Pokémon

Pokémon, abbreviated from the Japanese title of Pocket Monsters, and branded in English as Pokémon the Series and Pokémon Horizons: The Series, is a Canadian-Japanese-American anime television series, part of The Pokémon Company's Pokémon media franchise, which premiered on TV Tokyo in April 1997.

The anime franchise consists of eight sequential series in Japan, each based on a main installment of the Pokémon video game series. In the international broadcasts, these series are split across 28 seasons. The show originally followed Ash Ketchum, a young trainer of fictional creatures called Pokémon. Joined by his partner Pokémon Pikachu and a rotating cast of human characters, Ash goes on a journey to become a "Pokémon Master", traveling through the various regions of the Pokémon world and competing in various Pokémon-battling tournaments known as the Pokémon League. Starting with the 26th season, a new cast is featured, centering on protagonists Liko and Roy.

The anime series is accompanied by spin-off programming, including Pokémon Chronicles, a series of side stories, and live-action variety and Pokémon-related news shows, such as Pocket Monsters Encore, Weekly Pokémon Broadcasting Station, Pokémon Sunday, Pokémon Smash!, Pokémon Get TV, Meet Up at the Pokémon House? and Where Are We Going with Pokémon!?

The Pokémon television series played a major role in increasing anime's worldwide popularity, especially in the United States and Asia, where many Pokémon films are among the highest-grossing anime films. It is also considered to be one of the first anime series on television to reach this level of mainstream success with Western and Asian audiences, as well as being credited with allowing the game series to reach such a degree of popularity and vice versa. Pokémon is regarded as the most successful video game adaptation of all time, with over 1,300 episodes broadcast and adapted for international television markets, concurrently airing in 192 countries worldwide and being one of the most widely watched shows on Netflix as of 2016.

Storyline

Pokémon the Series primarily follows Ash Ketchum, a young boy from Pallet Town who dreams of becoming a Pokémon Master. After receiving his first Pokémon, Pikachu, from Professor Oak, Ash embarks on a journey across various regions, including Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar, where he challenges Gym Leaders, competes in regional Pokémon Leagues, or other competitions, and meets a variety of companions who support him in his goal.

These companions include Misty, Brock, May, Dawn, Serena, Lillie, Goh, and others, each pursuing their own unique goals, such as becoming a top Pokémon Coordinator, becoming a skilled Pokémon Breeder, or seeking to catch Mew. Ash also forms rivalries with several recurring characters across the series, such as Gary, Paul, and Trip, many of whom he faces in League tournaments or other competitions. Ash and his friends frequently encounter the villainous Team Rocket members, Jessie, James, and Meowth, who persistently attempt to steal rare and powerful Pokémon throughout the series.

Over the course of his journey, Ash achieves several milestones, including becoming the first-ever Champion of the Alola League, where he also attended Pokémon School, and ultimately defeating Leon to become Monarch of the World Coronation Series. After reaching this peak, Ash continues his travels with Pikachu to meet and befriend new Pokémon in order to achieve his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master.