Pokémon recap: the story so far

No. 01 · 1997 · Series

Pokémon: The Original Series recap

Ash Ketchum oversleeps on the day he turns ten and gets the last Pokémon at Professor Oak's lab, a Pikachu that refuses to go in its Poké Ball. After Ash shields it from a flock of Spearow, they become partners. Misty, a Water-type trainer from Cerulean City whose bike Ash wrecks, and Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, travel with him through Kanto as he collects eight badges. His rival is Gary Oak, the professor's grandson, always a step ahead. Team Rocket's Jessie, James and the talking Meowth chase Pikachu in nearly every episode. Ash releases Butterfree and Pidgeot, struggles with a disobedient Charizard, and loses in the Indigo League's top 16 to Ritchie when Charizard refuses to fight. In the Orange Islands, Brock stays behind with Professor Ivy and the artist Tracey Sketchit joins. In Johto, Brock returns, and Ash earns eight more badges, leaves Charizard to train in the Charicific Valley and lets Lapras go back to its pod.

How Pokémon: The Original Series ends

Ash wins the Orange League by beating Drake, then reaches the top 8 of Johto's Silver Conference, defeating Gary along the way before losing to Harrison and his Blaziken. Back in Pallet Town, the group splits: Misty returns to run her Gym in Cerulean City and Brock goes home to Pewter City. Ash sets off for the Hoenn region alone with Pikachu.

No. 02 · 1998 · Film

Pokémon: The First Movie recap

Team Rocket's boss Giovanni funds Dr. Fuji to clone Mew from a fossil, and the clone, Mewtwo, wakes with immense psychic power. He destroys the lab, learns Giovanni sees him as a weapon, and turns on both humans and Pokémon. From New Island he sends invitations to the strongest trainers to battle "the world's greatest Pokémon Master", and raises a storm so only the determined reach him. Ash, Misty and Brock cross the sea with Team Rocket ferrying them in disguise. Mewtwo's cloned Pokémon beat the trainers' teams, and he takes their Pokémon to make copies of them. Ash breaks the cloning machine and frees them, and the real Mew appears. Mewtwo challenges it, and the originals and their clones fight each other to exhaustion while Pikachu refuses to strike back at its copy.

How Pokémon: The First Movie ends

Ash jumps between Mewtwo and Mew as they fire at each other and is turned to stone. The Pokémon's tears bring him back, and Mewtwo, moved, decides that what matters is how a life is lived, not how it began. He leaves with Mew and his clones and turns back time, wiping everyone's memory of New Island. Ash sees Mew in the clouds from the harbour, and Team Rocket are left stranded on the island.

No. 03 · 1999 · Film

Pokémon: The Movie 2000 recap

An old legend says that if the Titans of Fire, Ice and Lightning are disturbed, only the Guardian of the sea can calm them, with the help of a Chosen One. The collector Lawrence III flies his airship fortress over the Orange Islands and captures Moltres, hoping to trap Zapdos and Articuno and then Lugia. With Moltres gone, the weather across the world turns wild. Ash, Misty and Tracey wash up on Shamouti Island during its festival, and Melody, the festival maiden, names Ash the Chosen One. He must collect three glass spheres from the islands of fire, lightning and ice and bring them to the shrine. Ash finds the fire sphere, Lawrence captures Zapdos and the group, and when they break free, Moltres and Zapdos battle until the fortress crashes. Lugia rises from the sea, is beaten down by the birds, and is revived by Melody's song.

How Pokémon: The Movie 2000 ends

Lugia carries Ash to Ice Island for the last sphere, with Team Rocket helping for once, and destroys Lawrence's airship with Aeroblast before falling into the sea with Ash. Misty and Tracey bring Ash back to the shrine, where he places the sphere and Melody plays the song; the birds calm, the storms stop, and each bird returns home. Lugia thanks Ash, Ash's mother scolds him, and Lawrence starts thinking about a new collection.

No. 04 · 2000 · Film

Pokémon 3: The Movie recap

In the town of Greenfield, Professor Spencer Hale is pulled into the dimension of the Unown while studying ruins, leaving his young daughter Molly alone; her mother had already vanished. Molly arranges tablets with Unown letters and summons them, and they make her wishes real: her mansion becomes a crystal palace that spreads over the town, and they create an Entei to be her father. Ash, Misty and Brock arrive with a trainer named Lisa, while Professor Oak and Ash's mother Delia come to help their old friends. When Molly wishes for a mother, Entei kidnaps Delia and hypnotises her into believing she is Molly's mom. Ash, Misty and Brock storm the mansion, where an adult dream version of Molly battles Brock and Misty. Ash's Charizard, watching on television, flies in to fight Entei.

How Pokémon 3: The Movie ends

Molly sees her wishes are hurting people and agrees to leave with Ash and his mother, but the Unown lose control and seal everyone inside. Pikachu, Charizard and Entei break the Unown's barrier with Molly's help, and Entei fades away as the Unown return to their dimension. The crystal vanishes, Professor Hale reappears at the ruins, and Molly is reunited with both her father and her mother. Charizard and Lisa go their own way.

No. 05 · 2001 · Film

Pokémon 4Ever recap

Forty years ago, a boy named Sammy shields the time travelling Pokémon Celebi from a hunter, and Celebi carries him forward to the present. Ash, Misty and Brock, who have just seen Suicune, find Sammy and the injured Celebi in the forest with the help of Towa and her granddaughter Diana, and take Celebi to the Lake of Life to heal. The Iron Masked Marauder, a Team Rocket agent who wants to rule the world, uses Dark Balls to capture Pokémon and turn them vicious. He catches Celebi with one and uses its power to build a giant monster out of the forest. Ash, Sammy and Pikachu climb inside it and plead with Celebi until it breaks free of his control.

How Pokémon 4Ever ends

The monster collapses into the lake, and Celebi dies in Sammy's arms. Suicune purifies the lake, and then Celebi from across time appear and bring it back to life. Ash and Pikachu save Celebi from the Marauder one last time, and the forest Pokémon deal with him. Celebi takes Sammy home to his own time. Ash wonders how Professor Oak knew Sammy's name, and Oak's old sketchbook shows that Sammy grew up to be Oak.

No. 06 · 2002 · Film

Pokémon Heroes recap

The canal city of Alto Mare is protected by Latias and Latios, whose father died saving it long ago and left behind the Soul Dew, a jewel that holds his spirit and powers an old machine called the Defense Mechanism. Ash, Misty and Brock arrive for a water race, and Ash glimpses an invisible Latias. Two thieves, Annie and Oakley, try to capture her, and Latias, disguised as the local girl Bianca, gets help from Ash. Bianca's grandfather Lorenzo shows Ash a hidden garden where the siblings live, unaware the thieves are spying with a drone. That night Annie and Oakley capture Latios, steal the Soul Dew and switch on the machine, sealing the city and raising ancient Pokémon. Ash and Latias fly to stop them.

How Pokémon Heroes ends

The Soul Dew is damaged and darkens, and the canals drain into a tidal wave rushing toward Alto Mare. Latios and Latias hold it back together, and Latios gives his life, becoming a new Soul Dew. As Ash and his friends leave, a girl who looks like Bianca, most likely Latias, gives Ash a sketch of himself and Pikachu, kisses him and leaves without a word. Annie and Oakley end up in jail.

No. 07 · 2002 · Series

Pokémon: Advanced Generation recap

Ash sets off for Hoenn with only Pikachu, which falls ill on arrival and is saved with the help of May, a new trainer who would rather see the world than battle. May takes up Pokémon Contests, her little brother Max tags along hoping to be a trainer, and Brock rejoins the group. Ash wins eight Hoenn badges with a new team that includes Treecko, which evolves into Sceptile, and Corphish. Team Magma and Team Aqua fight over the legendary Groudon and Kyogre, a conflict that ends with both teams beaten. May finds rivals in Drew and Harley. Ash reaches the top 8 of the Ever Grande Conference before losing to Tyson. Back in Kanto, Scott invites him to the Battle Frontier, a set of seven facilities each run by a Frontier Brain, and the same four travel together again while May collects Contest ribbons in Kanto. Team Rocket follow them the whole way, as always.

How Pokémon: Advanced Generation ends

Ash beats all seven Frontier Brains, ending with Brandon, the Pyramid King, and declines Scott's offer to become a Frontier Brain himself. The group splits: May leaves for Johto to enter Contests, Max goes home to Petalburg City to wait until he can start his own journey, and Brock returns to Pewter City. Ash sets out for the Sinnoh region with Pikachu, and Aipom stows away with him.

No. 08 · 2003 · Film

Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker recap

Every thousand years the Millennium Comet passes for seven days, and Jirachi wakes to absorb its energy. Ash, May, Max and Brock visit a comet festival, where Max hears a voice coming from a cocoon used in a stage trick by the magician Butler. Butler gives Max the cocoon, Jirachi emerges, and the two become friends; when Max wishes for candy, Jirachi teleports it from a stall. Butler, a former Team Magma scientist who once failed to revive Groudon, wants Jirachi's energy to try again. Absol shows up to warn the group, and they travel with Butler's partner Diane toward Forina, where Jirachi must go back to sleep. Max dreads the parting, and Ash tells him friends stay friends even when apart.

How Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker ends

Butler captures Jirachi and uses its energy to raise a Groudon, but it is a fake that drains life from the land and swallows May, Brock, Team Rocket and Diane. Losing Diane makes Butler realise what matters, and he helps Ash and Max distract it. Jirachi takes back its energy and destroys the fake Groudon with Doom Desire, restoring everyone, then falls asleep for another thousand years. Before leaving, Max hears Jirachi promising they will always be friends.

No. 09 · 2004 · Film

Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys recap

A meteorite crashes near a polar research base, and the alien Pokémon Deoxys hatches from it. Rayquaza, guardian of the sky, attacks it as an invader, and their battle leaves a boy named Tory terrified of Pokémon. Rayquaza wins, and Deoxys's crystal sinks into the sea. Four years later, Ash, May, Max and Brock arrive in LaRousse City, a high tech city run by security robots, where Tory now lives with his father, Professor Lund. Deoxys comes back looking for a second Deoxys whose crystal is stored in Lund's lab. It makes copies of itself that trap the city's people in cubes and cuts LaRousse off with a force field. Rayquaza breaks through, and the two fight across the city.

How Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys ends

Pikachu, Plusle and Minun power up the lab so the second Deoxys can regenerate, and it shields Rayquaza from a final blow. When the city's robots malfunction and swarm everyone, both Deoxys protect Rayquaza, and Rayquaza turns on the robots instead. Ash and Tory shut down the robots' controller, and the green Deoxys catches Tory when he falls. Rayquaza leaves in peace, the two Deoxys fly off together, and Tory, no longer afraid, says goodbye with Plusle and Minun on his shoulders.

No. 10 · 2005 · Film

Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew recap

Centuries ago, the knight Sir Aaron seals his Lucario inside his staff, seemingly abandoning him as war approaches Cameran Palace, and the war ends without a battle. In the present, Ash wins a tournament dressed as Sir Aaron and is named Aura Guardian for the festival; his aura frees Lucario, who believes Aaron betrayed him and the queen. Mew teleports Pikachu and Meowth to the Tree of Beginning after an adventurer named Kidd Summers comes looking for it. Ash, his friends, Kidd and Lucario head into the mountains, and Ash and Lucario slowly come to trust each other. At the tree, Regirock, Regice and Registeel guard the way, and Kidd's machines set off the tree's defences, which nearly absorb the group. The strain makes Mew and the tree both sicken.

How Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew ends

Ash and Lucario pour their aura into the tree to save it and Mew, and Lucario pushes Ash away before it costs him his life. In a vision, Lucario learns Aaron sealed him to keep him safe while Aaron gave his own life to stop the war. Exhausted, Lucario lies down beside Aaron's memory and fades away in peace. The tree and Mew recover, and Ash promises never to forget Lucario.

No. 11 · 2006 · Film

Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea recap

The pirate Phantom wants the egg of Manaphy, the Prince of the Sea, which can lead him to the treasure of the Sea Temple, Samiya. Jack Walker, a Pokémon Ranger, steals the egg first and hides with the Marina Group, a travelling circus descended from the People of the Water. Ash, May, Max and Brock join them. Manaphy hatches in May's arms and treats her as its mother, and May grows attached even though Jack warns that Manaphy must go to Samiya. Manaphy swims off after May's lost bandana, and the search for it leads Ash, Max, Brock and Lizabeth, the Marina Group's daughter, to the temple during a lunar eclipse, with Phantom close behind. He pries the jewels from the Sea Crown at its heart, and the temple floods and begins to sink.

How Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea ends

Jack fights Phantom and replaces most of the jewels, and Ash dives into the flooded chamber to return the last one, raising the temple. Phantom grabs Manaphy, but Ash takes it back, and Manaphy calls wild sea Pokémon, including Kyogre, to finish off his ship. Phantom is arrested, and Manaphy, now Samiya's ruler, says a tearful goodbye to May as the temple sinks back into the sea.

No. 12 · 2006 · Series

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl recap

In Sinnoh, Ash meets Dawn, a new Coordinator with Piplup who wants to follow her mother into Pokémon Contests, and Brock catches up to travel with them. Ash's new rival is Paul, a cold trainer who treats his Pokémon as tools; he abandons Chimchar, and Ash takes it in, and it grows into Infernape. Ash also raises Turtwig into Torterra and Gible, and Dawn's Piplup refuses to evolve. Ash wins eight Sinnoh badges while Dawn chases five Contest ribbons, losing her nerve for a time after early defeats before winning them all. Team Galactic, led by Cyrus, hunts the lake guardians Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf to make the Red Chain, which lets them summon Dialga and Palkia at Spear Pillar so Cyrus can destroy this world and create a new one. Ash and his friends stop him, and Cyrus vanishes into the distortion he opened. Dawn reaches the Grand Festival final and loses to her rival Zoey.

How Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl ends

At the Lily of the Valley Conference, Ash finally beats Paul in a full battle, then reaches the semifinals and loses to Tobias, whose Darkrai and Latios have swept everyone. The group returns to Twinleaf Town, where they part: Dawn stays in Sinnoh to keep training, and Brock goes home to Pewter City to study as a Pokémon Doctor. Ash flies home to Pallet Town with Pikachu.

No. 13 · 2007 · Film

Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai recap

Ash, Dawn and Brock arrive in Alamos Town for a Pokémon Contest at the Space-Time Towers, built by the architect Godey a century ago. They meet Alice, whose grandmother Alicia once befriended Darkrai, and Tonio, Godey's descendant, who has found the architect's diary. Dialga and Palkia are fighting between dimensions, and the damage spills into the town. Darkrai, a Pokémon that gives nightmares, keeps appearing, and Baron Alberto and the townsfolk blame it. Darkrai drags Ash into a nightmare and warns people away. The wounded Palkia hides by moving Alamos Town into its own dimension with no way out. Ash realises Darkrai is trying to drive Palkia off to protect the town, and that it has quietly watched over Alice for years.

How Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai ends

Dialga arrives and clashes with Palkia, and the dimension begins to collapse. Darkrai throws itself between them and is destroyed. Ash and Dawn reach the top of the towers, Pikachu and Pachirisu power them up, and Godey's recording of the song "Oración" plays across the town, calming Dialga and Palkia. Dialga leaves, Palkia returns the town to the real world, and everyone mourns Darkrai until they see it standing alive on top of a tower.

Post-credits scenes

The credits play over scenes of the aftermath, including Dawn losing in her Pokémon Contest.

No. 14 · 2008 · Film

Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior recap

Picking up after the battle in Alamos Town, Giratina drags Dialga into the Reverse World, angry at the damage the fight has done there. Shaymin, a small Pokémon riding on Dialga, escapes into the real world, and Ash, Dawn and Brock agree to take it to a flower garden where Shaymin gather to migrate. A portal pulls Ash, Dawn and Shaymin into the Reverse World, where they meet Newton Graceland, a scientist who once studied Giratina. His former assistant Zero has taken his research and wants Giratina's power to control the Reverse World. Shaymin touches a Gracidea flower, changes into its flying Sky Forme and travels with them. Zero captures Shaymin and uses it to lure Giratina into the real world.

How Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior ends

Zero traps Giratina and drains its power, and Newton shuts down the machine too late; Shaymin heals Giratina. Zero's use of the power in the Reverse World sends a glacier toward the flower garden, where Regigigas and wild Mamoswine slow it. Shaymin pulls Zero back to the real world, his ship crashes, and the stolen data is lost. Giratina repairs the damage, carries Ash back and flies off after Dialga, and the Shaymin take flight.

Post-credits scenes

During the credits, Newton makes up with Zero, Zero is arrested, and Ash, Dawn and Brock send flowers home to their families.

No. 15 · 2009 · Film

Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life recap

Long ago, Arceus lent the Jewel of Life to a man named Damos to bring the wasteland of Michina back to life, on condition that it be returned. Arceus believed it was betrayed and swore to take revenge on humanity when it woke. In the present, its waking warps time and space, drawing Dialga, Palkia and Giratina into conflict. Ash, Dawn and Brock meet Sheena, a descendant of Damos who can sense Pokémon's feelings. When Arceus rises and is given a fake Jewel, it begins destroying everything, and Dialga sends Ash and his friends back in time. In the past, they learn that Damos was framed by his adviser, Marcus, who kept the Jewel for himself and planned to kill Arceus and take all of its power.

How Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life ends

Ash and his friends free Damos, stop Marcus's attack on Arceus and return the Jewel, and Arceus recovers. Because history has changed, Arceus never carried its grudge forward, and back in the present it stops its rampage and heals Dialga, Palkia and Giratina. A mural left by Damos thanks Ash and his friends, and Michina is still green, kept that way by its people. The legendary Pokémon return to their own dimensions.

No. 16 · 2010 · Film

Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions recap

Twenty years ago, the businessman Grings Kodai absorbed the energy of a time ripple left by Celebi, gaining visions of the future and building a media empire, but the forest of Crown City withered. Now his visions are fading, and he wants another ripple. He captures the illusion Pokémon Zoroark and her child Zorua and brings them to Crown City. Zorua escapes and finds Ash, Dawn and Brock, who agree to help it find its mother. Kodai forces Zoroark to rampage through the city disguised as Raikou, Entei and Suicune, the city's guardians, and his news channel broadcasts the chaos so he can seal off the city and search for the ripple. Karl, a journalist investigating Kodai, guides Ash's group inside, and Kodai's secretary Rowena turns out to be an undercover reporter.

How Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions ends

Kodai injures Celebi to trigger its time power and corners Ash at the stadium, but the victory he thinks he has won is one of Zoroark's illusions, and the real guardians block his way. Zoroark collapses, and Celebi uses the time ripple's power to heal her before returning to its own time. Kodai's boasting goes out live on the news, and he is arrested. Zoroark and Zorua head home to Unova, and Ash promises to visit.

No. 17 · 2010 · Series

Pokémon: Black & White recap

Ash travels to Unova with only Pikachu and starts over with a whole new team, including Oshawott, Snivy and Tepig. He travels with Iris, a girl from a village of Dragon-type trainers who wants to become a Dragon Master, and Cilan, a Striaton City Gym Leader and Pokémon Connoisseur. His rivals are Trip, a cool trainer who looks down on him, Bianca and Cameron. Team Rocket arrive with a serious new mission, Operation Tempest, to seize the meteorites that power Unova's legends, and are stopped. Team Plasma, led by Ghetsis, claims to want to free Pokémon from people while plotting to control them; their king, N, is a young man who talks with Pokémon. Along the way Ash raises Tepig into Pignite, Scraggy and a Krookodile that has followed him since it was a Sandile, and Iris struggles to win the trust of her stubborn Dragonite. Ash collects eight badges, while Iris and Cilan take part in tournaments of their own.

How Pokémon: Black & White ends

Ash reaches the top 8 of the Vertress Conference, where Cameron's Lucario beats him. In the Episode N arc, Team Plasma tries to control Reshiram, and Ash, N and Iris stop Ghetsis, who is arrested. On the Decolore Islands journey home, Ash returns to Pallet Town, where Iris and Cilan say goodbye to him. Ash sets off for the Kalos region with the journalist Alexa.

No. 18 · 2011 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: White, Victini and Zekrom recap

Released in two versions that swap the legendary dragons, the film opens with a thousand-year-old story. The Kingdom of the Vale used the power of its land, the Dragon Force, and its king used Victini's strength to move his castle to safety when the force turned destructive, leaving Victini trapped by a barrier. Ash, Iris and Cilan visit Eindoak Town for its harvest festival, and Victini boosts Ash's Pokémon in a battle contest; Ash shares macarons with it and promises to take it to the sea. Damon, a descendant of the Vale people, wants to move the castle back and restore the Vale. One legendary dragon, Reshiram or Zekrom depending on the version, helps him and holds Victini captive to power the plan. Ash wakes the other dragon to stop them.

How Pokémon the Movie: White, Victini and Zekrom ends

Damon's plan unleashes the Dragon Force and the castle rises into the sky, putting the world at risk. Damon realises his mistake and stays to fix it while Ash refuses to leave Victini. Victini breaks the barrier with V-create, and with both dragons' help the Dragon Force is released safely and the castle is set down in the sea. Later, Ash, Iris and Cilan toss a macaron into the ocean for Victini, and Victini appears, free, to eat it.

No. 19 · 2012 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice recap

Keldeo is training to join the Swords of Justice, Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion, who protect Pokémon in danger. Too eager, it challenges Kyurem in its home, an abandoned mine, claiming to be a Sword of Justice. Kyurem breaks Keldeo's horn and freezes the Swords who come to stop the fight. Keldeo flees and lands on Ash, Iris and Cilan's train, with Kyurem and its Cryogonal in pursuit, insisting the battle is not finished. In Roshan City, Keldeo heals and asks for help freeing its friends. Iris and Cilan lead Kyurem away with a borrowed airship and a mine cart while Ash and Keldeo go to the mine to rescue the Swords. On the way, Ash tells Keldeo that pretending to be strong is not the same as being brave.

How Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice ends

Kyurem returns and attacks, and Keldeo finally finds its courage, unlocking its Resolute Form to fight Kyurem as an equal. When one of Kyurem's attacks heads for Ash and his friends, Keldeo throws away its chance to win to protect them, and admits defeat. Kyurem respects that choice and ends the duel, freezing the collapsing mine so no one is crushed. The freed Swords accept Keldeo as the fourth Sword of Justice.

No. 20 · 2013 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened recap

Five Genesect, revived from fossils after 300 million years, arrive in New Tork City. Ash, Iris and Cilan befriend a lost one at Pokémon Hills, a nature park, but the group's leader, a red Genesect, attacks them. A Mewtwo, a different one from the first film, steps in. The Genesect drive the park's Pokémon out and build a giant nest around the city's power station, near Panna lotuses that remind them of their lost home. Mewtwo, who knows what it means to be made by humans, tries to persuade the red Genesect to stop, and the two fight across the city. The park's Pokémon battle the other Genesect, the friendly Genesect takes a hit meant for Ash, and the fighting sets the nest on fire. Ash's Oshawott and the wild Pokémon rush to put it out.

How Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened ends

The friendly Genesect protect Ash, and the other Genesect start to see the park's Pokémon are not their enemies. Mewtwo carries the red Genesect into space, where the sight of the planet changes its mind, and the Pokémon catch both of them as they fall. The city's power is restored, and Ash leads the Genesect to a national park where Panna lotuses still grow, so they can build a new home.

No. 21 · 2013 · Series

Pokémon: XY recap

Ash arrives in Kalos and starts Gym battles in Lumiose City, where he meets Clemont, an inventor and the city's Gym Leader, and his little sister Bonnie, who keeps asking girls to marry her brother. Serena, who met Ash as a child at Professor Oak's summer camp, sees him on the news and joins them, later turning to Pokémon Showcases. Ash's Froakie evolves into Greninja and forms a bond with him that unlocks Ash-Greninja. His rivals include Sawyer and Alain, a Mega Evolution trainer with Charizard. Bonnie looks after Squishy, a core of the legendary Zygarde. Team Flare, led by Lysandre, wants to wipe out most of the world, and Alain has been unknowingly working for him while collecting Mega Evolution energy. Ash wins eight Kalos badges with a team that also includes Talonflame, Hawlucha, Noivern and Goodra, while Serena finishes as runner-up to the Kalos Queen, Aria, in the Master Class.

How Pokémon: XY ends

Ash reaches the final of the Lumiose Conference and loses to Alain's Mega Charizard X, his best league finish so far. Days later, Team Flare attacks Lumiose City with giant roots and a mind-controlled Zygarde, and Ash, Alain and the trainers of Kalos stop Lysandre. Greninja stays in Kalos with Zygarde to clear the remaining roots. Serena leaves for Hoenn and kisses Ash goodbye at the airport, Clemont and Bonnie stay in Lumiose, and Ash flies home alone.

No. 22 · 2014 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction recap

The Heart Diamond that powers the underground Diamond Domain is failing, and only its princess, Diancie, can make a new one, but she has not yet found the power. She sets out to find Xerneas, the Pokémon of life, hoping it will awaken her ability. In a city above ground she meets Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie, who agree to help her. Diancie is pursued by the thieves Merilyn Flame and Ninja Riot and by Argus Steel and his daughter Millis, as well as Team Rocket, all after the diamonds she can make. The search leads to the Allearth Forest, where Yveltal, the Pokémon of destruction, sleeps in a cocoon. Xerneas helps Diancie learn how to create a Heart Diamond.

How Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction ends

The fighting wakes Yveltal, which turns Pikachu, the thieves and their Pokémon to stone. Xerneas drives Yveltal away, then uses its life force to restore the forest and everyone who was petrified, and becomes a tree. Diancie, who has learned what she needed from the journey, returns to the Diamond Domain and creates a new Heart Diamond, saving her people. Ash and his friends see her off and continue through Kalos.

No. 23 · 2015 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages recap

A century ago, the mischievous Hoopa Unbound used its rings to summon legendary Pokémon and cause chaos, until its power was sealed in the Prison Bottle and it was left in a small, harmless confined form. In Dahara City, Ash, Serena, Clemont and Bonnie are pulled through one of Hoopa's rings and meet Meray, whose family has looked after Hoopa, and her brother Baraz. The bottle's dark power possesses Baraz and then Meowth, unleashing Hoopa's strength, and its anger takes shape as a separate shadow Hoopa that wants to reclaim its full power. Hoopa summons Lugia, Latias, Latios and Rayquaza to fight, and the shadow summons Groudon, Kyogre, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina and Kyurem. The legendaries clash over Dahara Tower while Baraz and Meray rebuild the bottle.

How Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages ends

Ash catches the remade bottle and is briefly possessed, and Hoopa calms its shadow with its happy memories, making the darkness disappear. With so many legendaries summoned, a rift opens in space and time, and Hoopa sends everyone home through its rings but cannot pass through itself. Arceus closes the rift, giving Hoopa time to escape. Hoopa decides to stay with Baraz and Meray, its family, and sets about repairing the city.

No. 24 · 2016 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel recap

Councillor Alva of the Azoth Kingdom steals Magearna, a Pokémon built by humans 500 years ago, from Volcanion's refuge at Nebel Plateau. Volcanion chases it, crashes into Ash's campsite, and a magnetic band snaps Ash and Volcanion together, so the human-hating Volcanion has to drag Ash along. They recover Magearna, and with Serena, Clemont and Bonnie they head for Nebel Plateau, helped by Princess Kimia, Prince Raleigh's sister, who has been tracking Alva. Alva recaptures Magearna and takes her Soul-Heart to power Azoth Castle, turning it into a flying fortress, and mind-controls Pokémon with his cane. He fires on Nebel Plateau to break Magearna's will, and the plateau's Pokémon hold off the blast with help from Squishy, the Zygarde core. Ash, Pikachu, Volcanion, Kimia and Greninja storm the fortress and are trapped inside.

How Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel ends

Ash breaks Alva's cane, freeing the Pokémon, and Ash-Greninja stops Alva's escape. The fortress is set to crash into the plateau, and Volcanion destroys it from the inside, seemingly dying in the blast. Ash returns the Soul-Heart, and Volcanion is found unconscious but alive, Magearna revives him with flowers, and he makes Pikachu and the other visiting Pokémon honorary members of Nebel Plateau.

Post-credits scenes

During the credits, Volcanion buries the fortress wreckage, Bonnie proposes to Kimia's assistant on Clemont's behalf, Kimia's Gardevoir finds Alva caught in a tree and he is arrested with his helpers, Raleigh sets out on his own journey, and Magearna lives in peace on the plateau.

No. 25 · 2016 · Series

Pokémon: Sun & Moon recap

On holiday in Alola with his mother, Ash enrols at the Pokémon School run by Professor Kukui and moves in with him. His classmates are Lillie, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow and Sophocles, and a talking Rotom Dex lives with him. Tapu Koko gives Ash a Z-Ring, and he takes on the island trials and grand trials. He raises Rowlet, Litten, which grows into Incineroar, Rockruff, which becomes Lycanroc, and Melmetal, and cares for the cosmic baby Pokémon Nebby. Lillie's mother Lusamine runs the Aether Foundation and is obsessed with Ultra Beasts; Ash and Lillie's brother Gladion rescue her from Nihilego in Ultra Space. The class becomes the Ultra Guardians and later faces Necrozma. Team Skull are the local troublemakers, and Team Rocket are back, now living alongside a Bewear that keeps carrying them home. The series is lighter and more slice of life than earlier ones, built around school lessons, field trips and the class's own goals, such as Lillie overcoming her fear of touching Pokémon.

How Pokémon: Sun & Moon ends

Ash wins the first Alola League, beating Gladion in the final, then defeats Professor Kukui, battling as the masked Royal, in an exhibition match to become Alola's first Champion. It is the first league Ash has ever won. He graduates from the school with his classmates, who all go their own ways, and Lillie leaves for Kanto with her mother. Ash returns to Pallet Town with Pikachu.

No. 26 · 2017 · Film · optional

Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! recap

In a new continuity that retells Ash's first days, Ash oversleeps, gets a Pikachu that refuses its Poké Ball, and wins its trust by protecting it from Spearow. Ho-Oh flies overhead and drops a Rainbow Wing, and Ash vows to find it. Instead of Misty and Brock, he travels with Verity, a confident young trainer, and Sorrel, a quiet student who lost his Luxray as a child. Ash takes in a Charmander abandoned by Cross, a trainer who values only strength, and it grows into Charmeleon. Marshadow, a shadowy Pokémon guarding Ho-Oh's path, puts Ash in a dream where Pokémon do not exist, and he wakes remembering how much Pikachu means to him. At Mount Tensei, Cross corrupts the Rainbow Wing, and Marshadow sends wild Pokémon into a rage.

How Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! ends

Charmeleon evolves into Charizard and beats Cross, but Ash is overwhelmed by the raging Pokémon and fades away. Pikachu's grief unleashes a huge Thunderbolt that breaks the corruption, and Ash comes back to life, holding a new Rainbow Wing. Ho-Oh appears, heals everyone, and Ash challenges it to a battle, which is not shown. The friends split up to chase their own goals, and Ash and Pikachu walk on together.

No. 27 · 2018 · Film · optional

Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us recap

Fula City, set in the same continuity as I Choose You!, holds a yearly wind festival in honour of Lugia, which brings the wind on the festival's final day. Fifty years ago a fire burned the mountain forest while people hunted the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora, and the mayor of the time told the town Zeraora was gone to protect it. Now Margo, the mayor's daughter, secretly cares for an injured Zeraora. Ash and Pikachu join the festival's catching contest alongside a cast of locals: Risa, a former runner trying to catch an Eevee for her brother; Callahan, a con man faking expertise to impress his niece; Toren, a shy scientist; and Harriet, an old woman who no longer trusts Pokémon. Team Rocket steal a bottle of Effect Spore, which breaks in the woods and spreads through the city.

How Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us ends

The spores and a forest fire throw Fula City into chaos, and each of the townsfolk does their part: Toren makes an antidote, Callahan and Harriet help get it into the wind turbines, and Risa carries the festival flame back up the tower. Ash and Margo win Zeraora's trust, Lugia arrives to put out the fire, and the mayor tells the town the truth about Zeraora, promising to live alongside it.

Post-credits scenes

Yes. After the credits, the festival's announcer is revealed to be Risa's brother Rick, and Ash and Pikachu head off to their next destination.

No. 28 · 2019 · Film · optional

Pokémon Detective Pikachu recap

Tim Goodman, an insurance clerk who gave up on Pokémon as a child, travels to Ryme City after his estranged father Harry, a detective, is reported dead in a car crash. In Harry's apartment he meets Harry's partner, a Pikachu in a deerstalker who has lost his memory, and Tim is the only person who can understand him. With the junior reporter Lucy Stevens and her Psyduck, they investigate R, a gas that drives Pokémon into a rage, and a secret lab where Mewtwo was held. The trail leads to Howard Clifford, the founder of Ryme City, and his son Roger. Howard plans to release R during the city parade and use Mewtwo to merge every person with their Pokémon, putting his own mind into Mewtwo's body first.

How Pokémon Detective Pikachu ends

Tim pulls the headset off Howard, Mewtwo is freed, and it separates everyone from their Pokémon. Mewtwo reveals that Harry survived the crash and was merged with Pikachu to save him, and it splits them apart. Tim and his father reunite, and the city returns to normal. Tim decides to stay in Ryme City and train as a detective with his father, and Pikachu stays on as their partner.

Post-credits scenes

No. There is no mid-credits or post-credits scene.

No. 29 · 2019 · Film · optional

Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Evolution recap

A CGI remake of the first film that follows it almost scene for scene. Team Rocket's boss Giovanni has Dr. Fuji clone Mew, and the clone, Mewtwo, wakes with vast psychic power, destroys the lab, and turns on both humans and Pokémon after learning he was made to be a weapon. From New Island he sends invitations to the strongest trainers, and Ash, Misty and Brock cross a storm to reach him. Mewtwo's clones beat the trainers' Pokémon, and he steals them to make more copies. Ash breaks the cloning machine and frees them, and Mew appears. Mewtwo challenges Mew, and the originals and their clones fight to exhaustion while Pikachu and Meowth refuse to join in. A scene showing Mewtwo's childhood with other clones, in the original's extended cut, is left out.

How Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, Evolution ends

Ash steps between Mewtwo and Mew as they attack and is turned to stone; the Pokémon's tears revive him. Mewtwo decides that a life is defined by its choices, not its origins, and leaves with Mew and the clones, turning back time and erasing everyone's memories of New Island. Ash sees Mew in the clouds, and Team Rocket are left on the island.

Post-credits scenes

Yes. After the credits, Mewtwo, Mew and the clones fly toward Mount Quena.

No. 30 · 2019 · Series

Pokémon Journeys recap

Ash moves to Vermilion City and becomes a research fellow at Professor Cerise's new lab with Goh, a boy who wants to catch every Pokémon, Mew above all. Their work sends them to every region from Kanto to Galar, often meeting old friends. Ash catches a Riolu that evolves into Lucario, raises Gengar, Dragonite and Dracovish among others, and learns to Dynamax and Gigantamax. He enters the World Coronation Series, a global ranking of trainers, and climbs from the bottom to the Masters Eight, while Goh joins Project Mew and Chloe, Professor Cerise's daughter, finds her own path with an Eevee. The legendary Eternatus wakes and nearly drains Galar of power before Ash and Goh help Zacian and Zamazenta stop it. Team Rocket still trail Ash and Goh everywhere. In the Masters Tournament, Ash beats Steven, then Cynthia in the semifinal, setting up a final against Leon, the unbeaten Champion of Galar.

How Pokémon Journeys ends

Ash defeats Leon in the final at Wyndon Stadium and becomes World Monarch, the strongest trainer in the world. He realises that being champion is not the same as being a Pokémon Master, and that his dream is something he will keep chasing. Goh and Chloe go their own ways, and in the closing episodes Ash and Pikachu reunite with Misty and Brock and old Pokémon friends before walking on together. His story ends there, and Horizons begins with new heroes.

No. 31 · 2020 · Film

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle recap

In the Forest of Okoya, the Mythical Pokémon Zarude finds a human baby on a riverbank, names him Koko and raises him, leaving his own tribe to do so. Ten years later, Koko believes he is a Pokémon. Ash and Pikachu visit the forest, where the Biotope Company, run by Dr. Zed, is researching the jungle. Ash saves Koko from a waterfall, and Koko, who has never met a person before, learns about humans from him in the town nearby. Zarude shows them that Koko's parents were scientists who worked in an abandoned lab. Dr. Zed tells Koko his real name is Al, and that his parents died years ago. Using a tracker planted on Koko, Zed's team follows him to the Great Tree to take its healing spring water.

How Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle ends

Zed's machine attacks the Great Tree, and he admits he killed Koko's parents to take the spring water. Zarude and his tribe return to help, along with the jungle's Pokémon, and Koko heals the injured Zarude with the forest's power. Zed is arrested, and humans and Pokémon repair the jungle together. Koko decides to go out into the human world as a bridge between people and Pokémon.

No. 32 · 2023 · Series

Pokémon Horizons recap

After Ash's story, the anime follows Liko, a quiet girl starting at Indigo Academy with Sprigatito, whose pendant draws the attention of the Explorers, a group led by Gibeon and his grandson Amethio. Friede, a professor, and his Captain Pikachu rescue her, and she joins their airship crew, the Rising Volt Tacklers. Roy, an island boy with Fuecoco and an Ancient Poké Ball holding the Black Rayquaza, and Dot, a shut-in streamer with Quaxly, join too. Liko's pendant turns out to be Terapagos, and the crew searches for the Six Heroes, the Pokémon of the legendary adventurer Lucius, to reach the lost land of Laqua. In season 2 they find Laqua, where Lucius is still alive, kept going by the poisonous crystal Laquium. Terapagos purifies the Laquium, and Lucius and Gibeon fade away. Then Spinel turns the Six Heroes against everyone, Laqua falls, and Friede is blown off the airship. Season 3, Rising Hope, jumps a year: Spinel runs the Explorers and frames the Rising Volt Tacklers for a pink mist of Laquium that drives Pokémon wild. Liko, Roy and Dot regroup with the rival Ult, learn Mega Evolution and hunt for a way to remove the Laquium for good.

How Pokémon Horizons ends

Rising Hope ends back at Laqua, where Liko beats Spinel in battle and he is arrested, and Roy Mega Evolves the Black Rayquaza for the first time. Several Explorers leave the group. Horizons continues: the Wonder Voyage arc began airing in Japan in May 2026, introducing Navi, a girl from Lumiose City, and her Ditto alongside Liko, Roy and Dot, with a Kitakami festival story starting in September.