The Best Pokemon Anime Series

The Pokemon anime is one of the most iconic shows of the 90s. From the bumbling days of Ash learning what it means to be a true Pokemon master to the years after his departure from the show, Pokemon constantly has creative stories to tell. The anime also acts as a way to expand the regions players explore in the games with new details on the cultures, training customs, as well as events.

From Pokemon contests to the gym challenge, there is always something new to see in the anime. So which series had the most to offer and which ones gave the fans of the game some amazing new content?

12

Pokemon Generations

Adapting Key Moments From The Games

Pokemon generations adapt key moments from the games while also including little nods to some fan-favorite Pokemon of each generation. Have you ever wanted to see how Blue defeated the Elite Four before Red showed up?

How about the final battle between the Gym Leaders of Unova against Team Plasma? This anime is short with each episode running only a few minutes, but it shows off the world of the games so well, it leaves you wanting more.

11

Poketoon: The Pokemon Cartoon Animation

Kid Friendly And Cozy Animation

Poketoon is a short anthology series. However, it manages to capture new perspectives from the world of Pokemon. How hard is it to catch your first Pokemon, and how long would a Magikarp be willing to wait for its human friend?

All the shorts are beautifully animated. While not being a full-on series that lasts hundreds of episodes, it is a treat to watch, with some episodes making you wish you could keep following the protagonist’s future adventures.

10

Twilight Wings

Exploring The Galar Region

While the Galar region never got a full anime to explore the region or its customs, Twilight Wings gave fans a bit more insight into the Pokemon and trainers that live there.

From a runaway Wooloo to seeing Nessa’s inner struggle as a professional trainer, Twilight Wings is a gorgeous anime that makes the Galar region seem richer than the games. It even gives some post-game stories showing where the characters go after the events of Sword and Shield.

9

Pokemon Chronicles

Ash’s Companions Have Lives Too

Pokemon Chronicles is an underrated segment of the Pokemon anime. It’s a short series that doesn’t focus on Ash but the companions he leaves behind. Brock finally comes home and has to deal with his gym being remodeled.

Meanwhile, Misty needs to overcome her fear of Gyarados. This is the kind of series that makes Ash’s companions go on their own little adventures and something that you wish you could see more of with the ones that came in later seasons. It also gives the characters of Gold and Silver a miniseries within Pokemon Chronicles.

8

Pokemon Advanced Generation

Pokemon Contests And New Rivals

Pokemon Advanced Generation is the first series where Ash takes on more of a mentor role for May. However, May is also the first Poke-girl to get a set goal that doesn’t revolve around being a Pokemon master. She even had her own rivals.

Pokemon contests opened the door for many different attack combinations both in terms of beauty and strategy, making the world of training Pokemon seem more complex.

7

Pokemon Origins

An Adaptation Of The Original Games

Pokemon Origins is an anime that doesn’t star Ash Ketchum. Instead, it is a retelling of Pokemon Red and Blue. While it speed runs through most of the plot to get to key moments within the games, it’s a breath of fresh air for anyone that ever wanted a true adaptation.

For the first time, players get to see iconic moments, such as Cubone’s ghost mother, how Pokemon gyms scale their team depending on the challenger, as well as Mewtwo’s capture in Cerulean Cave.

6

Pokemon Concierge

Stop Motion Pokemon Stories

Stop-motion is one of the most creative forms of animation. Pokemon Concierge uses it to bring the franchise to life in a way like never before. In this short series, Haru wants to be a Pokemon concierge working at a hotel so she finally takes the initiative.

However, she lacks confidence and needs a pick-me-up from her coworkers and Pokemon partner. It’s cozy, it’s fun, and it gives some love to a different yellow Pokemon for a change; Psyduck.

5

Pokemon Journeys

The End Of Ash’s Journey

Pokemon Journeys is the culmination of all of Ash Ketchum’s adventures. This is where old faces come back, and you can really see just how much impact Ash has made along the way.

This anime tends to sideline the Galar region, speedrunning most of what would normally have its own arc. However, it does bring many stories to a full close as Ash finally becomes the world champion.

4

Pokemon Horizons

Pokemon Gets A New Protagonist

Pokemon Horizons is a fresh take on the anime. It’s hard to stand tall without Ash Ketchum, but Lyko gives us a nice change of pace. With new mysteries to uncover and a journey across the sky.

Unlike the series with Ash, there is often a more overarching narrative that doesn’t revolve around gyms or a tournament. This can be discovering the purpose of a mysterious pendant or finding out what is inside Roy’s special Pokeball.

3

Pokemon X and Y

A Close Victory And Pokemon Performances

Pokemon X and Y is where Ash locks in as a Pokemon trainer. He spends most of the episodes training to come up with a clever strategy for his gym battles and almost takes home the victory. This is Ash at his strongest.

Serena’s story is also well written as she tries to get her footing in the world of Pokemon performances. These performances also lead to some stunning visuals that make you wish you could attend a real-life show.

2

Pokemon Sun and Moon

Ash’s Vacation After Losing In Kalos

Pokemon Sun and Moon changed the status quo. The animation got more expressive, it had more of a slice-of-life format with Ash in school, and it had a different goal other than collecting Gym Badges.

This series also has the most supporting characters and enough episodes to flesh them all out. So, after Ash finally wins his first-ever league, saying goodbye to Alola feels more bittersweet than ever before.

1

Pokemon Indigo League

Ash’s Journey Begins

The Indigo League is the first-ever season of Pokemon, but it has more than just nostalgia backing it. This is the series where Ash is at his most novice level as a Pokemon trainer and thus gets into plenty of 90s anime antics.

There’s a charm to having Ash not only be fresh to the scene but also having a sassy Pikachu. Ash is also more hot-headed in this series than in any other.