With almost 30 years' worth of episodes in the TV series and an attachment to one of the biggest entertainment franchises of all time, you’ve certainly heard of the Pokémon anime even if you’ve never watched a single installment. But what if you wanted to give it a try? Well, that’s where this guide comes in. Since this is a franchise full of video games, manga, movies, spin-offs, and all kinds of forms of entertainment, you may be wondering how to watch Pokémon . This article will run through the various sections of the Pokémon series, from the early days of Ash and Pikachu to the newer stories that revolve around a fresh set of characters. And though I’d recommend, as with any anime series, starting from the very beginning, Pokémon makes it pretty easy to jump in whenever you’d like and quickly get up to speed. NOTE: I’ll be using the English names of the seasons and excluding the episodes that aren’t available in the US. Also, all images come from Netflix, Pokémon TV and the official Pokémon website. POKÉMON WATCH ORDER Pokémon: Indigo League Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands Pokémon: The Johto Journeys Pokémon: Johto League Champions Pokémon: Master Quest Pokémon Advanced Pokémon: Advanced Challenge Pokémon: Advanced Battle Pokémon: Battle Frontier Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors Pokémon: Black & White Pokémon Black & White: Rival Destinies Pokémon Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond Pokémon XY Pokémon XY: Kalos Quest Pokémon XYZ Pokémon: Sun & Moon Pokémon Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures Pokémon Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends Pokémon Journeys Pokémon Master Journeys Pokémon Ultimate Journeys Pokémon Horizons Pokémon Horizons: The Search for Laqua Pokémon Movies Pokémon: Indigo League (Episodes 1 – 80) In a season that is definitely a nostalgic experience for many (it is the first season, after all), Indigo League sees 10-year-old Ash Ketchum begin his Pokémon journey. Starting out in his hometown of Pallet Town, Ash quickly gathers friends like Brock, Misty and his trusty BFF/main monster Pikachu. But gathering the eight badges to challenge the Pokémon League isn’t easy when Team Rocket is always around to try and steal that Pikachu (and any other new Pokémon they come across, for that matter). Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands (Episodes 81 – 116) Ash, Misty and their new pal Tracy Sketchit travel to the anime-original location of Orange Island in order to collect their set of badges and challenge the Orange League. This tropical adventure is fairly low stakes, all things considered, but it does come with Ash’s first league win. That final battle between Pikachu and Dragonite is not to be missed. Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (Episodes 117 – 157) RELATED: Make a Pokémon Team and I'll Recommend You an Anime to Watch! Coming with a fun new theme song and a fun (old) partner as Brock returns to the line-up, this season has Ash venturing into the land of Johto. He’ll be carrying some of his old Pokémon team with him, but one of the most delightful parts includes the new “partner” Pokémon that he endears himself to: Totodile, Cyndaquil, and Chikorita. Pokémon: Johto League Champions (Episodes 158 – 209) An aptly named season considering the fact that Ash continues to collect his badges from around Johto. In Kanto, half the gym leaders seem content with just kinda giving them to him as a moral victory. Johto is a looooong trek, but stretches like this one make it more exciting than the gargantuan episode count would indicate. Pokémon: Master Quest (Episodes 210 – 273) This season is all about the payoff. There’s the Silver Conference in which Ash finally takes on his archrival, Gary Oak, for the last time. There’s a big fight between Ash and a trainer that uses a previously unknown Pokémon from an entirely new region. And there are emotional goodbyes for classic Pokémon teams. Hold back your tears and give Pokémon: Master Quest a try! Pokémon Advanced (Episodes 274 – 313) RELATED: Lessons Ash Ketchum Taught Me in His Pokémon Journey Rejoined by Brock, and meeting new friends named May and Max, Pokémon Advance d has Ash travelling into the Hoenn region. He doesn’t manage to collect all of the “partner” Pokémon here (he’ll only accomplish that once more in the entire series), but just like the Game Boy Advance titles this season is based on, it amounts to a nice restart for the prodigal son of Pallet Town. Pokémon: Advanced Challenge (Episodes 314 – 365) With Ash collecting badges and May collecting ribbons so she can join in the Hoenn Grand Festival and become a Top Coordinator, the challenge is truly on. If anything, it’s nice that this section of the anime gave some of its central characters goals aside from “hang out with Ash Ketchum indefinitely.” It helps in lengthy stretches like this! Pokémon: Advanced Battle (Episodes 366 – 417) This is a pretty sprawling season. Ash makes it to the Hoenn League, May wins the ribbons she needs for the Grand Festival, and they eventually wind up back in Kanto. But this isn’t a peaceful homecoming. Ash immediately learns that there are new worlds to conquer and, in fitting fashion, sets off to test his skill and his luck. Pokémon: Battle Frontier (Episodes 418 – 464) RELATED: Ash Ketchum English VA Sarah Natochenny's Journey of Finding Herself in Pokémon It’s time to take on Kanto’s Battle Frontier, where Ash confronts various Frontier Brains in a series of challenges to win Frontier Symbols. Will he be victorious? And what will happen when, in the very end, Ash enters a Pokémon battle contest against May? It’s the final round for the Advanced Generation. Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl (Episodes 465 – 515) In this new season, Dawn replaces a departing May and Max as Ash enters the Sinnoh Region. Dawn may also want to become a Top Coordinator in Pokémon Contests, but she has a far different method to go about it, making her an interesting addition to Ash’s group. Also fun is the fact that this season places a much bigger focus on the villainous team: the space-and-time dominating Team Galactic. Combine that with a great new rival for Ash in the form of Paul and you have the beginnings of a fan-favorite section of the anime. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (Episodes 516 – 567) Also known as Pokémon: DP Battle Dimension More battles! More Legendary Pokémon! More character development for not just the central heroes, but Ash and Dawn’s monster teams. All while the Team Galactic plotline heats up! Battle Dimension doesn’t slack off when it comes to providing Pokémon viewers with thrills. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (Episodes 568 – 619) Also known as Pokémon: DP Galactic Battles RELATED: Pokémon Legends: Arceus Changed The Way We See Pokémon's Story It all ends here. Cyrus, the leader of Team Galactic, has what he needs to accomplish his goal of creating a new world. It’s up to Ash, Pikachu and all the friends and allies they’ve made in Sinnoh to try and stop him. It’s the kind of battle Pokémon has never really seen before up to this point! Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (Episodes 620 – 653) Also known as Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors After the events of the previous Pokémon season with Team Galactic, Ash is free to focus on the Sinnoh League while Dawn enters the Sinnoh Grand Festival. Both Brock and Dawn (and the viewers) get to witness what happens when Ash takes on his rival Paul for the last time. It’s a six-on-six, full team battle, so can Ash redeem himself after an earlier brutal loss? Pokémon: Black & White (Episodes 654 – 701) It’s time to enter Unova! Joined by the trainers Iris and Cilan, Ash is on another quest to win a region’s badges. And once again, he’s menaced by Team Rocket. Though this time, Jessie and James feel a little more serious about catching Pikachu. Pokémon Black & White: Rival Destinies (Episodes 702 – 750) Also known as Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies Ash hasn’t had the full roster of “partner” Pokémon on his team since Johto, and it provides a spark to a line-up that often seems a little less than tactical. But Ash’s hard head has been as consistently important as any skills he’s picked up, and we get to see that on full display as the battles against Team Rocket heat up and Ash wins more badges. Pokémon Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (Episodes 751 – 795) Also known as Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond RELATED: Original Ash Ketchum English VA Veronica Taylor on the End of a Pokémon Era The Unova League is only the first part of this colossal season. After that, Ash and his pals have to deal with the long-awaited machinations of Team Plasma and the Legendary Pokémon shenanigans that they involve before traveling together on more adventures. Pokémon XY (Episodes 796 – 843) Also known as Pokémon The Series: XY Wait, did Ash Ketchum just get… taller? With a refurbished art style, renewed fighting aptitude and a set of new partners (including gym leader Clemont, Bonnie and Ash’s childhood friend Serena), Pokémon XY is a reinvigorating set of episodes. This is the season for fans who like Ash at his most battle-ready and competent. Our boy from Pallet Town seems to have learned a couple of things. Pokémon XY: Kalos Quest (Episodes 844 – 888) Also known as Pokémon The Series: XY Kalos Quest This supercharged section continues as Ash tries to win more badges and Serena attempts to make a name for herself as a Pokémon Performer. What it lacks in frills, Pokémon XY: Kalos Quest makes up for in sheer bingability. This is one Pokémon season you’ll finish in no time. Pokémon XYZ (Episodes 889 – 935) Also known as Pokémon the Series: XYZ What happens when Ash makes it to the final round of a league battle? What are the powers of the Ash-Greninja form? What does Team Flare have planned in their devastating takeover of Lumiose City? And does Ash Ketchum finally get a kiss? There’s a lot packed into these episodes, so check them out. Pokémon: Sun & Moon (Episodes 936 – 978) Also known as Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon There’s more to the Alola region than just some fun in the sun! Ash enrolls in Pokémon school, which not only allows him to learn more about the fabled Z-Moves and the new crop of Alolan Pokémon, but also gives him his largest supporting cast ever. It’s certainly “the more, the merrier” when there’s Island Trials to accomplish. Pokémon Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures (Episodes 979 – 1026) Also known as Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon—Ultra Adventures RELATED: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Are Fun Adventures That Needed More Time More Island Trials! More Pokémon catches! More Legendary Pokémon! And just what are the Ultra Beasts? Combined with beautiful animation that makes great use of Pokémon Sun & Moon’s more simplistic designs, this season is a treat for both Pokémon fans and people in the mood for some high-quality anime visuals. Pokémon Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends (Episodes 1027 – 1080) Also known as Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon—Ultra Legends For a little while, it seemed like Ash Ketchum was in the news a lot, and his headline spree began here with an Alola League Victory. But this portion isn’t all high spirits. Some of the best Team Rocket adventures in years come to a close here, too, and you might be surprised by just how emotional things get. Pokémon Journeys (Episodes 1081 – 1128) Also known as Pokémon Journeys: The Series Alongside new pal, Goh, and often joined by Chloe, daughter of a Pokémon researcher, the final stretch of Ash’s journey begins here. There’s no badges to be won, nor are there any deadly villainous teams to defeat. Instead, Ash is on a world tour on his way to try and win a spot in the World Coronation Tournament, a competition to decide the world’s greatest trainer! Pokémon Master Journeys (Episodes 1129 – 1170) Also known as Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series Fossil Pokémon? Legendaries? Alternate universe versions of classic characters? Pokémon Journeys is on a roll as it continues with this season. Ash takes on his toughest battles yet as he edges closer to the World Coronation Tournament. Meanwhile, Goh finds himself enamored with the possibilities of “Project Mew.” Pokémon Ultimate Journeys (Episodes 1171 – 1223) Also known as Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series RELATED: From Ash Ketchum to Tohru, Here’s to the Anime Characters Who Achieved Their Goal Ash’s entire life has led up to this moment, and the theme song lyrics “I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was…” are finally put into play. Can he do it? If you’ve lived outside of a cave, you probably know the answer to that. Pokémon Ultimate Journeys is a fitting climax to Ash’s long-running adventures, and before he sets off once again, he manages to reunite with Brock and Misty. It’s a great time for newcomers and nostalgia devotees alike. Pokémon Horizons (Episodes 1224 – 1268) Say goodbye to Ash and say hello to new trainers Liko and Roy. Alongside the Rising Volt Tacklers, they’ll be training and exploring across the Pokémon world, particularly in the new Paldea region. If the prior adventure sounds like just too much Ash Ketchum for one viewer to handle, Pokémon Horizons is a fine place to kick off your Pokémon anime experience. Pokémon Horizons: The Search for Laqua (Episodes 1269 – ongoing) While attending Naranja Academy to learn about the Terastal transformations in Paldea, Liko and Roy are thrown into their next batch of adventures. As it turns out, you spend just as much time battling and taking on gym leaders as you do learning in class at this school, and when it’s over, the two trainers must once again explore Paldea. It all brings them closer to descending into the mysterious Area Zero. Pokémon Movies Pokémon: The First Movie (also known as Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back ) Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (also known as Pokémon: The Movie 2000—The Power of One ) Pokémon 3: The Movie ( Pokémon 3: The Movie—Spell of the Unown ) Pokémon 4Ever (also known as Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi—Voice of the Forest ) Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias Jirachi Wishmaker Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai Pokémon: Giratina & The Sky Warrior Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (and of course, Detective Pikachu ) EXPLORE MORE ANIME WATCH ORDER GUIDES Yu Yu Hakusho in Order Sailor Moon in Order One Piece Arcs in Order Naruto Arcs in Order Dragon Ball Watch Order & Sagas List Cardcaptor Sakura in Chronological Order Dr. STONE in Order OVERLORD in Order Fairy Tail in Order Haikyu!! in Order Black Butler in Order Bungo Stray Dogs Watch Order My Hero Academia in Order (Plus Movies) Monogatari in Order KONOSUBA in Order
