Timeline of events in the anime
From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
This is a chronological list of significant events in the anime and the episodes which they occurred in, or, for events which happened outside the series, where they happened in relation to the episodes.
Contents |
Timeline
Pre-series
The order of many of these events is approximated and debatable.
- 2000000 years prior
- First Pokémon, as dated by archaeology. (EP163)
- Sir Aaron tries to stop the war. He seals his Lucario in a staff.
- 2000 years prior
- A war is happening. Soldiers are leaving Kanto by ship. (EP020)
- A woman dies while waiting for her lover to return at Maiden's Peak, creating a haunted monument. (EP020)
- 300 years prior
- Orange League is taking place. (EP095)
- 200 years prior
- Early versions of Poké Balls are in use. (EP232)
- Lokoko's master, who looks identical to Brock, leaves his home in Johto to go on a journey. He never returns. (EP232)
- 50 years prior
- Samuel Oak is born. (Pokémon 4Ever)
- 40 years prior
- Samuel Oak goes on his Pokémon journey. (Pokémon 4Ever)
- 30 years prior
- Kaizer reports the existence of a Dratini in the Safari Zone. Thousands of people came to get it, which literally destroys the Safari zone in the process. Since then, they only allow Safari Balls there. EP035
- ???
- Samuel Oak becomes a professor.
- Delia and Spencer study as students of Professor Oak. (Spell of the Unown)
- Jessie is born.
- James is born.
- James receives Growlie. (EP048)
- James is arranged to marry Jessiebelle. (EP048)
- James runs away from home. (EP048)
- Daisy is born.
- Violet is born.
- Lily is born.
- 15 years prior
- Brock is born.
- ???
- Tracey is born.
- Jessie and James enroll in a school called Pokémon Tech. They both drop out shortly after. (EP009)
- Jessie and James join a bicycle gang in Sunny Town. (EP036)
- 11 years prior
- 10 years prior
- Misty is born. (EP003)
- Ash is born. (EP001, Shopro)
- May is born. (AG001, Shopro)
- Dawn is born. (DP001)
- ???
- Forrest is born. The rest of Brock's siblings are born afterwards, apparently each about a year or less apart.
- 7 years prior
- Max is born.
- 5 years prior
- ???
- Meowth meets Meowzie. (EP070)
- Meowth learns to talk. (EP070)
- Meowth is rejected by Meowzie and joins Team Rocket. (EP070)
- Jessie and James join Team Rocket. (H012)
- Brock catches Geodude.
- Flint leaves Pewter City to train, leaving the Pewter Gym in the hands of his oldest son, Brock. (EP005)
- Lola leaves Pewter City out of boredom, leaving her children in the hands of her oldest son, Brock. (EP005)
- In the dub of EP005, Flint said Lola died at this point, rather than leaving. In subsequent episodes where Lola appears, the dub follows the original with Lola leaving home and leaving everything in Brock's care.
- Misty catches Goldeen, Staryu and Starmie.
- Tracey catches Venonat and Marill.
- Misty leaves Cerulean City to train, leaving the Cerulean Gym in the hands of Daisy, Lily, and Violet. (EP007)
- 1 year prior
- Less than 1 year prior
- Paul enters the Hoenn league (DP040)
- Paul then enters the Johto league.
- Paul captures his Elekid, Murkrow, and Weavile. (DP040)
- Paul finally travels to the Kanto league.
- Zoey competes in 3 Contests and wins 1 of them.
Original series
Kanto
Season 1
- Ash turns 10.
- Gary turns 10.
- Two unnamed and unknown trainers receive Pokédexes and starter Pokémon from Professor Oak. One of them chooses Charmander, the other chooses Bulbasaur.
- The two unknown rookie trainers leave Pallet Town.
- Gary receives a Pokédex and his starter Pokémon from his grandfather, Professor Oak. He chooses a Squirtle.
- Gary leaves Pallet Town to become a Pokémon Trainer.
- Ash receives a Pokédex and his starter Pokémon from Professor Oak. He chooses the only Pokémon left, Pikachu.
- Ash leaves Pallet Town to become a Pokémon Trainer.
- Ash attempts to capture a Pidgey. He fails miserably.
- Ash meets Misty and steals her bicycle.
- Pikachu attacks a flock of Spearow, destroying Misty's bicycle and depleting its health in the process.
- Ash sees a Ho-Oh.
- Ash arrives in Viridian City.
- Misty begins following Ash until he repays her for her bicycle.
- Team Rocket is defeated by Pikachu for the first of many, many times. They vow to capture it.
- Ash and Misty leave Viridian City.
- Ash and Misty enter the Viridian Forest.
- Ash and Misty are in the Viridian Forest.
- Ash catches Caterpie.
- Ash catches Pidgeotto.
- Caterpie evolves into Metapod.
- Ash and Misty are in the Viridian Forest.
- Metapod evolves into Butterfree.
- Two weeks have passed since the first episode.
- Ash and Misty leave Viridian Forest.
- Ash and Misty arrive in Pewter City.
- Ash meets Flint.
- Ash goes to Pewter Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, Brock. He loses by forfeit.
- With the help of Flint, Ash supercharges his Pikachu at an abandoned mill.
- Ash goes to Pewter Gym and rechallenges the Gym Leader, Brock. He loses by forfeit, despite having a lucky advantage from the sprinklers going off.
- Brock gives Ash the Boulder Badge despite his forfeiting.
- Flint reveals himself as Brock's father, and reclaims the responsibilities of being Gym Leader and taking care of Brock's siblings.
- Brock joins Ash, starting his journey to become a great Pokémon Breeder.
- Ash and his friends leave Pewter City.
- Ash and his friends arrive at Mt. Moon.
- Brock catches Zubat.
- Ash and his friends leave Mt. Moon.
- Misty leaves Ash to avoid going to Cerulean City.
- Ash and Brock arrive in Cerulean City.
- Brock leaves Ash for the day.
- Ash goes to Cerulean Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, who he learns is Misty.
- Ash's battle against Misty is interrupted by Team Rocket.
- Daisy, Lily, and Violet give Ash the Cascade Badge despite the inconclusive match.
- Misty and Brock rejoin Ash.
- Ash and his friends leave Cerulean City.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Vermillion City. They arrive at A.J.'s Gym.
- Ash challenges A.J.'s Gym and loses.
- A.J. closes his Gym and prepares to take on the Pokémon League.
- Ash and his friends leave A.J.'s Gym.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Vermillion City. They arrive at Pokémon Tech.
- Ash and his friends leave Pokémon Tech.
- Ash and his friends get lost on the way to Vermillion City. They find the Hidden Village.
- Ash catches Bulbasaur.
- Ash and his friends leave the Hidden Village, returning to the route to Vermilion City.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Vermillion City.
- Ash catches Charmander.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Vermillion City.
- Ash catches Squirtle.
- Ash and his friends arrive at the Cerulean Cape.
- Ash catches Krabby.
- Ash sends Krabby to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- Ash meets Bill.
- Ash, his friends, and Bill see a giant Dragonite.
- Ash and his friends leave the Cerulean Cape.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Vermilion City.
- Ash goes to Vermilion Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. He loses.
- Pikachu reveals that it does not want to evolve into a Raichu.
- Ash goes to Vermilion Gym and rechallenges the Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. He wins.
- Lt. Surge gives Ash the Thunder Badge.
- Ash and his friends board the St. Anne.
- Ash trades Butterfree for Raticate.
- James buys Magikarp from the Magikarp salesman.
- Ash trades Raticate for Butterfree.
- The St. Anne sinks with Ash, his friends and Team Rocket still aboard.
- A funeral at sea is held for Ash, his friends and Team Rocket.
- Ash, his friends and Team Rocket escape from the sunken St. Anne.
- Magikarp evolves into Gyarados.
- James loses control of Gyarados.
- An amusement park owned by Giovanni is wrecked by Ash, his friends and Team Rocket.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Porta Vista.
- Ash and his friends are in Porta Vista.
- Delia wins a beauty contest.
- Ash and his friends are in Porta Vista.
- Misty catches Horsea.
- Porta Vista is attacked by a giant Tentacruel and a swarm of Tentacool.
- Ash and his friends leave Porta Vista in a boat headed for the mainland.
- It is the last day of summer.
- Ash and his friends arrive at Maiden's Peak.
- Ash and his friends leave Maiden's Peak.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Saffron City.
- Butterfree becomes the mate of the pink Butterfree.
- Ash releases Butterfree.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Saffron City.
- Ash goes to Saffron Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, Sabrina. He loses.
- Ash and his friends leave Saffron City.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Lavender Town.
- Ash enters Pokémon Tower.
- Ash and Pikachu are killed by a falling chandelier.
- Ash and Pikachu's spirits fly around Pokémon Tower, having fun with Gastly, Haunter and Gengar.
- Ash befriends Haunter.
- Ash and Pikachu are revived.
- Ash and his friends leave Lavender Town.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Saffron City.
- Ash goes to Saffron Gym and rechallenges the Gym Leader, Sabrina. He loses.
- Brock and Misty are turned into dolls.
- Ash goes to Saffron Gym and rechallenges the Gym Leader, Sabrina. Because of Haunter making Sabrina laugh, he wins.
- Brock and Misty are returned to normal.
- Sabrina gives Ash the Marsh Badge.
- Ash leaves Haunter with Sabrina.
- Ash and his friends leave Saffron City.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Celadon City.
- Charmander learns Rage.
- Ash catches Primeape.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Celadon City.
- Ash and his friends are in Celadon City.
- Ash is thrown out of Celadon Gym.
- Ash cooperates with Team Rocket, who disguise him as a girl.
- Ash goes to Celadon Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, Erika.
- Ash's battle against Erika is interrupted by Team Rocket.
- Celadon Gym catches on fire.
- Ash rescues Erika's Gloom from the fire.
- Erika gives Ash the Rainbow Badge.
- Ash and his friends are in Celadon City.
- Misty catches Psyduck by accident.
- Ash and his friends are on Scissor Street in Celadon City.
- Brock meets Susie, a famous breeder whom he admires greatly.
- Brock asks Susie to teach him to be a great breeder. She turns him down.
- Brock receives Vulpix from Susie.
- Ash and his friends leave Celadon City.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Fuchsia City.
- Ash and Brock enter the P1 Grand Prix with Geodude and Primeape.
- Ash and Primeape win the P1 Grand Prix.
- Ash gives Primeape to Anthony.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Fuchsia City. They arrive in Gringy City.
- Ash catches Muk.
- Ash sends Muk to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- Ash and his friends leave Gringy City.
- Several months have passed since the first episode.
- Ash and his friends are en route to Fuchsia City.
- Ekans evolves into Arbok.
- Koffing evolves into Weezing.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Fuchsia City.
- Ash goes to Fuchsia Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, Koga.
- Ash's battle against Koga is interrupted by Team Rocket.
- Ash rechallenges the Gym Leader, Koga. He wins.
- Koga gives Ash the Soul Badge.
- Ash and his friends look for the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City. They enter the Pokémon reserves surrounding the Safari Zone.
- Ash and his friends look for the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City. They are still in the Pokémon reserves surrounding the Safari Zone.
- Ash and his friends enter the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City.
- Ash catches thirty Tauros.
- Ash and his friends leave the Safari Zone and Fuchsia City.
- Ash and his friends cross Cycling Road. Their next Gym destination at this point is not clear.
- It is Christmas Eve.
- Ash and his friends help to save Santa Claus from Team Rocket.
- Charmander evolves into Charmeleon.
- Ash and his friends help a Jigglypuff.
- Charmeleon evolves into Charizard.
- Ash finds an egg. Brock starts taking care of it.
- Chronologically, this episode actually takes place before So Near, Yet So Farfetch'd. It was not aired in order.
- It is Princess Day.
- Jessie catches Lickitung.
- The egg hatches into Togepi.
- Togepi goes to Misty, since it saw her right after hatching and believes she is its mother.
- It is Kid's Day.
- James finds his Weepinbell has evolved into Victreebel.
- Todd leaves Ash.
- Blaine gives Ash the Volcano Badge.
- A year has passed since the first episode.
- Jessie and James give Ash the Earth Badge.
- The Pokémon League has its opening ceremonies.
- Krabby evolves into Kingler.
- Ash defeats Mandi and wins his first round battle at the Pokémon League.
- Ash defeats an unnamed trainer and wins his second round battle at the Pokémon League.
- Ash defeats Pete Pebbleman and wins his third round battle at the Pokémon League.
- Gary loses his fourth round battle at the Pokémon League.
- Gary returns home to Pallet Town.
- Ash defeats Jeanette and wins his fourth round battle at the Pokémon League.
- Ash loses to Ritchie in his fifth round battle at the Pokémon League.
- Ritchie loses in his quaterfinals round battle at the Pokémon League.
Orange Islands
Season 2
- Ash and his friends take a blimp to Valencia Island.
- Ash meets Professor Ivy.
- Ash gets the GS Ball.
- Ash decides to travel throughout the rest of the Orange Islands and compete in the Orange League before returning to Pallet Town to deliver the GS Ball to Professor Oak.
- Brock decides to stay on Valencia Island as Professor Ivy's assistant.
- Ash and Misty crash land on Pokémon Park on Tangelo Island.
- Ash meets Tracey.
- Ash catches Lapras.
- Tracey joins Ash and Misty.
- Ash arrives on Mikan Island.
- Cissy gives Ash the Coral-Eye Badge.
- Ash arrives on Navel Island.
- Danny gives Ash the Sea Ruby Badge.
- Ash arrives on Murcott Island.
- Tracey catches Scyther.
- Ash arrives on Mandarin Island So..
- Ash meets Prima.
- Ash arrives on Trovita Island.
- Rudy gives Ash the Spike Shell Badge.
- Ash arrives on Kumquat Island.
- Luana gives Ash the Jade Star Badge.
- Ash arrives on Pummelo Island.
- Ash challenges Drake.
- Ash defeats Drake.
- Drake gives Ash the Orange League Trophy.
- Pre-episode
- Brock's heart is broken by Professor Ivy.
- Brock leaves Valencia Island.
- Brock is found by Delia outside of Pallet Town.
- Brock starts helping Delia around the house.
- Ash returns to Pallet Town.
- Ash reunites with Brock.
- Ash loses a battle to Gary, with his Pikachu being defeated by Eevee.
- Gary leaves Pallet Town to go to Johto.
- Brock rejoins Ash and Misty.
- Tracey decides to stay in Pallet Town to be Professor Oak's assistant.
- Ash receives a new version of the Pokédex, upgraded for Johto.
- Ash and his friends leave Pallet Town to go to Johto.
Johto
Season 3
- Ash and his friends arrive in Johto.
- Ash and his friends see a Suicune.
- Snubbull runs away from home and starts following Team Rocket.
- Falkner gives Ash the Zephyr Badge.
- Ash leaves Charizard at Charicific Valley.
- Bugsy gives Ash the Hive Badge.
- Ash and Misty both receive a Lure Ball.
- Brock receives a Heavy Ball.
- Squirtle returns to the Squirtle Squad.
Season 4
- Whitney gives Ash the Plain Badge.
- Ash catches Beedrill.
- Ash wins the Bug-Catching Contest.
- Ash receives a Sun Stone.
- Ash gives Beedrill to Casey.
- Ash catches Seaking.
- Misty catches Seaking.
- Misty wins the Seaking Catching Day Competition.
- Ash releases Seaking.
- Misty releases Seaking.
- Snubbull evolves into Granbull.
- Granbull returns to Madame Muchmoney.
- Ash wins the Pokémon Sumo Competition.
- Ash receives a King's Rock.
- Chuck gives Ash the Storm Badge.
Season 5
- Ash and his friends begin travelling around the Whirl Islands.
- Ash and Misty each win their first two battles in the Whirl Cup.
- Ash and Misty learn they will be facing each other in the quarterfinals.
- Ash loses to Misty in the quarterfinals.
- Misty loses to Trinity in the semifinals.
- Trinity loses to the Whirl Cup champion.
- Ash encounters Ritchie again.
- Team Rocket traps the child Lugia.
- Pre-episode
- Zippo evolves into Charmeleon.
- Team Rocket traps the parent Lugia.
- The parent and child Lugia are rescued from Team Rocket.
- Ash parts ways with Ritchie again.
- Ash and his friends leave the Whirl Islands.
- Jasmine gives Ash the Mineral Badge.
- Ash sends Bulbasaur to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- Ash and Gary enter the Extreme Pokémon Race.
- Ash wins the Extreme Pokémon Race.
- Ash receives an egg.
- Delibird begins following Team Rocket.
- Lance catches the red Gyarados.
- Ash meets Pryce.
- Pryce gives Ash the Glacier Badge.
- Ash turns back into a human.
- Ash and his friends see a Zapdos.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Blackthorn City.
- Clair gives Ash the Rising Badge.
- Charizard returns to the Charicific Valley.
- Ash learns about the Silver Conference from Clair.
- Ash encounters his Lapras again.
- Ash agrees to deliver an egg to Professor Elm.
- The egg hatches into Larvitar.
- Ash agrees to take Larvitar to Mt. Silver.
- Pineco evolves into Forretress.
- Ash and his friends see a Entei.
- Pre-episode
- Ash meets Casey again.
- James trades Victreebel to the Magikarp salesman for Weepinbell.
- Weepinbell evolves into Victreebel.
- The two Victreebel fall in love and run off together.
- Casey catches Elekid.
- Unown shows Ash and his friends the memories of Larvitar.
- Ash, Gary and Harrison qualify for the Silver Conference.
- The Silver Conference begins.
- Squirtle returns to Ash.
- Ash defeats Macey in the preliminary round of the Silver Conference.
- Macey defeats Jackson in the preliminary round of the Silver Conference.
- Ash and Jackson have a draw in the preliminary round of the Silver Conference.
- Ash, Gary and Harrison qualify for the finals of the Silver Conference.
- Charizard returns to Ash.
- Harrison advances to the second round of the finals of the Silver Conference.
- Ash starts his battle against Gary.
- Ash defeats Gary.
- Ash advances to the second round of the finals of the Silver Conference.
- Ash starts his battle against Harrison.
- Harrison defeats Ash.
- Squirtle returns to the Squirtle Squad.
- Charizard returns to the Charicific Valley.
- Harrison loses in the semi-finals of the Silver Conference.
- Jon Dickson wins the Silver Conference.
- Harrison suggests Ash should go to Hoenn.
- Harrison goes to the Indigo League.
- Gary leaves for Pallet Town.
- Ash and his friends leave for Pallet Town.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Viridian City.
- Misty is reappointed Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym by Daisy, Violet, and Lily.
- Misty receives her repaired bike from Nurse Joy.
- Misty leaves Ash to return to the Cerulean Gym.
- Brock leaves Ash to return to the Pewter Gym.
- Ash returns to Pallet Town.
- Ash sees Ho-Oh again.
- Ash leaves all his Pokémon but Pikachu at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- Ash changes into his second outfit.
- Ash leaves for Hoenn.
Advanced Generation
Hoenn
Season 6
- Pre-episode
- May turns 10.
- Ash arrives in Hoenn.
- May arrives in Littleroot Town.
- Ash meets May.
- Team Rocket gives Pikachu an outlet to discharge, which recovers it from its illness.
- Pikachu destroys May's bike.
- May receives a Pokédex and her starter Pokémon from Professor Birch. She chooses Torchic.
- May joins Ash.
- Ash and May leave Littleroot Town.
- Ash and May arrive in Oldale Town.
- Giovanni assigns Jessie and James to start a Team Rocket branch in Hoenn.
- Ash and May leave Oldale Town.
- Pre-episode
- Lola returns to Pewter City.
- Lola redecorates the Pewter Gym, remodeling it to suit Water-type Pokémon.
- Flint closes the Pewter Gym in embarassment.
- Brock returns to Pewter City.
- Brock fights to return Pewter Gym to a Rock-type Gym.
- Brock gives Forrest his Onix, Geodude and Crobat.
- Brock changes into his second outfit.
- Brock leaves for Hoenn.
- Ash and May arrive in Petalburg City.
- Ash meets Max.
- Ash learns Norman is the father of May and Max.
- Max joins Ash.
- Max gets a PokéNav.
- Ash and his friends leave Petalburg City.
- Misty returns to the duties of being Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym.
- Misty regains Horsea, Starmie, and the other Pokémon of the Cerulean Gym.
- Misty tames Gyarados.
- Cerulean Gym passes the inspection of the Pokémon League.
- Ash and his friends arrive in Petalburg Woods.
- May and Max meet Brock.
- Brock rejoins Ash.
- Ash catches Taillow.
- May becomes interested in Pokémon Contests.
- Ash starts teaching Pikachu Iron Tail.
- May decides to compete in Pokémon Contests instead of at Gyms.
- Roxanne gives Ash the Stone Badge.
- Ash meets Steven Stone.
- Brawly gives Ash the Knuckle Badge.
- Wattson gives Ash the Dynamo Badge.
Season 7
- Treecko learns Bullet Seed.
- Togepi evolves into Togetic.
- Misty releases Togetic so it can stay and protect the Mirage Kingdom.
- Misty returns to Cerulean City.
- May wins the Fallarbor Town Pokémon Contest.
- May wins her first ribbon.
- Flannery gives Ash the Heat Badge.
- May wins the Verdanturf Town Pokémon Contest.
- May wins her second ribbon.
- Norman gives Ash the Balance Badge.
- May and Max meet Professor Oak.
- Ash transfers Bulbasaur from Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- Ash transfers Bulbasaur back to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
- Taillow evolves into Swellow.
- Ash wins the PokéRinger competition.
- James gets second place in the PokéRinger competition.
- Winona gives Ash the Feather Badge.
- Ash and his friends learn how to make Pokéblocks.
- Swellow learns Aerial Ace.
- May wins the Lilycove City Pokémon Contest.
- May wins her third ribbon.