The Most Popular Pokémon Anime, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the anime you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 10, 2024 06:47
Fans of Pokémon anime often debate which series or season stands out as the best. With numerous episodes and multiple sagas, it can be a challenge to determine which ones truly resonate with viewers. Having a ranking system where fans can vote for their top picks helps provide clarity and celebrate the episodes that have captivated audiences the most.
By participating in this ranking, viewers have a unique opportunity to contribute their voice and help shape a community-driven list of favorites. This not only enhances engagement within the community but also assists new fans in identifying which episodes might be worth their time. Each vote cast plays a crucial role in determining the live rankings, offering a continuously updated snapshot of fan favorites.
What Is the Most Popular Pokémon Anime?
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139votes
Pokémon: Indigo League
The Pokémon CompanyThis is the first season of the Pokémon anime and introduced viewers to the world of Pokémon. It follows Ash Ketchum as he sets out on his journey to become a Pokémon trainer.Pokémon: Indigo League is the first season of the Pokémon anime television series, also known as Pokémon: The Original Series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his loyal Pikachu as they travel through the Kanto region, aiming to become Pokémon Masters. Along the way, they encounter various Pokémon, Gym Leaders, and rivals, and participate in Pokémon battles and competitions.- Main Pokémon: Pikachu
- Release Date: April 1, 1997
- Number of Episodes: 82
- Running Time: Approximately 23 minutes per episode
- Main Protagonist: Ash Ketchum
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229votes
Pokémon: Advanced
The Pokémon CompanyThis season follows Ash and his friends as they explore the Hoenn region and battle against the villainous Team Aqua and Team Magma. The season introduces new Pokémon and features exciting battles.Pokémon: Advanced is the sixth season of the Pokémon anime series, also known as Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire. It follows the journey of Ash Ketchum and his loyal Pikachu in the Hoenn region as they compete in Pokémon battles, collect Gym Badges, and participate in various competitions. Along the way, Ash makes new friends, encounters new Pokémon species, and faces challenging trainers known as the Pokémon Gym Leaders.- Genre: Adventure, Action, Comedy
- Original Run: November 21, 2002 – September 14, 2006
- Number of Episodes: 192
- Main Protagonist: Ash Ketchum
- Region Explored: Hoenn
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313votes
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl
Junichi MasudaIn this season, Ash travels to the Sinnoh region and competes in the Sinnoh League. The season features new Pokémon and introduces the concept of mega-evolution.Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl is the tenth season of the Pokémon anime series, based on the Pokémon video game series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, and their friends as they explore the Sinnoh region.- Season: 10
- Episodes: 191
- Original run: April 20, 2006 – September 9, 2010
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
- Animation studio: OLM, Inc.
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428votes
Pokémon: XY
Kunihiko YuyamaThis season follows Ash and his friends as they explore the Kalos region and battle against the villainous Team Flare. The season features new Pokémon and introduces the concept of mega-evolution.Pokémon: XY is the seventeenth season of the popular Pokémon anime series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends as they travel through the Kalos region, competing in Pokémon battles and collecting Gym Badges on their way to the Pokémon League. Along the way, they encounter new Pokémon species, make new friends, and face off against the nefarious Team Rocket.- Season number: 17
- Episodes: 48
- Original run: October 17, 2013 – October 30, 2014
- Language: Japanese
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
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516votes
Pokémon: Sun and Moon
Junichi MasudaThis season follows Ash as he travels to the Alola region and competes in the Alola League. The season features new Pokémon and introduces the concept of Z-moves.Pokémon: Sun and Moon is the twentieth season of the Pokémon animated series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends, Pikachu and new companion Lillie, as they attend the Pokémon School in the Alola region. The season is known for its tropical island setting, new Pokémon, and the introduction of the Z-Moves.- Season Number: 20
- Original Air Date: November 17, 2016
- Episodes: 146
- Main Characters: Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Lillie
- Setting: Alola Region
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613votes
Pokémon: Johto League Champions
Junichi MasudaThis season follows Ash as he competes in the Johto League and battles against his rival Gary. The season features new Pokémon and exciting battles.Pokémon: Johto League Champions is the fourth season of the Pokémon anime series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends as they travel through the Johto region, competing in Pokémon battles and participating in the Johto League to become Pokémon Champions.- Season: 4
- Episodes: 52
- Original run: October 14, 1999 – July 27, 2000
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Target audience: Children
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711votes
Peter Placzek · CC BY-SA 4.0Pokémon: Black and White
Junichi MasudaThis season follows Ash as he travels to the Unova region and battles against the villainous Team Plasma. The season features new Pokémon and introduces the concept of triple battles.Pokémon: Black and White is the fourteenth season of the Pokémon anime series, based on the Pokémon video games. It follows the journey of Ash Ketchum and his friends, Iris and Cilan, as they explore the Unova region, discover new Pokémon, and compete in various Pokémon battles and tournaments.- Number of episodes: 144
- Original run: September 23, 2010 – September 26, 2013
- Main protagonist: Ash Ketchum
- Region: Unova
- Major rival: Trip
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87votes
Pokémon: Advanced Battle
Junichi MasudaThis season follows Ash as he competes in the Hoenn League and battles against his rival, Morrison. The season features new Pokémon and exciting battles.Pokémon: Advanced Battle is the seventh season of the Pokémon anime series, following the adventures of the protagonist Ash Ketchum, and his Pikachu, in the Hoenn region. In this season, Ash continues his journey to compete in the Hoenn League and challenges powerful Gym Leaders to earn badges.- Season: 7
- Episodes: 52
- Original release: September 9, 2004 – September 29, 2005
- Language: Japanese
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
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911votes
Pokémon: Battle Frontier
The Pokémon CompanyThis season follows Ash as he competes in the Battle Frontier and battles against powerful trainers. The season features new Pokémon and introduces the concept of the Battle Frontier.Pokémon: Battle Frontier is the ninth season of the Pokémon anime series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends as they travel through the Battle Frontier, a special facility where trainers compete in various challenges to earn Frontier Symbols and battle powerful Frontier Brains. Along the way, they encounter new Pokémon, face intense battles, and strive to become Pokémon Masters.- Season Number: 9
- Episodes: 47
- Original Run: October 6, 2005 – September 14, 2006
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
- Target Audience: Children
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109votesThis season follows Ash as he travels through the Johto region and battles against his rival, Gary. The season features new Pokémon and exciting battles.Pokémon: The Johto Journeys is the third season of the Pokémon anime series. It follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, and their friends as they explore the Johto region, compete in Pokémon battles, and strive to become Pokémon Masters.
- Number of episodes: 41
- Original run: October 14, 1999 - July 27, 2000
- Main characters: Ash Ketchum, Misty, Brock, Pikachu
- Region explored: Johto
- Gym battles: Ash challenges 8 Johto region Gym Leaders
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular anime
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Number of seasons and episodesThe longevity of a Pokémon anime series can be an indicator of its popularity. A higher number of seasons and episodes generally shows that a series has a dedicated fan base and strong ratings.
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Viewership and ratingsThe average number of viewers per episode and the overall ratings can be a strong indicator of the popularity of a Pokémon anime. Higher viewership and ratings mean that more people are watching and enjoying the show.
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Online presence and engagementIn today's digital world, an anime's online presence is vital. Higher engagement on social media platforms, fan sites, and online forums can indicate the popularity of a Pokémon anime series.
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Merchandise salesThe sale of merchandise, such as toys, clothing, and other collectibles, can provide insight into a series' popularity. Higher sales numbers can indicate a larger and more passionate fan base.
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Award nominations and winsAwards and nominations can be indicative of a series' quality and popularity. Strong critical reception and multiple award wins can help cement a Pokémon anime's position in the franchise's history.
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Nostalgia factorThe emotional connection viewers have with certain Pokémon anime can also contribute to its popularity. Some series may be more popular based on nostalgic appeal, even if they don't necessarily have the highest ratings or viewership numbers.
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AccessibilityHow easily available the anime series is for viewers, either through television broadcasts, streaming services, or physical media, can impact its popularity. A more accessible series is likely to have a larger audience.
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Spin-offs and adaptationsSuccessful Pokémon anime series may spawn spin-offs, adaptations, or movies that further contribute to their popularity. The more a series branches out into different media formats, the better its overall popularity may be.
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Character development and storytellingQuality storytelling and character development can make a Pokémon anime more appealing to viewers. A series with engaging plots and well-loved characters is more likely to be highly ranked in terms of popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Pokémon anime. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Anime is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1905 views
- 151 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Anime once every 24 hours. The rank of each Anime is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular pokémon anime
The Pokémon anime has been a beloved staple of the franchise since its debut in Japan in 1997. The series follows the journey of a young trainer named Ash Ketchum as he travels through various regions, catching and training Pokémon while battling against other trainers. Over the years, the anime has introduced us to iconic characters like Pikachu, Misty, Brock, and many more. With over 1,100 episodes and counting, the Pokémon anime continues to captivate audiences of all ages around the world. But which season or series of the anime is the most popular among fans? Let's take a closer look at the top contenders.
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