ポケットモンスター

ポケットモンスター (English: Pocket Monsters), referred to by fans as the original series (Japanese: 無印編, "unnamed saga"), are the first series of the and are based on the events of the core series Generation I and II Pokémon games, respectively. They were succeeded by Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire. They ran from April 1, 1997 to November 14, 2002 in Japan.

During the original series, rookie Trainer Ash Ketchum begins his journey in the Kanto region, leaving his home of Pallet Town with the only starter Pokémon that Professor Oak had left to give: a reluctant and moody Pikachu. Ash's quest begins in earnest to defeat all of the Gym Leaders and get to the Pokémon League as soon as he has gained Pikachu's trust, and he is joined by two mentors, Misty and Brock.

International versions
The following refers only to the original five seasons of the, known collectively as The Beginning and Gold and Silver respectively. For Ruby and Sapphire/Advanced, see here.


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