What was the first region outside Japan where the Pokémon anime was broadcast?

North America was the first region outside Japan where the Pokémon anime was broadcast. The English-language version began airing in the United States in September 1998, helping drive the franchise’s international expansion.

The North American launch followed the Japanese television debut by more than a year. It arrived alongside the overseas release of Pokémon Red and Blue, creating a coordinated introduction through games, television, merchandise, and the trading card game.

The English adaptation used localized names for characters and places. Satoshi became Ash Ketchum, and the series was presented for a new audience while retaining the core premise of a young Trainer traveling with Pokémon. The localization helped make the franchise accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the original Japanese games.

Europe and other markets followed after the North American rollout. This sequence is why 1998 is strongly associated with Pokémon’s global breakout, even though the franchise itself began in Japan in 1996 and the anime began there in 1997.