Pokémon (anime)

Pokémon (Japanese: ポケモン, Hepburn: Pokémon), abbreviated from the Japanese title of Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā) and currently advertised in English as Pokémon the Series (ポケモン・ザ・シリーズ, Pokémon za Shirīzu), is a Japanese anime television series, part of The Pokémon Company's Pokémon media franchise, which premiered in Japan on April 1, 1997, on TV Tokyo.

This article is about the television series. For the films, see List of Pokémon films.
Pokémon
English logo
ポケットモンスター
(Poketto Monsutā)
GenreAdventure, comedy, fantasy[1][2]
Anime television series
Directed by
  • Kunihiko Yuyama (chief director)
  • Masamitsu Hidaka (1997–2006)
  • Norihiko Sudō (2006–2013)
  • Yūji Asada (2010)
  • Tetsuo Yajima (2013–2016)
  • Daiki Tomiyasu (deputy director: 2015–2016; director: 2016–present)
Written by
  • Takeshi Shudo (1997–2000)
  • Atsuhiro Tomioka (2006–2016)
  • Aya Matsui (2016–present)
Music by
Studio
  • OLM, Inc.
  • Team Ota (1997–2006)
  • Team Iguchi (2006–2009)
  • Team Kato (2010–present)
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo
English network
Original run April 1, 1997 – present
Episodes1,119 (1,120 segments)
Specials
  • 8 TV specials (3 full-length, 5 normal-length)
  • 25 side-story episodes

The anime franchise consists of seven sequential series in Japan, each based on a main installment of the Pokémon video game series. In the international broadcasts, these series are split across 22 television seasons, with a 23rd season scheduled to be streamed on Netflix in the United States on June 12, 2020.[4] Each of the series follows Ash Ketchum,[lower-alpha 1] young trainer of fictional creatures called Pokémon. Joined by his partner Pokémon Pikachu[lower-alpha 2] and a rotating cast of human characters, currently Goh,[lower-alpha 3] Ash goes on a journey to become a "Pokémon Master" and compete in various Pokémon-battling tournaments called Pokémon Leagues.

The anime series is accompanied by spin-off programming; including Pokémon Chronicles, a series of side stories; and the live-action variety and Pokémon-related news shows; such as Pocket Monsters Encore, Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station, Pokémon☆Sunday, Pokémon Smash!, Pokémon Get☆TV, and Meet Up at the Pokémon House?

The Pokémon anime series was largely credited for allowing anime to become more popular and familiar around the world, especially in the United States and also in South Korea, where the two highest-grossing anime films are both Pokémon films.[5] It was also considered to be one of the first anime series on television to reach this level of mainstream success with Western audiences,[6][7] as well as being credited with allowing the game series to reach such a degree of popularity, and vice versa.[8][9] Pokémon is regarded as the most successful video game adaptation of all time,[10] with over 1,000 episodes broadcast and adapted for international television markets, concurrently airing in 169 countries worldwide, and one of the most widely watched shows on Netflix, as of 2016.[11][12]

Plot and characters
Main article: List of Pokémon anime characters

Release timeline
1997Indigo League
1998
1999Adventures In the Orange Islands
The Johto Journeys
2000Johto League Champions
2001Master Quest
2002Advanced
2003Advanced Challenge
2004Advanced Battle
2005Battle Frontier
2006Diamond and Pearl
2007DP: Battle Dimension
2008DP: Galactic Battles
2009
2010DP: Sinnoh League Victors
Black & White
2011BW: Rival Destinies
2012BW: Adventures in Unova
BW: Adventures in Unova and Beyond
2013XY
2014XY: Kalos Quest
2015XYZ
2016Sun & Moon
2017Sun & Moon - Ultra Adventures
2018Sun & Moon - Ultra Legends
2019Journeys

In the first part of the Original Series, Pokémon the Series: The Beginning (Japanese: ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters): (セキエイリーグ Episode Sekiei League), after he turns 10 years old, Ash Ketchum (Satoshi in Japan) is allowed to start his journey in the world of Pokémon and dreams of becoming a Pokémon master, but Delia Ketchum (Hanako in Japan) tells him to get to bed. On the day he is to receive his first Pokémon, Ash wakes in a panic, he broke the Poké Ball clock, having overslept and bumped into Gary Oak (Shigeru Okido in Japan), Ash's rival. Professor Oak (Dr. Yukinari Okido), the local Pokémon researcher, has already given away the three Pokémon (Bulbasaur (Fushigidane), Charmander (Hitokage) and Squirtle (Zenigame)) he entrusts to new Pokémon Trainers when Ash finally reaches Oak's Lab. The only Pokémon that he has left is a Pikachu, which he gives to Ash. Determined to make it on his journey, Ash does his best to befriend Pikachu, but it refused to trust him and it stays out of the Poké Ball (Monsutā Bōru), even attacking Ash with its electric powers. Ash didn't catch a Pidgey (Poppo), Rattata (Koratta) steals Ash's food and the Pokédex calls him stupid. It is only after Ash protects Pikachu from a group of angry Spearow that Pikachu realizes how much Ash cares, the Pokédex tells him that wild Pokémon can be jealous, leading it to save Ash but Pikachu's electric attack destroy Misty's bike, and she will continue to follow Ash until he gets her a new bike. Afterward, they both see a mysterious and unidentifiable Pokémon, Ho-Oh (Hōō) that spurs both of them to work towards Ash's goal because the Pokédex says "There is no data. They are still Pokémon yet to be identified". Ash's Pikachu refuses to evolve into Raichu.

Along the way, Ash makes many human and Pokémon friends as he works his way through the ranks of the world's many Pokémon Leagues. Through the Kanto Region, Ash befriends Water Pokémon trainer and erstwhile Cerulean City (Hanada City) Gym Leader Misty (Kasumi) and Pewter City (Nibi City) Gym Leader and Pokémon Breeder Brock (Takeshi), and all the while thwarting the plans of Jessie (Musashi), James (Kojirō), and Meowth (Nyāsu), low-ranking members of the criminal organization Team Rocket (Rokketo-dan) who want to steal Ash's Pikachu and any other rare Pokémon they come across. Giovanni (Sakaki), Team Rocket's Boss introduced three new high-ranking members of Team Rocket, they are Cassidy (Yamato), Butch (Kosaburō), and Raticate (Ratta) who want to kidnap Pokémon so they can use their moves. Before that, Ash traded Butterfree for a Raticate in the St. Anne, but he decided to get Butterfree back. Ash releases Butterfree, so they can start a new family. Ash gives away his Primeape (Okorizaru) to Anthony (Anoki). Misty finally decided to keep Togepi (Togepī), a new Pokémon that it has hatched from a Pokémon egg where Ash found it in the Grand Canyon. Ash wins eight badges from Gym Leaders in the Kanto region[lower-alpha 4] to compete in the Pokémon League, also known as the Indigo Conference. Gary loses to Melissa (Yoshiki) in the fourth round, placing him in the Top 32, leading him to go back to Pallet Town (Masara Taun). Also, Ash loses to Ritchie (Hiroshi) in the fifth round, placing him in the Top 16. Also, Ritchie loses to Assunta (Sayuri) in the sixth round, placing him in the Top 8. Before Ash departs to the Orange Islands, he releases Pidgeot (Pigotto). In Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands (Japanese: ポケットモンスター オレンジ諸島編 Pocket Monsters: Episode Orange Islands), When the group travels to the Orange Islands, Brock decides to stay with the local professor, Ivy (Dr. Uchikido), leaving Ash and Misty to continue traveling together. After a while, they meet and begin traveling with Pokémon Watcher and artist Tracey Sketchit (Kenji). Ash defeats four Gym Leaders in the Orange Islands, and becomes the champion of the Orange League. Once they reach Pallet Town in Kanto, Tracey decides to stay with Professor Oak and Brock rejoins the group. Ash loses to Gary before leaving the Kanto region. Ash releases Lapras (Rapurasu). Following this, the trio continues on their way to the Johto region.

In the second part of the Original Series, Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver (Japanese: ポケットモンスター 金銀編 Pocket Monsters: Episode Gold & Silver), Ash explores the new adventures in the Johto region with Misty and Brock. Ash gives the GS Ball to the Apricorn Poké Ball maker, Kurt (Gantetsu). Ash's quest is to defeat the eight Gym Leaders in the Johto region and participate in the Silver Conference. Team Rocket's Jessie gains a Wobbuffet (Sōnansu) as a new partner. Ash beats Gary for the first time, in the Silver Conference, placing him in the Top 16, but Ash loses to Harrison (Hazuki), in the quarterfinals, placing him in the Top 8. But also, Harrison loses to Jon Dickson (Toshiya), in the semifinals, placing him in the Top 4. Finally, Ash returns to the Kanto region to set sail in the Hoenn region. Misty returns to Cerulean City in Kanto to become the full-time Cerulean City Gym Leader and she got her bike fixed that has been destroyed by Ash's Pikachu's electric attack.

In Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire (Japanese: ポケットモンスター　アドバンスジェネレーション Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation), Brock follows Ash to Hoenn and Ash gains two new companions, a Pokémon Coordinator May (Haruka) and her younger brother Max (Masato), and together they go on an adventure. May collects five ribbons to participate in the Hoenn Grand Festival, and the Kanto Grand Festival. Misty releases Togetic. May loses to Drew (Shū) and Solidad (Saori), placing her in the Top 8, & in the Top 4, respectively. Also Drew loses to Robert (Robāto), placing him runner-up. Ash defeats all eight Hoenn gym leaders and participates in the Ever Grande Conference, but he loses to Tyson (Tetsuya), in the quarterfinals, placing him in the Top 8. In Pokémon: Battle Frontier (Japanese: ポケットモンスター バトルフロンティア編, Pocket Monsters: Episode Battle Frontier), Ash gets seven frontier symbols in Kanto, but becoming a Battle Frontier Brian has been declined, instead, he has a favor of continuing his Pokémon journey. Both Ash and May won the contest, they both have ribbons. After returning to Kanto and participating in the Battle Frontier challenge, Ash battles with his rival, Gary. After seeing Electivire, a Pokémon from the Sinnoh region he has never seen before, Ash decides to travel to Sinnoh.

In Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl (Japanese: ポケットモンスターダイヤモンド＆パール Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl), Ash travels with Brock, one final time, to the Sinnoh Region, with May and Max going on their own paths. Ash and Brock meet Dawn (Hikari), another Pokémon Coordinator, who travels with them as they go through Sinnoh in an adventure. Dawn earns five ribbons to participate in the Sinnoh Grand Festival. Dawn loses to Zoey (Nozomi), placing her runner-up. Ash defeats all eight Sinnoh gym leaders to participate in the Lily of the Valley Conference, but he loses to Tobias (Takuto), in the semifinals, placing him in the Top 4.

In Pokémon the Series: Black & White (Japanese: ポケットモンスターベストウイッシュ Pocket Monsters Best Wishes!), Ash, his mother Delia and Professor Oak take a holiday to the far-off Unova (Isshu) Region, where he meets and travels with would-be Dragon Master Iris and Striaton City (Sanyou City) Gym Leader, Pokémon Connoisseur, and sometimes detective Cilan (Dent).

In ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ シーズン２ Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Season 2 (In the English dub, episodes 37-49 of Pokémon BW: Rival Destinies, and episodes 1-11 of Pokémon BW: Adventures in Unova), After winning all eight Unova badges, Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel throughout the eastern side of Unova to prepare for the Vertress Conference, but Ash loses to Cameron (Kotetsu), in the quarterfinals, placing him in the Top 8. But also, Cameron loses to Virgil in the semifinals, placing him in the Top 4.

In ポケットモンスター　ベストウイッシュ　シーズン２　エピソードＮ Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Season 2 - Episode N (In the English dub, episodes 12-25 of Pokémon BW: Adventures in Unova), Ash, Iris, and Cilan meet N, who is instrumental in defeating Team Plasma (Plasma-dan).

In Pokémon BW: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ シーズン２ デコロラアドベンチャー! Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Season 2 - Decolora Adventure!), Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel through the Decolore Islands before Ash makes his way back to Pallet Town and meet the investigative reporter Alexa (Pansy) who is from the distant Kalos Region. Having arrived back in Kanto, Iris and Cilan travel to Johto whilst Ash and Alexa head to Kalos.

In Pokémon the Series: XY (Japanese: ポケットモンスターＸＹ Pocket Monsters XY), Ash and Alexa arrive in the Kalos region and Ash is itching to get started in earning his Gym badges. But after Alexa informs Ash that her sister, a Gym Leader, is currently absent, Ash travels to Lumiose City (Miare City) where he meets boy-genius Clemont (Citron) and his younger sister Bonnie (Eureka), unaware that Clemont is, in fact, Lumiose City's Gym Leader – a fact he tries his best to hide until the 9th episode of the series. Ash also reunites with Serena, a girl from Vaniville Town (Asame Town) whom Ash had met in his childhood. Serena earns three keys to participate in the Pokémon Showcase. Serena loses to Aria (Eru), placing her runner-up.

In Pokémon the Series: XYZ (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ＸＹ＆Ｚ Pocket Monsters XY&Z), Bonnie met Squishy (Puni-chan), after traveling with Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie to prepare for the Lumiose Conference by defeating all eight Kalos gym leaders, Ash competes and advances all the way to the final, where he loses to Alain (Alan), placing him runner-up, Alain was a member of Team Flare (Flare-dan) due to them misleading him. Once he discovers their true intentions, however, Alain reforms and joins Ash and his friends to stop Team Flare's plans. Bidding farewell to his friends in Kalos, Ash once again returns to Pallet Town.

In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon (Japanese: ポケットモンスター　サン＆ムーン Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon), Ash, Delia, and Delia's Mr. Mime (Barrierd), nicknamed Mimey (Barri-chan), are on vacation in the Alola region when Ash has an encounter with Tapu Koko (Kapu-Kokeko), the guardian Pokémon of Melemele Island, who presents him with the Z-Ring, a device that, when paired with a special crystal, allows a Pokémon to unleash a powerful move when synchronized with its trainer. This leads him to stay in Alola and enroll at the local Pokémon school. When he decides to undertake the trials necessary to master the power of the Z-Ring, Ash's new classmates Lana (Suiren), Mallow (Mao), Lillie (Lilie), Sophocles (Mamane) and Kiawe (Kaki) decide to accompany him. Ash takes part in the island challenges, but Ash loses to Team Rocket members Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet in a battle for the first time in the 12th episode of the series (but the trio was dragged away by Bewear (Kiteruguma) afterward). But then later, Ash finally gains his first-ever official league victory, at the Manalo Conference.

In the new series, Pokémon Journeys: The Series (Japanese: ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters) focuses on all eight regions, including Galar, the setting of the Pokémon Sword and Shield games. Pikachu's backstory as a Pichu, and Ash's backstory when he was 6 years old missing Professor Oak's camp. Goh (Go)'s backstory when he was 6 years old and he did attend Professor Oak's camp, and he saw Mew. It sees Ash and Pikachu travel to each of the regions, accompanied by Goh and his Scorbunny (Hibanny), which later evolves into Raboot (Rabbifuto). Currently, the supporting cast includes a girl named Chloe (Koharu) and her Yamper (Wanpachi). As of now (22/7/2020), Ash's team consists of Pikachu (Pikachū), Mr. Mime (Bariyādo), Gengar (Gengā), Dragonite (Kairyū), Riolu (Rioru), and a Galarian Farfetch'd (Kamonegi).

Episodes
Main article: Lists of Pokémon episodes

In Japan, Pocket Monsters is currently broadcast as seven sequential series, each based on an installment of the main video game series. The anime is aired year-round continuously, with regular off-days for sporting events and television specials. In its international broadcast, Pokémon's episodes have currently been split up into 23 seasons, as of 2020, running a fixed number of episodes, using a specific opening sequence and sporting a different subtitle for each new season.

The seventh and current installment of the anime series is titled Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā) in Japan and Pokémon Journeys: The Series internationally; it first premiered in Japan on November 17, 2019.

SeasonTitleEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1Indigo League82April 1, 1997 (1997-04-01)January 21, 1999 (1999-01-21)
2Adventures in the Orange Islands36January 28, 1999 (1999-01-28)October 7, 1999 (1999-10-07)
3The Johto Journeys41October 14, 1999 (1999-10-14)July 27, 2000 (2000-07-27)
4Johto League Champions52August 3, 2000 (2000-08-03)August 2, 2001 (2001-08-02)
5Master Quest65August 9, 2001 (2001-08-09)November 14, 2002 (2002-11-14)
6Advanced40November 21, 2002 (2002-11-21)August 28, 2003 (2003-08-28)
7Advanced Challenge52September 4, 2003 (2003-09-04)September 2, 2004 (2004-09-02)
8Advanced Battle54September 9, 2004 (2004-09-09)September 29, 2005 (2005-09-29)
9Battle Frontier47October 6, 2005 (2005-10-06)September 14, 2006 (2006-09-14)
10Diamond and Pearl52September 28, 2006 (2006-09-28)October 25, 2007 (2007-10-25)
11Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension52November 8, 2007 (2007-11-08)December 4, 2008 (2008-12-04)
12Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles53December 4, 2008 (2008-12-04)December 24, 2009 (2009-12-24)
13Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors34January 7, 2010 (2010-01-07)September 9, 2010 (2010-09-09)
14Black & White50September 23, 2010 (2010-09-23)September 15, 2011 (2011-09-15)
15Black & White: Rival Destinies49September 22, 2011 (2011-09-22)October 4, 2012 (2012-10-04)
16Black & White: Adventures in Unova4525October 11, 2012 (2012-10-11)April 18, 2013 (2013-04-18)
Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond20April 25, 2013 (2013-04-25)September 26, 2013 (2013-09-26)
17XY48October 17, 2013 (2013-10-17)October 30, 2014 (2014-10-30)
18XY: Kalos Quest45November 13, 2014 (2014-11-13)October 22, 2015 (2015-10-22)
19XYZ47October 29, 2015 (2015-10-29)October 27, 2016 (2016-10-27)
20Sun and Moon43November 17, 2016 (2016-11-17)September 21, 2017 (2017-09-21)
21Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures49October 5, 2017 (2017-10-05)October 14, 2018 (2018-10-14)
22Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends54October 21, 2018 (2018-10-21)November 3, 2019 (2019-11-03)
23Journeys25November 17, 2019 (2019-11-17)TBA

Specials

In addition to the main series and the movies, the anime has also shown various full-length specials and TV shorts. Many of these specials centered around legendary Pokémon or one or more of the main characters that is separate from the main cast during its corresponding series, while the sporadically-made later side story episodes typically air as special episodes.

Spin-off series

Pokémon Chronicles
Main article: Pokémon Chronicles

Pokémon Chronicles is a label created by 4Kids which is used for a collection of several as yet undubbed specials, which were first broadcast in English between May and October 2005 in the UK, and in the US between June and November 2006. The vast majority of the episodes making up Chronicles were taken from what was known in Japan as Pocket Monsters Side Stories (ポケットモンスターサイドストーリー, Poketto Monsutā Saido Sutōrī), which aired as part of Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station. The remaining portions of Chronicles consisted of a TV special called The Legend of Thunder, and installments from Pikachu's Winter Vacation, originally released on video.

Other Anime Series

Pokémon Origins
Main article: Pokémon Origins

Pokémon Generations
Main article: Pokémon Generations

Pokémon: Twilight Wings
Main article: Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Japanese variety shows

Pocket Monsters Encore

Pocket Monsters Encore (ポケットモンスター アンコール, Poketto Monsutā Ankōru) was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 19, 1999 to September 17, 2002. It ran during the second part of Pokémon: The Original Series. Pocket Monsters Encore is a variety show featuring reruns of old episodes, including Japanese and English audio tracks, except for EP035 and EP018, which were broadcast in stereo. EP022 and EP023 broadcast together. EP018 was taken out of sequence and inserted between Holiday Hi-Jynx and Snow Way Out!, which were broadcast in the place of EP038 and EP039. EP052 aired between EP047 and EP048 and EP053 between EP057 and EP058. The ending song is the English version of Type: Wild performed by Robbie Danzie, and it was produced for Pocket Monsters Encore and aired.

On September 17, 2002, it was replaced by the Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station.

Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station

Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station (週刊ポケモン放送局, Shūkan Pokemon Hōsōkyoku) is a closely related spin-off series that aired with the beginning part of Pokémon: Advanced Generation. The show was presented as an animated variety show, and showed clip shows, reruns of Pokémon episodes, television airings of the Pokémon movies, cast interviews, and live action footage, in addition to the previously mentioned Pokémon Side Story episodes. The hosts were Mayumi Iizuka as Kasumi (Misty) and Yūji Ueda as Takeshi (Brock). They were regularly joined by Kaba-chan, Manami Aihara, Bernard Ackah and Rex Jones as the comedy team "Shio Koshō", Megumi Hayashibara as Musashi (Jessie), Shin-ichiro Miki as Kojirō (James), and Inuko Inuyama as Nyāsu (Meowth). The show ran from October 15, 2002, to September 28, 2004, when it was replaced by Pokémon☆Sunday.

Pokémon☆Sunday

Pokémon☆Sunday (ポケモン☆サンデー, Pokemon☆Sandē) was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 3, 2004, to September 26, 2010. The show is the successor to the Pocket Monsters Encore and the Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station. It ran from the second part of Pokémon: Advanced Generation to Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl. Like the shows before it, Pokémon☆Sunday is variety show featuring reruns of old episodes as well as a number of 'Research' episodes involving live-action elements. Regular guests include Golgo Matsumoto and Red Yoshida of TIM; Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ryūji Akiyama, and Hiroyuki Baba of Robert; Becky (through September 2006), and Shoko Nakagawa (starting October 2006).

Pokémon Smash!

Pokémon Smash! (ポケモンスマッシュ!, Pokemon Sumasshu!) is the successor to the Pokémon☆Sunday series. It aired from October 3, 2010, to September 28, 2013.[13] Like its predecessors, Pokémon Smash! is a variety show that features live-action segments and reruns of old anime episodes. It ran during Pokémon: Best Wishes Season 1 and Season 2. The theme song is "Endless Fighters" by AAA. Regular guests include Golgo Matsumoto and Red Yoshida of TIM; Shoko Nakagawa; and Hiroshi Yamamoto, Ryūji Akiyama, and Hiroyuki Baba of Robert.

Pokémon Get☆TV

Pokémon Get☆TV (ポケモンゲット☆TV, Pokemon Getto☆Terebi) is the successor to Pokémon Smash!, which premiered on October 6, 2013. Shoko Nakagawa remains as a host, and is joined by Yukito Nishii and comedy team Taka and Toshi.[14] Just like its predecessors, it is a variety show featuring reruns of previous anime episodes and special live-action segments. It ran during Pokémon: XY.

Meet Up at the Pokémon House?

Meet Up at the Pokémon House? (ポケモンの家あつまる？ Pokémon no Uchi Atsumaru?), more commonly known as Pokénchi (Japanese: ポケんち) or Pokémon House (Japanese: ポケモンの家), is the successor to Pokémon GET☆TV, which premiered on October 4, 2015. It is hosted by Shōko Nakagawa, Otani Rinka, Hyadain, and Abareru-kun.[15] Similar to its predecessors, it is a variety show featuring reruns of previous anime episodes and special live-action segments. It ran during Pokémon: Sun & Moon and Pokémon: The New Series.

Airing and production

Pokémon is broadcast in Japan on the TX Network family of stations first on Thursday evenings; it is then syndicated throughout the rest of Japan's major broadcasters (All-Nippon News Network, Fuji Network System, Nippon Television Network System) on their local affiliates as well as on private satellite and cable networks on various delays. Production in Japan is handled by TV Tokyo, MediaNet (formerly TV Tokyo MediaNet and Softx), and ShoPro (formerly Shougakan Productions). Kunihiko Yuyama has served as the series' chief director since the original series. The previous series, Pokémon: Sun and Moon, began broadcast in Japan on November 17, 2016, with Tetsuo Yajima serving as director and Atsuhiro Tomioka as head screenwriter.

Internationally, The Pokémon Company International handles production and distribution of the anime with DuArt Film and Video. The anime currently airs in 169 different countries.[11] Beginning in 2020, Netflix gained the exclusive rights to stream new episodes in the United States; the twenty-third season, titled Pokémon Journeys: the Series, is scheduled to debut on the service on June 12.[4] The series has previously aired in syndication, with new episodes premiering on Kids' WB,[16] Cartoon Network, and Disney XD.[17] Older season and movie repeats still air on Disney XD, as well as in Spanish on TeleXitos.[18][19]

Pokémon was originally licensed in the United States by 4Kids Entertainment, who produced a localized English adaptation that was syndicated by The Summit Media Group[20] Pokémon was distributed on VHS and DVD by Pioneer Entertainment, which sold 25 million units of the series in 2000.[21] Following the eighth season in 2005, the series' dub production was taken over by The Pokémon Company and TAJ Productions. Beginning with twelfth film, Arceus and the Jewel of Life, DuArt became the production studio, which lasted until the twenty-second season.

Until episode 259 (episode 262 in Japan), during the fifth season, the series was animated using cel animation. Beginning with episode 260 (episode 263 in Japan), titled "Here's Lookin' at You Elekid!", all subsequent seasons are digitally animated.

In a 2018 interview, the creators of Detective Pikachu, which features a talking Pikachu, revealed that the original intention for the anime was to have the Pokémon talk, but OLM, Inc. was unable to come up with a concept that Game Freak were accepting of.[22]

International broadcast

In Canada, the series has aired on YTV for over 16 years. Partway through XY, in 2014, the series moved to Teletoon.

The Disney XD channels for the UK and Ireland and continental Europe handle broadcasting throughout Europe. In the UK, it was also aired on Sky 1, ITV, ITV4, Cartoon Network and Toonami, CITV, Pop, Pop Max and GMTV.[23] On ITV, it was originally broadcast as part of the Ant & Dec show SMTV Live, which featured "PokéRap" and "Pokéfight" sketches.

In Australia, the series is currently broadcast on 9Go!, which began on 4 December 2016 to onwards, This series was formerly shown on Network Ten from 5 October 1998 until 22 February 2012, and was later moved to a digital channel Eleven on 27 February 2012 until 30 April 2018, On Pay TV This show was shown on Cartoon Network in 2000 until early 2016 later moved to Boomerang for only aired Pokémon XY: Kalos Quest and On 2 July 2018 it moved to Disney XD until 6 January 2019 later moved to Disney Channel until mid 2019. It is licensed by Beyond Home Entertainment.

In New Zealand, the series is currently broadcast on TVNZ 2 in September 1998 until 2000 and returned in 2003 to onwards, This series was formerly shown on TV3 in 2000 until 2003.

In Germany, it was on RTL Zwei, Junior, Disney XD and ProSieben Maxx, and is currently being aired on Nickelodeon and Super RTL/Toggo plus, in Belgium on vtmKzoom and Kadet.

In Italy, it was broadcast between 1999 to 2000 on Rai 1 (First 52 episodes only), Italia 1, Jetix, K2 and Disney XD. In Romania, it was on ProTV, TVR1, Jetix, Disney Channel and Megamax.

In India, the series is broadcast by Hungama TV. The Pokémon anime has an Indian audience of 96.9 million viewers, out of which 32.9 million viewers are in the 4–14 age range, among whom it is the top-ranked TV show.[24]

In South Korea, the series is broadcast by Seoul Broadcasting System. The Pokémon anime has a Korean audience by 98.3 million viewers. The series is on several Korean networks, Tooniverse, Jei TV, CHAMP TV, ANIONE, Cartoon Network, and Animax.

In China, the series has been released in dubbed Mandarin on several streaming platforms. The first episode has been watched more than 200 million times on Tencent Video,[25] and more than 20 million times on Youku.[26] On iQiyi, the fourth season has been watched more than 800 million times.[27]

Streaming and digital

Pokémon is currently available for streaming on Netflix in 216 regions and countries with different dubs and subtitles; all countries have at least English audio.[28] Pokémon is globally one of the most widely watched shows on Netflix, as of 2016.[12] It is also available on Hulu (in the United States and Japan), and Amazon Prime Video (in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and Austria). Nearly the entire collection is on DisneyNOW in the United States, and content is also available on the Pokémon TV app and website.[29][30]

Controversies
See also: Pokémon episodes removed from rotation

Pokémon has had several anime episodes removed from the rotation in Japan or the rest of the world. The most infamous of these episodes was Cyber Soldier Porygon (でんのうせんしポリゴン, Dennō Senshi Porygon, commonly Electric Soldier Porygon). The episode made headlines worldwide when it caused 685 children to experience seizures and seizure-like symptoms caused by a repetitive flash of light.[31] Although the offending sequence was caused by Pikachu's actions, the episode's featured Pokémon, Porygon, has rarely been seen in future episodes, with appearances limited to one brief cameo appearance in the movie Pokémon Heroes and in one scene-bumper later in season 1. Its evolutions Porygon2 and Porygon-Z have only appeared in a brief part of the opening sequence of Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice. Several other episodes have been removed from broadcast in Japan due to contemporary disasters that resemble events in the program; the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the 2014 Sinking of MV Sewol all have caused cancellations or indefinite or temporary postponements of episode broadcasts. In the United States, the September 11 attacks in 2001 as well as 2005's Hurricane Katrina led to the temporary removal of two episodes from syndication.

On September 1, 2006, China banned the series from prime time broadcasting (from 17:00 to 20:00), as it did Western animated series such as The Simpsons, to protect its struggling animation studios.[32] The ban was later extended by one hour.[33]

On August 18, 2016, the XYZ episode Kalos League Victory! Satoshi's Greatest Decisive Battle (カロスリーグ優勝！サトシ頂上決戦, Karosurīgu yūshō! Satoshi chōjō kessen) (Down to the Fiery Finish! in the English dub) faced criticism from fans when Ash lost the Kalos League against Alain. The fans specifically criticized the episode due to misleading trailers that suggested that Ash would win the battle and because Ash had lost all of the Pokémon Leagues in past seasons.[34][35][36] Fans also disliked the outcome because they believed Ash's Greninja had many advantages over Alain's Charizard, including the fact that water-type Pokémon resist Fire-type Pokémon attacks,[37] and that the rare Bond Phenomenon Ash's Greninja was subject to was said to be far more powerful than a conventional Mega Evolution. Several animators of the series also expressed disappointment that Ash had lost.[38] TV Tokyo's YouTube upload of the teaser of the next episode received an overwhelming number of dislikes as a result of the outcome.[37]

gollark: Why?
gollark: Just take a random one from https://i.osmarks.tk, he seems to like some of those.
gollark: Why.
gollark: Guess they're Ale!
gollark: "Ale"? Interesting.

See also
  • List of television programs based on video games


Notes
  1. Ash is originally voiced by Rika Matsumoto and Hana Takeda in Japanese, in English by Veronica Taylor in seasons 1-8 and Sarah Natochenny from season 9, and in Korean by Choi Deok-hui in seasons 1-5 and in Pokémon movies 1 and 2, An Hyeon-seo in Pokémon movies 3 through 5, and Lee Seon-ho from season 6 and from Pokémon movie 6.
  2. Voiced by Ikue Ōtani.
  3. Goh is originally voiced by Daiki Yamashita and Kei Shindō in Japanese, in Korean by Song Harim, and in English by Zeno Robinson.
  4. Though in later regions Ash earns gyms by beating Gym Leaders in battle, four of the first five Gym battles in Kanto are interrupted, with Ash winning those four Gyms' badges for other reasons.

[39]

References
  1. "Pokémon Manga & Anime". Viz Media. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  2. Stephenson, Brad. "What is Pokemon?". About.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015.
  3. Sofka, Samantha (November 17, 2016). "Breaking: Pokemon the Series Sun and Moon to debut on Disney XD". Oh My Disney.
  4. Porter, Rick. "Netflix Snags Rights to 'Pokémon' Animated Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  5. "Animation – Anime Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  6. "The 'Pokemon' Anime Is Still Great After All These Years". Inverse. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  7. Chua-Eoan, Howard; Larimer, Tim (November 14, 1999). "Beware of the Pokemania". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  8. Bailey, Kat. "Why the Pokemon Anime is the Most Successful Adaptation of a Videogame Ever". USgamer. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  9. "How the Pokémon cartoon and games form one of media's best symbiotic relationships". VentureBeat. March 2, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  10. "Why the Pokemon Anime is the Most Successful Adaptation of a Videogame Ever". USgamer. November 17, 2016.
  11. "Business Summary". The Pokémon Company. March 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  12. Kharpal, Arjun (July 21, 2016). "Pokémon now one of the most watched shows on Netflix after PokémonGo game release". CNBC.
  13. "あにてれ：ポケモンスマッシュ！". Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  14. "お笑いナタリー – タカアンドトシがポケモン番組登場、しょこたんを信頼". Natalie.mu. September 22, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  15. "テレビ東京・あにてれ ポケモンの家あつまる？". www.tv-tokyo.co.jp. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  16. "Pokémon TV show finds new home". Anime News Network. January 27, 1999. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  17. "Pokémon Anime Moves to Disney XD in U.S. With Pokémon Sun & Moon". Anime News Network.
  18. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/pokemon-the-series-sun-moon-ultra-legends/tv-listings/1287468/
  19. https://www.cynopsis.com/04-28-20-the-daily-show-expands-to-45-minutes/
  20. "10-K". Yahoo. March 31, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
  21. "DVD, VHS Are A Boon For Pioneer". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 113 (4): 63. January 27, 2001.
  22. "5 Detective Pikachu Facts From Our Developer Interview! (What's New, Movie, & Origin)". YouTube. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  23. "4kids Pokemon Tv Series Soars in European Markets". 4kidsentertainmentinc.com. October 19, 2000. Archived from the original on January 7, 2001. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  24. "'Pokemon' resonates with Hungama's audiences: Vijay Subramaniam". IndianTelevision. November 26, 2014.
  25. "精灵宝可梦 第1季 第001集_1080P在线观看_腾讯视频". Tencent Video (in Chinese). Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  26. "精灵宝可梦 第一季：第1集". Youku. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  27. "精灵宝可梦 第4季". iQiyi. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  28. "Netflix Global Search on uNoGS". unogs.com.
  29. https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2020/04/23/23rd-season-of-pokemon-journeys-the-series-to-debut-on-netflix-not-disney-xd/
  30. https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/pokemon-tv-app-update-1203144960/
  31. Ferlazzo, Edoardo; Zifkin, Benjamin G.; Andermann, Eva; Andermann, Frederick (2005). "REVIEW ARTICLE: Cortical triggers in generalized reflex seizures and epilepsies" (PDF). Oxford University Press.
  32. McDonald, Joe (August 13, 2006). "China Bans 'Simpsons' From Prime-Time TV". The Washington Post.
  33. Nan, Wu (February 19, 2008). "China Extends Prime-time Ban on Foreign Cartoons". China Digital Times (CDT). Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  34. Ashcraft, Brian (August 18, 2016). "Ash From Pokémon Just Had The Battle Of His Life". Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  35. Parungo, Nico (August 19, 2016). "Pokemon XYZ: Internet Goes Crazy Over Ash's Pokemon League Result". Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  36. 【ネタバレ注意】アニメ「ポケモン」、サトシの勝敗のゆくえに視聴者ざわざわ　「いいかげんしろ」との声も (in Japanese). August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  37. Ashcraft, Brian (August 19, 2016). "The Internet Reacts To Pokémon's Biggest Loser". Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  38. "「騙された感（涙）」『ポケットモンスターXY＆Z』第38話のまさかすぎる展開に、世界中のアニポケファンが激怒!!" (in Japanese). January 3, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  39. Pokeman Go Summer Research Tasks Disappearing Bug & How To Fix It androidgram, 11 August, 2020

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