Original series

The original series of the Pokémon anime (Japanese: ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters) is the first series of the Pokémon anime. Unlike later series, the name of the original series comes only from the need to differentiate it from the later two series.

During the original series, rookie Trainer Ash Ketchum begins his journey in Kanto, leaving his home of Pallet Town with the only starter Pokémon that Professor Oak had left to give: a reluctant and moody Pikachu. Ash's quest begins in earnest to defeat all of the Gym Leaders and get to the Pokémon League as soon as he has gained Pikachu's trust, and he is joined by two mentors, Brock and Misty.

After competing in the Indigo Plateau Conference and not doing so well, Ash journeys to the Orange Archipelago to receive the GS Ball from Professor Ivy, as it cannot be transported to Professor Oak by PC. During his time there, Ash competes in another Pokémon League, the Orange League. When Oak cannot figure out how to open the GS Ball on Ash's return to Pallet, the Professor sends Ash to Johto to give the ball to Kurt. While there, Ash again competes in a Pokémon League, the Silver Conference.

When the anime was dubbed into English and other languages, the series was divided into five "seasons":

• Pokémon (EP001–EP081)
• Pokémon: The Adventures in the Orange Islands (EP082–EP116)
• Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (EP117–EP157)
• Pokémon: Johto League Champions (EP158–EP209)
• Pokémon: Master Quest (EP210–EP274)

Episodes in the original series are numbered with the prefix EP. For a complete episode listing, see the list of original series episodes.

Trivia

• Originally, this series of the anime was only to have lasted a year and a half, approximately as long as the Kanto saga lasted.
• At 274 episodes, this series is the anime's longest.