User:Adil/Pokémon in South Asia
| Pokémon in South Asia | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||
| Languages | Hindi Tamil Telugu Bengali English | ||||
| Continent | Asia | ||||
| Original animated series airdates | |||||
| EP001 | May 12, 2003[1] May 19, 2014 | ||||
| AG001 | May 9, 2006 September 16, 2015 | ||||
| DP001 | November 9, 2009 November 16, 2009 November 12, 2018 | ||||
| BW001 | June 17, 2013 November 3, 2014 July 3, 2021 | ||||
| XY001 | May 9, 2015 | ||||
| SM001 | August 19, 2024 | ||||
| JN001 | 2021 October 29, 2021 | ||||
| HZ001 | March 8, 2024 May 25, 2024 | ||||
The Pokémon franchise (Hindi: पोकेमॉन (formerly पोकेमोन), Tamil: பொகெமொன், Telugu: పోకీమాన్, Bengali: পোকেমন, Urdu: پوکيمون) made its debut in the Indian subcontinent in 2003, with the broadcast of the first animated series episode in both English and Hindi on Cartoon Network India and Cartoon Network Pakistan. CN India and its sister channels also dubbed the animated series into Tamil and Telugu.
Since 2014, a second production of new Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali dubs has aired on Hungama TV and its various sister channels. These dubs are also available on the official Indian YouTube channels.
Localization
- Main article: List of Hindi Pokémon names
The Pokémon games are mostly available in English. Pokémon Smile, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokémon GO are the only Pokémon games to be localized into Hindi. With the launch of Hindi-language support in Pokémon GO on September 15, 2023, many Pokémon were given new localized Hindi names, rather than simply writing the English names in Devanāgarī script as had been done previously.[2][3]
The Pokémon animated series has undergone dubbing primarily into Hindi, with the same dub being used for the Urdu feed as both languages are phonetically very similar, with modern vocabulary and grammar overlapping extensively. Additional dubbing has taken place in Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. Furthermore, the English dub of the animated series is also accessible. The Hindi dub of the animated series, which was produced before the games were localized, uses the English names for Pokémon. However, all the local dubs inconsistently switch between the English names and direct translations for other Pokémon-related terminology, such as names of moves, Abilities, and items. The Hindi dub of The Journey of One Dream was the first animated work to use the localized Hindi names for Pokémon, with Pokémon Horizons: The Series being the first main series season to do so.[4] The Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali dubs continue to use the English names for Pokémon.
Most official Pokémon merchandise is available in English, as it is imported from Europe or the Americas rather than being localized.[citation needed]
Pokémon video games
Pokémon games and some Pokémon merchandise, as well as other Nintendo products such as consoles and games, are available on online retail stores.
In the past, most games in Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were sold by the Japanese Nintendo division (and by extension Nintendo of America). In Afghanistan, Nintendo Europe dealt with sales[5] until 2021, when distribution halted in that country due to the invasion of Kabul.
For detailed information about the extensive history of Pokémon games distribution in India, see
- Main article: Pokémon in India.
Pokémon animation
The Pokémon animated series is available in the following South Asian territories: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Seasons
| Season | Debut | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon: Indigo League | May 12, 2003[1] | Cartoon Network India |
| May 19, 2014 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands | Late 2003 | Cartoon Network India |
| September 11, 2014 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: The Johto Journeys | 2004 | Cartoon Network India |
| October 30, 2014 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: Johto League Champions | 2004 | Cartoon Network India and Pakistan |
| January 2, 2015 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: Master Quest | May 18, 2005[6] | Cartoon Network India and Pakistan |
| March 31, 2015 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: Advanced | May 9, 2006 | Cartoon Network India and Pakistan |
| August 31, 2015 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: Advanced Challenge | November 6, 2006[7] | Cartoon Network India and Pakistan |
| February 15, 2016 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon: Advanced Battle | 2008 | Cartoon Network |
| May 7, 2018 | Disney XD | |
| Pokémon: Battle Frontier | November 2008 | Cartoon Network |
| November 12, 2018 | Disney XD | |
| Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl | November 9, 2009 | Cartoon Network Pakistan |
| November 16, 2009 | Cartoon Network India | |
| November 12, 2018 | Disney XD | |
| Pokémon DP: Battle Dimension | 2010 | Cartoon Network India |
| May 13, 2019 | Marvel HQ | |
| Pokémon DP: Galactic Battles | Early 2011 | Pogo |
| August 1, 2011 | Cartoon Network Pakistan | |
| July 8, 2019 | Disney International HD (English only) | |
| November 2019 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon DP: Sinnoh League Victors | October 3, 2011 | Pogo |
| February 1, 2012 | Cartoon Network Pakistan | |
| September 2, 2019 | Marvel HQ | |
| Pokémon: Black & White | June 17, 2013 | Pogo |
| November 3, 2014 | Cartoon Network Pakistan | |
| July 3, 2021 | Marvel HQ | |
| Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies | September 18, 2021 | |
| Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond | June 3, 2022 | Disney Channel India |
| Pokémon the Series: XY | May 9, 2015 | Hungama TV |
| Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest | May 2, 2023 | Super Hungama |
| Pokémon the Series: XYZ | April 29, 2024[8] | |
| Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon | August 19, 2024 | |
| Pokémon Journeys: The Series | 2021 | POP |
| October 29, 2021 | YouTube (Hindi) | |
| January 14, 2022 | YouTube (Tamil/Telugu/Bengali) | |
| Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series | November 25, 2022 | YouTube |
| Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series | August 25, 2023 | |
| Pokémon Horizons: The Series | March 8, 2024 | YouTube (English (Asia ENG)) |
| May 25, 2024[4] | Hungama TV (Hindi/Tamil/Telugu) and YouTube (Hindi (Disney India)) | |
| July 19th, 2024 | YouTube (Hindi (Asia (Hindi)/Tamil/Telugu/Bengali/English (South Asia ENG)) |
Regional distribution
India
- Main article: Pokémon in India
For comprehensive coverage of the Pokémon animated series in India, including detailed broadcasting history, seasonal information, voice cast, and digital distribution, see the main India article.
Pakistan
Pokémon content in Pakistan is primarily distributed through Cartoon Network Pakistan, which shares programming with Cartoon Network India. The channel began broadcasting simultaneously with the Indian feed starting in 2004 and was also made available in Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The English dub of Pokémon Journeys: The Series began airing on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. on POP in Pakistan starting in 2021.
Afghanistan
The Asia ENG YouTube channel releases English dub of Pokémon Horizons: The Series in most of Southeast Asia, with this release specifically available in Afghanistan. The first season, Pokémon Horizons: The Series premiered on March 8, 2024.
Other territories
Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka receive Pokémon content through various regional broadcasting agreements and streaming platforms, primarily accessing the same content available across the broader South Asian market.
Pokémon movies and specials
Various Pokémon movies and specials have been broadcast across South Asian territories, primarily through the same networks that distribute the animated series.
POKÉMON Detective Pikachu was released in Indian cinemas in both English and Hindi on May 10, 2019.[9]
Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution released on Netflix India on February 27, 2020 in English, Hindi, and Japanese making it first time a Pokémon movie premiered on a streaming service. Secrets of the Jungle premiered on Netflix India on October 8, 2021 in English and Hindi.
For detailed information about movies, specials, and localized content, see Pokémon in India.
| Movie | Debut | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo Strikes Back | April 18, 2015 | Hungama TV |
| The Power of One | August 22, 2015 | |
| Spell of the Unown: Entei | April 16, 2016 | |
| Celebi: The Voice of the Forest | May 28, 2016 | |
| Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias | July 31, 2016 | |
| Jirachi: Wish Maker | November 6, 2016 | |
| Destiny Deoxys | January 22, 2017 | |
| Lucario and the Mystery of Mew | 2009 | Cartoon Network India and Pakistan |
| July 9, 2017 | Hungama TV | |
| Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea | 2009 | Cartoon Network Pakistan |
| 2010 | Cartoon Network India | |
| October 15, 2021 | Voot Kids (English only) | |
| The Rise of Darkrai | 2011 | Cartoon Network and Pogo TV |
| September 29, 2017 | Hungama TV | |
| Giratina and the Sky Warrior | 2011 | Cartoon Network Pakistan |
| December 23, 2018 | Hungama TV | |
| Arceus and the Jewel of Life | 2011 | Cartoon Network Pakistan |
| November 17, 2019 | Hungama TV | |
| Zoroark: Master of Illusions | 2012 | Cartoon Network Pakistan |
| January 25, 2020 | Hungama TV | |
| Black—Victini and Reshiram | June 20, 2020 | |
| Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice | June 27, 2020 | |
| Genesect and the Legend Awakened | November 7, 2020 | |
| Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction | October 15, 2021 | Marvel HQ |
| Hoopa and the Clash of Ages | October 15, 2021 | Voot Kids |
| November 4, 2021 | Marvel HQ | |
| Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel | October 15, 2021 | Voot Kids (English only) |
| October 2, 2022 | Voot Kids (Hindi/Tamil/Telugu) | |
| January 8, 2023 | Hungama TV | |
| I Choose You! | October 15, 2021 | Voot Kids (English only) |
| October 2, 2022 | Voot Kids (Hindi/Tamil/Telugu) | |
| March 18, 2023 | Hungama TV | |
| The Power of Us | October 15, 2021 | Voot Kids (English only) |
| April 14, 2024 | Hungama TV (Hindi/Tamil/Telugu) | |
| Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution | February 27, 2020 | Netflix |
| Secrets of the Jungle | October 8, 2021 | |
| February 11, 2024 | Limited theatrical release (English only) | |
| POKÉMON Detective Pikachu | May 10, 2019 | Theatrical release |
| Special | Debut | Network |
| Mewtwo Returns | November 14, 2006[10] | Cartoon Network India |
| Pokémon Chronicles | 2009 | |
| Mega Evolution Special I | November 21, 2015 | Hungama TV |
| Mega Evolution Special II | July 19, 2023 | Super Hungama |
| Mega Evolution Special III | July 20, 2023 | |
| Mega Evolution Special IV | July 21, 2023 | |
| Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles | August 18, 2023 | YouTube |
| The Journey of One Dream | September 15, 2023 | |
| Detective Pikachu & the Mystery of the Missing Flan | October 25, 2023 | |
| Pokémon Concierge | December 28, 2023 | Netflix |
| Homecoming | February 9, 2024 | YouTube |
| The Adventures of Snorlax & Cubone | February 14, 2024 | |
| The Delicious Day with Pokémon | September 30, 2024 | |
| POKÉTOON | November 11, 2024 | |
| Animated Pokédex | January 13, 2025 | |
Cast and crew
Hindi dub
| Main Characters | Voice actor | |
|---|---|---|
| CN dub | Disney dub | |
| Ash | Prasad Barve[11] | Nachiket Dighe[11][12] (S01 - S09, S11 - present) Prasad Barve[13] (S10) |
| Pikachu | Sonal Kaushal[14] (some episodes) | |
| Misty | Neshma Chemburkar (S01 - S04) Radhika (S05 - present) |
Rucha Dighe |
| Brock | Prithvi Sankhala | Uplaksh Kochhar |
| Jessie | Nandini Sharma | Shagufta Baig (S01 - S09, S17) Natasha John (S11 - present, M23) |
| James | Kishore Bhatt[15] | Rajesh Shukla |
| Meowth | Damandeep Singh Baggan (S01 - S02) Sandeep Karnik (S03 - S14) |
Saumya Daan (S01 - S09, S17) Sanchit Wartak (S11 - present) |
| Tracey | Sumeet Pathak (S02) Nachiket Dighe (Chronicles) |
Anshul Chandra |
| May | Urvi Ashar | Neshma Chemburkar |
| Max | Prachi Save Sathi Tirthankar Mitra (some episodes) |
Amit Diyondi |
| Dawn | Neshma Chemburkar (S10) Sayuri Haralkar (S11 - present) | |
| Iris | Merlyn James | |
| Cilan | Saumya Daan | Ketan Kava |
| Serena | — | Sayuri Haralkar |
| Clemont | — | Viral Shah |
| Bonnie | — | Nilufer Middey Khan |
| Lillie | — | Nisha Pasad |
| Mallow | — | Ayushi |
| Lana | — | Avani Dama |
| Kiawe | — | Farhan Patel |
| Goh | — | Lohit Sharma |
| Liko | — | Apala Bisht[16] |
| Roy | — | Arush Nand[17] |
| Supporting Characters | Voice actor | |
| CN dub | Disney dub | |
| Narrator | Darpann (S01) Anup Shukla (S09 - S12, S14) Sanjay / Sourav (S13) |
Vinod Sharma (S01 -S19) Manikant Sarbhoy (S23 - S25) |
| Pokédex | Rajesh Kava | |
| Nurse Joy | Sabina Malik Mausam | |
| Officer Jenny | Sabina Malik Mausam | |
| Gary | Rajesh Kava | |
| Mewtwo | Sanket Mhatre (M01) Arvind Mehra (M22) | |
| Trip | — | Harsh Joshi |
| Bianca | — | Sayuri Haralkar |
| Burgundy | — | Neshma Chemburkar |
| Sawyer | — | Ketan Kava |
| Professor Kukui | — | Dixaon Shah |
| Chloe | — | Sanchari Bose |
| Professor Cerise | — | Manikant Sarbhoy |
| Leon | — | Ish Thakkar[18] |
| Rose | — | Ish Thakkar[18] |
| Koko | Lohit Sharma (M23) | |
| Dot | — | Mahima |
| Friede | — | Aniket Khadye |
| Orla | — | Pragati Kothari[19] |
| Mollie | — | Rinki Singhvi[20] |
| Amethio | — | Mohit Sinha[21] |
| Zirc | Manikant Sarbhoy | |
| Onia | — | Renu Sharda |
| Ann | — | Ayushi[22] |
| Detective Pikachu | Sanket Mhatre (movie) | |
| Tim Goodman | Pushkar Vijay (movie) | |
| Opening theme singer | Allwyn D'souza (S01) | Sumeet Pathak (S01) |
Tamil dub
| Character | Voice actor | |
|---|---|---|
| CN dub | Disney dub | |
| Ash | Raghuvaran[23] | Kathir Gani Khan (S01 - S10, S17, M11) Sai Abjith (S11 - present) |
| Misty | Yojishwari | |
| Brock | Sathya Dhanraj | |
| Tracey | Bharani | |
| May | Sowmya | |
| Max | Bharani | |
| Dawn | Monica | |
| Iris | Jai Sri | |
| Serena | — | Yamuna |
| Clemont | — | Bala Krishnan |
| Bonnie | — | Sowmya |
| Goh | — | Prasanna |
| Jessie | Sulochana (S01 - S10) Anjali (S11 - present) | |
| James | Karthikeyen | |
| Meowth | Kannan Ruthrapathy | Shyam Kumar (S01 - S09, S17) Dinu Vairapathi (S10 - present) |
| Supporting Characters | Voice actor | |
| CN dub | Disney dub | |
| Narrator | Sathish | |
| Opening theme singer | Karthik[6][24] (S05-S08) | |
Telugu dub
| Character | Voice actor | |
|---|---|---|
| Disney dub | ||
| Ash | Sai Venkat (S01 - S10, S17) Sai Teja (S11 - present) | |
| Brock | Raja | |
| Dawn | Bhavanambika | |
| Iris | Satya Vaani | |
| Bonnie | Prasanna | |
| Jessie | Anjali | |
| James | Banu Chander (S01 - S10, S17) | |
| Meowth | Vishweshwar Rao | |
| Supporting Characters | Voice actor | |
| Disney dub | ||
| Narrator | Raju | |
| Delia Ketchum | Udaya Sri (S01 - S10, S17) Priyanka (S11 - present) | |
| Professor Oak | Krishna Kumar (S01 - S10, S17) | |
| Paul | Banu Chander (S10 - S11) Siva Prasad (S11 - S13) | |
Bengali dub
| Character | Voice actor |
|---|---|
| Disney dub | |
| Ash | Sumit Bera[25] |
Music
- Main articles: List of Hindi Pokémon themes, List of Tamil Pokémon themes, List of Telugu Pokémon themes and List of Bengali Pokémon themes
Like most dubs based on the English dub, the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs under both Cartoon Network and Disney generally dub the original English openings into the respective language.
For the release of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, original soundtracks were composed by the duo Vishal–Shekhar with vocals in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu by Bollywood artists Armaan Malik for the opening theme Let's Get Started and Shirley Setia for the ending theme Boom Kaboom.[4]
A new original song, Imma Be Your PoKéMoN by Indian rapper Badshah, was released on YouTube other streaming platforms on January 31, 2025.[26]
Pokémon manga
English-translated Pokémon manga was distributed in India by Chuang Yi. It is also available on online stores such as Amazon.
Starting in September 2020, English versions of the Pokémon 4Koma Plaza comic strips are posted on the Indian Facebook account weekly. Starting March 2024, they are also posted on the Instagram account.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cartoon Network to increase viewer cachet with Pokemon - Indian Television (archived)
- ↑ Hindi language support for Pokémon GO! Celebrate with special events! (archived)
- ↑ Pokémon Goes Desi, Celebrates India by Launching Pokémon GO in Hindi with Niantic (archived)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 New Pokémon Show "Pokémon Horizons: The Series" Premieres on Hungama this May 25th - Media Infoline (archived)
- ↑ Nintendo - Distributors (archived)
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cartoon Network to kick off 'Pokemon - Master Quest' in Tamil & Telugu - Indian Television (archived)
- ↑ Cartoon Network to host 'Toonami: Game On, Video Gaming Championship'; re-freshed Toonami block starts 6 November - Indian Televison (archived)
- ↑ Pokemon the Series: XYZ to Air on Super Hungama - IGN India (archived)
- ↑ Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Release Date in India, Cast, Trailer, Tickets, and More - Gadgets360 (archived)
- ↑ Cartoon Network to join 'Barbie' and 'Pokémon' on Children's Day - Indian Television (archived)
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 7 Indian Voice-Over Actors You'll Recognize Just By Hearing Once (archived)
- ↑ Two voices of Ash Ketchum are appearing together!!! - @sarahnatochenny on Twitter; retweeted by @Nachiketdighe (archived)
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedPrasadBarveHungamaDub - ↑ From Shin-chan to Doraemon, here are the Hindi voice actors behind popular cartoons. (archived)
- ↑ Dubbing a success story - Indian Television (archived)
- ↑ Instagram post by @apala_bisht_official (archived)
- ↑ Instagram post by @arush_nand (archived)
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Instagram post by @ishthakkar_ (archived)
- ↑ Instagram post by @pragati.kothari (archived)
- ↑ Instagram post by @rinkisinghvi (archived)
- ↑ Instagram post by @mohitsinharocks333 (archived)
- ↑ Instagram post by @official_ayushi_voices (archived)
- ↑ Raghuvaran: The Dubbing Maestro (archived)
- ↑ Karthik, singing sensation of South India, lends his voice to Pokemon's title track on Cartoon Network - Afaqs (archived)
- ↑ Voicing ASH KETCHUM in the movie 'Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles' in Bengali - @sumitbera742 on Instagram, Aug 30, 2023 (archived)
- ↑ 🔥 "Imma Be Your Pokémon" Music Video is Live Now! 🔥 Watch Pokémon groove to the beats of Badshah. ✨ - Pokémon India on Facebook
Related articles
| The Pokémon franchise around the world | |
|---|---|
| Africa: | South Africa |
| The Americas: | Brazil • Canada • Latin America • United States |
| Asia: | Hong Kong • Indonesia • Japan • mainland China • Malaysia • Philippines Singapore • South Asia • South Korea • Thailand • Taiwan • Vietnam |
| Europe: | Albania • Belgium • Bulgaria • Croatia • Czech Republic • Denmark • Finland • France • Germany • Greece Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Lithuania • Netherlands • North Macedonia • Norway • Poland Portugal • Romania • Russia • Serbia • Slovakia • Spain • Sweden • Ukraine • United Kingdom |
| Middle East: | Arab world • Israel • Turkey |
| Oceania: | Australia • New Zealand |
|
This article is part of Project Globe, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon franchise around the world. |