Canon Mainline Pokémon Watch Order
AnimeSpoiler
This is a simple watch order for the mainline Pokémon anime. For the companion interest stack of Pikachu shorts, read bullet 4.
Please read the below bulleted list for more information
1. The novelty of this list is that its built as an interest stack for MyAnimeList. If you want a compressive checklist, I have one linked in the credit's that I would highly recommend.
2. Like I mentioned previously, this is for the mainline series. Generations, Origins, Movies 20 and up, and several other animated specials will NOT be included due to being part of different continuities / timelines. Additionally, Japan only content such as certain animated shorts, clip-shows, and 3D video's will not be included, and neither will recaps or commercials.
3. To avoid confusion over different streaming services and physical releases episode counts, episodes have been based on the generation they're with and the title of said episode.
3. Please note that Pokémon is highly episodic. The order I have provided does NOT need to be followed strictly. When I was a kid I watched the episodes and movies at random and I still love the series to this day, so feel free to go off the path a bit.
4. Pikachu shorts ARE mainline but I haven't included them in THIS STACK due to the sheer amount of them making the interest stack extremely inflated . Instead, they are in this companion stack (https://myanimelist.net/stacks/55878)
CREDITS:
- u/Shadrow on Reddit's amazing checklist
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qMyrwLcT6dwzSQLE-TEjPe7fU6nZJWxeef_4oy5xje4/edit?gid=1386834576#gid=1386834576)
- Kai_12 on Gamefaq's outdated but comprehensive watch order (https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/217-pokemon/69236080)
- Me for putting it all together on MAL hehe aren't I great
Please read the below bulleted list for more information
1. The novelty of this list is that its built as an interest stack for MyAnimeList. If you want a compressive checklist, I have one linked in the credit's that I would highly recommend.
2. Like I mentioned previously, this is for the mainline series. Generations, Origins, Movies 20 and up, and several other animated specials will NOT be included due to being part of different continuities / timelines. Additionally, Japan only content such as certain animated shorts, clip-shows, and 3D video's will not be included, and neither will recaps or commercials.
3. To avoid confusion over different streaming services and physical releases episode counts, episodes have been based on the generation they're with and the title of said episode.
3. Please note that Pokémon is highly episodic. The order I have provided does NOT need to be followed strictly. When I was a kid I watched the episodes and movies at random and I still love the series to this day, so feel free to go off the path a bit.
4. Pikachu shorts ARE mainline but I haven't included them in THIS STACK due to the sheer amount of them making the interest stack extremely inflated . Instead, they are in this companion stack (https://myanimelist.net/stacks/55878)
CREDITS:
- u/Shadrow on Reddit's amazing checklist
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qMyrwLcT6dwzSQLE-TEjPe7fU6nZJWxeef_4oy5xje4/edit?gid=1386834576#gid=1386834576)
- Kai_12 on Gamefaq's outdated but comprehensive watch order (https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/217-pokemon/69236080)
- Me for putting it all together on MAL hehe aren't I great
TV, 1997,
276 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Split up between
Pokémon Indigo League 1-82 (82 Episodes)
Pokémon Orange Island Adventures 83-118 (36 Episodes)
Pokémon The Johto Journeys 119-159 (41 Episodes)
Pokémon Johto League Champions 160-211 (52 episodes)
Pokémon Master Quest 212-276 (65 Episodes)
Pokémon Indigo League 1-82 (82 Episodes)
Pokémon Orange Island Adventures 83-118 (36 Episodes)
Pokémon The Johto Journeys 119-159 (41 Episodes)
Pokémon Johto League Champions 160-211 (52 episodes)
Pokémon Master Quest 212-276 (65 Episodes)
Movie, 1998,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Watch after Original Series Episode 67 'The Pi-Kahuna'
IMPORTANT: Make sure the version you watch includes the 10-minute prologue titled "The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin" To tell if it's included, the movie should go from roughly 75 minutes to roughly 85 minutes.
IMPORTANT: Make sure the version you watch includes the 10-minute prologue titled "The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin" To tell if it's included, the movie should go from roughly 75 minutes to roughly 85 minutes.
Movie, 1999,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:7
Watch after Original Series Episode 105 'Charizard Chills'
Movie, 2000,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Original Series Episode 155 'The Forest Grumps'
TV Special, 2000,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Original Series Episode 178 'The Grass Route'
Movie, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Original Series Episode 205 'The Kecleon Caper'
TV Special, 2001,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Original Series Episode 230 'Hatching a Plan'
Depending on where you watch it will either be split into 3 episodes or one hour Long Special; Either way, this was aired as part of Pokémon Chronicles in the US so feel free to watch it with that if you'd rather
Depending on where you watch it will either be split into 3 episodes or one hour Long Special; Either way, this was aired as part of Pokémon Chronicles in the US so feel free to watch it with that if you'd rather
Movie, 2002,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Original Series Episode Episode 256 'Just Add Water'
TV, 2002,
192 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Split up between:
Pokémon Advanced 1-40 (40 Episodes)
Pokémon Advanced Challenge 41-92 (52 Episodes)
Pokémon Advanced Battle 93-145 (53 Episodes)
Pokémon Battle Frontier 146-192 (47 Episodes)
Pokémon Advanced 1-40 (40 Episodes)
Pokémon Advanced Challenge 41-92 (52 Episodes)
Pokémon Advanced Battle 93-145 (53 Episodes)
Pokémon Battle Frontier 146-192 (47 Episodes)
TV, 2002,
16 eps
Me:-
Author:-
A series of side stories devoid of Ash which can either be viewed in a very specific order I won't bother writing out in my stack (use the spreadsheet linked in the description) or just viewed altogether after Advanced Generation Episode 95 'The Evolutionary War'
Note: When broadcast in English, the following episodes were included as part of Chronicles.
1. The Legend of Thunder 1-3 - Has its own entry in the stack
2. Pikachu's Winter Vacation Part 1-4 were - Has its own entry's in the stack
3. Trouble in Big Town - To be viewed after "Of Meowth and Pokémon" but before "Big Meowth, Little Dreams"
Note: When broadcast in English, the following episodes were included as part of Chronicles.
1. The Legend of Thunder 1-3 - Has its own entry in the stack
2. Pikachu's Winter Vacation Part 1-4 were - Has its own entry's in the stack
3. Trouble in Big Town - To be viewed after "Of Meowth and Pokémon" but before "Big Meowth, Little Dreams"
Movie, 2003,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Advanced Generation Episode 034 'Having a Wailord of a Time'
Movie, 2004,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Advanced Generation Episode 085 'Sky High Gym Battle'
Movie, 2005,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Advanced Generation Episode 134 'A Real Cleffa-Hanger'
Movie, 2006,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Advanced Generation Episode 183 'Aipom and Circumstance'
TV, 2006,
191 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Split up between
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 1-51 (51 Episodes)
Pokémon DP Battle Dimension 52-103 (52 Episodes)
Pokémon DP Galactic Battles 104-157 (53 Episodes)
Pokémon DP Sinnoh League Victors 158-190) (34 Episodes)
I'm unsure what the 191st episode is, the episode counts don't allot for a 191st episode.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl 1-51 (51 Episodes)
Pokémon DP Battle Dimension 52-103 (52 Episodes)
Pokémon DP Galactic Battles 104-157 (53 Episodes)
Pokémon DP Sinnoh League Victors 158-190) (34 Episodes)
I'm unsure what the 191st episode is, the episode counts don't allot for a 191st episode.
Movie, 2007,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Diamond and Pearl series Episode 039 'Steamboat Willies'
Movie, 2008,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Diamond and Pearl Series Episode 086 'Arriving in Style!'
Movie, 2009,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Diamond and Pearl Series Episode 135 'Beating the Bustle and Hustle'
Movie, 2010,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Diamond and Pearl Series Episode 183 'League Unleashed!'
TV, 2010,
84 eps
Me:-
Author:-
MyAnimeList did the episode counts in a very weird way. While I won't outright say It's incorrect because the episodes do add up correctly and I'm sure it aligns with some Japanese airing schedule or something, I WILL say its very confusing for anyone watching in the modern day of streaming. My recommendation would just be to follow the below order instead, as that's what you'll likely have access to.
Split up between:
Black & White 1-48 (48 Episodes Total)
Black & White: Rival Destinies 49-97 (49 Episodes Total)
Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond 98-143 (45 Episodes Total)
Split up between:
Black & White 1-48 (48 Episodes Total)
Black & White: Rival Destinies 49-97 (49 Episodes Total)
Black & White: Adventures in Unova and Beyond 98-143 (45 Episodes Total)
Movie, 2011,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Black & White Episode 37 'A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!'
Note: Duel Release with Black: Victini and Reshiram
Watch whichever one you feel like or both, they're very similar.
Note: Duel Release with Black: Victini and Reshiram
Watch whichever one you feel like or both, they're very similar.
TV, 2012,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Read Message on Pokémon: Black & White entry!
TV, 2013,
14 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Read Message on Pokémon: Black & White entry!
TV, 2013,
20 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Read Message on Pokémon: Black & White entry!
Movie, 2011,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch After Pokémon Black and White episode 37 'A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!''
Note: Duel Release with White: Victini and Zekrom
Watch whichever one you feel like or both, they're very similar.
Note: Duel Release with White: Victini and Zekrom
Watch whichever one you feel like or both, they're very similar.
Movie, 2012,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Black & White series episode 97 'Unova's Survival Crisis!'
Movie, 2013,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after Black and White Series Episode 133 'Capacia Island UFO!'
TV, 2013,
93 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Split up between:
Pokémon XY 1-48 (48 Episodes Total)
Pokémon XY Kalos Quest 48-93 (45 Episodes Total)
Pokémon XY 1-48 (48 Episodes Total)
Pokémon XY Kalos Quest 48-93 (45 Episodes Total)
Movie, 2014,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after XY Series episode 38 'Forging Forest Friendships!'
Movie, 2015,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after XY series episode 82 'A Festival Trade! A Festival Farewell?'
TV, 2015,
47 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Not (that I saw) on MyAnimeList, but it's important to watch the episode 48 special "The Legend of X, Y, and Z" after XY series episode 47. Should be included in most places as a normal episode.
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:-
Watch after XY Series Episode 122 'A Real Icebreaker!'
TV, 2016,
146 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Split up between:
Pokémon Sun & Moon 1-43 (43 Total Episodes)
Pokémon Sun & Moon Ultra Adventures 44-92 (49 Total Episodes)
Pokémon Sun & Moon Ultra Legends 93-146 (54 Total episodes)
Pokémon Sun & Moon 1-43 (43 Total Episodes)
Pokémon Sun & Moon Ultra Adventures 44-92 (49 Total Episodes)
Pokémon Sun & Moon Ultra Legends 93-146 (54 Total episodes)
TV, 2019,
136 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Split up between
Pokémon Journeys 1-48 (48 Episodes Total)
Pokémon Master Journeys 49-90 (42 Episodes Total)
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys 90-132 (42 Episodes Total)
Note: Once again my episode count doesn't align with MAL's, I believe it's due to some unaired episodes in the US dub that aren't available on Netflix or other streaming websites. Feel free to search for the remaining 4 subbed episodes yourself, I can't be bothered.
Pokémon Journeys 1-48 (48 Episodes Total)
Pokémon Master Journeys 49-90 (42 Episodes Total)
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys 90-132 (42 Episodes Total)
Note: Once again my episode count doesn't align with MAL's, I believe it's due to some unaired episodes in the US dub that aren't available on Netflix or other streaming websites. Feel free to search for the remaining 4 subbed episodes yourself, I can't be bothered.
TV, 2023,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:-
Pokémon Ultimate Journeys 133-143 (11 Episodes Total)
The Road Most Traveled! - The Rainbow and Pokémon Master
Thus concludes the journey of Ash.
The Road Most Traveled! - The Rainbow and Pokémon Master
Thus concludes the journey of Ash.
TV, 2023,
? eps
Me:-
Author:-
Most Recent Pokémon series and thus the most simple to keep up with, no movies or anything yet
