting of the prologue to the film that was cut from the original North American theatrical release.
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | English title
* '''''{{DL|List of animated series specials|Pokémon 3D Adventure}}''''' is a series of two shorts which were shown in {{wp|3D film|3D}} to promote their respective movies in 2005 and 2006. They were subsequently shown together in theaters in 2017 and 2020. Only ''[[PK16|Pikachu's Ocean Adventure]]'' was dubbed.
! style="background: #{{white color light}}" | Release date
* '''''[[PK23|Sing Meloetta: Search for the Rinka Berries]]''''' is a short that was released on DVD in Japan to promote ''[[PK24|Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade]]'' and ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]''.
|- align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF"
* '''''[[Top Secret Internal Team Plasma Genesect Video]]''''' is a short that was shown at the {{jwp|次世代ワールドホビーフェア|Next Generation World Hobby Fair}} to promote ''[[M16|Genesect and the Legend Awakened]]''.
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Victini and the Black Hero Zekrom poster.png|150px|Victini and the Black Hero]]<br>ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム<br><small>''Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom''</small>
* The '''{{cat|movie prologues}}''' are special episodes or shorts which were broadcast or distributed separately to promote their respective movies.
| rowspan="2" align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | July 16, 2011
* '''''[[Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures]]''''' is a series of six shorts which were broadcast on [[Oha Suta]] to promote ''[[M18|Hoopa and the Clash of Ages]]''.
| rowspan="2" align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Movie 14 Pikachu the Movie poster.png|150px|Pikachu the Movie]]<br>[[M14|Pikachu Project 2011]]
 
| rowspan="2" align="center" style="background: #FFFFFF" | N/A
===Specials===
| rowspan="2" align="center" style="{{roundybr|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | Unannounced
[[File:Pocket Monsters Crystal DVD cover.png|thumb|150px|Poster for ''The Legend of Thunder!'']]
|-
{{main|List of animated series specials}}
| align="center" style="{{roundybl|5px}} background: #FFFFFF" | [[File:Victini and the White Hero Reshiram poster.png|150px|Victini and the Black Hero]]<br>ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム<br><small>''Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram''</small>
A number of special episodes have been produced that relate to ''Pokémon the Series'', but are not considered part of the TV series proper. In Japan, these are often branded as part of the series that was airing as of their release, but are not listed with other episodes of the series or counted towards the total episode count.
|}
* '''[[Clip show]]s''' are compilations of video clips from already-released episodes or movies, usually with the purpose of recapping a story arc that spanned several episodes. They are also used to commemorate special occasions, such as anniversaries or holidays. Clip shows generally do not offer new narrative content, instead acting as retrospective overviews of previous episodes. Seven of the clip shows were aired during the series' regular timeslot in Japan, and are thus officially considered as regular episodes that are part of the animated series. In the West, these episodes were not dubbed.
* '''''[[Pikachu's Winter Vacation]]''''' is a series of special episodes primarily focusing on Pokémon characters that were released {{wp|direct-to-video}} near Christmas each year from 1998 to 2000 as part of the [[original series]]. In the West, these episodes were also released on home video or as part of [[Pokémon Chronicles]].
* '''''[[Mewtwo Returns]]''''' is a series of three special episodes that were broadcast on TV Tokyo in 2000 as part of the original series, serving as a sequel to ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''. In the West, it was combined into a direct-to-video movie.
* '''''[[The Legend of Thunder!]]''''' is a special featuring {{jo|Jimmy}}, {{jo|Marina}}, and [[Vincent]] that was broadcast on TV Tokyo in 2001 as part of the original series. In the West, it was split into three episodes as part of [[Pokémon Chronicles]].
* '''''[[Pichu Bros. in Party Panic]]''''' is a special episode featuring the [[Pichu Brothers]] that was released as part of the [[Nintendo GameCube]] video game [[Pokémon Channel]] in 2003.
* The '''{{DL|List of animated series specials|ANA specials}}''' are a series of special episodes focusing on Pikachu and other Pokémon characters that were originally shown as {{wp|in-flight entertainment}} on {{wp|All Nippon Airways|ANA}} flights during the month of August each year from 2004 to 2011, and were later released on home video as part of their respective series. In the West, only ''[[PK17|Pikachu's Island Adventure]]'' was dubbed.
* '''''[[Side story episodes|Pocket Monsters Side Stories]]''''' is a series of special episodes focusing on recurring side characters that were originally broadcast during the [[Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station]] from 2002 to 2004 as side stories of the original series. In the West, they were dubbed as part of [[Pokémon Chronicles]].
* The '''{{DL|List of animated series specials|planetarium specials}}''' are a series of special episodes released from 2004 to 2020 made to be projected on the interior of an overhead dome, usually allowing for a wide simulated view of the sky or stars. These specials were shown exclusively at planetariums and museums in Japan, and the subject matter of each tends to focus on the sky or stars. They are branded as part of their respective series. These episodes have not been released outside of Japan.
* '''''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]''''' is a special that was made to celebrate [[Pokémon 10th Anniversary|Pokémon's 10th anniversary]] in 2006.
* '''''[[Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles|The Arceus Chronicles]]''''' is a series of four special episodes that were released on [[Prime Video]] in 2022 as part of ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''. In the West, it was combined into a movie and released on [[Netflix]].
* '''''[[A Ripple in Time]]''''' is a short that was released in 2022 as part of a collaboration between Pokémon and {{wp|Daniel Arsham}}.
 
==Availability==
{{main|Pokémon animated series#Availability|Pokémon animated series → Availability}}
In {{pmin|the United States}}, ''Pokémon the Series'' initially premiered in {{wp|Broadcast syndication|first-run syndication}} beginning with the broadcast of the 15th episode ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]'' on September 7, 1998, with new episodes being aired every weekday starting from the first episode ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'' on the following day. The last 12 episodes of the [[S01|first season]] and all episodes from then until the end of [[S08|season eight]] premiered on the {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Kids' WB}} programming block of {{wp|The WB Television Network}}. [[S09|Seasons 9]]–[[S19|19]] premiered on the cable channel {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}}, while [[S20|seasons 20]]–[[S22|22]] premiered on the premium cable channel {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Disney XD}}. Starting with [[S23|season 23]], new episodes of ''Pokémon the Series'' left cable in favor of the streaming service [[Netflix]], where the final batch of 12 episodes was added on September 8, 2023. Internationally, ''Pokémon the Series'' was aired on various local broadcasters.
 
In Japan, the episodes corresponding to ''Pokémon the Series'' were broadcast nearly every week on {{wp|TX Network}} stations, beginning with ''Pokémon - I Choose You!'' on April 1, 1997 and ending with ''[[JN147|The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!]]'' on March 24, 2023, with the exception of a four-month hiatus after the [[EP038|Porygon incident]] and a seven-week hiatus during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
 
Episodes have been made available on demand on various platforms including [[Netflix]], [[Prime Video]], [[iTunes Store|iTunes]], [[Google Play]], [[Hulu]], and [[YouTube]], though availability differs by region.


==Trivia==
==Staff==
* Animator Masāki Iwane 岩根正明 [[n:Masaaki Iwane: Pokémon anime originally slated for 18-month run|once stated]] that the series was originally slated for a 1½-year run, which corresponds approximately to the length of the [[Kanto]] region [[Pokémon: Indigo League|saga]] (had it not been delayed due to [[EP038|the Porygon incident]]). Due to its popularity during the run, however, the show was extended and continues to be one of the longest running video game based anime.
{{main|Pokémon animated series#Staff|Pokémon animated series → Staff}}
* During the early episodes of the anime, Japanese text was seen quite frequently on signs and buildings as well as objects. This usually resulted in the dubbed versions painting out the text or converting it to their respective languages. In more recent episodes, the animators have replaced the Japanese text with made-up symbols that would be universal to all languages so that it would not have to be edited for each country it aired in.


==Related articles==
==In other languages==
* [[Timeline of events in the anime]]
{{Langtable|color=DDF|bordercolor=AAF
* [[Differences between the games and anime]]
|fr=Pokémon, la série
* [[List of anime episodes]]
|de=Pokémon – Die TV-Serie
|it=Serie animata Pokémon originale
|pt_br=Pokémon, a série
|es=Serie Pokémon
}}


==References==
==References==
Line 338: Line 402:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon/  Pokémon TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
* [https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons ''Pokémon the Series'' Episode Encyclopedia on Pokemon.com]
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon/tue/koremade.html Pokémon Encore TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
 
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon_ag/main.html Pokémon Advanced Generation TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
{{Anime series}}
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/pokemon_dp/index.html Pokémon Diamond & Pearl TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
{{Project Anime notice}}
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon_bw/ Pokémon Best Wishes TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon/poke_hoso/back_num/index.html Pokémon Hoso TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
*[http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon_sunday/ Pokémon Sunday TV Tokyo website] (Japanese)
*[http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/pokemon/index.html Cartoon Network Pokémon anime website]


===On Bulbagarden forums===
[[Category:Pokémon animated series|*]]
*[http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/forumdisplay.php?f=228 Pokémon anime discussion forum]
{{Project Anime notice|no}}
[[Category:Anime|*]]
[[pt:Pokémon (anime)]]


[[de:Anime]]
[[fr:Pokémon, la série]]
[[it:Anime]]
[[ja:アニメポケットモンスター]]
[[pl:Animé Pokémon]]

Latest revision as of 13:55, 19 September 2024

The English logo for Pokémon the Series

Pokémon the Series is an animated TV series that follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town, and his journey toward his ultimate goal of being a Pokémon Master; as well as his many friends, and most especially his Pokémon, whom he considers his partners and friends. Though it is ultimately based upon the games and draws heavily from them, many concepts which are only touched on in the games are spun in a unique way, and expanded on. It is the first animated series of the Pokémon animated series, and is succeeded by Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

In the West, it consists of 1,224 episodes across 25 seasons, and has spawned a number of movies and other related media. It premiered on September 7, 1998 with the broadcast of Battle Aboard the St. Anne in syndication in the United States, and concluded on July 29, 2023 with the broadcast of Distant Blue Sky! on Cartoon Network in Canada (later released on September 8, 2023 on Netflix in the United States).[1] In Japan and Asia, Pokémon the Series corresponds to the first seven series of the Pokémon animated TV series (with The Beginning and Gold and Silver being combined as one series), which originally aired on TV Tokyo from April 1, 1997 to March 24, 2023.

Terminology

In the United States, the TV show was initially shown under the title Pokémon. The term Pokémon the Series was not introduced until 2013, with the debut of Pokémon the Series: XY. While Pokémon the Series was initially synonymous with the Pokémon animated series as a whole, they have diverged since the release of Pokémon Horizons: The Series. The Pokémon Company International considers Pokémon Horizons: The Series to be a separate animated series, and defines Pokémon the Series as the preceding animated series consisting of the 25 seasons featuring Ash and Pikachu; both of these animated series are still part of the Pokémon animated series, however.[2][3][4]

In Japan and Asia, there is no official term that corresponds to the term Pokémon the Series as used by TPCi. Instead, Pokémon Horizons: The Series is treated as merely the eighth series of the Pokémon animated series.

Plot

Ash and Pikachu

From the first episode, Ash has been the central character, making his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master known to all he meets. Though initially he only became a Pokémon Trainer with the goal of beating his rival, Gary Oak, the many Pokémon Ash has met over his journey have shown him what being a Pokémon Master really is. Unlike most Trainers from Pallet, and unlike players of Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Ash did not start his journey with Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, as he arrived late to Professor Oak's lab to receive his first partner Pokémon. Instead, Ash was given the only Pokémon Oak had left to give, a Pikachu that did not enjoy being inside his Poké Ball. From there, Ash learned to treat his Pokémon as partners, earning Pikachu's trust by keeping him safe from a flock of Spearow he angered.

Since then, Ash has journeyed across the first eight of the regions that appear in the core series Pokémon games, as well as the Orange Islands, a region he visited before Johto until it was closer in time to the real-world release of Pokémon Gold and Silver. In the regions outside of Galar, he battles against the local Gym Leaders for their Badges, just like the players of the core series games, to compete in the regional Pokémon League—however, the League is a championship tournament rather than five battles straight against the Elite Four and Champion. In Kanto, he has also once competed for Symbols while challenging the Battle Frontier. While his initial strategy was to continue using the same party over the course of his journey, letting some Pokémon go when they were required to do something or wanted to train, he eventually changed this strategy starting with his journey in Hoenn. From then on, he has used only those Pokémon which he has caught in the region, alongside Pikachu, to battle against Gym Leaders, with his explanation to Dawn being that he wants to prove to the young, unevolved Pokémon he meets in each new region that they can win if they try.

Photographs of Ash and all of his friends

Over the course of the series, Ash has had several friends who travel with him, typically across one region, who assist him in his journey as much as he assists in theirs. Misty, the Gym Leader from Cerulean City in the games, joins him in Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, as does Brock, Pewter City's Gym Leader, in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. Tracey Sketchit, an amateur Pokémon Watcher, joins Ash during his Orange Islands journey, but leaves him on Ash's return to Pallet to become an assistant to Professor Oak, his hero. May and Dawn, rookie Coordinators, join Ash for the duration of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, respectively; in these he mentors them much as Brock and Misty did him, while Max, May's brother who is too young to own Pokémon, looks up to Ash for the duration of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire. Iris and Cilan travel with Ash in Pokémon the Series: Black & White. Inventor Clemont, his sister Bonnie, and Ash's childhood friend Serena travel with Ash in Pokémon the Series: XY. Like Max, Bonnie is too young to own Pokémon, but cares for her brother's Dedenne. In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Ash attends the Pokémon School instead of traveling around the Alola region. As such, his new friends—Lillie, Mallow, Kiawe, Lana, and Sophocles—are not traveling companions but classmates. In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Ash's sole new traveling companion is Goh, a Trainer who aims to catch every Pokémon species in the world, with his ultimate goal being to catch the Mythical Pokémon Mew.

Episodes

In the West, the episodes of Pokémon the Series are divided into 25 seasons across eight series. These series divisions were introduced starting in 2013 with the debut of Pokémon the Series: XY, with the episodes from the prior 16 seasons being retroactively grouped into five series in certain home video and video-on-demand releases. In Japan and Asia, the episodes corresponding to Pokémon the Series are divided into seven series, with some of these series themselves being divided into smaller arcs.

The following tables summarize the Japanese titles, the English titles, and the Japanese and English opening themes used during each series. Seasons follow the digital release definition.

Pokémon the Series: The Beginning

Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Pokémon the Series: Black & White

Pokémon the Series: XY

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Related media

While Pokémon the Series specifically refers to the television show, several other animated works take place within the show's continuity and world. These works can generally be identified by the presence of characters who have interacted with Ash Ketchum or his friends at some point.

Movies

Poster for the first movie
Main article: Pokémon movie

From 1998 to 2020, a tie-in Pokémon movie featuring Ash and his friends as the protagonists was released in theaters annually, most often focusing on a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. These films were initially a large success worldwide, with all 23 films having received wide releases in Japan, the first three movies receiving wide releases internationally, and later films occasionally receiving limited releases outside of Japan.

The movies are not considered by all people to be canon to the show, with some preferring to think of them occurring in an alternate timeline. This theory comes from the fact that Ash and his friends do not seem to be profoundly affected in the show by the events of the movies, which tend to have a lot of peril and drama. Others, however, see the movies as being akin to filler episodes, as none of their parties change, and no Gym Leaders are defeated nor Pokémon Contests won. This is presumably the correct interpretation, as not only have most of the events of the movies been referenced at least peripherally in the show, but also, several of the events of even major episodes have been forgotten by the writers of later episodes.

In Japan, the first 16 movies are branded as part of their respective series, replacing Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター) in the series title with Pocket Monsters the Movie (劇場版ポケットモンスター, lit. Pocket Monsters: Movie Version). The Pokémon the Series: XY movies instead begin with the phrase Pokémon the Movie XY (ポケモン・ザ・ムービー　ＸＹ). Unlike the previous movies, the trilogy consisting of I Choose You!, The Power of Us, and Secrets of the Jungle take place in an alternate continuity involving Ash Ketchum, and do not connect directly to the events of the television series airing at the same time; the logo design that was initially created for these movies was later used for Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

The movies have also received tie-in media of their own. They primarily focus on Ash's Pikachu or other Pokémon and characters from their corresponding movie, rather than on Ash himself.

Specials

Poster for The Legend of Thunder!
Main article: List of animated series specials

A number of special episodes have been produced that relate to Pokémon the Series, but are not considered part of the TV series proper. In Japan, these are often branded as part of the series that was airing as of their release, but are not listed with other episodes of the series or counted towards the total episode count.

  • Clip shows are compilations of video clips from already-released episodes or movies, usually with the purpose of recapping a story arc that spanned several episodes. They are also used to commemorate special occasions, such as anniversaries or holidays. Clip shows generally do not offer new narrative content, instead acting as retrospective overviews of previous episodes. Seven of the clip shows were aired during the series' regular timeslot in Japan, and are thus officially considered as regular episodes that are part of the animated series. In the West, these episodes were not dubbed.
  • Pikachu's Winter Vacation is a series of special episodes primarily focusing on Pokémon characters that were released direct-to-video near Christmas each year from 1998 to 2000 as part of the original series. In the West, these episodes were also released on home video or as part of Pokémon Chronicles.
  • Mewtwo Returns is a series of three special episodes that were broadcast on TV Tokyo in 2000 as part of the original series, serving as a sequel to Mewtwo Strikes Back. In the West, it was combined into a direct-to-video movie.
  • The Legend of Thunder! is a special featuring Jimmy, Marina, and Vincent that was broadcast on TV Tokyo in 2001 as part of the original series. In the West, it was split into three episodes as part of Pokémon Chronicles.
  • Pichu Bros. in Party Panic is a special episode featuring the Pichu Brothers that was released as part of the Nintendo GameCube video game Pokémon Channel in 2003.
  • The ANA specials are a series of special episodes focusing on Pikachu and other Pokémon characters that were originally shown as in-flight entertainment on ANA flights during the month of August each year from 2004 to 2011, and were later released on home video as part of their respective series. In the West, only Pikachu's Island Adventure was dubbed.
  • Pocket Monsters Side Stories is a series of special episodes focusing on recurring side characters that were originally broadcast during the Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station from 2002 to 2004 as side stories of the original series. In the West, they were dubbed as part of Pokémon Chronicles.
  • The planetarium specials are a series of special episodes released from 2004 to 2020 made to be projected on the interior of an overhead dome, usually allowing for a wide simulated view of the sky or stars. These specials were shown exclusively at planetariums and museums in Japan, and the subject matter of each tends to focus on the sky or stars. They are branded as part of their respective series. These episodes have not been released outside of Japan.
  • The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon is a special that was made to celebrate Pokémon's 10th anniversary in 2006.
  • The Arceus Chronicles is a series of four special episodes that were released on Prime Video in 2022 as part of Pokémon Journeys: The Series. In the West, it was combined into a movie and released on Netflix.
  • A Ripple in Time is a short that was released in 2022 as part of a collaboration between Pokémon and Daniel Arsham.

Availability

Main article: Pokémon animated series → Availability

In the United States, Pokémon the Series initially premiered in first-run syndication beginning with the broadcast of the 15th episode Battle Aboard the St. Anne on September 7, 1998, with new episodes being aired every weekday starting from the first episode Pokémon - I Choose You! on the following day. The last 12 episodes of the first season and all episodes from then until the end of season eight premiered on the Kids' WB programming block of The WB Television Network. Seasons 9–19 premiered on the cable channel Cartoon Network, while seasons 20–22 premiered on the premium cable channel Disney XD. Starting with season 23, new episodes of Pokémon the Series left cable in favor of the streaming service Netflix, where the final batch of 12 episodes was added on September 8, 2023. Internationally, Pokémon the Series was aired on various local broadcasters.

In Japan, the episodes corresponding to Pokémon the Series were broadcast nearly every week on TX Network stations, beginning with Pokémon - I Choose You! on April 1, 1997 and ending with The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master! on March 24, 2023, with the exception of a four-month hiatus after the Porygon incident and a seven-week hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episodes have been made available on demand on various platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, Hulu, and YouTube, though availability differs by region.

Staff

Main article: Pokémon animated series → Staff

In other languages

Language Title
France Flag.png French Pokémon, la série
Germany Flag.png German Pokémon – Die TV-Serie
Italy Flag.png Italian Serie animata Pokémon originale
Brazil Flag.png Brazilian Portuguese Pokémon, a série
Spain Flag.png Spanish Serie Pokémon

References

  1. ↑ Ash Ketchum’s 10 Most Iconic Traveling Companions | Pokemon.com
  2. ↑ Pokémon Brand Sheet (August 2023) (archived)
  3. ↑ Pokémon Parents Official Website | Pokémon Animation
  4. ↑ Celebrate the Best of Pokémon the Series on Pokémon TV | Pokemon.com

External links

Original series (list) Indigo League • Adventures in the Orange Islands
The Johto Journeys • Johto League Champions • Master Quest
Ruby and Sapphire (list) Advanced • Advanced Challenge • Advanced Battle • Battle Frontier
Diamond and Pearl (list) Diamond and Pearl • Battle Dimension • Galactic Battles • Sinnoh League Victors
Black & White (list) Black & White • Rival Destinies • Adventures in Unova and Beyond
XY (list) XY • Kalos Quest • XYZ (Mega Evolution Specials)
Sun & Moon (list) Sun & Moon • Ultra Adventures‎ • Ultra Legends
Journeys (list) Journeys • Master Journeys • Ultimate Journeys (The Arceus Chronicles)
Horizons (list) Horizons
Specials (list) Pikachu's Winter Vacation • Side Stories • Pokémon Chronicles
Planetarium specials • Pikachu shorts
Mewtwo Returns • The Legend of Thunder! • Pichu Bros. in Party Panic
The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon • A Ripple in Time
Complete list • Movies
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.
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