POKEMON - THE ANIME

THE ANIME - INTRODUCTION
The story of a young boy from Pallet Town, journeying to become the greatest Pokemon Master ever - we follow the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu as they travel the world trying to become the best they can be. Joining him are several friends: Misty, the Cerulean Gym Leader (Seasons 1-5), Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader (Seasons 1, 3-7), Todd, a Pokemon Photographer (Seasons 1+4), Richie, a young Pokemon Trainer from Indigo (Season 1 and 5), Tracey, a Pokemon Watcher (Season 2) and May and Max, the children of the Petalburg Gym Leader (Seasons 6+7).

After collecting the eight Badges in Kanto, Ash placed in the Top 16 at the Indigo Plateau. Ash then travels to the Orange Islands, and after winning the four Orange League badges, becomes immortalized in the Orange League Hall of Fame. The group continues on to the Johto Region for quite some time, and after a long journey, Ash collects the eight Johto badges and ranks in the Johto League's Top 8. Currently the group is travelling in the Hoenn league, where Ash hopes to collect all Eight Hoenn badges as May hopes to win the four Contest ribbons.

Everything isn't all fun and games for Ash and his friends however. Ash maintains a trainer rivalry with many individuals throughout the series, including Gary Oak from Pallet Town (Seasons 1-5), Richie, and Casey from the Johto Region (Seasons 3-5). Three agents from Team Rocket, Jesse, James and Meowth are constantly attacking the heroes in an attempt to steal Pikachu and other rare and valuable Pokemon. Team Rocket hosts several agents that get in Ash's way, including Butch, Cassidy, Professor Sebastian, Tyson, Domino, Annie, Oakley, and the leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni. In the Hoenn region, both Ash and Team Rocket must also be aware of the presence of Team Magma and Team Aqua, two teams who's plans are not yet clear.

Pokemon is a show made up of many different seasons and character changes, in traditional Japanese entertainment style. The following is what I feel is the most appropriate way to break down the show:

Season 1: Indigo/Seikei League (3 Banned Episodes): Ash, Misty and Brock travel throughout Kanto, where Ash collects the Indigo Badges and finishes in the top 16 at the Indigo Plateau. (RBY Generation)

Season 2: Orange/Orenjii League: Ash, Misty and Tracey continue to the Orange Islands, where Ash completes for the Orange Badges and takes on the Orange League Champion. (Non-video game league)

Season 3: Johto Journeys/Jouto: Ash, Misty and Brock head to the Johto Region, where 100 new Pokemon and 8 new Gym Leaders await. The Johto Journeys chronicles Ash's first two gym leader battles. (GSC)

Season 4: Johto League Champions/Jouto cont.: Ash, Misty and Brock continue travelling in the Johto Region. Champions tells the story from Ash's third to fifth gym battles. (GSC)

Season 5: Master Quest/Jouto cont. (1 Banned Episode): Ash and Misty first compete in the Whirl Cup Tournament (Misty beats Ash), and then Ash finishes his badge collection and ranks in the top 8 in the Johto League. (GSC)

Season 6: Pokemon Advance/Advanced Generation: Ash, May, Max and Brock start out in the faraway Hoenn League. Ash collects the his three Hoenn Badges and May starts her Ribbon quest. (RSE)

Season 7: Pokemon Advanced Challenge/AG cont.: Ash and May continues their journies with Brock and Max and add a few Badges and Ribbons to their collections. (RSE)

Season 8: Pokemon Advanced Battle/AG conclusion & Battle Frontier (US version - 5 skipped episodes): Ash and May compete in the Grand Festival and Hoenn League, and then Ash competes in the Kanto Battle Frontier. (RSE)

Watch them as they meet new Pokemon, battle other trainers, fight for Gym Badges, and compete at the highest-ranking tournaments!