What was the Japanese TV premiere date of the Pokémon animated series?

The Pokémon animated series premiered on Japanese television on April 1, 1997. Its first broadcast episode, commonly known in English as “Pokémon – I Choose You!”, introduced Ash Ketchum and his reluctant partner Pikachu.

The series aired on TV Tokyo and quickly became a major expansion of the game franchise. The premiere followed the 1996 Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green, helping audiences connect the games’ creatures with recurring characters and stories.

International broadcasts began later, with the English version debuting in the United States in September 1998. The anime has continued through multiple series and protagonists, while Pikachu remained an enduring mascot. The 1997 Japanese premiere is distinct from the later international launch dates often cited in anniversary discussions.