Pokémon is a definitive, long-running anime series, adapting the world of the Pokémon video games. The anime follows Ash Ketchum, also known as Satoshi, as he and his Pikachu travel across the world with their friends, as Ash hopes to become a “Pokémon Master.” Meanwhile, Ash and his friends have to contend the villainous, yet comedic Team Rocket as they scheme to steal Pokémon. Ash’s friends may come and go, and the art style may change with the passage of the years. Despite this, Ash usually remains 10, with the series somehow lasting over a single summer.
With a series as long-running as Pokémon, it can be hard for some fans to keep track of the series. Exactly how to divide the series depends on who you ask. In Japan, the series is usually divided into eight different arcs. Internationally, however, the series is split into over 20 seasons.
Season 1: Indigo League
Pokémon: Indigo League, also known as Pokémon: The Original Series or simply Pokémon when first aired, is the season that started it all. This series starts with Ash receiving his Pikachu from Professor Oak after being too late to pick another Pokémon. Despite getting to a rocky start, Pikachu soon realizes Ash cares about him as he joins him in his goal to win the Indigo Plateau tournament. Along the way, Ash is joined by Misty, a trainer who specializes in water-type Pokémon, after stealing and destroying her bike.
Soon, they are joined up by a Pokémon breeder named Brock, who previously had to put his dreams on hold to take care of his siblings. The series lasted 82 episodes in its original Japanese broadcast, but a few episodes were pulled in the English dub, bringing it down to 80.
Season 2: Adventures on the Orange Islands
Pokémon: Adventures on the Orange Islands is the second season, featuring Ash moving onto Orange Islands after losing the previous season’s tournament. As the season’s setting is not based on one from the corresponding Pokémon video games, it is generally regarded as a filler series. This season marks a notable change in Ash’s circle of friends. Brock decides to put a hold on traveling in order to study with Professor Ivy on Valencia Island. By the next episode, Ash makes a new friend, Tracey, a Pokémon watcher who regularly sketches Pokémon, who becomes his and Misty’s new companion. By the end of the season, however, Tracey becomes his idol Professor Oak’s new assistant, and stays in Pallet Town. In turn, Brock ends up rejoining the group.
Season 3: The Johto Journeys
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys functions as the third season of the series, with Ash and his friends registering for the Johto League. Some prominent new Pokémon are added to Ash’s team: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. Notably, Ash, Brock, and Misty are still in the region at the end, with the finale being an episodic story involving Team Rocket launching a Pokémon Fortune Telling scheme.
Season 4: Johto League Champions
During this fourth season, Pokémon: Johto League Champions, Ash and his friends remain in the Johto region, going to different places, like Goldenrod City and Cianwood City. Ash briefly obtains a new traveling companion, Todd Snap, who serves as a Pokémon photographer. During this storyline, Ash briefly obtains a Beedrill, before ultimately releasing it to Casey, a New Bark Town Pokémon Trainer.
Season 5: Master Quest
Pokémon: Master Quest once again keeps the Johto setting, with Ash and Misty competing in the Whirl Cup Competition. Later on, Ash takes part in the Silver Conference, where he wins against his old rival Gary, but ultimately loses to another Pokémon Trainer, Harrison, ultimately finishing in the top eight. In the penultimate episode, Brock and Misty decide to part ways with Ash after being called back home. Ash decides to travel to the Hoenn region on a suggestion from Harrison. Notably, one episode during this era, “The Ice Cave!,” which featured Jynx, was not included in the English dub, though it did air dubbed in some parts of East Asia, such as South Korea.
Season 6: Advanced
Starting off from the previous arc, Pokémon: Advanced takes place in the Hoenn region. Ash soon joins up with a Pokémon Coordinator named May, and her brother, Max. May competes in Pokémon Contests, which are divided into two parts: Performing Stages and Battle Stages. Much like Misty, May also sees her bike get destroyed by Pikachu during the first episode. Brock soon rejoins Ash on his travels with his new companions. During this era, the gang encounter two new villainous groups: Team Magma and Team Aqua. Team Rocket also manage to catch a Seviper and Dustox, with the season also seeing the release of their Arbok and Weezing.
Season 7: Advanced Challenge
Pokémon: Advanced Challenge continues with Ash, Brock, May, and Max as they continue their journey through the Hoeen region, while they still have to contend with Team Magma and Team Aqua. Misty briefly returns in a story involving the Mirage Kingdom, which worshipped Togepi. The storyline also saw Misty’s Togepi, one of her most iconic Pokémon, evolve into Togetic. In one notable event, exclusive to the anime, Ash, May, and James compete in a PokéRinger competition, which revolves around flying Pokémon, which ends with Ash as the winner.
Season 8: Advanced Battle
Once again keeping the cast in Hoenn, Pokémon: Advanced Battle sees Ash and May compete in the Ever Grande Conference and, later, the Hoenn Grand Festival. Naturally, this season is filled with new rivals for Ash and May. During the Hoenn Grand Festival, May defeats her rival Harley, but ultimately loses the Ribbon Cup. Meanwhile, Ash takes part in the Ever Grande Conference with his rivals, Morrison and Tyson, ultimately defeating the former and losing to the latter. Misty once again makes a brief return for three episodes. The season also marks Ash’s return to the Kanto region for the start of new adventures. Once again, a few episodes were skipped in the English dub, one notably being a clip show.
Season 9: Battle Frontier
Pokémon: Battle Frontier marked a lot of changes in its English dub, as this was the first made without 4Kids Entertainment’s involvement. Ash is once again in the Kanto region, the place of his hometown, and May is once again competing in the Contest circuit, entering the Kanto Grand Festival. In fact, Brock enters his first Pokémon Contest, too. Throughout this season, Ash also contends with Frontier Brains, a Pokémon Trainer who head Battle Frontier facilities. Ash even turns down the chance to become a Frontier Brain himself. A few of Ash’s classic Pokémon also make reappearances in this season, though ultimately he leaves most of them with Professor Oak. Towards the end, Ash travels north to the Sinnoh region, with Team Rocket not far behind.
Season 10: Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl marks the 10th season, now starting up in the Sinnoh region. Ash is following his old rival Gary and soon meets up with Brock. Ash also gets a new companion in Dawn, an aspiring Pokémon Coordinator. Ash and his friends encounter an new antagonist in Pokémon Hunter J., who steals Pokémon. Team Rocket isn’t far behind, either, even competing in various Pokémon Contests, including the Pokémon Dress-Up Contest. Jessie also starts to use her “Jessilina” alter-ego to compete. Ash and his friends ultimately compete in the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition. Once again, this season had a clip show episode which was skipped in the English dub.
Season 11: Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension
Pokémon: DP Battle Dimension is the 11th season. Ash continues his journey in Sinnoh while Dawn enters more Contests. The Wallace Cup, which is hosted by the eponymous Wallace, a celebrated Trainer and Coordinator, becomes a prominent event this season. Ash’s former companion May briefly reappears to compete in the Wallace Cup, which ultimately sees Dawn as the winner. Ash and his companions also briefly attend Pokémon Summer Academy.
Season 12: Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles
During the 12th season, Pokémon: DP Galactic Battles, Ash and Dawn find themselves getting caught up in the schemes of Team Galactic. Meanwhile, Ash’s rivalry with Paul becomes a recurring storyline, from Ash defeating Paul during the Squallville PokéRinger to their first Full Battle, or six-on-six battle, in which Trainers both use six Pokémon.
Season 13: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors
Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors functions as Pokémon’s 13th season. Ash, Brock, and Dawn continue their adventures in the Sinnoh region. Dawn and even Jessie find themselves competing in the Sinnoh Grand Festival, while Ash competes in the Lily of the Valley Conference. By the end of the arc, Ash and Brock head off to Kanto, while Dawn remains in Sinnoh.
Season 14: Black & White
Pokémon: Black & White functions as the 14th season and is set in the Unova region. Ash gets two new companions: Iris meet Cilan. Iris is a Pokémon Trainer who aspires to be a Dragon Master, a specialist in Dragon Type Pokémon. Cilan is a Pokémon Connoisseur, who specialize in analyzing the compatibility between Pokémon and their trainers, which is a field that’s nearly exclusive to the Unova region. Ash gets a few new rivals this season, including photographer and Trainer Trip. Team Rocket also gets a new ally in Pierce. Team Rocket’s Meowth also briefly joins up with Ash and his friends, though this all turns out to be a ruse. Notably, two episodes from this season were left unaired in Japan due to real-life natural disasters.
Season 15: Black & White: Rival Destinies
Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies serves as the 15th season serves as the fifteenth season of the series. Ash reunites with Dawn, who eventually leaves for Johto to partake in the Wallace Cup. Before that, Ash, Iris, and Dawn each compete in the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup. Towards the end of the season, Ash battles the villainous gym leader Giovanni, the head of Team Rocket.
Season 16: Black & White: Adventures in Unova
Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond, with early episodes also known as Pokémon BW: Adventures in Unova, concludes the “Black & White” arc, giving the series a sort of 16th season. Ash competes in the Vertress Conference. During their adventures, Ash and his friends meet the mysterious N, who can understand the language of Pokémon, as well as the journalist Alexa. Towards the end of the arc, Iris and Cilan decide to travel to Johto, with Ash leaving for the Kalos region.
Season 17: XY
Pokémon the Series: XY is the follow-up to the Black & White saga and serves as the series’ 17th season. Ash’s adventures take place in the Kalos region. A few new human characters are introduced in this series, such as the inventor Clemont, his younger sister Bonnie, and Serena, Ash’s childhood friend. It comes to light that Clemont is a former gym leader who had been ejected by a robot, his own creation. This season introduces a variety of new elements, such as the Fairy type, the all-girls Pokémon Showcase competition, and Pokémon Performers. Notably, this is the first season to be stylized as “Pokémon the Series.“
Season 18: XY: Kalos Quest
Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest functions as the 18th season of the series, though the “Kalos Quest” subtitle was actually added retroactively. Still set within the Kantos region, while Ash continues his battles, Serena enters her first Pokémon Showcase and makes new rivals, including Jessie. Ash also enters the Pokémon Sky Relay, which focuses on the flying-type Pokémon. Towards the end of this arc, Ash and Serena are given new Pokédexes.
Season 19: XYZ
Pokémon the Series: XYZ serves the 19th season of the series, as Ash and his friends’ adventures in the Kalos region come to its conclusion. Ash and his companions come across a Zygarde Core, which gets nicknamed Squishy. However, they soon find themselves caught up in the plans of a new villainous pair, Team Flare, who want the Legendary Pokémon for their own gain. Soon, they manage to capture another Zygarde known as Z2, who may prove to have a special connection with Squishy. Meanwhile, the characters also compete in the Lumiose Conference. Ultimately, the group goes their separate ways, with Serena going to Hoenn to take part in Pokémon Contests, Clemont and Bonnie staying in Kalos, and Ash heading to his hometown, Pallet Town, in the Kanto region.
Season 20: Sun & Moon
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon serves as the 20th season, which also marks the start of the “Sun & Moon” arc. Starting out as something of a summer break, Ash ventures to the Alola region, where he takes part in the Pokémon School. While there, Ash encounters new characters and classmates, like Lillie, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles. Ash is also granted a Z-Ring, which allows users to harness Z-Power and conduct Z-Moves, in which the wishes of both Pokémon and Trainer are fully combined. Ash also obtains a Rotom Pokédex, which is inhabited by a Rotom Pokémon, which combines the Electric and Ghost types. Meanwhile, a new villainous pair, Team Skull, become rivals for Team Rocket. As the story goes on, Ash and his classmates venture to Pallet Town, where he reunites with Brock and Misty.
Season 21: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon—Ultra Adventures functions as the 21st season of the series. Ash continues his adventures in the Alola region at the Pokémon School. While there, he is introduced to the Aether Foundation, who seeks to aid injured Pokémon, and Ultra Beasts, who are extra-dimensional Pokémon. Meanwhile, he sees two Legendary Pokémon, Solgaleo and Lunala, in a dream. Along the way, Lillie overcomes her fear of touching Pokémon. Soon, Ash and his new friends are invited to become “Ultra Guardians” and go on missions as the Aether Foundation’s task-force. Once again, this series had a clip show episode that was skipped in the English dub.
Season 22: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends, the effective 22nd season of the series, concludes the “Sun & Moon” arc. Ash and his new friends continue their Ultra Guardian missions and obtain Z-Crystals. While in the Alola region, Ash briefly reunites with Misty and Brock. After various misadventures, Ash decides to return to Pallet Town, with the plan of once again traveling the world.
Season 23: Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Journeys: The Series functions as the 23rd season of the series. Ash, and his new traveling companion Goh, travel throughout the world, returning to some familiar places along the way. However, they are encounter a new region, Galar, where it is said that Pokémon in the region grow to gigantic size. Meanwhile, Goh aspires to catch every Pokémon there is, including Mew. As the series goes on, Ash may also once again encounter Mewtwo.
Season 24: Master Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series serves as the 24th season of the series and continues the trend of Ash and Goh traveling around the world. The two soon become involved with Project Mew, which recruits Trainers from around the world to help search for Mew. Meanwhile, Ash briefly reunites with Iris and later meets up again with Dawn. However, there are new characters around, including an Alternate World Team Rocket.
Season 25: Ultimate Journeys: The Series
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series concludes the “Journeys” arc, giving the series a 25th season of sorts. Ash, Goh, and their friends must train for the Pokémon World Coronation Series. Once again, a few familiar faces make appearances, including Iris, Lillie, Misty, and Brock. In a twist, Ash ends the Pokémon World Coronation Series Masters Eight Tournament as the new World Champion. Despite this, as Ash and Goh prepare to go their separate ways, Ash continues his quest to become a Pokémon Master. This moves the series onto Pokémon Horizons: The Series, the first series, aside from spin-offs, not to feature Ash and Pikachu as the protagonists.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
