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The first series in Pokémon the Series, called Pokémon: The Original Series (Pokémon the Series: The Beginning in Asia, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters) or collectively referred to as Pokémon, that ran from from April 1, 1997 to November 14, 2002 in Japan and from September 7, 1998 to October 25, 2003 in the United States. They are based on the events of the first and second generations, respectively. In the United States and other countries (except Asia), the original series is divided into two brands: the Kanto and Orange Islands seasons (seasons 1 and 2) are branded as Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, and the Johto seasons (seasons 3-5) are branded as Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver.
Plot[]
Rookie Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum begins his journey in the Kanto region, leaving his home of Pallet Town with the only First partner Pokémon that Professor Oak had left to give: a reluctant and moody Pikachu. Ash's quest begins in earnest to defeat all of the Gym Leaders and get to the Pokémon League as soon as he has gained Pikachu's trust, and he is joined by two Gym Leaders, Misty and Brock. In order to compete in a Pokémon League tournament, Ash must defeat Gym Leaders and earn badges as evidence of his victories. Ash travels across the Kanto region, defeating Gym Leaders, collecting their badges, and capturing new Pokémon. After collecting all eight badges, Ash participates in the Indigo Plateau Conference, but he reaches the top 16 before losing to his friend Ritchie.
After competing in the Indigo Plateau Conference and not performing as well as he had hoped, Ash journeys to the Orange Islands to receive the GS Ball from Professor Ivy, as it cannot be transported to Professor Oak by PC. During his time there, Ash competes in another Pokémon League, the Orange League and meets a new friend named Tracey Sketchit, a Pokémon watcher, replacing Brock, who stayed with Professor Ivy at that time. Ash faces and defeats the tournament champion Drake after collecting Orange Islands gym badges. When Oak cannot figure out how to open the GS Ball on Ash's return to Pallet, the Professor sends Ash to Johto to give the special Poké Ball to Kurt. The trio returns to Pallet Town, Tracey stays with Professor Oak as an assistant and Brock reunites with his friends.
While in Johto, Ash again competes in a Pokémon League, the Silver Conference. Ash defeats the Gym Leaders of Johto and competes in the Johto League. Ash defeats Gary Oak and causes him to reconsider his purpose in life. After advancing to the quarter-finals, Ash loses to Harrison, who informs Ash of the Hoenn region. As Ash goes back to Pallet Town, Misty receives word from her sisters that they are leaving on a world tour and have entrusted the Cerulean City Gym to her. Brock's family has also asked him to return. Ash leaves all his Pokémon (excluding Pikachu) in Professor Oak's lab, and he travels to Hoenn alone.
Seasons[]
| Season number | Season | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokémon Indigo League | 1-82 |
| 2 | Pokémon Adventures in the Orange Islands | 83-118 |
| 3 | Pokémon The Johto Journeys | 119-159 |
| 4 | Pokémon Johto League Champions | 160-211 |
| 5 | Pokémon Master Quest | 212-276 |
Episodes[]
Banned and controversial anime episodes The Legend of Dratini, Electric Soldier Porygon (both from season 1), and The Ice Cave! (from season 5) were never aired outside Japan. In the Netflix release of the original series, only the first 52 episodes are available.
Movies[]
Main[]
- Pokémon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back (Pikachu's Vacation)
- Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One (Pikachu's Rescue Adventure)
- Pokémon 3: The Movie: Spell of the Unown: Entei (Pikachu & Pichu)
- Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi: The Voice of the Forest (Pikachu's PikaBoo)
- Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias (Camp Pikachu)
Others[]
- Mewtwo Returns
- The Legend of Thunder!
- Pichu Bros. in Party Panic
- Pokémon Apokélypse (fan made, based on the characters of the original series, particularly the first season)
Video games[]
- Pokémon Puzzle League (using the cast of Indigo League)
Stage show[]
- Pokémon Live! (using songs from Pokémon 2.B.A. Master and Totally Pokémon, plus some original songs)
Gallery[]
Logos[]
Seasons[]
Others[]
Trivia[]
- Originally, this series was meant to last for a year and a half, approximately as long as Indigo League would have lasted, had the Electric Soldier Porygon incident not happened.
- The original series is the only anime series to be based on multiple generations, first and second generation.
- It is also the only series that all of its seasons are dubbed by 4Kids Entertainment.
- Most episodes except for the last ones are animated traditionally or by using cels.
- No CG animation is used outside of movies.
- No Mythical Pokémon appear outside of movies, although there were later-scrapped plans for a Celebi to appear during the Johto saga.
- At least one movie does not feature any Mythical Pokémon at all.
- At 276 episodes, this is the anime's longest series.
- This series also has the most seasons, with five.
- This series also contains the most movies of any series, with five.
- This series also has the most banned episodes, with a total of seven.
- The first 40 episodes were originally aired in syndication in the United States in 1998 before moving to Kids' WB in 1999 for the rest of the episodes of the original series until season 8.
- Throughout the English dub of the Johto seasons, the narrator refers to the group as being "On the road to Johto". Though it would be more correct to say "On the road through Johto", he could have just been referring to the Johto League.
- Out of all anime series, this one features the most Pokémon from an upcoming generation.
- This series also features the most characters of the day of any anime series.