Do you want to watch the anime series Pokémon but don’t have enough time to start it from the very first season? One thing that’s amazing about Pokémon the Series is that most seasons have a standalone story of their own. More often than not, each season has a beginning, middle, and end, allowing you to enjoy its story without the need to watch any previous installments. There are a lot of good jump-off points to the ongoing anime, but if you prefer something that is lighthearted, then Pokémon: Sun & Moon is the perfect season for you to dive into the long-running TV series.
What is Pokémon: Sun and Moon about?
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon is the 20th season of the Pokémon animated series and the first and titular season of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon installment, which also includes the follow-up seasons Sun & Moon: Ultra Adventures and Sun & Moon: Ultra Legends.
Below is the official description of Pokémon: Sun & Moon:
“What starts as a summer vacation in the tropical Alola region turns into the next exciting chapter in Ash Ketchum’s quest to become a Pokémon Master! There’s plenty for Ash and Pikachu to explore in this sunny new region, with exciting new Pokémon to discover and interesting people to learn from along the way—including the cool Professor Kukui and the fun-loving Samson Oak. More new faces will help guide Ash’s Alolan adventure, in the form of a group of skilled Trainers—Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Sophocles—and a mysterious research assistant called Lillie. Frequent foes Team Rocket have also made the trip to Alola, looking to swipe some high-powered new Pokémon. But they have some heavy competition on the villainy front: the ruffians of Team Skull, who delight in causing chaos and may have more sinister intentions…”
What sets Pokémon: Sun and Moon apart from other Pokémon series?
In addition to the new setting and new group of characters, Pokémon: Sun & Moon is a more lighthearted and comedic series than the previous Pokémon series, partly because it often features slice-of-life stories.
Pokémon: Sun & Moon also features a new art style that is more vibrant and colorful than the previous Pokémon series. The animation is also more fluid and dynamic, which helps to bring the Alola region to life.
Where to watch Pokémon: Sun and Moon
Pokémon: Sun & Moon originally aired in Japan from November 17th, 2016, to September 21st, 2017, on TV Tokyo. In the United States, its original broadcast ran from May 12, 2017, to December 9, 2017, on Disney XD, making it the first Pokémon series to premiere on that channel.
As of May 29th, 2023, all 43 episodes of Pokémon: Sun and Moon are available for streaming on Pokémon TV, which is accessible via Nintendo Switch, the Pokémon TV app, and any web browser. Pokémon TV is a free service, but users will need to create an account to watch videos.
Pokémon: Sun & Moon is also available on Amazon Prime Video. If you don’t have a Prime Video subscription yet, you can watch the series with the platform’s 30-day free trial.
Is Pokémon: Sun and Moon worth watching?
Pokémon: Sun & Moon has been met with generally positive reviews from critics. Many have praised the show’s new setting and characters, as well as its more relaxed tone, which is a refreshing change of pace for the long-running anime franchise.
Pokémon: Sun & Moon is a great entry point for new and returning fans of the franchise. Its fun and charming stories also make it one of the most child-friendly Pokémon seasons that even adults will definitely enjoy.