For almost 30 years now, Pokemon has been an international phenomenon, expanding far beyond the original Game Boy games to become one of the most recognizable franchises in the world. Much of that success can be attributed to the long-running anime, which has introduced generation after generation of young fans to the Pokemon world since it debuted in 1997.
While Ash and Pikachu’s journey is what many people think of when they hear “Pokemon,” it’s far from the only animated show based on the franchise. The vast world of Pokemon has inspired several other shows, including miniseries, shorts, and even a stop motion series. This list will go over every Pokemon show, ranked from worst to best, and where to find them on Netflix, YouTube, and more.
7. Pokemon Generations (2016) & Pokemon Evolutions (2021)
Pokemon Generations and Pokemon Evolutions are both miniseries made up of shorts that depict scenes from or based on the video games, so I’m lumping them together for the purposes of this list. Generations consists of 18 episodes, with three dedicated to each region that existed in 2016; Evolutions has eight episodes, one for each region from Galar to Kanto.
Since Generations and Evolutions were made to commemorate the franchise’s 20th and 25th anniversaries, respectively, these series rely heavily on nostalgia. Because of that, they may not make much sense to those who haven’t played the games, which is why they rank last on this list. However, those who have will enjoy seeing iconic characters and locations played out in gorgeous high quality animation.
6. Pokemon Twilight Wings (2020)
Like Generations and Evolutions, Pokemon Twilight Wings is a miniseries consisting of short episodes featuring characters and locations from the video games, specifically Pokemon Sword and Shield. Though most episodes are standalone, connected only by a Corviknight taxi driver who happens to cross paths with the most important people in Galar, there is a sweet plotline surrounding a young boy in a hospital who dreams of seeing Champion Leon in person that starts and ends the series—minus the bonus episode featuring new content from The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra expansions.
Though similar, Twilight Wings’ original stories give it an edge over the previously-mentioned miniseries. Rather than recreating events from the games, each episode dives into a character, mostly showing them going about their daily lives. If you enjoyed Sword and Shield or simply like slice-of-life stories, you’ll probably find Pokemon Twilight Wings cute, even if its short runtime makes it more of an appetizer than a full meal.
5. Poketoon (2020-2025)
Poketoon is another series of animated shorts, this time featuring original characters and stories rather than relying on those from the games. Each episode is standalone, ranging between four to 14 minutes, and focusing on a certain ‘mon or relationship between human and Pokemon. The miniseries is a quick and fun watch, with 17 episodes currently available on YouTube, though nine of the episodes have yet to be dubbed into English.
Still, I can’t help but feel that it peaks with the first episode, which focuses solely on Scraggy and Mimikyu in a hilarious adventure that could be ripped from a Looney Tunes or Mickey Mouse short. The other episodes are cute, but I wish the entire series continued in that style, paying homage to both classic cartoons and the Pokemon shorts I grew up with like “Pikachu’s Vacation” and “Pikachu & Pichu.” Poketoon is a great concept that I’d love to see continue, but if you prefer the modern take on Looney Tunes-like animation, I recommend The Cuphead Show! (2022) over this.
4. Pokemon Horizons (2023-Present)
While Pokemon Horizons is technically still the 1997 Pokemon anime, for the purposes of this list, I’m considering Roy and Liko’s adventures a separate series. The duo has huge shoes to fill as the successors to Ash Ketchum, a character that even most non-Pokemon fans know, and they’re doing a pretty good job so far.
Horizons has been a refreshing new era for the Pokemon anime, shaking off some of the staples that made Ash’s time feel more childish, like Team Rocket and the narrator. If you enjoyed the classic Pokemon anime but wish it were slightly more mature, give Pokemon Horizons a chance. Just don’t expect it to hit you in the nostalgia the way other Pokemon media are designed to.
3. Pokemon (1997-2023)
For 26 years, generations of fans grew up watching Ash Ketchum on his journey to become the very best (like no one ever was). Starting out in the Kanto region from the original Generation I games, the anime brought the Pokemon world to life in a way that far exceeded the Game Boy’s graphic and audio limitations and allowed those without the console or game to join in on the fun. That’s not to say that Pokemon is an essential watch from start to finish. It is, after all, a show targeted primarily at children, and one that went on for over two decades, spanning over 1,300 episodes.
Seasons vary greatly in quality on all fronts, from animation style to writing to characters. Early seasons, in particular, have some questionable localization choices, often to remove references the dubbers considered “too Japanese” for American audiences. Still, within the childish humor and filler episodes are true gems that use the Pokemon world to tell the kinds of powerful stories that will stick with you. I still remember crying to “Pikachu's Goodbye” and cheering on Ash’s Chimchar for the entirety of the Diamond and Pearl years (my personal favorite era of the show). It’s a gargantuan series, and a mixed bag at that, but regardless, the original Pokemon anime is a classic that’s worth sharing with new generations of trainers. Plus, the fact that the show is split into such clear seasons makes it easy to jump in; just pick your favorite region and get started!
2. Pokemon Origins (2013)
For many Pokemon fans, particularly those who grew up with the original Kanto games, Pokemon Origins is what they wished the entire anime could have been. The four episode miniseries is a mostly faithful retelling of the Gen I game’s story that follows rivals Red and Blue as they set out to complete the Pokedex. Though the miniseries’ inclusion of Mega Evolution is clearly there to promote the then-brand new Pokemon X and Y, it does so in a way that fits perfectly with Red’s journey and without distracting from the familiar tale.
If you’re going to pick just one Pokemon show to watch, Pokemon Origins is the best option overall, especially for anyone with Gen I nostalgia. It has higher quality animation and more focused storytelling than the main series, and its 22-minute long episodes prove more fulfilling than the YouTube shorts. With Pokemon Legends Z-A finally bringing Mega Evolution back to the games, now is the perfect time to revisit one of the first shows to bring the powerful mechanic to life.
1. Pokemon Concierge (2023-Present)
Perhaps the most creative Pokemon series yet is Netflix original Pokemon Concierge. This stop-motion show tells the story of Haru, a young woman who turns her life around by becoming a concierge for the Pokemon Resort, caring for the various ‘mon who visit the island while building up her confidence. With its charming claymation style, which fits perfectly with the whimsical world of Pokemon, Concierge is an incredibly cozy take on the franchise. By trading action-packed battles for a relaxing island vacation, the series presents a different side of the Pokemon world from the main anime, other shows, and movies like Detective Pikachu (2019).
While it may initially seem like an excuse to show a bunch of Pokemon being cute, Concierge is really about self-acceptance and the importance of relaxation. Really, the main issue with Pokemon Concierge is how short it is at just eight episodes across two seasons. When considering how challenging stop-motion animation is, it’s clear every frame is a labor of love. Whether you’re a casual fan or a Pokemon Master, Pokemon Concierge’s adorable visuals and heartwarming stories are worth the trip to the Pokemon Resort.
