‘Pokémon’ Watch Order: All 27 Seasons & 23 Movies in Order (Including ‘Pokémon: Concierge’)

With all those Pokémon series and movies, it is hard to know where to start. In this article, we will give you the chronological (and release simultaneously) watch order for the whole Pokémon franchise, including the anime series, anime movies, and all the animated specials. We will also explain how some specials and other materials fit into the chronology!

Editors Note: This post is regularly updated to reflect the true state of the Pokémon franchise. Last updated on February 4, 2024.

All 27 seasons of Pokémon in order

Since the Pokémon animated franchise is very complex and large, it is best to give you a brief overview before we actually get to the complete (detailed) guide. The franchise consists of the main anime series (which is currently in its 27th season), a total of 23 related anime movies, and several spin-off animated series that explore stories not directly related to the main narrative continuity. Here is the summarized Pokémon watch order that contains all seasons and movies:

1. Indigo League (episodes 1-82)
2. Adventures in the Orange Islands (episodes 83-118)
3. The Johto Journeys (episodes 119-159)
4. Johto League Champions (episodes 160-211)
5. Master Quest (episodes 212-276)
6. Advanced (episodes 277-316)
7. Advanced Challenge (episodes 317-368)
8. Advanced Battle (episodes 369-421)
9. Battle Frontier (episodes 422-468)
10. Diamond and Pearl (episodes 469-520)
11. Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (episodes 521-572)
12. Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (episodes 573-625)
13. Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (episodes 626-659)
14. Black & White (episodes 660-707)
15. Black & White: Rival Destinies (episodes 708-756)
16. Black & White: Adventures in Unova (I) (episodes 757-781)
17. Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (II) (episodes 782-801)
18. XY (episodes 802-849)
19. XY: Kalos Quest (episodes 850-894)
20. XYZ (episodes 895-941)
21. Sun & Moon (episodes 942-984)
22. Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures (episodes 985-1033)
23. Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends (episodes 1034-1087)
24. Pokémon Journeys (episodes 1088-1135)
25. Pokémon Master Journeys (episodes 1136-1177)
26. Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles
27. Pokémon Ultimate Journeys (episodes 1178-1234)
28. Pokemon Horizons: The Series (episodes 1235-1279)

Now that we’ve given you a rough overview of the animated franchise, we can start our detailed Pokémon watch order guide.

All 9 Pokémon arcs in order

Arc 1: Kanto

The Kanto arc consists of two seasons and chronicles Ash’s adventures with his friends during their journeys through the Kanto region and the Orange Islands. This is the introductory season to the whole anime, and it presented the framework that the show was going to follow during each of the following seasons.

The first season, dubbed Indigo League, consists of 82 episodes, and it aired from April 1, 1997 to January 21, 1999. The second season, Adventures in the Orange Islands, aired from January 28, 1999 to October 7, 1999 and it consisted of 36 episodes in total.

Two episodes from this arc never aired outside Japan, the first one (episode 35) due to a gun being pointed at Ash and the second (episode 38) because it caused epileptic seizures in Japanese children when it was originally broadcast. Episode 18 was also initially not broadcast in the United States but was later included as a “lost episode.”

Arc 2: Johto

The Johto arc saw Ash Ketchum and his friends leave Kanto after Ash’s defeat in the Pokémon League. Ash wanted to become even stronger, so he set out for another region, where he would meet and catch new Pokémon, as well as battle new trainers and become a better trainer himself. The Johto arc encompasses a total of three seasons.

The first, The Johto Journeys, aired from October 14, 1999, to July 27, 2000, with a total of 41 episodes; Johto League Champions, the second season, aired from August 3, 2000, to August 2, 2001, and had a total of 52 episodes; the third and final Johto season, Master Quest, had 65 episodes that aired from August 9, 2001 to November 14, 2002. The arc had a total of 158 episodes.

Only one episode from this arc was removed from international broadcasts (episode 252), most likely due to the appearance of the controversial Pokémon Jynx. Every other episode was broadcast normally.

Arc 3: Hoenn

After his experiences in Johto, Ash, and Pikachu left for Hoenn, the third region in the world of Pokémon. This time, he is accompanied by Brock, but not by Misty, who went back home after their Johto adventures; Ash and Brock are soon joined by May and her brother Max.

The Hoenn arc encompasses three Hoenn-based seasons – Advanced, which ran from November 21, 2002, to August 28, 2003, with a total of 40 episodes; Advanced Challenge, which ran from September 4, 2003, to September 2, 2004, with a total of 52 episodes; and Advanced Battle, which ran from September 9, 2004 to September 29, 2005, with a total of 54 episodes – and a Kanto-based season – Battle Frontier, which ran from October 6, 2005 to September 14, 2006, with 47 episodes – that we put in this arc because it featured the same characters from the three previous seasons, changing only the setting, but not the tone. The Hoenn arc thus contains a total of 193 episodes.

Two episodes from this arc were not shown globally, with the first not being shown anywhere, not even in Japan (intended to be episode 377), because it coincided with an earthquake that happened around the time. In contrast, the second (episode 396) was not being aired outside Japan.

Arc 4: Sinnoh

After the Hoenn arc, Ash, Brock, and Pikachu headed for the Sinnoh region, where they were joined by Dawn, a young Pokémon Coordinator, who joined them on their journeys.

Diamond and Pearl (which is another name for the Sinnoh arc) consist of a total of four seasons: Diamond and Pearl, which aired its 52 episodes from September 28, 2006 to October 25, 2007; Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension, which aired its 52 episodes from November 8, 2007, to December 4, 2008; Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles, which aired its 53 episodes from December 4, 2008, to December 24, 2009; and, finally, Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors, which aired its 34 episodes from January 7, 2010 to September 9, 2010. The arc has a total of 191 episodes.

A total of two episodes were not aired globally. Episodes 516 and 588 were not aired outside Japan because they were retrospective (flashback) episodes that summarised the events up to that point; such episodes were generally not aired outside Japan.

Arc 5: Unova

The Unova arc featured several changes from the earlier arcs, as Ash and Pikachu left Sinnoh for the new region. Brock and Dawn left the group, but Ash was soon joined by Iris and Cilan, who accompanied him on his journeys.

The whole arc was divided into three larger seasons – Black & White, which aired from September 23, 2010, to September 15, 2011, with a total of 50 episodes; Black & White: Rival Destinies, which aired from September 22, 2011, to October 4, 2012, with a total of 49 episodes; while the third large season was divided into two smaller segments, Black & White: Adventures in Unova, whose 25 episodes aired from October 11, 2012 to April 18, 2013, and Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond, whose 20 episodes aired from April 25, 2013 to September 26, 2013. A total of 144 episodes were aired as part of the Unova arc.

This season had several unaired episodes, either globally or just outside Japan, and some special episodes aired exclusively in Japan.

Arc 6: Kalos

After completing his journey in Unova, Ash and Pikachu set way for the Kalos region, where they, once more, meet new friends who accompany them on their journeys; they are siblings Clermont and Bonnie, as well as Ash’s childhood friend, Serena. This arc introduced Mega Evolutions to the anime series.

The Kalos arc consists of three seasons: XY, which aired from October 17, 2013, to October 30, 2014, with a total of 48 episodes; XY: Kalos Quest, which aired from November 13, 2014, to October 22, 2015, with a total of 45 episodes; and XYZ, which aired from October 29, 2015 to October 27, 2016 with a total of 47 episodes. This arc has a total of 140 episodes.

All of the episodes from this arc have been aired globally, but the arc contains a total of seven special episodes, only one of which was not broadcast outside of Japan.

Arc 7: Alola

The Alola arc was based on the Sun and Moon video games and followed Ash’s and Pikachu’s adventures on the Alolan Islands. He was once more stripped of his old companions and went through an educational journey on these islands. This is also the first arc of the anime that used a noticeably different character animation style, which was not received well by all of the fans.

As was the case with other arcs, this one is also divided into three seasons: Sun & Moon, which had 43 episodes and aired from November 17, 2016, to September 21, 2017; Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures, which had 49 episodes and aired from October 5, 2017 to October 14, 2018; and, Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends, whose 54 episodes aired from October 21, 2018 to November 3, 2019. The total episode count for this arc is 146.

This arc had only one episode that did not air outside of Japan, episode 1005, because Ash wore dark face paint that resembled a blackface mask, although he was just acting as a Passimian.

Arc 8: Galar

When Sun & Moon finished, the production team behind the anime series wanted to do something new; the result was Pokémon Journeys, this anime season and the one that introduced the Galar region to the animated continuity. Ash and Pikachu are accompanied by a boy named Goh, as the three of them travel across all the regions of the world of Pokémon, introducing Galar in the process.

This arc consisted of Pokemon Journey: The Seris, which aired from June 12, 2020, until March 5, 2021, and consisted of 48 episodes in total. Master Journeys followed it, airing from September 10, 2021, until May 26, 2022 with 42 episodes. Then Ash’s story was concluded with Pokemon Ultimate Journeys airing from October 21, 2022, until September 8, 2023. with 57 episodes

Arc 9: Paldea

This arc started on April 14, 2023, and is currently still ongoing. In contrast with the previous arcs and anime seasons, the story is now focusing on Liko and Roy, two new protagonists.

All 23 Pokémon movies in order

Along with the already listed anime series and the spin-off series, which will be presented in the next section of this article, the Pokémon franchise also has a series of 23 anime movies that are part of the same continuity. However, they are not always directly related to the anime series’ plot.

This section will guide you on how to watch these animated movies (Detective Pikachu, as it is not part of the same continuity, is not going to be included) in chronological order and in relation to the aforementioned arcs. If you want a list of the movies based on their official release dates, you can check the table at the beginning of our article.

Arc 1: Kanto movies

Officially, just three movies fit into the Kanto arc, but since the third movie is just a 3D animation remake of the first one, it’s technically just one movie and its remake. This was the first-ever Pokémon movie, and interestingly enough, events from the movie were referenced in the anime, albeit implicitly. The second movie was set during Ash’s and Pikachu’s adventures in the Orange Islands. These are the movies in question:

1. Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back (Set somewhere between episodes 64 and 74 of the original Indigo League season)
2. Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
3. Pokémon The Movie 2000: The Power of One (Set somewhere between episodes 86 and 115)

Arc 2: Johto movies

The Johto arc contains three feature-length movies and a special television movie aired during the second Johto season. Two feature-length movies tie directly into the Johto arc, while the third foreshadows Generation III Pokémon. The special television movie is a sequel to the first Pokémon movie. The movies are:

1. Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown: Entei (Set somewhere between episodes 156 and 165)
2. Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (This special television movie was released between episodes 180 and 181)
3. Pokémon 4Ever – Celebi: Voice of the Forest (Set somewhere between episodes 201 and 209 of The Johto Challenges Season)

Arc 3: Hoenn movies

The Hoenn arc movies began in 2003, although the Pokémon from this Generation have already been announced in an earlier movie. The Hoenn arc encompasses a total of four feature-length animated movies, as well as a special television movie that continues the so-called “Mewtwo Saga.” Here are the movies:

1. Pokémon Heroes (Takes place after episode 256 but before episode 280)
2. Pokémon: Jirachi—Wish Maker (Set somewhere between episodes 280 and 323.)
3. Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys (Set somewhere between episodes 334 and 342 of the Advanced Challenge season.)
4. Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (Set somewhere between episodes 358 and 384, meaning that it could be part of either Advanced Challenge or Advanced Battle.)
5. Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon (Set somewhere after episode 426 of the Battle Frontier season, although the chronology is not completely clear.)
6. Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (Set somewhere after episode 424 of the Battle Frontier season, but the chronology is likewise complicated.)

Arc 4: Sinnoh movies

The Sinnoh arc has a total of four feature-length movies, three of which are focused on Generation IV Pokémon, while one movie foreshadows some Generation V Pokémon, which is a rule with each arc’s final movie. These are the movies:

1. Pokémon the Movie: The Rise of Darkrai ( Set somewhere between episodes 506 and 523, meaning that it could be part of either the Diamond and Pearl or Battle Dimension seasons.)
2. Pokémon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior (Set somewhere between episodes 553 to 568 of Battle Dimension.)
3. Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (Set somewhere between episodes 600 and 631, meaning that it was set either during Galactic Battles or Sinnoh League Victors.)
4. Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions (Set somewhere between episode 639 and the end of the whole Sinnoh arc.)

Arc 5: Unova movies

With Zoroark, the Sinnoh arc was officially finished as far as the movies are concerned. The Unova arc contained a total of four movies, with the first two actually being two feature-length parts of one larger story; these two films follow a similar plot with some major and minor changes, notably the Pokémon that appear and where they appear. The two remaining movies are standalone stories set within the Unova arc. Here are the movies in question:

1. Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram (Set somewhere between episodes 683 and 736, meaning that it is part of either Black & White or Rival Destinies.)
2. Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom (Set somewhere between episodes 683 and 736, meaning that it is part of either Black & White or Rival Destinies.)
3. Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (Set somewhere between episodes 736 of Rival Destinies and episode 775 of Adventures in Unova, but the chronology is not completely clear.)
4. Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (Set somewhere between episode 775 and the end of the whole Unova arc.)

Arc 6: Kalos movies

The Kalos arc contains a total of three feature-length movies set during the XY series. This is a decrease from the two previous arcs, but as it turned out – the Kalos movies were the last until 2021 (at least) and were part of the main narrative continuity. The two Generation VII movies and the first Generation VIII movie were part of a separate, alternative narrative continuity that had nothing to do with the anime series. These are the movies in question:

1. Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction (Set somewhere between episodes 838 and 853, meaning that it is probably part of the XY season.)
2. Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (Set somewhere between episodes 868 of Kalos Quest and 901 of XYZ.)
3. Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel (Set somewhere between episodes 911 and 927 of the XYZ season.)

Arc 7: Alola movies

Despite Generation VII having two movies – I Choose You! and The Power of Us – they are not part of the Alola arc as presented in the anime series. These two movies actually launched an alternative reality of movies that still follow Ash and Pikachu, but their stories are completely different. In that way, the Alola arc was left without official movies, thus becoming the first major narrative arc in the whole franchise to suffer such a fate.

Arc 8: Galar movies

As with the Alola arc, Galar still doesn’t have its own movies that are set within the narrative continuity of Pokémon Journeys. Certainly, there is a Generation VIII movie, but that movie is – just like the Generation VII movies – part of an alternative timeline established by the Generation VII movies; it is not part of the main narrative of the anime series. Alola was left without a movie altogether, but whether that is going to happen with the recently started Galar arc, we have yet to see for ourselves.

Alternative continuity movies

As we have already explained, Pokémon movies have started to diverge from the main narrative continuity starting with Generation VII. Beginning with I Choose You!, the movies follow the same protagonists – Ash and his Pikachu – but in an alternative timeline, where the events of their adventures happened a bit differently than in the anime.

The movies started off from the beginning, just like the anime. Still, they weren’t so attentive in showing all of the events, which is expected from a movie series (an anime series has much more space to chronicle every part of the adventure, while films can only tell certain stories). Both Generation VII movies are part of this alternative timeline, as well as the first Generation VIII movie, and here they are:

1. Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
2. Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
3. Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

Pokémon Spinoff series in order

1. Pokémon Chronicles

Pokémon Chronicles was a spin-off anime series that aired from December 3, 2002 to September 28, 2004. The series was set within the main anime continuity but followed characters other than Ash Ketchum, who appears rarely in this show. The focus was to provide an insight into the world of Pokémon, but from a different perspective, showing adventures that well-known but recurring characters had. The show had a total of 22 episodes.

2. Pokémon Origins

Pokémon Origins, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters: The Origin (Japanese: ポケットモンスター THE ORIGIN, Poketto Monsutā Ji Orijin), is a Pokémon spin-off series that aired on October 2, 2013 in Japan. It was a four-part, 90-minute special focused primarily on the character of Red, who appeared in the original Pokémon games, Red and Blue (or Red and Green in Japan).

This series combined the animation style of the anime series with the original game mechanics and narrative, giving the original story of the Pokémon franchise. This story started all of it with a fresh look. The series follows Red on his journey through the Kanto region, where he obtains badges and yearns to become the best Pokémon trainer.

3. Pokémon Generations

Pokémon Generations was a Japanese original net animation (ONA) series that aired online from September 16, 2016 to December 23, 2016. Similarly to Pokémon Origins, Generations was inspired by the Pokémon video games, although it was presented in a much different format.

Each of the episodes followed an episode from one of the numerous Pokémon video games, thereby giving the whole franchise a fresh look and not just its first two games. The episodes started off in the Kanto region (Red and Blue), and the narrative was completed in the Kalos region (X and Y). The episodes had a duration of 3-5 minutes, and a total of 18 episodes were produced.

4. Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Pokémon: Twilight Wings is an original net animation (ONA) that aired from January 15, 2020, to November 5, 2020. The new Sword and Shield video games inspired the series and served as a form of promotion for them, as it was not tied to any of the previous animated series. Initially, the show was supposed to have only seven episodes, but another episode was aired in November to promote the DLC packs for Sword and Shield. All the episodes have a run time of around 6 minutes.

5. Pokémon Concierge

Pokemon Concierge is a stop-motion animated series created by dwarf studios in collaboration with Netflix and The Pokemon Company. Comprising four episodes, it was globally released on December 28, 2023, following its announcement on February 27, 2023, during a Pokemon Presents event. The series revolves around Haru, a concierge at the Pokemon Resort, and depicts her interactions with both Pokemon and their trainers who visit the resort as guests.

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