Pokémon (TV series) facts for kids

Pokémon
Quick facts for kids ポケットモンスター (Poketto Monsutā)
Genre	Adventure, fantasy comedy
Anime television series
Directed by	Kunihiko Yuyama (Chief Director: First Series – SM) Masamitsu Hidaka (First Series; AG #1–158) Norihiko Sudō (AG #170, DP, BW) Yūji Asada (Diamond & Pearl #171–193) Tetsuo Yajima (XY) Daiki Tomiyasu (Deputy Director: XY #94–123; Director: XY #124, #141–142; SM; Chief Director: PM2019 #1-present) Maki Kodaira (Deputy Director: SM #52–146; Director: PM2019 #1–54) Jun Owada (Director: PM2019 #55-Present)
Written by	Takeshi Shudo (Also Head Writer of First Series #1–157) Junki Takegami (Also Head Writer of First Series #158-274,AG) Atsuhiro Tomioka (Also Head Writer of DP, BW, XY) Aya Matsui (Also Head Writer of SM) Shoji Yonemura (Also Head Writer of PM2019) Shinzo Fujita Akemi Omode Yukioshi Ohashi Hideki Sonada Masashi Sogo Junichi Fujisaku
Music by	Shinji Miyazaki (First Series, AG, DP, BW, XY, SM) Yuki Hayashi (PM2019)
Studio	OLM, Inc. Team Ota (1997–2006) Team Iguchi (2006–2009) Team Kato (2010–present)
Licensed by	NA 4Kids Entertainment (1998–2006) The Pokémon Company International (2006–present)
Network	TXN (TV Tokyo)
English network	First run syndication (1998) The WB (Kids' WB) (1999–2006) YTV (1999–2014) Cartoon Network (2002–2017) Fox (4Kids) (2006–2007) Boomerang (2006–2019) Disney XD (2017–2020) Teletoon (2014-present) Netflix (2020–present)
Original run	April 1, 1997 – ongoing
Episodes	1148 (List of episodes)
Specials
8 TV specials (3 full-length, 5 normal-length) 25 side-story episodes

Pokémon (also known as Pocket Monsters in Japan) is a super popular anime TV show. It's part of the huge Pokémon world that includes video games, movies, and more! The show first started in Japan on April 1, 1997.

The Pokémon anime has seven main series in Japan. Each series is based on a different Pokémon video game. Around the world, these series are split into 24 TV seasons. The 24th season is called Master Journeys and will be on Netflix soon.

The show follows a young trainer named Ash Ketchum. He travels with his partner Pokémon, Pikachu, and other friends like Goh and Chloe. Ash's big dream is to become a "Pokémon Master." To do this, he competes in exciting Pokémon-battling events called the Pokémon League.

There are also special shows related to the Pokémon anime. These include Pokémon Chronicles, which tells side stories. There are also live-action shows that share news and fun facts about Pokémon.

The Pokémon anime helped make anime popular all over the world. It was one of the first anime shows to become a huge hit with audiences outside of Japan. It also helped the video games become super famous. Pokémon is known as the most successful TV show based on a video game ever. It has over 1000 episodes and is shown in 169 countries! In 2016, it was one of the most-watched shows on Netflix.

The newest season, Master Journeys, will be available on Netflix in the United States in summer 2021. It also airs on regular TV in some other countries.

Ash's Journey to Become a Pokémon Master

Ash Ketchum starts his journey to become a Pokémon Master. He overslept and missed getting his first Pokémon. Professor Oak only had a Pikachu left, which he gave to Ash. At first, Pikachu didn't like Ash, but after Ash protected it, they became the best of friends.

Ash travels through many regions, making friends with both people and Pokémon. He also tries to stop the bad guys from Team Rocket, like Jessie, James, and Meowth. They always try to steal Ash's Pikachu and other rare Pokémon.

Adventures in Kanto and Johto

In the Kanto Region, Ash meets Misty, a Water Pokémon trainer, and Brock, a Pokémon Breeder. Ash wins eight Gym Badges to enter the Indigo Conference League. He makes it to the Top 16 but loses to Ritchie.

Next, Ash travels to the Orange Islands. Brock stays behind, and Ash and Misty meet Tracey Sketchit. Ash becomes the champion of the Orange League. After this, Brock rejoins them, and they head to the Johto region.

In Johto, Ash, Misty, and Brock continue their adventures. Ash aims to win eight Gym Badges to compete in the Silver Conference. He beats his rival, Gary, for the first time! Ash makes it to the Top 8 but loses to Harrison. Misty then returns home to become a full-time Gym Leader.

Exploring Hoenn and Sinnoh

Brock joins Ash in the Hoenn region. They meet new friends: May, a Pokémon Coordinator, and her younger brother Max. May collects ribbons to enter Pokémon Contests. Ash wins all eight Hoenn Gym Badges and competes in the Ever Grande Conference, reaching the Top 8.

After Hoenn, Ash wins the Battle Frontier in Kanto. He decides to keep traveling instead of becoming a Frontier Brain. Ash then heads to the Sinnoh region with Brock. There, they meet Dawn, another Pokémon Coordinator. Dawn earns ribbons and becomes runner-up in the Sinnoh Grand Festival. Ash wins eight Sinnoh Gym Badges and reaches the Top 4 in the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Journeys in Unova and Kalos

Ash, his mom, and Professor Oak visit the Unova Region. Ash meets Iris, who wants to be a Dragon Master, and Cilan, a Gym Leader and Pokémon Connoisseur. After winning eight Unova Badges, Ash competes in the Vertress Conference, reaching the Top 8.

After traveling through the Decolore Islands, Ash meets Alexa, a reporter from the Kalos Region. Ash and Alexa then travel to Kalos. In Kalos, Ash meets Clemont, a smart inventor and Gym Leader, and his sister Bonnie. Ash also reunites with Serena, a girl he knew as a child. Serena competes in Pokémon Showcases. Ash wins all eight Kalos Gym Badges and makes it to the finals of the Lumiose Conference, but he loses to Alain.

Adventures in Alola and Beyond

In the Alola region, Ash, his mom, and Mr. Mime are on vacation. Ash meets Tapu Koko, a guardian Pokémon, who gives him a Z-Ring. This special device lets Pokémon use powerful moves. Ash decides to stay and go to the Pokémon school. His new classmates—Lana, Mallow, Lillie, Sophocles, and Kiawe—join him on his trials. Ash finally wins his first official league victory at the Manalo Conference!

The newest series, Pokémon Journeys: The Series, explores all eight regions, including Galar. It tells the backstories of Pikachu, Ash, and Goh. Ash and Pikachu travel to different regions with Goh and his Cinderace. Their friend Chloe Cerise and her Yamper also join them. Ash's current team includes Pikachu, Mr. Mime, Gengar, Dragonite, Lucario, Sirfetch'd, and Dracovish.

Episodes and Seasons

In Japan, Pocket Monsters airs continuously throughout the year. It's divided into seven main series, each based on a different video game. For international viewers, the Pokémon episodes are split into 24 seasons as of 2021. Each season has a set number of episodes and its own unique opening song and title.

The seventh and current series is called Pocket Monsters in Japan and Pokémon Journeys: The Series internationally. It first aired in Japan on November 17, 2019.

Special Episodes

Besides the main series and movies, there are also special full-length episodes and short TV shows. Many of these specials focus on legendary Pokémon or characters who are separate from the main group.

Pokémon Movies

There are many Pokémon movies that tell exciting stories about Ash and his friends, often featuring powerful legendary Pokémon.

Spin-off Series

Pokémon Chronicles

Pokémon Chronicles is a collection of special episodes that were first shown in English in 2005-2006. Most of these episodes came from a Japanese series called Pocket Monsters Side Stories. They also included a TV special called The Legend of Thunder and episodes from Pikachu's Winter Vacation.

Pokémon Origins

Pokémon Generations

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Japanese Variety Shows

Over the years, Japan has aired several live-action variety shows about Pokémon. These shows often feature reruns of old episodes, interviews with the voice actors, and fun segments about the Pokémon world.

• Pocket Monsters Encore (1999–2002): This show featured reruns of old episodes, sometimes with both Japanese and English audio. It also had a segment called Pokémon de English to help kids learn simple English words.
• Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station (2002–2004): This show was like an animated variety show. It had clips, reruns, movie airings, and interviews. Misty and Brock's Japanese voice actors were the hosts!
• Pokémon☆Sunday (2004–2010): This show continued the tradition of reruns and live-action "Research" episodes.
• Pokémon Smash! (2010–2013): This show also featured live-action parts and reruns of anime episodes.
• Pokémon Get☆TV (2013–2015): This show continued the variety show format with reruns and special live-action segments.
• Meet Up at the Pokémon House? (2015–present): Also known as Pokénchi, this is the current variety show. It features reruns and live-action segments, similar to its predecessors.

How Pokémon is Made and Shown

In Japan, Pokémon is broadcast on the TX Network. It's also shown on other major TV channels and on satellite and cable networks. Kunihiko Yuyama has been the main director for the series since the very beginning.

Around the world, The Pokémon Company International handles how the anime is made and shared. The show is currently aired in 169 different countries! Since 2020, Netflix has the special right to stream new episodes in the United States. The 23rd season, Pokémon Journeys: the Series, started on Netflix in June 2020. Older seasons are also available on Netflix and Hulu.

Pokémon was first brought to the United States by 4Kids Entertainment in 1998. They made the English versions of the episodes. Later, The Pokémon Company took over the English production. The company OLM, Inc. has been the producer of the anime. The show used to be animated by hand, but since 2001, it has been animated digitally.

In 2018, the creators of the Detective Pikachu video game shared an interesting fact. They said that the original idea for the anime was for Pokémon to talk. However, the animation studio couldn't make it work in a way that the game creators liked.

Where to Watch Pokémon

You can stream Pokémon on Netflix in many countries around the world. It's one of the most-watched shows on Netflix. It's also available on Hulu (in the United States and Japan) and Amazon Prime Video in some countries. The latest season is also on DisneyNOW in the United States, and you can find content on the Pokémon TV app and website.

See also

In Spanish: Pokémon (serie de televisión) para niños