Pokemon anime did began, all the way back, at April 1st 1997, and its still going strong! So how big did it get, since then? And what it even consist of? First of all its important to understand, that Pokemon anime currently featuring a lot of staff. Such as a number of TV series, movies, mini-movies (anime shown alongside of movies), ANA movies (anime shown on planes), 3D movies, OAV, ONA, Specials, and more!
Main part of Pokemon anime, is of course happens to be TV series. And its not just one. In fact there is already 7 main anime series. Which is: Pokemon (1997-2002 \ 276 ep), Pokemon AG (2002-2006 \ 191 ep), Pokemon DP (2006-2010 \ 191 ep), Pokemon BW (2010-2013 \ 144 ep), Pokemon XY (2013-2016 \ 140 ep), Pokemon SM (2016-2019 \ 146 ep), Pokemon 2019 (from 2019 \ 13 ep already). Which gives 1099 episodes total (exact number could be slightly different, depending on calculation method).
But wait, that's not all! Not a lot of people know, but Japan also have second line of Pokemon TV series. Which runs alongside the main line. It mostly consists of live action programs, and old episodes repeats. But it also features a bit of new anime episodes. First of them, is called Pokemon Encore (1999-2002 \ 138 ep). Unlike latter series, it was just repeats of older episodes. But even they did have something new. This series did feature new version of 5th ending Taipu: Wairudo, with English lyrics. And new segment called Pokemon De Engrishu, which is used to teach kids English language. By comparing Japanese and dub version of Pokemon. Next series was Pokemon Housou (2002-2004 \ 91 ep). It was a mix between live action program, and repeats of old episodes. But more importantly, it also featured 16 new anime episodes! Which is know as Pokemon Housou Specials. Since it did begin in almost the same time, as Pokemon AG, Pokemon Housou episodes was mostly about characters from first series. So it was shown, what happening to them, while Ash travel through Hoenn.
Next series was Pokemon Sunday (2004-2010 \ 310 ep). It was like Pokemon Housou, but almost not featured new anime episodes. Only new anime episodes in it was second and third special about Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness), and 2 episodes special based on Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs (with small sized episodes). After it there was Pokemon Smash (2010-2013 \ 155 ep), Pokemon Get TV (2013-2015 \ 101 ep), and Pokenchi (from 2015 \ 223 ep already). But all of them no longer featured any new anime episodes. If you count them, that's add up to another 879 (1017 with Encore) episodes!
But even that is not all Pokemon TV series! In Japan there also was another old episodes repeat based series, called Pokemon Puremia 10 (2017 \ 10 ep). Which reaired 10 chosen episodes, as promotion for 20th movie. While in the west there is Pokemon Chronicles (2005 \ 22 ep). What is it? Well, remember all of those Pokemon Housou Specials? Since Pokemon Housou was never shown in the west, it was necessary to air them, as new series. And in fact, they was not the only thing, which was not shown. So along with them, Pokemon Chronicles also features Legend of Thunder special (separated into 3 episodes), and first and third OAV (first one was shown before in the west).
Next major part of Pokemon anime is movies. And here situation is also somewhat unusual. Pokemon anime features 22 big anime movies (~70-100 min in length). Which in total run over 32 hours (~80 normal episodes length). But alongside with 1-6, and 15-18 movie, was also shown small movies (~15-20 min). Which is commonly referred as mini movies. So there is also 10 mini movies. And whats more, in the years when they was not shown (2004-2011), anime similar to them, was made and shown separately. But not in theaters. It was shown on board of planes, belonging to All Nippon Airways (ANA) company. Which is Japan largest airline. Because of this, there is also 8 ANA movies. And there is also 2 small movies, made with stereo graphics (Pokemon 3D Adobenchaa: Myuu Wo Sagase!, Pokemon 3D Adobenchaa 2: Pikachuu no Kaitei Daibouken). Since they was not released on video, they are happens to be rarest of Pokemon anime. Only seen by few fans. Aside from animated movies, there is also 1 western made live action movie Detective Pikachu.
Pokemon anime also features 14 specials (without specials from Pokemon Housou\Pokemon Sunday). Some of which feature several episodes. Content of this specials, can be very different. Some of them is really major (Mewtwo Returns, The Legend of Thunder, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, Pokemon Origins). Some others is just addition to movies (Yadokingu no Ichinichi, Mewtwo: Prologue to Awakening, Diancie: Princess of the Diamond Domain, Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures). While others is addition ti TV series (Hikari Aratanaru Tabidachi! \ Nibi Jimu Shijou Saidai no Kiki!, Dento to Takeshi! Gyaradosu no Gekirin!!, Airisu VS Ibuki! Doragon Masutaa E no Michi!!, Mega Evolution Special, XYZ no Densetsu! \ Saikyou no Futari! Shitoron to Dento!!). And there is also one special based on PMD games (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!).
Pokemon anime also features 5 OAV (direct to video animation). First 3 of them, happens to be 3 parts of Pikachu's Winter Vacation (mini movies like anime). Last of which also features second episode Boku-tachi Pichuu Burazaazu: Fuusen Soudou no Maki (Shown in Pokemon Chronicles as Trouble in Big Town). Which continue story of third mini movie. While 4-5 OAV is just addition to movies (Utae Meroetta: Rinka no Mi Wo Sagase, Hoopa: The Mischief Pokemon). There also is 2 ONA (anime shown on internet) Pokemon Generations (18 ep) and Pokemon: Twilight Wings (7 ep). Both of which is based on games, and have small sized episodes. And finally there also happens to be mini movie like episode, which was put inside GC video game, Pokemon Channel (Pichu Bros. In Party Panic).
So as you see, Pokemon anime is really huge. Even if you watch it by 5 hours a day, you will need over 3 month to watch it all (and even that without live action program)! According to my calculations it is 7th biggest anime series!
Main part of Pokemon anime, is of course happens to be TV series. And its not just one. In fact there is already 7 main anime series. Which is: Pokemon (1997-2002 \ 276 ep), Pokemon AG (2002-2006 \ 191 ep), Pokemon DP (2006-2010 \ 191 ep), Pokemon BW (2010-2013 \ 144 ep), Pokemon XY (2013-2016 \ 140 ep), Pokemon SM (2016-2019 \ 146 ep), Pokemon 2019 (from 2019 \ 13 ep already). Which gives 1099 episodes total (exact number could be slightly different, depending on calculation method).
But wait, that's not all! Not a lot of people know, but Japan also have second line of Pokemon TV series. Which runs alongside the main line. It mostly consists of live action programs, and old episodes repeats. But it also features a bit of new anime episodes. First of them, is called Pokemon Encore (1999-2002 \ 138 ep). Unlike latter series, it was just repeats of older episodes. But even they did have something new. This series did feature new version of 5th ending Taipu: Wairudo, with English lyrics. And new segment called Pokemon De Engrishu, which is used to teach kids English language. By comparing Japanese and dub version of Pokemon. Next series was Pokemon Housou (2002-2004 \ 91 ep). It was a mix between live action program, and repeats of old episodes. But more importantly, it also featured 16 new anime episodes! Which is know as Pokemon Housou Specials. Since it did begin in almost the same time, as Pokemon AG, Pokemon Housou episodes was mostly about characters from first series. So it was shown, what happening to them, while Ash travel through Hoenn.
Next series was Pokemon Sunday (2004-2010 \ 310 ep). It was like Pokemon Housou, but almost not featured new anime episodes. Only new anime episodes in it was second and third special about Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness), and 2 episodes special based on Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs (with small sized episodes). After it there was Pokemon Smash (2010-2013 \ 155 ep), Pokemon Get TV (2013-2015 \ 101 ep), and Pokenchi (from 2015 \ 223 ep already). But all of them no longer featured any new anime episodes. If you count them, that's add up to another 879 (1017 with Encore) episodes!
But even that is not all Pokemon TV series! In Japan there also was another old episodes repeat based series, called Pokemon Puremia 10 (2017 \ 10 ep). Which reaired 10 chosen episodes, as promotion for 20th movie. While in the west there is Pokemon Chronicles (2005 \ 22 ep). What is it? Well, remember all of those Pokemon Housou Specials? Since Pokemon Housou was never shown in the west, it was necessary to air them, as new series. And in fact, they was not the only thing, which was not shown. So along with them, Pokemon Chronicles also features Legend of Thunder special (separated into 3 episodes), and first and third OAV (first one was shown before in the west).
Next major part of Pokemon anime is movies. And here situation is also somewhat unusual. Pokemon anime features 22 big anime movies (~70-100 min in length). Which in total run over 32 hours (~80 normal episodes length). But alongside with 1-6, and 15-18 movie, was also shown small movies (~15-20 min). Which is commonly referred as mini movies. So there is also 10 mini movies. And whats more, in the years when they was not shown (2004-2011), anime similar to them, was made and shown separately. But not in theaters. It was shown on board of planes, belonging to All Nippon Airways (ANA) company. Which is Japan largest airline. Because of this, there is also 8 ANA movies. And there is also 2 small movies, made with stereo graphics (Pokemon 3D Adobenchaa: Myuu Wo Sagase!, Pokemon 3D Adobenchaa 2: Pikachuu no Kaitei Daibouken). Since they was not released on video, they are happens to be rarest of Pokemon anime. Only seen by few fans. Aside from animated movies, there is also 1 western made live action movie Detective Pikachu.
Pokemon anime also features 14 specials (without specials from Pokemon Housou\Pokemon Sunday). Some of which feature several episodes. Content of this specials, can be very different. Some of them is really major (Mewtwo Returns, The Legend of Thunder, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon, Pokemon Origins). Some others is just addition to movies (Yadokingu no Ichinichi, Mewtwo: Prologue to Awakening, Diancie: Princess of the Diamond Domain, Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures). While others is addition ti TV series (Hikari Aratanaru Tabidachi! \ Nibi Jimu Shijou Saidai no Kiki!, Dento to Takeshi! Gyaradosu no Gekirin!!, Airisu VS Ibuki! Doragon Masutaa E no Michi!!, Mega Evolution Special, XYZ no Densetsu! \ Saikyou no Futari! Shitoron to Dento!!). And there is also one special based on PMD games (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!).
Pokemon anime also features 5 OAV (direct to video animation). First 3 of them, happens to be 3 parts of Pikachu's Winter Vacation (mini movies like anime). Last of which also features second episode Boku-tachi Pichuu Burazaazu: Fuusen Soudou no Maki (Shown in Pokemon Chronicles as Trouble in Big Town). Which continue story of third mini movie. While 4-5 OAV is just addition to movies (Utae Meroetta: Rinka no Mi Wo Sagase, Hoopa: The Mischief Pokemon). There also is 2 ONA (anime shown on internet) Pokemon Generations (18 ep) and Pokemon: Twilight Wings (7 ep). Both of which is based on games, and have small sized episodes. And finally there also happens to be mini movie like episode, which was put inside GC video game, Pokemon Channel (Pichu Bros. In Party Panic).
So as you see, Pokemon anime is really huge. Even if you watch it by 5 hours a day, you will need over 3 month to watch it all (and even that without live action program)! According to my calculations it is 7th biggest anime series!
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