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Pokémon Filler List

ActionAdventureComedyFantasyKids
7.4/10

Ten-year-old Ash Ketchum begins his Pokémon journey with a stubborn Pikachu, traveling across regions to become a Pokémon Master while battling Team Rocket.

Watch Order Guide CharactersPowers & AbilitiesNews & Updates
Studio
OLM
Premiered
Spring 1997
Status
Finished
Filler %
45%
Episode distribution (276 total)
44 Canon107 Mixed125 Filler

Filler Episodes — Quick Reference

Ep 9
Ep 19–20
Ep 26
Ep 31–32
Ep 37–38
Ep 44
Ep 49–52
Ep 54–56
Ep 66–68
Ep 71–73
Ep 75–77
Ep 83
Ep 86
Ep 89
Ep 92–93
Ep 96–97
Ep 100
Ep 103
Ep 106–108
Ep 111–113
Ep 116–117
Ep 119–120
Ep 122–125
Ep 128–130
Ep 133–135
Ep 138–140
Ep 144
Ep 147–148
Ep 151–152
Ep 155–157
Ep 160–162
Ep 165–167
Ep 170–172
Ep 175–176
Ep 179
Ep 182
Ep 185–186
Ep 188–189
Ep 192–194
Ep 197–198
Ep 202
Ep 205–207
Ep 210–211
Ep 214
Ep 217–219
Ep 222–223
Ep 226
Ep 229–231
Ep 234–235
Ep 238–240
Ep 243–244
Ep 247–248
Ep 251–252
Ep 255–257
Ep 260–261
Ep 264–265
Ep 268–269
Ep 272–273

Pokémon filler episodes: 9, 19–20, 26, 31–32, 37–38, 44, 49–52, 54–56, 66–68, 71–73, 75–77, 83, 86, 89, 92–93, 96–97, 100, 103, 106–108, 111–113, 116–117, 119–120, 122–125, 128–130, 133–135, 138–140, 144, 147–148, 151–152, 155–157, 160–162, 165–167, 170–172, 175–176, 179, 182, 185–186, 188–189, 192–194, 197–198, 202, 205–207, 210–211, 214, 217–219, 222–223, 226, 229–231, 234–235, 238–240, 243–244, 247–248, 251–252, 255–257, 260–261, 264–265, 268–269, 272–273

These ranges represent episodes classified as anime-only filler. Mixed episodes may contain some canon content.

Voice Cast

M
Megumi Hayashibara
Ash Ketchum
I
Ikue Ootani
Pikachu

Main Characters

View all 8 →
P
Pikachu
Main · ep 1

Ash's starter and best partner, a stubborn Electric-type Pokémon who becomes fiercely loyal.

M
Misty
Main · ep 1

A Water-type Gym Leader who travels with Ash after he destroys her bike.

A
Ash Ketchum
Main · ep 1

A 10-year-old from Pallet Town with dreams of becoming a Pokémon Master.

B
Brock
Main · ep 5

A Rock-type Gym Leader who joins Ash as a Pokémon breeder and cook.

G
Gary Oak
Supporting · ep 1

Ash's main rival and Professor Oak's grandson, who starts with a head start.

P
Professor Oak
Supporting · ep 1

Pallet Town's Pokémon researcher who gives Ash his Pokédex and Pikachu.

Episode List (276 Episodes)

#TitleTypeAir DateRating
1Pokémon! I Choose You!CanonApr 1, 1997 4.3
2Pokemon Emergency!CanonApr 8, 1997 4.1
3Ash Catches a PokemonCanonApr 15, 1997 4.2
4Challenge of the SamuraiCanonApr 22, 1997 4.0
5Showdown in Pewter CityCanonApr 29, 1997 4.2
6Clefairy and the Moon StoneCanonMay 6, 1997 4.0
7The Water Flowers of Cerulean CityCanonMay 13, 1997 4.1
8The Path to the Pokémon LeagueCanonMay 20, 1997 3.8
9The School of Hard KnocksFillerMay 27, 1997 4.0
10Bulbasaur and the Hidden VillageCanonJun 3, 1997 4.2
11Charmander – The Stray PokémonCanonJun 10, 1997 4.5
12Here Comes the Squirtle SquadCanonJun 17, 1997 4.3
13Mystery at the LighthouseCanonJun 24, 1997 4.0
14Electric Shock ShowdownCanonJul 1, 1997 4.4
15Battle Aboard the St. AnneCanonJul 8, 1997 4.2
16Pokémon ShipwreckCanonJul 15, 1997 4.1
17Island of the Giant PokémonCanonJul 22, 1997 4.2
18Beauty and the BeachCanonJul 29, 1997 4.0
19Tentacool & TentacruelFillerAug 5, 1997 4.0
20The Ghost of Maiden's PeakFillerAug 12, 1997 4.1
21Bye Bye ButterfreeMixedAug 19, 1997 4.6
22Abra and the Psychic Showdown (Part 1)CanonAug 26, 1997 4.2
23The Tower of Terror (Part 2)CanonSep 2, 1997 4.3
24Haunter vs. Kadabra (Part 3)CanonSep 9, 1997 4.1
25Primeape Goes BananasCanonSep 16, 1997 4.3
26Pokémon Scent-sation!FillerSep 23, 1997 4.0
27Hypno's NaptimeMixedSep 30, 1997 3.9
28Pokémon Fashion FlashCanonOct 7, 1997 4.0
29The Punchy PokémonCanonOct 14, 1997 4.0
30Sparks Fly for MagnemiteCanonOct 21, 1997 3.8
Showing 30 of 276 episodes

⚠️ Episode classifications are collated from multiple publicly available data sources and may contain inaccuracies.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Pokémon

How many filler episodes does Pokémon have?
The original Pokémon anime (Indigo League, Orange Islands, Johto) has a substantial amount of filler — roughly 40–50% of episodes are self-contained filler stories. The show shifted with newer series to have more continuity.
What order should I watch Pokémon in?
The classic Ash Ketchum story runs from Indigo League (1997) through Journeys (2019–2023). Pokémon Ultimate Journeys ends Ash's story. New series Pokémon Horizons (2023–) follows new protagonists Liko and Roy.
Does Ash ever become Pokémon Champion?
Yes. Ash Ketchum finally becomes World Pokémon Champion in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys (2022–2023), defeating Leon in the Masters Eight Tournament. His story concludes with him returning to Pallet Town.
Who replaced Ash as the Pokémon protagonist?
Liko (Liko in Japanese, Liko internationally) and Roy (Roy) are the new protagonists of Pokémon Horizons: The Series (2023), which premiered after Ash's story concluded.
What episode does Ash catch Pikachu?
Ash meets and forms a bond with Pikachu starting from Episode 1 (Pokémon — I Choose You!). Pikachu initially refuses to cooperate but bonds with Ash after Episode 1's climax where Ash protects Pikachu from a Spearow flock.
Did Ash ever evolve Pikachu?
No. Pikachu was offered a Thunderstone to evolve into Raichu in Episode 14 (Electric Shock Showdown) but refused. Ash respects Pikachu's choice and Pikachu remains a Pikachu throughout the entire series.
What is the banned Pokémon episode?
The most famous banned episode is "Electric Soldier Porygon" (Episode 38, 1997), which triggered photosensitive seizures in hundreds of Japanese viewers due to a rapidly flashing animation sequence. It has never aired internationally and remains banned worldwide.