Pokémon

Pokémon is currently streaming in Australia on Netflix and ABC iview, and in the US on Netflix and Hulu, and it earns its premise rather than just borrowing genre trappings. 25 seasons is a serious commitment, but one that pays off episode after episode. 2,210 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Rica Matsumoto — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Pokémon is worth clearing space for. What makes Pokémon work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Join Ash accompanied by his partner Pikachu, as he travels through many regions, meets new friends and faces new challenges on his quest to become a Pokémon Master. The human element stays intact thanks to Rica Matsumoto and Ikue Otani, who anchor every scene. It ran for 25 seasons (1997–2023), and the writing holds up across every one of them. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Pokémon fits the bill. Fans of Pokémon Horizons will recognise the sensibility here immediately. The 25-season run rewards the patience it asks of you. Watch for Rica Matsumoto in particular — the performance elevates the material. Satisfying on multiple levels.

Pokémon wrapped up in 2023 — and 25 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.