The Best Pokemon Manga Series, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Pokemon Adventures manga began in 1997 & still continues, inspired by the original games.
• Pokemon Try Adventure is an underrated spin-off with a focus on Pokemon lore & legendary creatures.
• Pokemon Adventures: Yellow focuses on battles & includes some of the best chapters of the arc.

Pokemon fans might know the anime and games, but there’s a whole world to explore thanks to the many Pokemon manga created by several authors and designed by talented artists. The world of Pokemon has many mysteries to uncover, and some of these stories address certain events never told in the games.

So, if fans want to discover more about this fantastical world, what better way to do it than by reading the Pokemon manga? These are the best of the best for those Pokemon trainers who are ready to start a new adventure.

8 Pokemon Adventures

The Start Of A Long Journey

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Mato, Satoshi Yamamoto
• First Published: March 1997

The very first Pokemon manga was published back in 1997 and is still running up to date. This series narrates the adventures of Red, the original protagonist of the Pokemon games, which inspired the story of Satoshi (Ash) Ketchum in the anime. Throughout nearly three decades of publications, this impressive run of 64 volumes has explored the world of Pokemon like no other serialized story.

With beautiful classic designs, this story will take us from Kanto and beyond its borders, into a fantastic journey of discovery (and sweet nostalgia for those who started with Gen 1). The world of Pokemon Adventures is filled to the brim with heartwarming moments, incredible battles, and tales of friendship between humans and Pokemon.

7 Pokemon Try Adventure

One Of The Best Spin-Offs Of The Pokemon Adventures

• Author: Jun Keijima
• Artist: Miho Asada
• First Published: March 2009

One of the most underrated spin-offs of the original Pokemon Adventures, illustrated by the talented Miho Asada (Battle Story Megaman, Yokai Watch) and written by Jun Kejima. This story is about three youngsters chosen by a mysterious character named Mr. Crow to solve Pokemon mysteries and live dozens of adventures.

Katsuya, a battle trainer obsessed with becoming stronger, Toki, an expert explorer and survivalist, and Soto, a Pokemaniac whose objective is to discover and catch every Pokemon. The story is great, and the trio of characters complement each other quite nicely. This series is a fantastic run that emphasizes the lore of this fantasy world, especially of the legendary Pokemon.

6 Pokemon Adventures Sword And Shield

A Great Spin-Off, With Modern Artwork

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First Published: November 2019

This story focuses on the region of Galar and is one of the best of the best. It is not only focused on explaining the Dynamax phenomenon (more than the games ever cared to do), and has three new protagonists to follow: Marvin, Henry, and Casey. Marvin has just moved to Galar when he meets Henry, a Pokemon Artifact Technician (or Meister), and Casey, a computer geek who is looking into the disappearance of her Pokemon team due to a Dynamax incident.

Needless to say, the story also involves many important characters from the Galar region, like its champion Lionel, and Professor Magnolia as well as every gym leader from the Galar Region. Filled to the brim with adventure, and one of the best runs of Pokemon world storytelling that exists up to date.

5 Pokemon Adventures Sun And Moon

Colorful, Filled With Drama, And Great Plot Twists

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First Published: November 2016

A courier in desperate need of money, and a pharmacist proficient with creating medicines fighting using Poison-type Pokemon: these two are Sun and Moon, the protagonists of the Alola Arc of Pokemon Adventure. Needless to say, it is quite a strange tale that involves the outbreak of fury of the Legendary Tapus, an Ultra Beast invasion, and a conspiracy that lies hidden behind Sun’s reason to embark on a Pokemon journey.

Yamamoto’s art reached peak perfection during this run, with splendid scenario designs, colorful characters, and incredible battle scenes, though some fans do not find the Alola region so appealing. Worth a read for those who want to know more about the origin of the Ultra Beasts.

4 The Best of Pokemon Adventures: Yellow

One Of The Best Editions Of The Original Adventure Series

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Mato
• First Published: December 2006

A mysterious boy named Yellow reaches Pallet town to meet Professor Oak, catch his favorite Pokemon (Pikachu), and track down the best trainer of all time: Red. Though this particular anthology picks up some of the best chapters from the Pokemon Adventures Yellow Arc, it is not the full story. But, to compensate for that, it has a selection of the most fantastical stories and epic battles.

During his journey to find the missing Red, Yellow will face the infamous (and now deranged) Elite Four, who seek to overthrow the current world order and establish their own Pokemon Utopia. Something our little trainer will have to stop at any cost, even if it means beating down the most powerful trainers in Kanto. This particular edition was translated by VIZ Media and is one of the best translations of the original manga currently available in English, both due to its quality and attention to detail.

3 The Best of Pokemon Adventures: Red

A Faithful Translation Plus Great Art Cover In This Beautiful Anthology

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Mato
• First Published: October 2006

This edition of the Pokemon Adventures manga compiles the first three volumes of the first Arc (Red, Green, Blue) and has a selection of the best chapters. Also edited by VIZ Media, with special emphasis on the fidelity of translation. It has been qualified as one of the best editions of the Pokemon Adventure series. It has beautiful internal art and special front and back cover designs.

The story follows the start of Red’s journey to become a Pokemon Master of the Kanto region and covers most of the adventures, including his encounter with Articuno, the battles of the Pokemon League, and the coronation of the New Champion.

2 Pokemon Adventures: Gold & Silver

One Of The Greatest Pokemon Adventures

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First Published: September 2012

The English edition of Pokemon Adventures stars a new trainer (Gold) and the start of a new journey through the region of Johto. For those readers that started their Pokemon journey during the 2nd Gen, this will be a tearjerking experience, with many cool references to the events of Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal.

It has some differences with the Pokemon games, of course, but most of the events happening in this story are aligned with Gamefreak’s RPG but with some differences. In this case, Professor Elm tasks Gold with recovering a stolen Totodile. And we discover much more about Silver and his origins. The Neo Team Rocket also makes an appearance, and its leader is none other than Pryce, the Gym Leader from Mahogany Town.

1 Pokemon Adventures: FireRed and LeafGreen

The Very Best, Better Than Any One

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First Published: February 2004

A follow-up from the Kanto Adventures Series, FireRed, and LeafGreen is a new tale starring Blue, Yellow, and Red, who are hot on the trail to stop the evil Team Rocket from capturing Deoxys. For that, they will have the help of new Pokemon, and an unlikely ally: Mewtwo.

The series is a love letter for every Pokemon fan and a must-read for those who managed to play the 2004 re-mastered versions of the classic Pokemon games. Yamamoto’s artwork in this series is colorful, detailed, and more attuned to modern times, though it preserves the classic style of the original run.