Pokémon has been around for over two decades now and, ever since its 1996 debut, has become a global phenomenon, with a unique blend of strategic gameplay, creative character design, and enticing ‘catch them all’ premise that has captured the imaginations of millions. With its captivating gameplay and an ever-growing roster of creatures, Pokémon has evolved and expanded over the course of nine generations, engaging players with its compelling gameplay and broad appeal.
So far, the franchise doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. This means that there will undoubtedly be more content hitting our screens in the coming years, especially if even more lovable Pokémon are added to the franchise’s Pokédex. But how can you watch new content if you haven’t religiously followed the series and films?
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The best Pokémon The Series watch order
The following list includes an ideal order to watch the main series and films. As for the short episode arches that Pokémon has released on the side, you can mostly watch those once you have the general idea of Pokémon itself. Without further ado, here’s the correct way to view the Pokémon series.
- Pokémon: Indigo League (Season 1, Episodes 1-69)
- Pokémon: The First Movie (Watch after Episode 69, “Legend of Surfing Pikachu”)
- Pokémon: Indigo League (Season 1, Episodes 70-82)
- Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands (Season 2, Episodes 1-24)
- Pokémon: The Movie 2000 (Watch after Episode 24, “Pikachu vs Nyarth?!”)
- Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands (Season 2, Episodes 25-36)
- Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (Season 3, Episodes 1-38)
- Pokémon 3 The Movie: Spell of the Unknown (Watch after Episode 38, “A Differently Colored Noctowl! Catch It!”)
- Pokémon: The Johto Journeys (Season 3, Episodes 39-41)
- Pokémon: Johto League Champions (Season 4, Episodes 1-48)
- Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest (Watch after Episode 48, “Where’s Kecleon!? Huge Chaos Created By The Invisible Pokémon!”)
- Pokémon: Johto League Champions (Season 4, Episodes 49-52)
- Pokémon: Master Quest (Season 5, Episodes 1-47)
- Pokémon Heroes Movie (Watch after Episode 47, “Battle in the Water!”)
- Pokémon: Master Quest (Season 5, Episodes 48-65)
- Pokémon: Advanced (Season 6, Episodes 1-35)
- Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker (Watch after Episode 35, “May! The First Pokémon Contest Challenge!”)
- Pokémon: Advanced (Season 6, Episodes 36-40)
- Pokémon: Advanced Challenge (Season 7, Episodes 1-45)
- Pokémon The Movie: Destiny Deoxys (Watch after Episode 45, “Fortree Gym! Battle in the Sky!”)
- Pokémon: Advanced Challenge (Season 7, Episodes 46-52)
- Pokémon: Advanced Battle (Season 8, Episodes 1-43)
- Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (Watch after Episode 43, “Numero Uno Articuno”)
- Pokémon: Advanced Battle (Season 8, Episodes 44-52)
- Pokémon: Battle Frontier (Season 9, Episodes 1-38)
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (Watch after Episode 38, “Aipom and the King!”)
- Pokémon: Battle Frontier (Season 9, Episodes 39-47)
- Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl (Season 10, Episodes 1-39)
- Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (Watch after Episode 39, “Steamboat Willies!”)
- Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl (Season 10, Episodes 40-52)
- Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (Season 11, Episodes 1-34)
- Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior (Watch after Episode 34, “The Psyduck Roadblock!”)
- Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (Season 11, Episodes 35-52)
- Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (Season 12, Episodes 1-31)
- Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (Watch after Episode 31, “Everybody Participate! Pokémon Hustle!”)
- Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (Season 12, Episodes 32-53)
- Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (Season 13, Episodes 1-21)
- Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions (Watch after Episode 21, “Goodbye Team Rocket! Love of Meowth!?”)
- Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (Season 13, Episodes 22-34)
- Black and White (Season 14, Episodes 1-39)
- White, Victini and Zekrom and/or Black, Victini and Reshiram (Watch after Episode 39, “Fierce Fighting Don Battle!”)
- Black and White (Season 14, Episodes 40-50)
- Black and White: Rival Destinies (Season 15, Episodes 1-49)
- Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs The Sword of Justice (Watch after Season 15)
- Black and White: Adventures in Unova (Season 16, Episodes 1-25)
- Black and White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (Season 16 – Part II, Episodes 1-20)
- Pokémon The Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (Watch after Season 16)
- XY (Season 17, Episodes 1-37)
- Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (Watch after Episode 37, “Reflection Cave! Mirror World Ash and Ash!?”)
- XY (Season 17, Episodes 38-48)
- XY: Kalos Quest (Season 18, Episodes 1-33)
- Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (Watch after Episode 33, “Pikachu Becomes a Star!? Its Movie Debut!”)
- XY: Kalos Quest (Episodes 34-45)
- XYZ (Season 19, Episodes 1-47)
- Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (Watch after Season 19)
- Sun & Moon (Season 20, Episodes 1-43)
- Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures (Season 21, Episodes 1-49)
- Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends (Season 22, Episodes 1-54)
- Pokémon Journeys: The Series (Season 23, Episodes 1-37)
- Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series (Season 24, Episodes 1-42)
- Pokémon Horizons: The Series (Currently airing in Japan)
Related: The Best Pokémon Games Of All Time – Ranked on Attack of the Fanboy
Pokémon: Master Journeys has bid a heartbreaking farewell to Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. The Pokémon Company anticipates its newest series, Pokémon Horizons: The Series, which will be the first-ever Pokémon season not to feature Ash nor Pikachu. Instead, the story will focus on two new protagonists, Liko and Roy. The debut episodes, combined in an hour-long special, aired in Japan on April 14, 2023. Unfortunately, there has been no official announcement for when Pokémon Horizons will air overseas, so there is currently no legal way for Pokemon fans to watch the first episode outside of Japan.
As always, we’ll keep you updated as news breaks of the series’ migration to the US and beyond.
Here’s how you can watch Pokémon online
Pokémon is currently available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV or Hulu.
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