Pokémon (Original Series)

The Original Series (ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters in Japan) is the first anime series of the Pokémon anime. Pokémon: The Original Series ran from April 1, 1997 to November 14, 2002 in Japan and from September 7, 1998 to October 25, 2003 in the United States. The series cover a beginner trainer from Pallet Town, Ash Ketchum, who begins his journey as a trainer to become the most powerful Pokémon Master all of time. Although he slept in on the day of getting his start Pokémon, he ended up getting a disobedient Pikachu. However, after Ash protected it from a flock of angry Spearow, Pikachu began to earn Ash's trust and became his close companion. Joining him on his journey was a rookie trainer from Cerulean City, Misty and the Pewter City Gym Leader who wants to be a Pokémon Breeder, Brock. During the course of the journey, Brock and Misty acted as Ash's mentors and guided him throughout the series. And also, Ash has been relentlessly pursued by the villainous Team Rocket, who became completely obsessed in catching Ash's Pikachu.

After Ash lost in the Kanto Pokémon League against one of his rivals, Ritchie, he was asked by Professor Oak to retrieve a mysterious Poké Ball, a GS Ball, so he could study it. In doing so, Ash traveled through the Orange Islands with Misty while Brock decided to stay with Professor Ivy for a while. They were soon accompanied by a Pokémon Watcher named Tracey Sketchit and soon after sailing through the islands with the help from a lost baby Lapras, Ash managed to win the Orange League.

Once Ash and his friends returned with the GS Ball, Professor Oak couldn't figure out how to open the ball. But upon hearing from Ash's childhood rival, Gary Oak, Ash learned about a region called the Johto region where an old man named Kurt makes Poké Balls out of Apricorns. Professor Oak instructed Ash to take the Poké Ball to Kurt and in doing so compete in the Johto League. During his travels to Johto, he is accompanied once again by Brock while Tracey decides to stay in Pallet Town and work as Professor Oak's assistant.