Animation has been around since 1907, with animated sitcoms gaining popularity during the 1960s thanks to shows such as The Flinstones and The Jetsons. Exploring many genres and animation styles, every animated show has a certain factor that makes audiences love it — and, over the years, fans keep coming back.
It’s hard to compare one animated series to another, but their writing styles, characters, and world-building set them apart, garnering acclaim in their own rights. While the majority of shows run an average course of two to six seasons, many long-running animated series, including Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, and Pokémon, have transformed into decades-long franchises expanding beyond the world of TV.
Updated on August 15, 2024, by Natasha Elder: With animated shows ranging from educational programs for children, such as Dora the Explorer, to irreverent comedies aimed at adults, such as South Park, it is no surprise that there is something for everyone. We wanted to discuss more of the longest-running animated shows, as well as what makes them so special. Additionally, we have added more information on previous entries.
25 Squidbillies Follows the Comedic Exploits of a Dysfunctional Family
The Choice to Make the Main Characters Anthropomorphic Squids Makes it Unique
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Rotten Tomatoes |
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6.7 |
N/A |
Sling TV, Max |
Premiering in 2005 with a distinctive focus on anthropomorphic squids, Squidbillies tells the tale of Early Curly and his family in their Appalachian home. Airing on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, Squidbillies clearly strove to entertain adult audiences. Unlike other adult animated shows that center around families, such as Bob’s Burgers or The Simpsons, Squidbillies has much more death and destruction. The family is able to get away with virtually any crime as they are federally protected due to their being members of an endangered species.
While Squidbillies is engaging enough due to the funny exploits of the family members, the show also serves as a commentary on the history of the American South. As such, they often satirize themes centered around religious fundamentalism and political conservatism. Despite the clever commentary that is disguised behind the graphic endeavors of the Curly family, Squidbillies is not as memorable as the other entries on this list, which is why it is at the bottom.
24 Rugrats Defined A Generation’s Childhood
Continued Access to the Show Keeps it Active as a Part of American Culture
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.4 |
93% |
Paramount+ |
2:16
Related
35 Awesome Cartoons Only 2000s Kids Will Remember
From the rising influence of anime to the birth of internet animation, these shows exemplify the best in kids’ cartoons at the turn of the century.
Rugrats is a classic animated kids show starring a group of diaper-clad adventurers as they explore the big and exciting new world around them. Led by the charismatic and innovative Tommy Pickles, the Rugrats go on all kinds of adventures, getting themselves into different sticky situations while their parents are none the wiser. While it is unclear how much of the danger is real and how much is imaginative at times, it is a fun watch either way.
Rugrats is a favorite series for those who grew up with it. The series aired nine seasons over thirteen years, with three films and a sequel series also adding to the plot. The characters remain a beloved part of American culture to this day, over thirty years after the show first premiered on Nickelodeon. The series’ appeal may not always extend beyond childhood, but Rugrats is an early favorite for burgeoning TV fanatics.
Rugrats (1991)
The cartoon misadventures of four babies and their snotty older cousin as they face the things in life they don’t understand.
- Release Date
- August 11, 1991
- Cast
- Elizabeth Daily , Christine Cavanaugh , Nancy Cartwright , Kath Soucie
- Seasons
- 10
- Creator
- Gabor Csupo, Paul Germain, Arlene Klasky
23 Cyberchase Mixed Math With Epic Sci-Fi Adventures
It’s Longevity Speaks to the Quality and Necessity of Such a Show
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Rotten Tomatoes |
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6.9 |
N/A |
PBS Kids |
The PBS Kids series Cyberchase centers around a group of adventurous teenagers named Jackie, Matt, and Inez, who travel the digital world of Cyberspace which is constantly under threat by the villainous Hacker. Together, they use math work to protect Cyberspace from the villains who seek to destroy it and to save the noble Motherboard, which has been targeted by Hacker. To do so, the Cyberkids must put their math and science skills to the test.
Cyberchase is a terrific way to keep young kids entertained while teaching them important skills that will help them in school and in life. The show’s reach has extended for decades, beginning in 2002 and expanding to the present day. The show is currently in its fifteenth season and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
22 King Of The Hill Is A Beloved Comedy From The Creators Of The Office
King of the Hill Lives on Through Memes
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.5 |
71% |
Hulu |
King of the Hill is a sitcom created by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, the latter of whom would go on to create the exorbitantly popular mockumentary The Office. The animated series is set in Texas, where viewers follow the Hill family as they navigate a life populated by strong beliefs, wacky neighbors, and all kinds of obscene antics.
Revered for its smart humor and meme-worthy one-liners, King of the Hill enjoyed an epic run that lasted from 1997 to 2009 and spanned 13 seasons. Even over a decade after its conclusion, fans still enjoy the animated comedy, which has experienced a resurgence in popularity after its streaming release. A King of the Hill revival is expected to air on Hulu in 2025, suggesting that the exploits of the Hill family are far from over.
21 Curious George Is An Amazing And Underrated Kids Show (That Adults Will Love Too)
The Relationship Between George and The Man in the Yellow Hat is Heartwarming
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7.2 |
N/A |
Peacock |
Based on the adventures of the beloved children’s book character of the same name, Curious George follows an adorable African monkey who comes to live with Ted Shackelford (the Man in the Yellow Hat) in the “Big City,” a clear reference to New York City. George’s curious streak leads him to discover the wild and wonderful world in front of him — and occasionally gets him into trouble.
Audiences simply can’t get enough of Curious George, especially the wholesome relationship between George and the Man in the Yellow Hat. The series ran from 2006 to 2022, airing fifteen seasons in that time. Fans of Curious George can also enjoy a series of television movies that depict the especially exciting adventures of George and his best friend as he continues to explore the world, inspiring audiences to do the same.
20 Dora The Explorer Is One Of The Most Iconic Animated Series Ever Made
The Colorful World of Dora Draws In Viewers
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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4.3 |
N/A |
Paramount+ |
Related
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Dora the Explorer is one of the most iconic kids’ series of all time. The show follows Dora and her best friend, Boots the Monkey, as they explore a wild world of fantastical creatures and friends. The show is remembered for its fourth-wall-breaking main character and for laying the groundwork for kids to begin learning Spanish. While its repetitive formula may make it hard for older audiences to watch, it is a valuable show for younger kids.
Dora the Explorer aired eight seasons over nearly twenty years between 2000 and 2019, spawning multiple revivals and spinoffs, including another great series following Dora’s cousin Diego. While the show may not be as fun for adults to watch, kids love the wild and colorful adventures of Dora the Explorer, which is why it is so remembered with such fondness. As the show really only appeals to smaller children, though, it is one of the lowest-ranking on this list.
19 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Is A Phenomenal Talkshow Parody
Reusing Different Animation Sequences Didn’t Detract from the Quality
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.9 |
100% |
Adult Swim & Spectrum |
In 1994, Cartoon Network allowed the airing of a cartoon that would change their fortunes forever. Space Ghost Coast to Coast took Hanna-Barbera superhero Space Ghost and turned him into a talk show host. On a special set in space, Space Ghost would interview celebrity guests in a parody of the classic nighttime talk show format, complete with former Space Ghost villains Moltar and Zorak as members of the cast.
The cartoon aired in the middle of the night but turned out to be a massive success. Despite reusing a lot of animation to make the show work, fans loved it. It ran for 11 seasons, from 1994 all the way to 2008. The show’s popularity played a large part in jump-starting many of the Williams Street shows, eventually leading to Adult Swim. That said, Space Ghost Coast to Coast is hardly remembered today despite how revolutionary it was at the time.
18 The Venture Bros. is A Loving Parody of Johnny Quest
The Series Concluded with the Release of a Film
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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8.6 |
92% |
Sling TV |
One of the longest-running cartoons on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim was The Venture Bros., which ran from 2003-2018. It earned its fifteen years of publication because it provided humorous satire on the superhero genre. From an unambitious-yet-genius scientist father to incompetent sons, the Venture family is full of well-meaning, but inconsistently effective heroes.
Originally, The Venture Bros. was created to satirize Johnny Quest, another animated show in which the titular character travels with his scientist father on various adventures. The creators of Johnny Quest must not have taken too much offense, however, as characters from the show have made appearances on The Venture Bros. The fun adventures that the Venture family went through throughout the series are why it was so successful and ran for so long.
17 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Set The Surrealist Tone For Adult Swim
Its Popularity Led to Its Renewal in 2023 After Not Airing Since 2015
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.7 |
80% |
Max & Adult Swim |
The Williams Street success stories continued after Space Ghost Coast to Coast with Aqua Teen Hunger Force. This time, they created their own world and characters and wound up creating interesting, talking fast food items that happened to live together. Each episode featured Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad dealing with strange adventures. However, they always returned home after their harrowing experiences, whether their adventures involved monsters or Mooninites.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force helped set the tone for the kind of surrealist humor that would become common for Adult Swim. It was also by far the most successful series they ever had, originally running for 11 seasons from 2001 to 2015. However, the franchise’s popularity recently allowed the show to be renewed again for another season of five more episodes in 2023.
16 Archer’s Reference-Heavy Writing Will Be Quoted Years From Now
The Charismatic Characters Keep Viewers Engaged
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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8.6 |
91% |
Hulu & DirecTV |
After Adam Reed’s Frisky Dingo didn’t work out on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, he pivoted to what would become his most successful series by far on FX with the spy-comedy Archer. The series followed the adventures of a group of dysfunctional yet barely competent spies working out of an organization known (briefly) as ISIS. The juxtaposition of suave costumes and set pieces and the clumsy antics of the main characters earned the favor of audiences, which is why it is one of the longest-running cartoons.
The lead protagonist was Sterling Archer, somehow both the most competent spy and the one most at fault for everything that goes wrong. Sterling keeps his job solely because his mother runs the organization. Archer became a hit not just because of its charismatic cast, but also because of its sharp, reference-heavy writing that somehow stays in the common cultural lexicon. The series was popular enough to survive multiple retools, running for a total of 14 seasons from 2009 to 2023.
15 Bob’s Burgers is a Newer Take on the Animated Family Sitcom
The Love the Family Has for Each Other Makes the Show More Popular
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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8.2 |
N/A |
Fox, Sling TV, Hulu, Disney+, fuboTV |
Related
The Most Unpopular Cartoon Network Shows of All Time
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Relatively new compared to other, long-running animated shows, Bob’s Burgers premiered in 2013 as a family-centered animated sitcom. However, given the great success the show faced, it has been running for eleven years now, with no end in sight. Featuring the awkward Bob Belcher and his family, consisting of his wife Linda, his son Gene, and his daughters Tina and Louise, Bob’s Burgers combines embarrassing moments with wholesome episode conclusions.
The popularity of the show comes from the fact that the Belcher family clearly loves each other. Bob and Linda are often remarked upon for having a healthy, loving relationship. Similarly, while their children may bicker and play pranks on each other, they always come together if anyone else is truly in trouble. The relative newness of the show has made it less iconic than other shows on this list, even though it is one of the best-animated sitcoms, which is why it is ranked at about the midway point.
14 Futurama Has Been Revived On Two Separate Occasions
Though Sporadically Releasing Episodes, Futurama Has Existed for Over 20 Years
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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8.5 |
N/A |
Hulu |
Futurama started as a simple sideshow by Simpsons creator Matt Groening. It centered around a pizza delivery boy named Philip J. Fry who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen for 1000 years before waking up in the year 3000. From there, Fry gets another delivery job, this time working for the failing Planet Express organization, where he learns how to adjust to the future.
Originally, Futurama only ran for a few seasons, from 1999 to 2003. However, repeated viewings on Adult Swim raised the series’ popularity enough for Comedy Central to revive the series in 2008. The series maintained another run on Comedy Central from 2008 to 2013, getting the show to eight seasons. However, Hulu brought the show back once again, meaning, despite running only eight seasons, it’s been around for over twenty years now.
13 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Is One Of The Most Popular ’80s Cartoons
The Original Series Was Popular Enough to Lead to Many Follow-up Cartoons
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.9 |
N/A |
Paramount+ |
There are a few ways to look at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ success. On the one hand, the franchise has been rebooted and brought back three times since the original aired, with a fourth on the way from Paramount+. Due to this, the franchise is rarely ever afforded a chance to be off the air at all and has been part of American television for almost forty years. That doesn’t even include the comics and movies that have been released simultaneously.
Even for people who don’t count the reboots as a singular show, however, the original 1980s run was actually astonishingly popular on its own. The original series grew from a single miniseries in 1987 to a beloved cartoon that ran for ten seasons, from 1987 to 1996. They went from battling Shredder to evil warlords in alternate dimensions, keeping viewers engaged.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987)
Mutant heroes live in New York sewers and train in martial arts to protect the city from crime.
- Release Date
- December 14, 1987
- Creator
- Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, David Wise
- Cast
- Cam Clarke , Barry Gordon , Rob Paulsen
- Number of Episodes
- 193
12 Family Guy Is Filled With Brilliant Satire And Witty Humor
Some Jokes Haven’t Aged Well, but More Recent Seasons Have Worked to Address These Missteps
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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8.2 |
N/A |
Hulu & DirecTV |
Created by Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy is a sitcom that first aired in 1999, and has been running for 21 seasons since, with Season 23 already renewed. Set in a Rhode Island town, Family Guy follows the dysfunctional Griffin family and their misadventures. While it started as a simple story, it has since introduced repeated, fantastical elements such as time travel to keep audiences captivated, to mixed reactions.
Thanks to its satire, witty humor, and eclectic cast of characters, Family Guy has garnered itself a dedicated fan base. Audiences also adore the show’s absurdity, not to mention all the jokes that go on too far. While some of the jokes from earlier seasons have aged poorly, MacFarlane has worked to maintain the show’s humor while reducing its harm, which is definitely enough to earn it a spot in the upper half of the rankings.
Family Guy
In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strives to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.
- Release Date
- January 31, 1999
- Creator
- Seth MacFarlane, David Zuckerman
- Cast
- Seth MacFarlane , Alex Borstein , Mila Kunis , Seth Green
- Seasons
- 23
11 Arthur Deals With Important Issues That Impact Many Families
The Wide Range of Topics Kept Arthur Relevant for Decades
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.4 |
N/A |
Spectrum |
An educational television series targeted at kids aged four to eight, Arthur aired on PBS in 1996 where it ran for 25 seasons, concluding its televised release in 2022. Arthur remains the longest-running children’s animated program to date, as well as one of the best educational kids’ shows. Starring Arthur, an anthropomorphic aardvark, the cartoon follows his life, family, and friends in Elwood City.
Arthur features storylines about important issues that impact many families, including dyslexia, cancer, asthma, diabetes, blindness, and the autism spectrum. Helping families educate their kids in a fun environment by allowing their kids to watch their favorite characters in a similar position has proven both an effective teaching tool and a fun watch. Additionally, Arthur has smaller, relatable problems with his sibling and friends to complement the bigger topics the show discusses, further appealing to the kids watching.
10 American Dad! Finds Its Humor In The Wacky Nexus Of Character Interaction
This Series is More Focused on Character DynamicsThan MacFarlane’s Other Cartoons
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.4 |
N/A |
Hulu & DirecTV |
Related
10 Best Cartoons From the ’90s That Would Be Even Better Movies
Unforgettable cartoons like Sailor Moon, Gargoyles and The Powerpuff Girls would all make amazing movies if done well and treated with respect.
Created by Family Guy‘s Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker, and Matt Weitzman, American Dad! first premiered on Fox in 2005, and has been running for 20 seasons, with more to come. The series follows the Smith family and their CIA agent dad, Stan, who will stop at nothing to protect those around him. His overprotectiveness is one of the many sources of humor in the show.
Ultimately, though, unlike many of MacFarlane’s other shows, American Dad! finds its humor in its characters, their relationships, and the situations they get into, rather than constant jokes and punch lines. Roger, the Smith family’s alien, provides an endless stream of entertainment, while its focus on family makes the series surprisingly wholesome. These moments of sincerity amid hilarious sequences have earned American Dad! the number 10 spot on this list.
9 Ben 10 Grew With Its Audience
As Ben Aged, the Show Continued to Get Better
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.5 |
N/A |
Netflix |
Ben 10 was one of Cartoon Network’s most successful ventures in the sense that it has resulted in multiple subsequent shows. Many of these new shows followed Ben as he continued to grow both as a character and as a hero. Alongside him, his cousin Gwen and his Grandpa, Max Tennyson, fight against destructive aliens on their road trip. The following sequences of shows include a new partner for Ben and Gwen named Kevin, a reformed criminal who briefly appeared in the initial Ben 10 show.
Altogether, Ben has been around since 2006, finally concluding his presence on Cartoon Network in 2020. The creative aliens, interesting systems of magic, and evolution of Ben’s character are what keep viewers intrigued in the world created by Man of Action, who also created such shows as UltimateSpider-Man and Marvel’s Avengers Assemble.
Ben 10
The story of Ben Tennyson, a typical kid who becomes very atypical after he discovers the Omnitrix, a mysterious alien device with the power to transform the wearer into ten different alien species.
- Release Date
- December 27, 2005
- Cast
- Dee Bradley Baker , Steven Blum , Tara Strong , Paul Eiding
- Main Genre
- Action-Adventure
- Seasons
- 4
- Creator
- Man of Action
8 Super Friends Had Famous DC Heroes Fighting A Medley of Zany Villains
It Brought Together Heroes That Had Already Been Established Through Their Own Shows
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.2 |
N/A |
N/A |
Beginning in 1973, Super Friends centered around the heroic exploits of Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman, and Robin. Each of these characters had already proven successful in their own shows, but combining them into one proved to be even more lucrative. The first iteration of Super Friends only ran for one season, but it returned in different versions with more heroes until 1985, when it concluded its twelve-year run.
What made the show interesting, is that it initially didn’t focus on the villains that are now commonly associated with the Justice League heroes, such as Batman’s Joker, who were not the initial antagonists of the show. Instead, they often faced off against zany villains that ultimately had good intentions, but poor execution of their goals. While the more iconic villains were eventually introduced, it was fun seeing what villain-of-the-week was going to appear.
Super Friends
A group of legendary superheroes bands together to form an unstoppable alliance against the world’s most dangerous villains. Each member brings distinct abilities to the team, facing challenges that test their strengths and moral values, ensuring peace and security for people everywhere. Their adventures are not only action-packed but also teach important lessons about cooperation and courage.
- Release Date
- September 8, 1973
- Creator(s)
- Gardner Fox
- Cast
- Danny Dark , Casey Kasem , olan soule , Shannon Farnon , Frank Welker , Michael Bell , Louise Williams , William Woodson
- Seasons
- 9
7 Scooby-Doo Has Been Around Since 1969, And For Good Reason
The Creative Villains and Fun Mysteries Have Kept Audiences Captivated
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
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7.9 |
N/A |
Tubi, Boomerang, Max |
Starting with the first series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, Scooby-Doo has turned into one of the largest franchises, with over a dozen television spin-offs, several animated and live-action movies, as well as a series of games. First premiering in 1969, Scooby-Doo is still around today, though both fans and critics disliked its most recent installment, Velma. Although it was not the first Scooby-Doo spin-off to be poorly received, it was definitely received with the most negativity.
The animated Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! series features the Mystery Machine gang — Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and the titular Scooby-Doo — as they continuously solve new mysteries. Primarily fighting supernatural creatures, or, rather, villains disguised as supernatural creatures, fans adore Scooby-Doo for its arsenal of creative stories, fun villains, and its iconic cast of characters. As one of the most iconic animated series out there, Scooby-Doo has proven its worth on multiple occasions.
Scooby-Doo
Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and the talking dog Scooby-Doo band together to solve supernatural mysteries.
- Created by
- Joe Ruby , Ken Spears
- First TV Show
- Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
- Latest TV Show
- scooby-doo and guess who?
Summary
Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and the talking dog Scooby-Doo band together to solve supernatural mysteries.
6 Pokémon Remains The Most Lucrative Media Franchise In History
The Titular Pokémon are Iconic
IMDb |
Rotten Tomatoes |
Streaming Platforms |
---|---|---|
7.5 |
N/A |
Roku & Tubi |
Based on the original game released one year before the show, Pokémon is an anime series-turned-franchise that first premiered in 1997 and is still around today. Although the original Pokémon series concluded in 2023, the next installment, Pokémon Horizons: The Series has picked up the mantle. One of the best-animated adaptations of video games, Pokémon has released over 1,200 episodes and 24 films and has continued expanding its world of games, becoming the most lucrative franchise in the process.
The original Pokémon followed Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, as Ash works to become a Pokémon Master. As the series grew, Pokémon featured more characters and creatures, delving into many stories. The show’s release garnered an immediate following due to its players, but it found an even bigger following thanks to its exciting battles, lovable Pokémon, and a never-ending stream of stories.
Pokémon (1997)
Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.
- Release Date
- September 8, 1998
- Cast
- Veronica Taylor , Eric Stuart , Rachael Lillis , Sarah Natochenny , Bill Rogers , Rica Matsumoto , Ikue Ootani
- Seasons
- 25