Guide › Anime › Pokémon › Pokémon seasons

Pokémon seasons

The Pokémon anime has aired on TV Tokyo in Japan since April 1, 1997, and is animated by OLM. Internationally it is counted in seasons: seasons 1 to 25 follow Ash and Pikachu through seven Japanese series, from the original show to Pokémon Journeys, adding up to about 1,240 episodes by the Japanese count. Since April 2023, Pokémon Horizons: The Series has followed Liko and Roy, covering seasons 26 to 29 so far. Together that makes more than 1,370 episodes, one of the longest-running anime on television. This page groups the Ash years by Japanese series and lists each Horizons season separately. Episode counts are Japanese broadcasts, so they can differ slightly from dub counts.

Season	Premiere	End	Episodes	Studio
Seasons 1–5: Indigo League to Master Quest (original series)	April 1, 1997	November 14, 2002	275	OLM
Seasons 6–9: Pokémon Advanced to Battle Frontier (Advanced Generation)	November 21, 2002	September 14, 2006	192	OLM
Seasons 10–13: Diamond and Pearl	September 28, 2006	September 9, 2010	193	OLM
Seasons 14–16: Black & White	September 23, 2010	March 27, 2014	144	OLM
Seasons 17–19: XY, XY Kalos Quest and XYZ	October 17, 2013	November 10, 2016	142	OLM
Seasons 20–22: Sun & Moon	November 17, 2016	November 3, 2019	146	OLM
Seasons 23–25: Pokémon Journeys, Master Journeys and Ultimate Journeys	November 17, 2019	March 24, 2023	147	OLM
Season 26: Pokémon Horizons: The Series	April 14, 2023	March 29, 2024	45	OLM
Season 27: Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 – The Search for Laqua	April 12, 2024	March 21, 2025	44	OLM
Season 28: Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 – Rising Hope	April 11, 2025	May 1, 2026	47	OLM
Season 29: Pokémon Horizons: Season 4 – Wonders Ahead	May 22, 2026			OLM

Seasons 1–5: Indigo League to Master Quest (original series)

The original series. Ash leaves Pallet Town with Pikachu, collects Gym Badges in Kanto, explores the Orange Islands and then travels through Johto with Misty and Brock, while Team Rocket follows them everywhere. In English these are seasons 1 to 5, from Indigo League to Master Quest. Japanese run: April 1, 1997 to November 14, 2002, 275 episodes.

Seasons 6–9: Pokémon Advanced to Battle Frontier (Advanced Generation)

Advanced Generation. Ash travels to Hoenn with Brock, joined by May and her younger brother Max, and May's interest in Contests gives the series a second goal next to Gym battles. Afterwards the group takes on the Battle Frontier. English seasons 6 to 9, from Pokémon Advanced to Battle Frontier. Japanese run: November 21, 2002 to September 14, 2006, 192 episodes.

Seasons 10–13: Diamond and Pearl

Diamond and Pearl, set in Sinnoh. Ash and Brock team up with Dawn, a new Coordinator, and the series alternates between Gym challenges and Contests. English seasons 10 to 13, from Diamond and Pearl to Sinnoh League Victors. Japanese run: September 28, 2006 to September 9, 2010, 193 episodes by the Japanese count, including two specials.

Seasons 14–16: Black & White

Black & White, called Best Wishes in Japan. Ash starts over in the Unova region with two new companions: Iris, who comes from a village devoted to Dragon-type Pokémon, and Cilan, a Gym Leader and Pokémon Connoisseur. English seasons 14 to 16. Japanese run: from September 23, 2010, with specials until March 27, 2014, 144 episodes in total.

Seasons 17–19: XY, XY Kalos Quest and XYZ

The XY series, set in Kalos. Ash travels with Serena, who discovers Pokémon Showcases, and with siblings Clemont and Bonnie. English seasons 17 to 19: XY, XY Kalos Quest and XYZ. Japanese run: from October 17, 2013, with specials until November 10, 2016, 142 episodes in total.

Seasons 20–22: Sun & Moon

Sun & Moon. Ash moves to the Alola region and, instead of travelling, enrols at a Pokémon school, which gives this series a lighter, class-based rhythm. English seasons 20 to 22: Sun & Moon, Ultra Adventures and Ultra Legends. Japanese run: November 17, 2016 to November 3, 2019, 146 episodes.

Seasons 23–25: Pokémon Journeys, Master Journeys and Ultimate Journeys

Pokémon Journeys. Ash and his new friend Goh travel across many regions: Goh tries to catch every Pokémon, while Ash takes part in the World Coronation Series, a worldwide battle ranking. These are Ash's final seasons as protagonist. English seasons 23 to 25: Journeys, Master Journeys and Ultimate Journeys. Japanese run: November 17, 2019 to March 24, 2023, 147 episodes.

Season 26: Pokémon Horizons: The Series

The first season of Pokémon Horizons: The Series and the start of a new cast. Liko enters Indigo Academy, Roy dreams of adventure, and both end up on Friede's airship as the Explorers chase Liko's pendant. Japanese run: April 14, 2023 to March 29, 2024, 45 episodes. Netflix released it in the US from March to November 2024.

Season 27: Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 – The Search for Laqua

Pokémon Horizons: Season 2 – The Search for Laqua. Liko, Roy and the Rising Volt Tacklers keep travelling while working towards a legendary place called Laqua, and Liko and Roy start taking on serious battles of their own. Japanese run: April 12, 2024 to March 21, 2025, 44 episodes.

Season 28: Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 – Rising Hope

Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 – Rising Hope. The story resumes after the events of Laqua, with the crew heading to new places, including a stop at Blueberry Academy. Japanese run: April 11, 2025 to May 1, 2026, 47 episodes, covering the Japanese arcs Mega Voltage and Rising Again plus a Mega Evolution special. The last Netflix part arrived in the US in September 2026.

Season 29: Pokémon Horizons: Season 4 – Wonders Ahead

Pokémon Horizons: Season 4 – Wonders Ahead, the Wonder Voyage arc in Japan. Liko, Roy, Dot and their friends set out on a new trip that centres on a Ditto and a new girl, Navi. It started on TV Tokyo on May 22, 2026, and is still airing in Japan; the episode count is not final. Netflix US release: February 2027.

Next season Airing now

Pokémon Horizons is still on air in Japan. Its Wonder Voyage arc began on May 22, 2026, on the TV Tokyo network, Fridays at 6:55 p.m. On October 6, 2026, The Pokémon Company International announced Pokémon Horizons: Season 4 – Wonders Ahead, with Part 1 coming exclusively to Netflix in the US on February 27, 2027. No successor series has been announced as of October 2026; reports that the anime will change format after Horizons are leaks the company has not confirmed.

FAQ

How many seasons does the Pokémon anime have?

As of October 2026 there are 29 seasons. Seasons 1 to 25 follow Ash and Pikachu, from Indigo League (1997) to Ultimate Journeys (2023). Seasons 26 to 29 are Pokémon Horizons: The Series, with Liko and Roy, and season 29 is still airing in Japan.

How many episodes of Pokémon are there?

More than 1,370 episodes have aired in Japan since 1997. The Ash years account for about 1,240 of them, and Pokémon Horizons had passed 140 episodes by mid-2026. Totals vary slightly between sources depending on how specials and unaired episodes are counted.

Who is the main character of Pokémon?

For 25 seasons the main character was Ash Ketchum with his partner Pikachu. Since Pokémon Horizons began in April 2023, the leads are Liko, a girl from Paldea, and Roy, a boy who dreams of adventure. Ash's final episode as lead aired in Japan in 2023.

Will there be a Pokémon Horizons season 4?

Yes. The Pokémon Company International announced Pokémon Horizons: Season 4 – Wonders Ahead on October 6, 2026. Part 1 arrives on Netflix in the US on February 27, 2027. In Japan, the same episodes have been airing since May 22, 2026, as the Wonder Voyage arc.

What order should I watch Pokémon in?

Watch in season order: the original series, Advanced Generation, Diamond and Pearl, Black & White, XY, Sun & Moon and Journeys for Ash's story. Pokémon Horizons starts a new story with new leads, so it can be watched on its own without the earlier seasons.

Pokémon characters →

Sources

Updated October 27, 2026