Pokémon the Series: The Beginning

Overview

Pokémon the Series: The Beginning is where Ash Ketchum’s journey starts. On his tenth birthday, the Pallet Town boy oversleeps and arrives late at Professor Oak’s laboratory, only to find that the usual starter Pokémon are gone — leaving him with a strong-willed Pikachu that refuses to stay inside its Poké Ball. From that rocky first meeting, Ash sets out across the Kanto region to earn Gym badges and reach the Indigo Plateau, with Misty and Brock joining him along the way.

The era continues past the Indigo League into Adventures in the Orange Islands, where Ash, Misty, and the Pokémon watcher Tracey travel by sea, take on the Orange Crew’s Gym challenges, and chase the Orange League Winner’s Trophy. Team Rocket — Jessie, James, and Meowth — shadows the group at every turn, while Ash’s first captures, from Caterpie to Squirtle and Charmander, grow into trusted partners.

Quick facts

• Year: 1997
• Type: Series
• Seasons: Indigo League (Season 1, 82 episodes), Adventures in the Orange Islands (Season 2, 36 episodes)
• Genres: Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
• Original language: Japanese
• Network: TV Tokyo
• Setting: Kanto region and the Orange Islands
• Status: Ended

Watch the Trailer

No official trailer from The Official Pokémon YouTube channel could be verified for this era, so no trailer is embedded here. The trailers that turn up in search results are for the Pokémon movies, the separate Pokémon Origins series, or an Indigo League Blu-ray release — not the animated series itself — while the Pokémon TV result is a playlist of full episodes.

Where to Watch

JustWatch India lists the opening season, Indigo League (Season 1), on Amazon MX Player and Prime Video Free with Ads, both free with ads. Availability for the later Orange Islands season can vary, so check JustWatch India for the latest options.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pokémon the Series: The Beginning about? It follows ten-year-old Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town as he begins his Pokémon journey with Pikachu, travels through Kanto to challenge Gym Leaders, competes in the Indigo League, and then sails the Orange Islands for the Orange League.

Which seasons make up The Beginning? The era covers Indigo League (Season 1, 82 episodes) and Adventures in the Orange Islands (Season 2, 36 episodes), beginning with “Pokémon – I Choose You!” on April 1, 1997.

Who travels with Ash in this era? Misty and Brock join Ash for the Kanto journey, and Tracey Sketchit, a Pokémon watcher, travels with Ash and Misty through the Orange Islands after Brock stays behind on Valencia Island.

Where can I watch Pokémon the Series: The Beginning in India? JustWatch India lists the opening season, Indigo League (Season 1), on Amazon MX Player and Prime Video Free with Ads; availability for the Orange Islands season can vary, so check JustWatch India for the latest options.