Pokémon
"Gotta catch 'em all!"
A TV Tokyo Original
Ash is a young trainer who sets out with his unlikely partner Pikachu to travel region to region catching creatures called Pokemon, learning from battles, and making friends along the way. Each episode mixes tournament-style encounters with lighter, character-driven moments as Ash tests his... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 03, 2026
About Pokémon
Ash is a young trainer who sets out with his unlikely partner Pikachu to travel region to region catching creatures called Pokemon, learning from battles, and making friends along the way. Each episode mixes tournament-style encounters with lighter, character-driven moments as Ash tests his skills, bonds with companions, and chases the goal of becoming a Pokemon Master. The show balances standalone adventures with longer arcs that introduce new regions, species, and rivals, keeping the tone upbeat and focused on growth rather than dark twists or sudden endings.
First broadcast in 1997, the series was created by Satoshi Tajiri and adapted from the Game Freak Nintendo games. The original Japanese cast includes Rica Matsumoto as Satoshi and Ikue Otani as Pikachu, with later additions like Daiki Yamashita, and a veteran narrator voiced by Kenyu Horiuchi.
The franchise's cultural reach is enormous, with Pikachu becoming an instantly recognizable mascot worldwide and the tagline "Gotta catch 'em all" entering public awareness. The TV show helped launch a massive trading card game, toys, movies, and conventions, and it influenced how creature-collecting stories are told across media.
Critics and fans generally respond positively to the series' energy, character chemistry, and multi-generational appeal, reflected in a user vote average of 7.961/10 from 2100 votes. Main themes include friendship, sportsmanship, learning from defeat, and ethical questions about caring for creatures while competing. Its episodic format makes it approachable for new viewers while long-term fans follow deeper arcs and evolving rivalries.
While the TV series itself wasn't primarily celebrated at major international award ceremonies, the broader Pokemon franchise and several of its film and game entries have earned recognition at industry events and fan-driven awards. The show's long run and continuing popularity stand as a different kind of accolade, showing sustained influence rather than a short awards season burst.
Details
- Release Date
- April 01, 1997
- Rating
- TV-Y7
- User Ratings
- 2,113 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 25
- Episodes
- 1235
- Network
- TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TVQ, TV Osaka, TVh, TSC
- Status
- Ended
- Genres
- Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Country
- Japan
- Studio
- Shogakukan Production +4 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
Ikue Otani
Pikachu (voice)
Daiki Yamashita
Gou (voice)
Kenyu Horiuchi
Narrator (voice)
Created by: Satoshi Tajiri
Seasons (25 seasons, 1235 episodes)
Indigo League
82 episodes - 1997
Adventures in the Orange Islands
36 episodes - 1999
The Johto Journeys
41 episodes - 1999
Johto League Champions
52 episodes - 2000
Master Quest
65 episodes - 2001
Advanced
40 episodes - 2002
Advanced Challenge
52 episodes - 2003
Advanced Battle
53 episodes - 2004
Battle Frontier
46 episodes - 2005
Diamond and Pearl
52 episodes - 2006
Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension
52 episodes - 2007
Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles
53 episodes - 2008
Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors
34 episodes - 2010
Black & White
48 episodes - 2010
Black & White: Rival Destinies
49 episodes - 2011
Black & White: Adventures in Unova
45 episodes - 2012
XY
48 episodes - 2013
XY: Kalos Quest
45 episodes - 2014
XYZ
49 episodes - 2015
Sun & Moon
43 episodes - 2016
Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures
49 episodes - 2017
Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends
54 episodes - 2018
Journeys
48 episodes - 2019
Master Journeys
42 episodes - 2020
Ultimate Journeys
57 episodes - 2021
