Pokémon (1997)
The iconic anime that launched a global phenomenon, following Ash and Pikachu across 25 seasons of adventure, friendship, and Pokémon battles.
Pokémon - Series Information
- Original Title: ポケットモンスター
- First Air Year: 1997
- Last Air Year: 2023
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-Y7
- Number of Seasons: 25
- Number of Episodes: 1,235
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 1, 1997 (United States - TV-Y), April 1, 1997 (Canada - G), April 1, 1997 (United Kingdom - U), April 1, 1997 (Germany - 12), April 1, 1997 (France - 12), April 1, 1997 (India - U), April 1, 1997 (New Zealand - PG), April 1, 1997 (Australia - G), April 1, 1997 (Brazil - L), April 1, 1997 (Mexico - AA), April 1, 1997 (Italy - T), April 1, 1997 (Spain - 7), April 1, 1997 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TVQ, TV Osaka, TVh, TSC
- Production Companies: Shogakukan Production, TV Tokyo, OLM, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, SOFTX, TV Tokyo Medianet
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: 精灵宝可梦 旅途 (CN), Série Jornadas de Mestre Pokémon (BR)
Pokémon - Plot
Join Ash accompanied by his partner Pikachu, as he travels through many regions, meets new friends and faces new challenges on his quest to become a Pokémon Master.
Pokémon - Trailer
Watch the official Pokémon trailer and see the adventure unfold:
Gotta catch 'em all!
Where to Watch Pokémon
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Pokémon - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Ikue Otani
- Rica Matsumoto
- Shin-ichiro Miki
- Megumi Hayashibara
- Inuko Inuyama
- Unsho Ishizuka
- Yuji Ueda
- Mayumi Izuka
- Yuko Kobayashi
- Kenyu Horiuchi
Writers
- Takeshi Shudo
- Aya Matsui
- Junki Takegami
- Atsuhiro Tomioka
- Hideki Sonoda
Pokémon - FAQs
Where can you stream Pokémon online?
Pokémon is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu with a subscription. It can also be purchased or rented on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV.
Did Ash ever become a Pokémon Master?
Yes. After 25 seasons of competing across multiple regions, Ash Ketchum finally achieved his lifelong dream by winning the World Coronation Series in the Journeys arc, officially being crowned the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer before his story concluded in 2023.
Is Pokémon based on a video game?
Yes. Pokémon is directly adapted from the Pokémon video game series developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. The anime launched in 1997 to coincide with the original Pokémon Red and Green games, expanding the franchise into a global multimedia phenomenon.
How many seasons and episodes does Pokémon have?
The original Pokémon anime series ran for 25 seasons and a total of 1,235 episodes, spanning from 1997 to 2023. The seasons follow Ash through multiple regions, from the Indigo League all the way through the Ultimate Journeys arc.
Who voices Pikachu and Ash in Pokémon?
In the original Japanese version, Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Otani and Ash (known as Satoshi in Japan) is voiced by Rica Matsumoto. Both voice actors reprised their roles consistently throughout the entire run of the series from 1997 to 2023.
What is the content rating for Pokémon?
Pokémon carries a TV-Y7 rating in the United States, indicating it is suitable for children aged seven and older. The series contains mild fantasy action and animated battles but is generally considered appropriate family-friendly entertainment for a wide range of ages.
When did the Pokémon anime series first air?
The Pokémon anime first aired on April 1, 1997, in Japan on TV Tokyo. The series quickly expanded internationally, becoming one of the most widely broadcast animated programs in history and a cornerstone of global pop culture throughout the late 1990s and beyond.
Is the Pokémon anime series cancelled or ended?
The original Pokémon anime series concluded in 2023 after 25 seasons, marking the end of Ash Ketchum's journey. The series was not cancelled but reached a planned conclusion. A successor series, Pokémon Horizons, launched in 2023 continuing the franchise with new protagonists.
More About Pokémon
Explore further details about Pokémon on these authoritative external resources: