Pokémon manga

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Pokémon manga (Japanese: 漫画 manga), unlike the Pokémon anime, does not actually refer to one specific manga or one particular piece of Pokémon canon but, rather, an entire subcategory of comics and graphic novels written with their own storylines and interpretations of the Pokémon world. These frequently have no connection to one another beyond their medium.

Many Pokémon manga are never translated into English, likely due to manga being more traditional in Japan. Additionally, some series contain scenarios and artwork considered inappropriate for Western audiences. Sometimes the artwork is cleaned-up for foreign publishing, as was the case with The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, but some Japanese publishers prefer not to have the artwork changed.

List of Pokémon manga

Main game adaptations

English title Japanese title Volumes Chapters Summary
Volume 1 Pokémon Pocket Monsters ポケットモンスター
Pocket Monsters
14 117 A shōnen gag manga featuring the adventures of an inept Trainer and his rude Clefairy on their journeys throughout the Pokémon world.
Volume 1 Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire ポケットモンスターR・S(ルビーサファイア)
Pocket Monster R S (Ruby and Sapphire)
6 63
2 special chapters
This manga continues the adventures of Red and his rude Clefairy on their journeys throughout Hoenn.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスターD・P(ダイヤモンド・パール)
Pocket Monsters D・P (Diamond and Pearl)
5 59 This manga continues from Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire, featuring the adventures of Red and his rude Clefairy in Sinnoh.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスター HG・SS
Pocket Monsters HGSS
2 23 The follow-up to Pocket Monsters DP, this manga brings Red and his Pokémon back to the Johto region.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスターBW
Pocket Monsters BW
4 47 This manga brings Red and his Pokémon to the Unova region.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスターXY
Pocket Monsters XY
ongoing ongoing This manga brings Red and his Pokémon to the Kalos region.
Volume 1 Pokémon Adventures ポケットモンスターSPECIAL
Pocket Monsters SPECIAL
ongoing ongoing A shōnen adventure manga featuring the adventures of the main characters of each game as they explore the regions and fight criminal organizations. Arguably the most popular Pokémon manga.
Volume 1 Pokémon Adventures: Diamond and Pearl/Platinum 11 104 The Diamond & Pearl arc and the Platinum arc of Pokémon Adventures released in English as a separately numbered series by VIZ Media.
Volume 1 Pokémon Adventures: HeartGold & SoulSilver 2 19 The HeartGold & SoulSilver arc of Pokémon Adventures released in English as a separately numbered series by VIZ Media.
Volume 1 Pokémon Black and White 20 64 The magazine version of the Black & White arc of Pokémon Adventures released in English as a "Pokémon Adventures special edition" by VIZ Media.
Volume 1 Pokémon Adventures: Black & White 9 ongoing The volume version of the Black & White arc of Pokémon Adventures released in English as a separately numbered series by VIZ Media.
Volume 1 Pokémon Adventures XY ポケットモンスターSPECIAL X・Y
Pocket Monsters SPECIAL XY
ongoing ongoing The magazine version of the X & Y arc of Pokémon Adventures released in separately numbered mini-volumes by Shogakukan.
Volume 1 Pokémon XY ongoing ongoing The magazine version of the X & Y arc of Pokémon Adventures released in English as a "Pokémon Adventures special edition" by VIZ Media.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスターSPECIAL Ωルビー・αサファイア
Pocket Monsters SPECIAL Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
ongoing ongoing The magazine version of the Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc of Pokémon Adventures released in separately numbered mini-volumes by Shogakukan.
Cover artwork まんが版 ポケットモンスター全書
Pocket Monsters Zensho
1 10 A very direct adaptation of Pokémon Red and Blue's storyline.
Volume 1 Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys ポケットモンスター金・銀 ゴールデン・ボーイズ
Pokémon Gold and Silver Golden Boys
3 23 A shōnen action manga adapting Pokémon Gold and Silver. Notable for being canceled before any actual climax in the story.
Volume 1 Pokémon Battle Frontier ポケットモンスターエメラルド 挑戦!! バトルフロンティア
Pocket Monsters Emerald: Challenge!! Battle Frontier
1 6 A shōnen action manga about a Pokémon Trainer challenging the Battle Frontier.
Volume 1 Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! ポケットモンスターダイヤモンド・パール物語 ポケモンD・P
Pocket Monsters Diamond-Pearl Legend: Pokémon DP
8 37
6 special chapters
An adventure manga loosely adapting the plot of Diamond and Pearl into the tale of a young Trainer and the assistant of Professor Rowan who set out across Sinnoh to find Dialga.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスターHGSS ジョウの大 冒険
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
1 6 A manga about a Trainer named Jō's adventures in Johto.
Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver Go Go Pokeathlon title page.png ポケットモンスターハートゴールドソウルシルバーGO! GO! ポケスロン
Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéthlon
0 1 A one-shot manga about a Trainer named Takashi in the Pokéathlon.
Be the Best Pokémon BW SA volume 1.png Be the Best! Pokémon B+W 究めろ!ポケモンB・W
Be a Master!! Pokémon BW
1 8 A manga based on the Black and White games. It is promoted by CoroCoro as a "walkthrough comic".
Heroes of Fire and Thunder volume 1.png ポケットモンスターB・W 炎雷の英雄
Pocket Monster BW: The Heroes of Fire and Thunder
1 5 A manga based on the Black and White games.
Pocket Monsters B2 W2 A New Legend JP volume 1.png ポケットモンスターB2・W2 ~新たなる伝説~
Pocket Monsters B2 W2 ~ A New Legend ~
1 5 A manga about Arata's adventures in Unova.
Pocket Monsters BW Good Partners cover.png ポケットモンスターB・W グッドパートナーズ
Pocket Monsters BW: Good Partners
1 A manga based on the Black and White games.
Touya MWL.png ポケットモンスターB・W 伝説との遭遇
Pocket Monsters BW: Meetings with the Legends
0 1 A manga based on the Black and White games.
Pokémon Omega Ruby Crimson Passion Alpha Sapphire Indigo Wisdom JP cover.png ポケモンオメガル ビー紅きの情熱・ポケモンアルファ サファイア藍き英知
Pokémon Omega Ruby Crimson Passion and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Indigo Wisdom
1 Two parallel manga based on Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. The manga tells the stories of two brothers, Alpha and Omega, as they attempt to capture Kyogre and Groudon, respectively.

Spin-off game adaptations

English title Japanese title Volumes Chapters Summary
Volume 1 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team ポケモン不思議のダンジョンギンジの救助隊
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team
1 6 An adaptation of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon's main storyline. Nearly direct, but features a very different ending from the games.
Volume 1 ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 炎の探検隊
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team
1 6 A manga adaptation of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.
Pokemon Colosseum manga cover.png ポケモンコロシアム スナッチャーズレオ
Pokémon Colosseum Snatcher Leo
0 3 An adaptation of Pokémon Colosseum's storyline.
Pokemon Colosseum Snatchers chapter 1 title page.png ポケモンコロシアム スナッチャーズ
Pokémon Colosseum Snatchers
0 3 Another adaptation of Pokémon Colosseum's storyline.
出動!!ポケモンレンジャー
Set Out!! Pokémon Ranger
0 13 An adaptation of Pokémon Ranger's storyline.
Pokemon Ranger -The 1st Mission- title page.png ポケモンレンジャー-The 1st ミッション-
Pokémon Ranger -The 1st Mission-
0 1 An adaptation of Pokémon Ranger's storyline.
Volume 1 W ミッションストーリ ポケモンレンジャー the Comic
W Mission Story: Pokémon Ranger - the Comic
0 5 An adaptation of Pokémon Ranger available online to members of the Pokémon Daisuki Club.
ポケモンレンジャー“キャプチャ”マスターへの道
Pokémon Ranger The Road to a "Capture" Master
0 An adaptation of Pokémon Ranger's storyline.
Darkrai Mission Story Pokemon Ranger Vatonage - the Comic artwork.png ダークライ ミッションストーリ ポケモンレンジャー バトナージ
Darkrai Mission Story: Pokémon Ranger Vatonage - the Comic
0 4 An adaptation of Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia available online to members of the Pokémon Daisuki Club.
Volume 1 ポケモンバトリオ めざせ! バトリオマスター
Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
2 16 The manga is written by the author of Ash and Pikachu. It focuses on a boy named Ryū aiming to become a master at the popular Japanese arcade game, Pokémon Battrio.
Promotional artwork ポケモン+ノブナガの野望 ~ランセ彩絵巻~
Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~
0 6 A manga adaptation of Pokémon Conquest focusing on several Warlord characters that appear in the game.

Anime adaptations

English title Japanese title Volumes Chapters Summary
Volume 1 The Electric Tale of Pikachu ポケットモンスター・電撃ピカチュウ
Pocket Monsters: Dengeki Pikachu
4 20 A stylized adaptation of several select episodes from the Pokémon anime, although set in its own slightly different continuity. Takes place in Kanto and the Orange Archipelago.
Volume 1 Ash and Pikachu サトシとピカチュウ
Satoshi and Pikachu
6 36 A direct adaptation of the Pokémon anime with stories from Ash's adventures in Johto, Hoenn and the Battle Frontier.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスターダイヤモンド&パール
Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl
2 29 A manga adaptation from the era of the Diamond & Pearl series featuring the adventures of Ash and Dawn.

Movie manga adaptations

Direct adaptations of the Pokémon anime movies, sometimes with small changes in the story or Pokémon featured.

English title Japanese title Chapters
Mewtwo Strikes Back manga.png ミュウツーの逆襲
Mewtwo Strikes Back!
M02 manga cover page.png 幻のポケモン ルギア爆誕
Mirage Pokémon Lugia's Explosive Birth
Emperor of the Crystal Tower - Entei cover.png 結晶塔の帝王 ENTEI
Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei
M04 manga cover page.png セレビィ時を超えた遭遇
Celebi: a Timeless Encounter
水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス
Guardian Gods of the City of Water: Latias and Latios
Volume 1 Jirachi: Wish Maker 七夜の願い星 ジラーチ
Wishing Star of the Seven Nights: Jirachi
4
Volume 1 Destiny Deoxys 裂空の訪問者 デオキシス
Sky-Splitting Visitor: Deoxys
3
Volume 1 Lucario and the Mystery of Mew ミュウと波導の勇者 ルカリオ
Mew and the Wave-Guiding Hero: Lucario
3
Volume 1 Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea ポケモンレンジャーと蒼海の王子 マナフィ
Pokémon Ranger and the Prince of the Sea: Manaphy
4
Volume 1 The Rise of Darkrai ディアルガVSパルキアVSダークライ
Dialga VS Palkia VS Darkrai
5
Volume 1 Giratina and the Sky Warrior ギラティナと氷空の花束 シェイミ
Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin
4
Volume 1 Arceus and the Jewel of Life アルセウス超克の時空へ
Arceus: To a Conquering Spacetime
3
Volume 1 Zoroark: Master of Illusions 幻影の覇者ゾロアーク
Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark
2
Volume 1 White—Victini and Zekrom ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム
Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom
2
M15 manga cover EN.png Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice キュレムVS聖剣士ケルディオ
Kyurem VS the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo
2
M16 manga cover VIZ Media.png Genesect and the Legend Awakened 神速のゲノセクト ミュウツー覚醒
ExtremeSpeed Genesect: Mewtwo Awakens
M17 manga cover VIZ Media.png Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction 破壊とディアンシー
The Cocoon of Destruction and Diancie
M18 manga cover JP.png 光輪の超魔神 フーパ
The Archdjinni of the Rings: Hoopa

Original stories

English title Japanese title Volumes Chapters Summary
Volume 1 Magical Pokémon Journey ポケットモンスター PiPiPi★アドベンチャー
Pocket Monsters PiPiPi ★ Adventures
10 69
20 bonus chapters
2 appendix chapters
A shōjo romance manga featuring the romantic lives of several Trainers and their Pokémon.
Volume 1 チャモチャモ☆ぷりてぃ
Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪
3 42 A sequel to Magical Pokémon Journey set in Hoenn.
Volume 1 Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All ポケモンゲットだぜ!
Get Pokémon!
5 79 A shōnen gag manga about a young Trainer named Shū who specializes in Pokémon captures as he tries to complete his Pokédex.
Volume 1 ポケットモンスタープラチナ めざせ!! バトル王
Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!
1 8 A single-volume story about a boy named Yū Shirogane who plays the Nintendo DS game Pokémon Platinum.
Volume 1 Phantom Thief Pokémon 7 快盗!ポケモン7
Phantom Thief! Pokémon 7
1 24 A manga about a young boy named Hiori who leads a double life as the mysterious thief known as "Pokémon 7". Pokémon 7, along with his trusty partner Lucario, retrieve stolen objects from other thieves and return them to their rightful owners.
Pokémon V.png 快盗!ポケモンV
Phantom Thief! Pokémon V
0 A sequel to Phantom Thief Pokémon 7 featuring two new characters, Pokémon V and Pokémon K.
Pokémon Try Adventure vol 1.png ポケモントライアドベンチャー
Pokémon Try Adventure
3 47 A manga that revolves around battle genius Katsuya, Pokémon collector Soro, and survival expert Toki as they accept missions, go through different challenges, and help many people and Pokémon.
RéBURST Volume 1.png ポケットモンスター RéBURST
Pocket Monsters RéBURST
8 77 A shōnen manga about the main character, Ryouga, and his friends Miruto and Yappy as they fight the Great Gavel organization. In this series, Ryouga and many others have the ability to use a special technique called Burst.
Pokemon Battle Stories chapter 01 title page.png ポケモンバトルストーリーズ
Pokémon Battle Stories
A manga about the struggles of a girl named Wakaba.
Volume 1 N/A ポケモンクイズパズルランド ピカチュウは名たんてい
Pokémon Quiz Puzzle Land Pikachu is a Famous Detective
2 13
One bonus chapter
A manga which uses puzzles as a method of storytelling.
Cover artwork N/A ポケモン竜王伝
Pokémon - The Legend of the Dragon King
1 6 A manga featuring Mega Evolution.

Pokémon TCG-related

English title Japanese title Volumes Chapters Summary
Pokémon Card GB The Comix ポケモンカードGB THE COMIX
Pokémon Card GB The Comix

0 1 A one-shot manga based on the Pokémon Trading Card Game video game.
Volume 1 ポケモンカードになったワケ
How I Became a Pokémon Card

6 38 A series of short stories about the Pokémon which appear on the art of the various TCG cards.
Volume 1 めざせ!! カードマスター
Aim to Be a Card Master!!

1 9 A manga about children in the real world who compete in playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
ポケモンカードゲーム バトルコミック
Pokémon Card Game Battle Comic

0 5 Pokémon Daisuki Club webcomic, promoting the LEGEND series.
激勝!ポケモンカードゲーム!!
Exciting Victory! Pokémon Card Game!!

Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game XY manga.png ポケモンカードゲームXY やろうぜ~っ!
Let's Play the Pokémon Card Game XY!

0 ongoing

4Koma/2Koma

English title Japanese title Volumes Summary
Volume 1 N/A ポケットモンスター 4コマギャグバトル
Pokémon 4Koma Gag Battle
Short, four-panel Pokémon gag comics.
Volume 1 N/A ポケモン4コマ大百科
Pokémon 4Koma Encyclopedia
3 A series of four-panel gag comics that showcase a characteristic or ability of each Pokémon up to Generation I.
Cover artwork N/A ポケモン4コマ大百科 金・銀
Pokémon 4Koma Encyclopedia Gold and Silver
1 A series of four-panel gag comics that showcase a characteristic or ability of each Pokémon from Generation II.
Volume 1 N/A ポケモン4コマ大百科
Pokémon 4Koma Encyclopedia
5 A series of four-panel gag comics that showcase a characteristic or ability of each Pokémon up to Generation III.
Cover artwork N/A ポケモン4コマ大百科ギャグスターズ
Pokémon 4Koma Encyclopedia Gag Stars
1
Cover artwork N/A ポケモン4コマ大百科 ダイヤモンド・パール
Pokémon 4Koma Encyclopedia Diamond and Pearl
1 A series of four-panel gag comics that showcase a characteristic or ability of each Pokémon from Generation IV.
Cover artwork N/A ポケモン4コマ大百科スペシャル
Pokémon 4Koma Encyclopedia Special
1
Volume 1 N/A ポケモン4コマ学園
Pokémon 4Koma School
2
Pokémon Diamond/Pearl 4-koma Theatre 0 Made by Ryuu Matsushita, this a short manga (only 8 pages) with four-panel gag comics with Pokémon of Diamond and Pearl.
Cover artwork ポケモン4コマまんが全集
Pokémon 4Koma Comic Compilation
1
Cover artwork ポケモンダイヤモンド・パール 4コマまんが全集
Pokémon Diamond & Pearl 4Koma Comic Compilation
1
Cover artwork ポケモンプラチナ4コマまんが全集
Pokémon Platinum 4Koma Comic Compilation
1
Cover artwork ポケモンHG・SS 爆笑4コマまんが全集
Pokémon HGSS Laughter 4Koma Comic Compilation
1
Cover artwork Pokémon Pocket Comics: Black & White ポケモンBW 爆笑4コマまんが全集
Pokémon Black & White Laughter 4Koma Comic Compilation
1 A four-panel gag comic which illustrates a special trait of each Pokémon debuting in Generation V.
Cover artwork Pokémon Pocket Comics: Legendary Pokémon 爆笑4コマ 伝説のポケモンをさがせ!!
Laughter 4Koma Search for Legendary Pokémon!!
1
Cover artwork ポケモンX・Y爆笑4コマまんが全集
Pokémon X & Y Laughter 4Koma Comic Compilation
1
Cover artwork ポケモン全キャラ2コマまんが
Pokémon All Characters 2Koma
1 A series of 2Koma (two-panel comics) featuring Pokémon. It is created by 玉井 たけし Takeshi Tamai.
Cover artwork ポケモンルビー・サファイア2コマまんが
Pokémon Ruby Sapphire 2Koma
1 A series of 2Koma (two-panel comics) featuring Pokémon from Generation III. It is created by 嵩瀬 ひろし Hiroshi Kasamise.

Related articles

External links


Project Manga logo.png This article is part of Project Manga, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each series of Pokémon manga.