How to watch Pokémon in order: All the TV series, movies and specials

As a long-time fan of the Pokémon franchise who has been following its journey since the late 90s, I can confidently say that this comprehensive guide is a game changer for any fellow Pokémon enthusiast out there. From the main series to the specials and ONA, it’s all here, neatly organized for your viewing pleasure.

In the year 2024, after a span of 25 thrilling escapades, the beloved character Ash Ketchum from the Pokémon series said goodbye to his fans as the franchise’s main hero.

After much effort, he ultimately triumphed at the Pokémon World Championship, paving the path for fresh champions to write the upcoming tales in the Pokémon storyline.

It was inevitable that Ash Ketchum would leave, as his journey with Pikachu has been ongoing for many generations of fans. However, after 25 years, the stories of their adventures began to seem quite familiar and predictable.

In the latest animated series titled “Pokémon Horizons,” two fresh protagonists, Liko and Roy, make their debut accompanied by their Pokémon companions Sprigatito and Fuecoco. These new faces aim to revitalize the world of Pokémon, appealing to both novice viewers and long-standing enthusiasts alike. However, for those eager to delve deeper into the Pokémon universe, there’s a vast library of past Pokémon shows and films waiting to be explored.

The sheer volume of Pokémon media may seem daunting at first, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to watch Pokémon in order.

How to watch Pokémon in release order

Fortunately, the sequence of events in the Pokémon universe isn’t overly complex. Each new installment follows its order of release, even though the characters don’t grow older as they would in reality.

If you want to watch the Pokémon anime franchise from the very beginning, start here:

  • Season 1: Indigo League
  • Season 2: Adventures on the Orange Islands
  • Season 3: The Johto Journeys
  • Season 4: Johto League Champions
  • Season 5: Master Quest
  • Season 6: Advanced
  • Season 7: Advanced Challenge
  • Season 8: Advanced Battle
  • Season 9: Battle Frontier
  • Season 10: Diamond and Pearl
  • Season 11: Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension
  • Season 12: Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles
  • Season 13: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors
  • Season 14: Black & White
  • Season 15: Black & White: Rival Destinies
  • Season 16: Black & White: Adventures in Unova
    • Part I: Black & White: Adventures in Unova
    • Part II: Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond
  • Season 17: XY
  • Season 18: XY: Kalos Quest
  • Season 19: XYZ
  • Season 20: Sun & Moon
  • Season 21: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures
  • Season 22: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends
  • Season 23: Pokémon Journeys: The Series
  • Season 24: Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series
  • Season 25: Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series
  • Season 26: Pokémon Horizons: The Series
  • Season 27: Pokémon Horizons – The Search for Laqua (AKA Pokemon Horizons season 2)

How to watch the Pokémon movies in order

It’s not unexpected, considering the fame of the Pokémon franchise, that numerous full-length films have been produced to complement the anime series. These movies frequently introduce intriguing new Pokémon from other parts of the series, as well as exploring grander tales about the iconic Pokémon heroes.

Here’s our recommended viewing order:

  • Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
  • Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
  • Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution
  • Pokémon the Movie 2000
  • Pokémon 3 the Movie: Spell of the Unown
  • Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us
  • Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi – Voice of the Forest
  • Pokémon Heroes
  • Pokémon: Jirachi – Wish Maker
  • Pokémon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys
  • Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
  • Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea
  • Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai
  • Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior
  • Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life
  • Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions
  • Pokémon the Movie: White – Victini and Zekrom
  • Pokémon the Movie: Black-Victini and Reshiram
  • Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
  • Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
  • Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
  • Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
  • Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel
  • Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

What order should I watch the Pokémon ONA?

The ONA specials provide an opportunity to step aside from Ash Ketchum’s primary adventures and delve into different narrative paths. A few of these episodes transport us to earlier phases in the principal characters’ odyssey, whereas others are self-contained tales intended for both newcomers and longtime viewers alike.

The canon watch order to watch these specials is:

  • Pokémon Generation
  • Pokémon: Twilight Wings
  • Pokémon Legends
  • Pokémon: The Hallowed God, Arceus/ Pokémon: Arceus Chronicles
  • Pokémon: Hisuian Snow
  • Pokémon Concierge 

You can start with the Origin of Nomadic Armies (ONA) without necessarily having seen any episodes from the primary series sequence, as long as you adhere to the given timeline.

What order should I watch the Pokémon specials?

In addition to the main Pokémon series, there are several specials that focus on individual Pokémons. A great aspect is that they’re straightforward to watch without delving too deeply into the narrative and chronology. These specials have minimal connections to the primary Pokémon timeline, allowing you to enjoy them independently at any time.

The chronological watch order is:

  • Pikachu Shorts (1998 – 2015)
  • Mewtwo Returns
  • Pokémon Chronicles
  • Pokémon Sunday
  • Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
  • Pokémon Origins
  • XY Specials
  • Pokémon: Arceus Chronicles
  • Detective Pikachu

Where can I watch Pokémon?

One potential rephrase for your statement could be: The challenge with the Pokémon anime series lies in its distribution across multiple platforms, meaning you’ll need to subscribe to several streaming services to catch them all.

Here are the places you can watch Pokémon in the UK:

  • BBC iPlayer
  • Hulu
  • Netflix
  • Prime Video
  • YouTube
  • Sky Kids

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2024-12-02 22:07