On what date was the Pokémon animated television series first broadcast in Japan?

The Pokémon animated television series was first broadcast in Japan on April 1, 1997. Its Japanese title was Pocket Monsters, and the first episode introduced Ash Ketchum and Pikachu to television audiences.

The anime was produced after the success of the original Game Boy games. Its story followed Ash as he traveled through the Pokémon world, building a team and competing in battles. Pikachu was selected as his companion because the production team wanted a central Pokémon distinct from the three game starters.

The Japanese premiere came more than a year after the first games debuted. International broadcasts followed later, including the first U.S. broadcast in September 1998. The series is often confused with its Western launch date, but April 1, 1997, is the date for the original Japanese television premiere.