Pokémon animated series

2026-06-13T23:18:03Z

MuchWhittering: /* Availability */ Grammar.

{{search|mainline animated series|other Pokémon animated works|Pokémon animation}}
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[[File:Pokémon the Series logo.png|thumb|250px|The English logo for {{aniseries|PTS}}]]
[[File:Horizons Season 1 logo.png|thumb|250px|The English logo for {{aniseries|HZ}}]]
The '''Pokémon animated series''' (Japanese: '''テレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター」シリーズ''' ''TV Anime "Pocket Monsters" Series'') is the main [[Pokémon animation|animated]] {{wp|Television show|TV series}} for the [[Pokémon]] franchise that airs on television in {{pmin|Japan}}. It is based on the [[core series]] [[Pokémon games]] originally created by [[Satoshi Tajiri]].

The television series premiered with ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'' on April 1, 1997 on [[TV Tokyo]] in Japan, and has since aired nearly every week with the exception of a four-month hiatus after the [[EP038|Porygon incident]] and a seven-week hiatus during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The English [[dub]] premiered with ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]'' on September 7, 1998 in {{wp|Broadcast syndication|syndication}} in {{pmin|the United States}}. The series has aired in 197 countries and regions in over 30 languages. Several {{pkmn|movie}}s and [[List of animated series specials|specials]] have been produced as tie-ins to the series.

==Terminology==
In English, [[The Pokémon Company International]] (TPCi) generally describes the series as some variation of the "Pokémon animated TV series", depending on the context. [[The Pokémon Company]] (TPC) refers to it similarly, but does not avoid using the term "anime" to describe the series, unlike TPCi. Prior to {{aniseries|HZ}}, most of these terms were synonymous with {{aniseries|PTS}}.

In Japanese, the Pokémon animated series is titled ''Pocket Monsters'', but is typically called some variation of the ''TV Anime "Pocket Monsters" Series'' to distinguish it from the core series games or the movie series. The official abbreviation for the series is (Japanese: '''アニポケ''' ''Anipoké'').<ref>[https://twitter.com/anipoke_PR アニメ「ポケットモンスター」公式 (@anipoke_PR) on Twitter]</ref> These terms may also be used to refer specifically to ''[[Original series|Pocket Monsters]]'' (1997), ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series|Pocket Monsters]]'' (2019), or ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series|Pocket Monsters]]'' (2023), depending on the context.

Some examples of how the series has been described are listed in the table below:
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed roundtable" style="border: 3px solid #AAF; background: #DDF;"
! English (TPCi)
! English (TPC)
! Japanese
|- style="vertical-align: top"
|
* '''Pokémon animated television series'''<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.com/en-us/about/ About Us - The Pokémon Company International]</ref>
* '''Pokémon animated TV series'''<ref name="pr_tv">[https://pokemon.gamespress.com/WATCH-POKEMON-ANIMATION-ANYTIME-ANYWHERE-WITH-FREE-POKEMON-TV-APP WATCH POKÉMON ANIMATION ANYTIME, ANYWHERE WITH FREE POKÉMON TV APP - The Pokémon Company International Official Press Site]</ref>
* '''animated Pokémon TV series'''<ref name="pikachu">[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu | Pokemon.com]</ref>
* '''animated TV series Pokémon'''<ref name="pikachu"/>
* '''Pokémon TV series'''<ref name="pikachu"/><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/meet-the-director-and-assistant-director-behind-pokemon-twilight-wings Meet the Director and Assistant Director behind ''Pokémon: Twilight Wings'' | Pokemon.com]</ref>
* '''Pokémon animated series'''<ref name="brand_sheet"/><ref name="pr">[https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/Pokemon-Reveals-Plans-for-Comic-Con-International-Featuring-First-Ever Pokémon Offers Sneak Peek of First ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series’ Episode and Behind-the-Scenes Look at Production During Comic-Con International Panel - The Pokémon Company North America Official Press Site]</ref><ref>''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'' influencer gift box, excerpt: "[[Liko]] is a girl from the [[Paldea]] region and the first female protagonist in the Pokémon animated series."</ref>
* '''animated Pokémon series'''<ref>[https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/THE-POKEMON-COMPANY-INTERNATIONAL-AND-NETFLIX-TEAM-UP-FOR-US-PREMIERE- THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL AND NETFLIX TEAM UP FOR U.S. PREMIERE OF “POKÉMON JOURNEYS: THE SERIES” - The Pokémon Company North America Official Press Site]</ref>
* '''Pokémon animation'''<ref>[https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/POKEMON-REVEALS-NEW-ANIMATED-SERIES-AND-STORYLINE POKÉMON REVEALS NEW ANIMATED SERIES AND STORYLINE - The Pokémon Company North America Official Press Site]</ref>
* '''animated television series'''<ref name="pr_tv"/>
* '''animated TV series'''<ref name="pr"/><ref name="25th"/>
* '''animated series'''<ref name="brand_sheet"/><ref name="pikachu"/><ref name="companions">[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><ref>[https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/POKEMON-REVEALS-MORE-CHARACTERS-FOR-NEW-ANIMATED-SERIES POKÉMON REVEALS MORE CHARACTERS FOR NEW ANIMATED SERIES - The Pokémon Company North America Official Press Site]</ref><ref>[https://support.pokemon.com/hc/en-us/articles/17715339053972-Pok%C3%A9mon-Content-Guidelines-for-Online-Streaming-Platforms Pokémon Content Guidelines for Online Streaming Platforms – Pokémon Support]</ref>
* '''TV series'''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/meet-sou-kinoshita-the-screenwriter-behind-pokemon-twilight-wings Meet Sou Kinoshita, the Screenwriter behind ''Pokémon: Twilight Wings'' | Pokemon.com]</ref>
* '''animation'''<ref name="pikachu"/><ref name="companions"/>
|
* '''Pokémon TV animated series'''<ref name="to_all_fans"/>
* '''animated TV series "Pokémon"'''<ref name="corporate"/><ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/topics/detail/110.html Why We Created “Pokémon Sleep” | The Pokémon Company]</ref>
* '''animated TV shows'''<ref name="figures">[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/aboutus/figures/ Pokémon in Figures | The Pokémon Company] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220610142254/https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/aboutus/figures/ archived])</ref>
* '''TV Anime series Pokémon'''<ref name="sg_about">[https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/about/ What is Pokémon? | The official Pokémon Website in Singapore]</ref>
* '''Pokémon TV anime series'''<ref name="sg"/><ref name="tw"/><ref name="corporate_tw">[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/topics/detail/148.html Pokémon is Building Strong Connections with Viewers in Taiwan through Localized Anime and a Locally Created Theme Song | The Pokémon Company]</ref>
* '''Pokémon anime TV series'''<ref name="corporate"/>
* '''Pokémon TV anime'''<ref name="corporate"/>
* '''"Pokémon" animated series'''<ref name="to_all_fans"/><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/Pokemon.official.Singapore/posts/pfbid0MTrGu373G5U8ndQuuaUWAaDqMp857mCtF7F7VUAL1zmHi1qsiWWZLp6gww3A2PXNl Pokémon Singapore on Facebook]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkxr59DPmNPpEGGmZgny1-O-b80ZjUFq9fJ Pokémon Asia ENG on YouTube]</ref>
* '''Pokémon anime series'''<ref>[https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/topics/apps/201005100500_encounter_special_pikachu_wearing_ashs_cap_during_pokemon_go_spotlight_hour.html Encounter special Pikachu wearing Ash's cap during Pokémon GO Spotlight Hour! | Apps | The official Pokémon Website in Singapore]</ref><ref>[https://in.portal-pokemon.com/special/ Links: Official Pokémon content in India | The official Pokémon Website in India]</ref><ref name="corporate_tw"/>
* '''TV Anime series'''<ref name="sg_about"/>
* '''TV anime'''<ref name="corporate"/>
* '''anime'''<ref>[https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/business/international/ International Business | The Pokémon Company]</ref>
|
* '''テレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター」シリーズ''' ''TV Anime "Pocket Monsters" Series''<ref name="to_all_fans">[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pocketmonster/news/index_2.html#232044 TV Tokyo: To all fans of the Pokémon TV animated series]</ref><ref name="pokemon1000">[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon1000/ 「テレビアニメ放送1000回!!ゼンリョク!ポケモンスクール」イベントリポートを更新！ | テレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター」1000回放送記念！]</ref>
* '''TVアニメ「ポケットモンスター」シリーズ''' ''TV Anime "Pocket Monsters" Series''<ref name="sonymusic">[https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/PR/pokemon/info/546687 アニポケ25周年記念ベストアルバム「ポケモンTVアニメ主題歌 BEST OF BEST OF BEST 1997-2023」商品概要（2023年2月1日(水)発売） | アニメ「ポケットモンスター」 | ソニーミュージックオフィシャルサイト]</ref>
* '''アニメ「ポケットモンスター」シリーズ''' ''Anime "Pocket Monsters" Series''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/resource/banner/img/tv_movie/pict-tv_movie-amazon_211217.png Amazon Prime Videoで、アニメ「ポケットモンスター」シリーズ全話配信中！｜ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref>
* '''テレビアニメ「ポケットモンスター」''' ''TV Anime "Pocket Monsters"''<ref name="pokemon1000"/>
* '''TVアニメポケットモンスター''' ''TV Anime Pocket Monsters''<ref name="spurt">[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon_ag/1_whats/cd.html 新オープニング＆新エンディングテーマソングマキシシングルＣＤ発売!!｜ポケットモンスター ADVANCED GENERATION]</ref>
* '''アニメ「ポケットモンスター」''' ''Anime "Pocket Monsters"''<ref name="sonymusic"/>
* '''TVアニメポケモン''' ''TV Anime Pokémon''<ref name="spurt"/>
* '''ポケモンTVアニメ''' ''Pokémon TV Anime''<ref name="sonymusic"/>
* '''アニメ「ポケモン」''' ''Anime "Pokémon"''<ref>[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/plus/anime/entry/202310/14170.html 松丸亮吾が作詞、思わずラップに挑戦したくなる！アニメ「ポケモン」新ED曲 | テレビ東京・ＢＳテレ東の読んで見て感じるメディアテレ東プラス]</ref>
* '''アニメポケモン''' ''Anime Pokémon''<ref>[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/pokemon_sunday/episodes/episodes12/index.html あにてれ：ポケモン☆サンデー]</ref>
* '''ポケモンアニメ''' ''Pokémon Anime''<ref name="pokemon1000"/>
* '''テレビアニメ''' ''TV anime''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180530085007/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/pikachu/ ピカチュウ誕生秘話（1ページ目）｜株式会社ポケモン｜ The Pokémon Company] (archived)</ref><ref name="jn_ost"/>
* '''TVアニメ''' ''TV anime''<ref name="anime">[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/tv_movie/anime/ アニメ｜ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト]</ref>
* '''アニメ''' ''anime''<ref name="anime"/>
|}
</div>

==Episodes==
{{main|List of animated series episodes}}
In Asia (including Japan), the Pokémon animated series consists of {{formatnum:{{#expr: 276  + 192  + 193  + 144  + 146  + 146  + 148  + ({{PAGESINCATEGORY:Pokémon Horizons: The Series episodes|pages|R}} - 1  - ({{PAGESINCATEGORY:Seasons of the Pokémon animated series|pages|R}} - 26) )}}}} episodes across eight [[series]], with the first being ''[[Original series|Pocket Monsters]]'' (1997) and the newest being ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series|Pocket Monsters]]'' (2023).<ref>[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/broad_tvtokyo/program/detail/201312/19735_201312310540.html ポケモン第１話！全部見せますスペシャル！！(テレビ東京、2013/12/31 05:40 OA)の番組情報ページ | テレビ東京・ＢＳテレ東 7ch(公式)]</ref><ref>[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/information/2017/11/01/205057.html ポケモンアニメがついに！放送1000回を迎えます！！ | テレ東リリ速（テレ東リリース最速情報） | テレビ東京・ＢＳテレ東 7ch(公式)]</ref><ref name="jn_ost">[https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000713.000020808.html ポケモン、最新アニメシリーズの「テレビアニメ　ポケットモンスター　オリジナル・サウンドトラック」収録曲58曲の全曲配信が決定！本日より全曲試聴トレイラーも公開！ | 株式会社ソニー・ミュージックレーベルズレガシープラスのプレスリリース]</ref><ref name="sg">[https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/anime/ TV Anime Series | The official Pokémon Website in Singapore]</ref><ref>[https://tw.portal-pokemon.com/anime/ 電視動畫系列 | 台灣寶可夢官方網站]</ref><ref name="tw">[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwnIFACzI3p9lJnXsXV0FeNKMdbHsLT3V Pokemon TV Anime series - YouTube]</ref> In Asian regions that use season numbers, the seasons are numbered consecutively across all of the series, with the [[Pokémon Horizons: The Series (season)|first season]] of ''Pokémon Horizons: The Series'' being numbered as season 26.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240526225712/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m01fq_kJNo The Pendant That Starts It All: Part One | Pokémon Horizons | S26 EP1 | @disneyindia] (archived)</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=383050927891616 Mentari TV on Facebook]</ref><ref>[https://tw.portal-pokemon.com/special/hot_info/anime_movie/s26/ 寶可夢地平線：系列]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240906172348/https://www.mewatch.sg/show/Pok%C3%A9mon-Horizons-The-Series-487301 Pokémon Horizons The Series - mewatch] (archived)</ref>

<gallery>
Original series poster Amazon.jpg|''[[Original series|Pocket Monsters]]'' (1997)
AG series poster.png|''{{aniseries|RS|Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation}}''
DP Series.png|''{{aniseries|DP|Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl}}''
BWseries.png|''{{aniseries|BW|Pocket Monsters Best Wishes!}}''
XY series poster 2.png|''{{aniseries|XY|Pocket Monsters XY}}''
S&M series poster.png|''{{aniseries|SM|Pocket Monsters Sun & Moon}}''
Pocket Monsters 2019 poster.png|''{{aniseries|JN|Pocket Monsters}}'' (2019)
Pokémon Horizons Promotional Poster 1.jpg|''{{aniseries|HZ|Pocket Monsters}}'' (2023)
</gallery>

In the West, the Pokémon animated series consists of two animated series: {{aniseries|PTS}}, which consists of 1,224 episodes across 25 [[season]]s focusing on [[Ash Ketchum]] and {{AP|Pikachu}}, and {{aniseries|HZ}}, which focuses on [[Liko]] and [[Roy]].<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> The seasons within each animated series are numbered separately, with the [[Pokémon Horizons: The Series (season)|first season]] of ''Pokémon Horizons: The Series'' being numbered as season 1.<ref>[[List of digital home video releases of Pokémon animation#Pokémon Horizons: The Series|Cover artwork for digital home video releases of ''Pokémon Horizons: The Series'']]</ref> It was initially shown under the title ''Pokémon''; the term ''Pokémon the Series'' was introduced in 2013 with the debut of {{aniseries|XY}}, with the episodes from the prior 16 seasons being retroactively grouped into five series, partially corresponding to the Japanese ones, in certain {{cat|Animation home video|home video}} and [[List of digital home video releases of Pokémon animation|video-on-demand releases]].

<gallery>
Pokémon the Series logo.png|{{aniseries|PTS}}
Season 26 logo.png|{{aniseries|HZ}}
</gallery>

Each episode is roughly 25 minutes long. Individual episodes generally follow the structure of a {{wp|cold open}}, the {{cat|Opening themes|opening theme}}, the [[title card]], the first half of the episode, an [[eyecatch]], a sponsor listing, the second half of the episode (ending with a "To Be Continued" message), the {{cat|Ending themes|ending theme}}, a [[bonus segment]], and a preview for the next episode. In the English dub, the sponsor listings, bonus segments, and next episode previews are typically removed, reducing the runtime of each episode to around 21 minutes long. Prior to ''[[AG146|Fear Factor Phony]]'', the Japanese version did not use a cold open and instead had an introductory scene after the opening theme and before the title card; the English dub had already begun using a cold open since ''[[EP158|A Goldenrod Opportunity]]'' by moving the introductory scene to the beginning of the episode before the opening theme.

==Characters==
Initially, the main story of the Pokémon animated series revolved around the character [[Ash Ketchum]], whose main goal was to become a [[Pokémon Master]]. During his adventures, Ash interacted and {{ashfr|traveled with}} several characters present in the {{pkmn|games}} from [[Generation I]] to [[Generation VIII]]. By the time he left the series at the end of {{aniseries|PTS}}, Ash had become one of the longest-running protagonists in Japanese anime history.<ref>[https://screenrant.com/all-time-longest-running-anime/ 20 Longest-Running Anime Of All Time | Screen Rant]</ref><ref>[https://www.cbr.com/longest-running-anime-ever/ 10 Longest Running Anime Of All Time | CBR]</ref>

In addition to Ash, ''Pokémon the Series'' introduced two other protagonists over the course of its run: {{an|Dawn}}, who shared the role of protagonist with Ash throughout {{aniseries|DP}}, and [[Goh]], who shared the role with him during {{aniseries|JN}}.<ref>[[Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best#Vol.2|Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best Vol.2]] booklet, excerpt:

: [[Masafumi Mima|三間]]「もう一人の主人公としてヒカリが登場するから、これまでのサトシだけが主人公だった少年活劇とは変えて。」
: [[Kunihiko Yuyama|湯山]]「『DP』はダブル主人公というスタイルだったから、そういうこともしましたね。」</ref><ref>[https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001006.000002734.html 「ポケットモンスター」新アニメシリーズ初回は11月17日(日) 夕方5時30分から生放送拡大スペシャル！キービジュアル＆特別映像も公開！今回はW主人公！！ | 株式会社テレビ東京ホールディングスのプレスリリース]</ref>

{{aniseries|HZ}}, the following series, told the story of the characters [[Liko]] and [[Roy]] and their adventures with the other members of the [[Rising Volt Tacklers]], who searched for the location of the lost paradise [[Laqua]] and the whereabouts of the [[Six Heroes]], a group of Pokémon that belonged to a legendary Trainer named [[Lucius]]. This saga featured a completely new cast of characters unrelated to Ash's adventures, as well as bringing a more linear plot. On their journey, the two protagonists encountered and interacted with some characters from [[Generation VIII]] to [[Generation IX]] such as [[Kabu]], the [[Gym Leader]]s of [[Paldea]] and the [[Elite Four]] of that region.
{{-}}
===Protagonists in the Pokémon animated series===
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #DDF; border: 5px solid #AAF;"
|-
|- style="background:#fff"
! colspan=3 style="background:#{{kanto color light}}; padding:10px" | ''{{color2|{{kanto color dark}}|Pokémon the Series}}''
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 style="background:#{{paldea color light}}; padding:10px" | ''{{color2|{{paldea color dark}}|Pokémon Horizons: The Series}}''
|- style="background:#fff"
! style="background:#{{kanto color light}}; color:#{{kanto color dark}}; padding:10px" | ''{{color2|{{kanto color dark}}|Original series|The Beginning}}''–''{{color2|{{kanto color dark}}|Pokémon Journeys: The Series|Journeys}}''
! style="background:#{{sinnoh color light}}; padding:10px" | ''{{color2|{{sinnoh color dark}}|Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl|Diamond and Pearl}}''
! style="background:#{{galar color light}}; padding:10px" | ''{{color2|{{galar color dark}}|Pokémon Journeys: The Series|Journeys}}''
|- style="background:#fff"
| {{color2|000|Ash Ketchum|Ash}}
| {{color2|000|Dawn (anime)|Dawn}}
| {{color2|000|Goh}}
| {{color2|000|Liko}}
| {{color2|000|Roy}}
|- style="background:#fff"
| [[File:Ash JN.png|150x150px]]
| [[File:Dawn DP.png|150x150px]]
| [[File:Goh JN.png|150x150px]]
| [[File:Liko anime 12.png|150x150px]]
| [[File:Roy anime 10.png|150x150px]]
|}

==Availability==
In Japan, new episodes have been broadcast every Friday evening at 6:55 PM {{wp|Japan Standard Time|JST}} on {{wp|TX Network}} stations since October 9, 2020, and is also broadcast in syndication on other channels. Episodes are also made available on demand on [[YouTube]], [[Prime Video]], [[Netflix]], [[Hulu]], [[NicoNico]], and several other platforms,<ref>[https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pocketmonster2023/onair/ 放送・配信情報｜ポケットモンスター　テレビ東京アニメ公式]</ref> and have been physically released on rental DVD by [[Shogakukan]]. The series premiered with ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'' on April 1, 1997 in a Tuesday evening time slot on [[TV Tokyo]], and has only gone on hiatus twice; after the [[EP038|Porygon incident]] from 1997–1998,and during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020. Previous time slots for new episodes of the animated series are listed in the table below:

{| class="roundtable" style="border: 3px solid #AAF; background: #DDF;"
! Episodes || Dates || Timeslot
|-
| [[EP001]]–[[EP038]] || April 1, 1997 – December 16, 1997 || Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
|-
| [[EP039]]–[[XY113]] || April 16, 1998 – March 24, 2016 || Thursdays at 7:00 PM
|-
| [[XY114]]–[[SM090]] || April 7, 2016 – September 13, 2018 || Thursdays at 6:55 PM
|-
| [[SM091]]–[[JN039]] || October 7, 2018 – September 29, 2020 || Sundays at 6:00 PM
|-
| [[JN040]]–present || October 9, 2020 – present || Fridays at 6:55 PM
|}

In the United States, new episodes are made available exclusively on [[Netflix]] every few months. Episodes are also made available on demand or for purchase on Netflix, [[Prime Video]], [[iTunes Store|iTunes]], [[Google Play]], [[Hulu]], and several other platforms, and have been physically released on DVD by [[VIZ Media]].<ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/where-to-watch-pokemon-episodes-movies Where to Watch Pokémon Episodes & Movies | Pokemon.com]</ref> The series premiered with the 15th episode ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]'' on September 7, 1998 in {{wp|Broadcast syndication|first-run syndication}}, with new episodes being aired every weekday starting from the first episode ''Pokémon - I Choose You!'' on the following day. Previous broadcasters for new episodes of the animated series are listed in the table below:

{| class="roundtable" style="border: 3px solid #AAF; background: #DDF;"
! Episodes || Dates || Broadcaster || Type
|-
| [[EP001]]–[[EP043]] || September 7, 1998 – October 30, 1998 || Multiple || {{wp|Broadcast syndication|Syndication}}
|-
| [[EP044]]–[[AG145]] || February 13, 1999 – July 8, 2006 || {{wp|The WB}} ({{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Kids' WB}}) || {{wp|Television broadcaster|Network}}
|-
| [[AG146]]–[[XYS05]] || September 8, 2006 – January 28, 2017 || {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}} || {{wp|Cable television|Cable}}
|-
| [[SM001]]–[[SM146]] || December 5, 2016 – March 7, 2020 || {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Disney XD}} || {{wp|Pay television|Premium cable}}
|-
| [[JN001]]–present || June 12, 2020 – present || [[Netflix]] || {{wp|Over-the-top media service|Over-the-top}}
|}

Internationally, the animated series is aired on various local broadcasters and available on various video-on-demand platforms, including Netflix. [[Pokémon.com]] publishes a guide on where to watch Pokémon animation in the [https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/where-to-watch-pokemon-episodes-movies United States], the [https://www.pokemon.com/uk/animation/where-to-watch-pokemon-episodes-movies United Kingdom], [https://www.pokemon.com/fr/dessins-animes/ou-regarder-les-episodes-animes-et-les-films-pokemon France], [https://www.pokemon.com/de/zeichentrick/hier-kannst-du-dir-pokemon-folgen-und-filme-ansehen Germany], [https://www.pokemon.com/it/animazione/dove-guardare-episodi-e-film-della-serie-animata-pokemon Italy], [https://www.pokemon.com/es/dibujos-animados/donde-ver-los-episodios-y-peliculas-pokemon Spain], [https://www.pokemon.com/el/dibujos-animados/donde-ver-los-episodios-y-peliculas-pokemon Latin America], and [https://www.pokemon.com/br/animacoes/onde-assistir-aos-filmes-e-episodios-de-pokemon Brazil]. As of 2021, the series has aired in 197 countries and regions in over 30 languages.<ref name="corporate">[https://web.archive.org/web/20210923113155/https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/business/movies/ Videos | The Pokémon Company] (archived)</ref><ref name="25th">[https://pokemon.gamespress.com/THE-POKEMON-COMPANY-INTERNATIONAL-SEES-SALES-SOAR-IN-25TH-ANNIVERSARY- "THE POKÉMON COMPANY INTERNATIONAL SEES SALES SOAR IN 25TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR FOR POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME AND TOYS IN EUROPE" - The Pokémon Company International Official Press Site]</ref>

==Music==
[[File:Pokémon TV Anime Theme Song BEST OF BEST OF BEST 1997-2023.png|thumb|200px|Cover of the [[Pokémon TV Anime Theme Song BEST OF BEST OF BEST 1997-2023]] CD]]
The music for the animated series is currently produced and distributed by {{wp|Sony Music Entertainment Japan|Sony Music Japan}}. Prior to its acquisition by {{wp|Kadokawa Corporation|Kadokawa}}, the series' music was produced by the record label [[Pikachu Records]] under [[Media Factory]]. In the English dub, much of this music is replaced by original compositions.

===Opening and ending themes===
:''Main articles: [[List of Japanese opening themes]], [[List of Japanese ending themes]], [[List of English opening themes]]''
Most episodes of the animated series feature an opening theme and an ending theme, with the first opening theme being [[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]] performed by [[Rica Matsumoto]] and the first ending theme being [[One Hundred Fifty-One]] performed by [[Unshō Ishizuka]]. In the English dub, these songs are replaced with shorter, original opening themes, with the first being the [[Pokémon Theme]] performed by [[Jason Paige]]. Shortened or instrumental versions of these songs are typically used in place of the original ending theme. These English songs are subsequently dubbed into other languages for most of the dubs based on the English dub.

===Background music===
The background music for the animated series consists of both original compositions for the show and arrangements of tracks from the video games. The composer was [[Shinji Miyazaki]] until the end of {{aniseries|SM}}, {{wp|Yuki Hayashi (composer)|Yuki Hayashi}} for {{aniseries|JN}}, and {{wp|Conisch}} for {{aniseries|HZ}}. These tracks have been released in the following albums:
* [[Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best#Vol.1|Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best 1997-2010 Vol.1]]
* [[Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best#Vol.2|Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best 1997-2010 Vol.2]]
* [[Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack]]
* [[Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Volume 2]]
* [[Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy's Adventure Original Soundtrack]]

In the English dub and those based on it, the score is often replaced with new tracks by [[John Loeffler]], [[John Siegler]], Manny Corallo, John Lissauer, and Ralph Schuckett until the end of {{aniseries|BW}}, or by [[Ed Goldfarb]], Akhil Gopal, Steve Mayer, and Geoff Li since {{aniseries|XY}}.

==Staff==
{{main|Staff of the Pokémon animated series}}
The series, along with the tie-in movies and specials, are primarily produced by the Japanese animation studio [[OLM, Inc.|OLM]]. Until the [[S05|fifth season]] episode ''[[EP259|A Crowning Achievement]]'', the series was animated using {{wp|cel animation}}; from ''[[EP260|Here's Lookin' at You Elekid!]]'' onwards, all episodes are digitally animated. While much of the series and movies' production takes place in Japan, some parts of the production have been performed by OLM Malaysia (formerly until June 2026: OLM Asia) in Malaysia, OLM Thailand in Thailand, or outsourced to other studios in Korea or China. The specific teams who have worked on episodes of the animated series are listed in the table below:

{| class="roundtable" style="border: 3px solid #AAF; background: #DDF;"
! Episodes || OLM Team
|-
| [[EP001]]–[[AG170]], [[AG173]] || OLM Team Ota
|-
| [[AG171]]–[[AG172]], [[AG174]]–[[DP136]] || OLM Team Iguchi
|-
| [[DP137]]–[[DP163]] || OLM<ref>This refers to OLM in general without a specific production line.</ref>
|-
| [[DP164]]–[[HZ045]] || OLM Team Kato
|-
| [[HZ046]]–present || OLM Team Kumemura
|}

Over the course of the series, [[Masamitsu Hidaka]], {{jwp|須藤典彦|Norihiko Sutō}}, {{jwp|浅田裕二|Yūji Asada}}, {{jwp|矢嶋哲生|Tetsuo Yajima}}, {{jwp|冨安大貴|Daiki Tomiyasu}}, {{jwp|小平麻紀|Maki Kodaira}}, Jun Ōwada, Saori Den and Makoto Nakata have served as directors. [[TV Tokyo]], {{jwp|テレビ東京メディアネット|MEDIANET}}, and {{wp|Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions|ShoPro}} are the executive producers for the series, while the Pikachu Project is the {{jwp|製作委員会方式|production committee}} for the movies. The copyright for the series and movies are held jointly by [[Nintendo]], [[Creatures, Inc.|Creatures]], [[Game Freak]], TV Tokyo, ShoPro, and [[JR Kikaku]].

While the staff working on the animated series has changed over time, a few individuals and entities have been credited on the series across its entire run:
<div style="overflow-x: auto; white-space: nowrap">
{| class="credits-table roundy" style="width: 100%; background: #DDF; border: 3px solid #AAF;"
|-
! style="width: 24%; background:#FFF; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Created By {{j|原案}}
| style="width: 38%; background:#FFF;" |
* [[Satoshi Tajiri]]
| style="width: 38%; background:#FFF; {{roundytr|5px}}" lang="ja" |
* 田尻智
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Production Supervisor {{j|スーパーバイザー}}
|
* [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
| lang="ja" |
* 石原恒和
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Published by {{j|掲載}}
|
* [[Shogakukan|Shōgakukan Inc.]]
** {{jwp|ちゃお|Ciao}}
** [[CoroCoro|CoroCoro Comics]]
** {{jwp|小学一年生|Shōgaku Ichinensei}}
** {{jwp|幼稚園 (雑誌)|Yōchien}}
| lang="ja" |
* 小学館
** ちゃお
** コロコロコミック
** 小学一年生
** 幼稚園
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Color Keys {{j|色彩設計}}
|
* Noriyuki Yoshino
| lang="ja" |
* 吉野記通
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Sound Recording Director {{j|音響監督}}
|
* Masafumi Mima
| lang="ja" |
* 三間雅文
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Music Assistance {{j|音楽協力}}
|
* {{jwp|テレビ東京ミュージック|TV Tokyo Music, Inc.}}
| lang="ja" |
* テレビ東京ミュージック
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Production Assistance {{j|協力}}
|
* [[JR Kikaku|East Japan Marketing & Communications, Inc.]]
| lang="ja" |
* ジェイアール東日本企画
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Casting Assistance {{j|キャスティング協力}}
|
* {{wp|81 Produce}}
| lang="ja" |
* 81プロデュース
|- style="background:#FFF"
! [[Background artists of the Pokémon animated series|Backgrounds]] {{j|背景}}
|
* {{jwp|スタジオじゃっく|Studio Jack}}
| lang="ja" |
* スタジオじゃっく
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Sound Recording Producer {{j|音響プロデューサー}}
|
* Michiyoshi Minamisawa
| lang="ja" |
* 南沢道義
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Recording Coordination {{j|サウンドミキサー}}
|
* Nobuhira Hirano
| lang="ja" |
* 平野延平
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Sound Effects Supervisor {{j|音響効果技師}}
|
* Daisuke Jinbo
| lang="ja" |
* 神保大介
|- style="background:#FFF"
! Music & Sound Effects Production {{j|音響制作}}
|
* {{jwp|HALF H・P STUDIO}}
| lang="ja" |
* HALF H・P STUDIO
|-
! style="background:#FFF; {{roundybl|5px}}" | Executive Production {{j|製作}}
| style="background:#FFF;" |
* [[TV Tokyo]]
* {{jwp|テレビ東京メディアネット|MEDIANET}}
* {{jwp|小学館集英社プロダクション|ShoPro}}
| style="background:#FFF; {{roundybr|5px}}" lang="ja" |
* テレビ東京
* MEDIANET
* ShoPro
|}
</div>

In the West, [[The Pokémon Company International]] (TPCi) currently oversees production and distribution of the series in partnership with [[Iyuno]].<ref>[[Lisa Ortiz|Ortiz, Lisa]] (June 12, 2020). [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/23_01-enter-pikachu/ "Enter Pikachu!"]. ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''. [[S23|Season 23]]. [[JN001|Episode 1]]. [[Netflix]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220214155321/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/23_01-enter-pikachu/ Archived] from the original on February 14, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2024.</ref> [[4Kids Entertainment]] initially licensed the series in the United States,<ref>[https://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=498210-1238-105389&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=2289&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcompanyid%253d2289 "10-K"]. Yahoo. March 31, 1999. p. 6. [https://web.archive.org/web/20161005043926/http://yahoo.brand.edgar-online.com/displayfilinginfo.aspx?FilingID=498210-1238-105389&type=sect&TabIndex=2&companyid=2289&ppu=%252fdefault.aspx%253fcompanyid%253d2289 Archived] from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2024.</ref> producing the English [[dub]] in conjunction with [[TAJ Productions]] from seasons [[S01|one]] to [[S05|five]]. 4Kids was then the sole producer from seasons [[S06|six]] to [[S08|eight]], after which the show was produced by TPCi (then known as Pokémon USA) and TAJ Productions for seasons [[S09|nine]] and [[S10|ten]]. From seasons [[S11|eleven]] through [[S22|twenty-two]], the dub was produced by TPCi with [[DuArt Film and Video]]. Since the beginning of the [[S23|twenty-third season]], the dub is produced by TPCi with Iyuno.

==Adaptations==
{{main|Pokémon manga#Animation adaptations|Pokémon manga → Animation adaptations}}
The Pokémon animated series has spawned a wide variety of adaptations into many {{pkmn|manga}} and other {{pkmn|books}}: these include the manga series [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], [[Ash & Pikachu]], and {{ma|Pokémon Journeys}}; {{cat|Movie manga adaptations|manga adaptations of the movies}}; {{cat|guide books}}; {{cat|Animated series novelizations|novelizations}}; and {{cat|activity books}}. There have also been tie-ins featuring characters from the animated series in [[Pokémon games|video games]], [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|TCG cards]], and other {{pkmn|merchandise}}: these include the games {{game|Yellow}}, [[Pokémon Puzzle League]], and [[Pokémon Masters EX]]; a number of {{TCG|Promotional cards}}; and lines of {{cat|Pokémon figures|figures}} and {{pkmn|clothing}}.

==Trivia==
* Animator [[Masaaki Iwane]] [[n:Masaaki Iwane: Pokémon anime originally slated for 18-month run|once stated]] that the animated series was originally slated for a 1½-year run, which corresponds approximately to the length of the [[Kanto]] [[region]] [[S01|saga]] (had it not been delayed due to [[EP038|the Porygon incident]]).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070112132427/http://pokeani.com/news/2006_09/09-pokenews42.html ポケモンアニメは当初1年半の予定だった？ - ぽけあに]</ref> 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 series.
* In 2001, an average episode of the series cost approximately US$100,000 to produce.<ref>Rutenberg, Jim (January 28, 2001). [https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/28/us/violence-finds-a-niche-in-children-s-cartoons.html "Violence Finds a Niche in Children's Cartoons"]. ''The New York Times''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20211224120105/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/28/us/violence-finds-a-niche-in-children-s-cartoons.html Archived] from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2024.</ref>
* During the early episodes of the {{aniseries|OS}}, Japanese text was seen quite frequently on signs and buildings as well as objects. This usually resulted in the English dubbed version (and thus, foreign dubs based on it) painting out the text or converting it to English.
** During {{aniseries|GS}}, the animators acknowledged the practice of painting out the Japanese text in the English dub. As a result, they used made-up symbols slightly similar to the Latin script instead of Japanese text, so it would be universal to all languages and would not have to be edited for the English localization.
** During {{aniseries|RS}} and {{aniseries|DP}}, the animators used a new style of symbols that appear to be blocky letters without a resemblance to any alphabet. However, most of these were still edited out for the English dub until ''[[S09|Pokémon: Battle Frontier]]''.
** From {{aniseries|BW}} and onward, a full writing system was specifically created for the animated series. This language consists of three different fonts: a font used for titles, big signboards, etc.; another font used as less remarkable text accompanying the title font; and another font used only occasionally as a minor text filler. Each font has 26 unique symbols, and each one of those symbols represents a letter from the modern Latin script.
*** This text usually has meanings, as the symbols converted from the Latin script are written as romanized Japanese; sometimes its meanings are related to the context in which it is used, but sometimes the text contains hidden messages, like mentioning [[Jessie's Wobbuffet|Wobbuffet]] in a magazine seen in [[BW001]].
*** This writing system would start being used occasionally in the {{pkmn|games}} as part of the scenario, starting from [[Pokémon Sun and Moon]].

==In other languages==
{{Langtable|color=DDF|bordercolor=AAF
|zh_yue=寶可夢電視動畫系列 ''{{tt|Bóuhómuhng Dihnsih Duhngwá Haihliht|Pokémon TV Anime Series}}''
|zh_cmn=寶可夢電視動畫系列 / 宝可梦电视动画系列 ''{{tt|Bǎokěmèng Diànshì Dònghuà Xìliè|Pokémon TV Anime Series}}''
|fr=Série animée Pokémon
|de=Pokémon-Zeichentrickserie
|it=Serie animata Pokémon
|ko=TV애니메이션 “포켓몬스터” ''TV Animation "Pocket Monsters"''
|pt_br=Série animada de Pokémon
|es=Serie de dibujos animados Pokémon
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/pokemon/ Official website] (Japanese)
* [https://www.pokemon.co.jp/tv_movie/anime/ Anime on Pokemon.co.jp] (Japanese)
* [https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation Animation on Pokemon.com]

==Related articles==
* [[Differences between the Pokémon games and animated series]]

{{Anime series}}
{{Project Anime notice}}

[[Category:Pokémon animated series|*]]
[[Category:Animation]]

[[it:Serie animata Pokémon]]
[[ja:ポケットモンスター (アニメ)]]
[[zh:寶可夢動畫]]

Bulbapedia - User contributions [en]

Pokémon animated series