On what date did the first Pokémon anime series begin airing in Japan?

The first Pokémon anime series began airing in Japan on April 1, 1997.

Known in Japan as Pocket Monsters, the series aired on TV Tokyo and followed Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, and their journey through the Pokémon world. The first season is called Pokémon: Indigo League in English-language markets, although it originally aired simply as Pokémon in Japan.

The television series expanded Pokémon beyond the Game Boy games and helped establish characters, relationships, and story elements that became widely recognized internationally. It also helped make Pikachu the franchise’s central mascot and introduced the anime’s recurring blend of adventure, comedy, battles, and friendship.

The Japanese broadcast date is distinct from the international rollout. The series began in the United States in September 1998, more than a year after its Japanese premiere. The English season also has a different episode count because of broadcast and distribution changes.