How to Watch the Pokemon Series in Order (2026 Updated)

With over 1,200 episodes, two dozen movies, and a pile of spin-offs, watching the Pokémon series in order can feel like a Gym battle you didn't train for. We've followed every region from Kanto to Paldea, so we built a simple, no-guesswork roadmap for every Pokémon Trainer. Here's exactly where to start, what comes next, and where to stream the whole Pokémon anime.

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Key Takeaways

• Chronological and release order are almost identical for the Pokémon anime — watch it in the order it aired and you're watching it in order. The only wrinkle is where the movies fall.

• Start with Indigo League. It's the very beginning of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu's journey and the natural entry point for anyone new.

• The Ash era ended in 2023. After a 25-season run, the story passed to a fresh cast — Liko and Roy — in Pokémon Horizons.

• No single service has everything. The catalog is split across Netflix, Prime Video, and the free Pokémon TV channel on YouTube, so you'll likely mix a couple of sources.

Perfect Guide To Watch Pokémon In Chronological Order

Here's the good news before we start: for the Pokémon anime, chronological order and release order are nearly the same thing. The main anime series — officially branded Pokémon the Series — follows Ash Ketchum's journey region by region in the order the episodes aired on TV Tokyo, so you can simply work down the list below. The only real sticking point is the movies — most are self-contained side stories that don't lock into an exact spot in the timeline, so we've listed them separately further down.

1. Indigo League (1997 – 1999)

The Pokémon anime first premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 1, 1997, and Indigo League (82 episodes) is where the story begins — so while Pokémon Origins might look like the starting point, this is the first to watch.

This is the most memorable series for us because it's where Ash Ketchum leaves Pallet Town, meets Pikachu — his first Pokémon and lifelong partner Pokémon — and sets off across the Kanto region collecting Gym Badges. Along the way he teams up with Misty and former Pewter City Gym Leader Brock, then clashes with Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth as he works toward the Pokémon League. If Kanto is where your fandom lives too, a Squirtle Pokédex ceramic mug or a Great Ball molded mug makes a fitting rewatch companion.

2. Adventures in the Orange Islands (1999)

Released after the Pokémon movie Mewtwo Strikes Back, the Orange Islands (36 episodes) is the second season aired in 1999.

In Adventures in the Orange Islands, I watched Ash collect the Gym Badges of Orange Islands to join the competition. 

3. The Johto Journeys (1999-2000)

In The Johto Journeys (41 episodes), Ash and Misty rejoin Brock for the next Pokémon journey. The Johto Journeys is set in the finest region in Pokémon, which is also known in Japan as the Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver.

4. Johto League Champions (2000-2001)

The Johto League Champions (52 episodes), which aired in 2000, follows the adventures of Ash, Misty, and Brock from Johto to Cianwood City.

This season, I'm thrilled that Ash collected Gym Badges and joined the Pokémon Sumo Conference in Johto League Champions. Have you ever wondered who the best Pokemon player of all time is?

5. Master Quest (2001-2002)

The Master Quest (65 episodes) was released the same year as the Pokémon Movie Celebi - Voice of the Forest.

After Ash competed with the Gym Leader, I admired his dedication to winning the hard battles in the Master Quest Silver Conference, including Gary Oak, one of his oldest rivals.

6. Advanced (2002)

Advanced (40 episodes) kicks off the Advanced Generation era, airing around the time the Pokémon Jirachi: Wish Maker movie was released.

Ash heads to the Hoenn region with Brock and new characters like May, a novice Pokémon trainer who dreams of winning Pokémon Contests, and her younger brother Max. Hoenn is also where the fan-favorite starters land — a Mega Construx Torchic vs Treecko battle pack or a Mudkip vs Poochyena battle pack recreates those early Hoenn scraps on your shelf.

7. Advanced Challenge (2002-2004)

Advanced Challenge Season (52 episodes) features the battles of Ash, May, and their friends in the Hoenn region.

After the Advanced Challenge, new battles with Team Aqua and Team Magma will start. But how many Pokémon types are there in total?

8. Advanced Battle (2004-2005)

Advanced Battle was released after the Pokémon Movie Destiny Deoxys. The Advanced Battle season (54 episodes) features Ash earning two badges, securing his spot in the Hoenn League Championships, and May trying to win the final ribbon. 

9. Battle Frontier (2005-2006)

After returning to Kanto, Ash competed at the Battle Frontier (47 episodes).

While Ash and Brock are set to compete in their homeland, Kanto, they stumble upon a few surprises, like the Pokémon Ranger in the Battle Frontier.

10. Diamond & Pearl (2006)

Gary Oak, Ash, and Pikachu join the Sinnoh League in the Diamond and Pearl Season (52 episodes).

Diamond and Pearl aired in 2006, along with the Pokémon movie Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.

11. Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension (2007)

Although Ash and Dawn fight on different paths, they'll enter the Wallace Cup Competition and Professor Rowan's Pokémon Summer Academy in the Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension Season (52 episodes) together. The Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension season features Pokémon Hunter J's plot and Team Galactic's looming threat. 

12. Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles (2009-2010)

Diamond and Pearl Galactic Battles (53 episodes) feature Ash and Dawn catching up with Team Galactic's scheme in the Sinnoh region.

Ash battles with his rival Paul, beating a 6-on-6 in Diamond and Pearl Galactic Battles. Check out these Pokémon cake ideas for your next party!

13. Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors (2010)

In Diamond and Pearl Sinnoh League Victors, Ash tries to compete again after his defeat.

However, in the Pearl Sinnoh League Victors (34 episodes), Ash will deal with Team Rocket while he, Dawn, and Brock battle in the Sinnoh region.

14. Black & White (2010)

This season has 50 episodes released in the same year as Pokémon, the movie Zoroark Master of Illusions.

Ash and his mother went with Professor Oak to the Unova region to uncover new Pokémon and compete with the Unova gym Leaders.

15. Black & White: Rival Destinies (2011-2012)

Rival Destinies (49 episodes) features Ash's ultimate battle with Unova's Champion Master, Alder.

Ash and his friends will save the island against three mighty Legendary Pokémon in Rival Destinies.

16. Black & White: Adventures in Unova / Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond (2012)

After the Kyurem vs. Swords of Justice, Season 16: Black & White Adventures in Unova (45 episodes) aired on television.

In Black & White Adventures in Unova, Ash faces the ultimate battle at the Unova League, and his friend, Iris, tries to control a Dragonite.

17. XY (2013)

The XY season (48 episodes) follows the Gym battles of Ash and Pikachu across the Kalos region, where they take on a fresh lineup of Gym Leaders with new friends Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie. Kalos is also the home of Mega Evolution — pair your rewatch with a Mega Charizard Y travel cup or a Charizard lenticular carnival cup if that firepower is your favorite.

18. XY: Kalos Quest

To compete in the Kalos League, Ash continues to collect eight Gym Badges in the XY Kalos Quest: Season 18 (45 episodes).

Ash travels with his companions, meets new friends, and captures new Pokémon. 

Also Read: Pokémon vs Digimon: Which is Better?

19. XYZ (2013)

The XYZ season (47 episodes) aired when the Pokémon movie Hoopa and the Clash of Ages Pokémon was released.

Ash, Pikachu, and his friends will encounter Team Flare and Alain, a Mega Evolution Trainer.

20. Sun & Moon (2016)

Aside from Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel: Pokémon the Movie, the Sun and Moon series (43 episodes) is an exciting chapter in Ash's quest.

I enjoyed the series because it's all about Ash's journey across the island of the Aloha region. It aired in 2016 and featured new characters like Mallow, Sophocles, Lana, and Kiawe.

Read: Our Favorite Pokémon Gifts

21. Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures (2017-2018)

Sun & Moon Ultra Adventures (49 episodes) features Ash making a promise in a dream with Legendary Pokémon Lunala and Solgaleo.

He will also explore with Pikachu and Pokémon school students from the Aether Foundation in Sun and Moon Ultra Adventures.

Looking for some Pokémon party ideas? We've got you covered. 

22. Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends (2019-2020)

The Sun & Moon Ultra Legends Pokémon season (54 episodes) features Ash completing three impressive trials in the Alola region and continuing the search for Z-Crystals.

In this season, the students of Pokémon School also become Ultra Guardians.

23. Journeys (2020-2021)

Pokémon Journeys (48 episodes) sends Ash and his partner Pokémon Pikachu across the entire Pokémon world with the Cerise Laboratory to unlock Pokémon history across different regions.

They meet Professor Cerise and Goh and are tasked with becoming official researchers, making new Pokémon friends everywhere they go. This is also the era that brought in the Galar starters — collectors chasing that set can hunt down the Grookey Futsal promo card, the Sobble Futsal promo card, and the Eevee Futsal promo card.

Read: Our Recommended Pokémon Gifts For Boys

24. Master Journeys (2021)

Pokémon Master Journeys (36 episodes) is the show's current season. In it, Ash and Goh explore a bigger world, finding Pokémon and traveling to different regions to research for the Cerise Laboratory. So, how many Pokémon are there, really?

25. Ultimate Journeys (2021-2023)

Ultimate Journeys consists of 51 episodes, and we are currently watching the series on Netflix. 

Our eyes are locked as the Pokémon World Coronation Series Tournament intensifies, along with the intensive training of Pikachu, Ash, and his Pokémon friends. 

Meanwhile, in Ultimate Journeys, Goh began the series of challenging missions to become part of Project Mew. nd Reshiram (2011)

Movie Marathon Order

Where To Watch Pokémon

To watch Pokémon, we have been using different stream platforms because some episodes are unavailable on others. Here are some of our popular choices:

Netflix
Currently offers select seasons including parts of Indigo League, Journeys, Master Journeys, and Ultimate Journeys. Netflix also has exclusive rights to some Pokémon movies.

Pokémon TV (Official App)
The official Pokémon TV app is free and regularly rotates different seasons. While it doesn't have all the content available at once, it's a legitimate source directly from The Pokémon Company.

Amazon Prime Video
Offers various Pokémon seasons for purchase or rental, with some included in Prime membership depending on your region.

Hulu
Has a good selection of earlier Pokémon seasons and some movies available for subscribers.

Disney+
In some regions, Disney+ has begun adding Pokémon content, including newer seasons like Pokémon Horizons.

The Roku Channel
Offers several Pokémon seasons for free with ads in certain regions.

YouTube
The official Pokémon YouTube channel occasionally streams full episodes and offers clips and specials.

Please note that the availability of Pokémon series may vary by country, and new streaming platforms may emerge over time.

It's recommended to check the platforms and their libraries in your region for the most up-to-date information on Pokémon series availability.

How Long to Watch All Pokémon Episodes

To watch all Pokémon episodes, considering each season contains approximately 40 to 60 episodes, averaging around 50 episodes per season, and with each episode lasting about 21 minutes, you'll spend approximately 24,150 minutes watching the entire series.

Dividing this by 24 hours, you'll spend roughly 1,006 hours watching the entire anime. This translates to approximately 42 days of continuous viewing.

FAQs

Can you start watching Pokemon in any season?

Yes, you can. Each Pokémon season is tied to a region and mostly stands on its own, so you can jump in almost anywhere. That said, if you want the full arc of Ash's growth into a Pokémon Master and his shot at the Pokémon League, it's best to start with Indigo League and work forward.

How many Pokémon series are there in order?

In Japan, the anime is organized into eight sequential series of Pokémon the Series, each matching a main installment of the video games. In international broadcasts, those series are split into 28 seasons — the 25 Ash-era seasons plus the three Pokémon Horizons seasons.

What should you watch first, the Pokemon TV series or the movies?

It's ideal to watch the series in chronological order first, then enjoy the movies as bonus adventures. Most films are self-contained, so they're a fun supplement rather than required viewing. And speaking of events, do you know when we celebrate Pokemon Day?

Are Pokemon movies connected to the anime?

Most of the movies feature the same characters and share the anime's spirit, but they generally tell standalone stories rather than advancing the main plot. The exception is the I Choose You! trilogy, which is a separate alternate timeline entirely.

Do I need to watch the filler episodes?

Not necessarily. Like any show with 1,000-plus episodes, Pokémon has plenty of filler — episodes that are fun but don't move the main story or a character's development forward. Fans maintain detailed filler guides that tag which episodes are essential and which are skippable, so if you're short on time, those lists are a handy way to trim your marathon down.

Which Pokémon series is best for young children?

The Sun & Moon series is often recommended for younger viewers, thanks to its lighter tone, colorful style, and school setting built around friendship and learning. Pokémon Horizons is also a great pick, with an accessible storyline and appealing new characters.

So, How Should You Watch the Pokémon TV Series?

That's it, trainers — you're now equipped to watch the Pokémon series in order like a future Pokémon Master. Start in Pallet Town and Kanto with Indigo League, follow Ash Ketchum region by region through Ultimate Journeys, then step into the new era with Liko and Roy in Pokémon Horizons. It's one long, rewarding Pokémon journey.

While you binge, it's fun to bring a little of the world into your space. A Pikachu with sun hat plush or Eevee Petite Pals shoulder plush keeps you company on the couch, while a Pikachu travel mug, a Pikachu Poké Ball spinner mug, or a Squirtle glitter confetti mug keeps your drink close. If you like a little flair, the LED and confetti carnival cups come in plenty of styles — from a Charmander LED carnival cup and a Squirtle carnival cup to an Eevee carnival cup with floating confetti Poké Balls, a Pokémon group carnival cup, a Pokémon character carnival cup, a Pokémon character mug, and the Great Ball molded mug with lid.

Rewatching with kids? A Pokémon coloring and stationery set, a Pokémon eraser 7-pack, a Pokémon jumbo eraser blind pack, and a Throw 'n' Pop Poké Ball Ditto set turn episode breaks into playtime. And for the card players, a Poké Ball silicone coin pouch and a set of Mega Charizard X deck protector sleeves keep your gear match-ready.

Rounding up a few things at once? You can buy more and save — the more you add, the more comes off your order. And if you're on the lookout for Pokemon gifts, make sure to check out our website.