Every Pokémon Season RANKED From Worst to Best. 

XY may be favorite, but Sun and Moon deserves more respect.

Honestly, it's nuts how strong Ash was in Sinnoh. He would've easily won the league if it wasn't for a certain Action Replay Darkrai user.

You know ash was OP when they had to add a trainer that exclusively used legendaries for him to lose

"how long are you gonna keep losing ash" Sun and moon ash: "Nah I'd win"

The first time Zac referred Tracey as his actual than “who?!”

While "Diamond and Pearl" and "XY and XYZ" will always be my favorite Pokemon anime series, I cannot deny that the "Sun & Moon" series gave us peak storytelling and character development despite the change in animation.

XY may have had peak animation. But Sun & Moon had peak storytelling and character development.

Ash not catching latias really made me gasp outloud. That was so STUPID!!!

As much as I love XYZ, I can understand it not getting #1 since the first half of the season has a lot of some of the series' worst fillers. Thankfully, the second half is arguably the best stretch of arcs in the whole Pokemon anime. Going from the Ash Greninja arc to the Kalos League to the Team Flare arc weekly was such an amazing experience.

Sun and Moon: Ultra Legends and Sinnoh League Victors were peak Pokémon. They didn't just have great battles, but also the best story arcs as well.

3 seasons of Sinnoh made it into top 10? Thats why its my favorite Gen

What's sad is that Pokemon Black and White: Rival Destinies was the first show I've watched in life and I could have watched it in order from order

9:29 "The pacing of this season was phenomenal" *War flashbacks to when it was airing* The horror... THE HORROR...

It's still crazy to me they they had us wait for entire year for ash's battle with volkner

Gotta say, *very* bold move putting anything BW related over XY. Gotta say, you make some pretty alright points. For what it was trying to do, BW had a pretty good start.

As good as XY was with Ash becoming a Shonen MC the vibes I got from Sun and Moon beginning middle to end were unrivalled

Honestly I feel that Horizons has the potential to be the best of them all. It’s off to a good start.

XYZ is number 1 for me honestly.

I am glad people are giving XY and XYZ the respect that it deserves, but also still consider SM what it is, a great series.

You should definitely rank the openings and theme songs for the Pokémon anime from worst to best (English and Japanese)

Sun and Moon really is the best series overall and for me it’s not even a competition

It took half the video to get to the 1st XY season. That just shows how amazing it was

for me, Johto is the worst. I really hated when Team Rocket did the same thing over and over again. XY is the best because all the characters were pretty good. I liked Serena because she was the first Pokegirl not to quarrel with Ash a lot.

If I had to rank the generations, it would be... 8. JN (The generation where I finally get into Pokémon and it made me actively angry) 7. BW (The characters, minus Ash, and tournaments, minus the league, save it) 6. AG (Huge step up, but I'm not really wowed by it) 5. OS (The filler is forgivable and actually pretty fun. It made the show absolutely bonkers, and I loved it) 4. DP (I haven't seen it all yet, but it has my favorite version of Ash and some pretty good development for characters) 3. XY (A little too serious for my tastes, but there's a reason why people love it) 2. HZ (I know, I watch the English dub so my opinion is invalid, but I love the new characters and its gonna have an Academy Arc, they're treating the Gen 9 anime like a Gen 9 anime, you guys, oh my g-) 1. SM (Maybe it's an acquired taste, but I love the characters, the setting, the Pokémon, the league, plus this series had Acerola, so unfair advantage)

8:14 alright, let me cook 💀

Zac: So are you the best season of the pokemon anime? Ultra legends: Well, with Sinnoh league victors and XY&Z, It will be draining Zac: Would you lose? Ultra legends: Nah, I'd win

Sun and Moon finally getting some love

"just don't watch the English dub". I dunno, Pokemon is one of those anime that most people just watch in dub because everyone grew up with it that way

Personally, I think your fan made sword and shield anime is number one it's always so entertaining to watch

I personally would've put XYZ number 1. While it did have its problematic ending, it's plot, battles, character development and pacing were honestly pokemon at its peak. I also feel like having Ash be the main focus makes sense given he acted as the inspiration to the many people around him, so seeing his struggles of connecting to Greninja and realising he's not alone were great character moments of his. I also feel like in the whole scheme of things as well, the filler is pretty forgettable in the season given how fantastic everything else is. I also would've put Master Quest and Rival Destinies higher than they were, but I overall agree with the rankings of all the other seasons.

The Hoenn league is honestly one of my personal favorite leagues in the series The battles were fun, Ash’s Hoenn pokemon got real time to shine with ash choosing to use his region Pokémon exclusively and the battle ash lost to Tyson wasn’t anywhere near as infuriating as his other league losses I’d say it’s tied with Harrison for Ash’s least infuriating league loss

I am currently doing a watch through of the anime, and currently finished the first 10 seasons. Here is how I rank them: 10. Advanced Challenge. This season had a ton, and I mean a ton, of bad episodes. The underwhelming rematch with Wattson which is somehow worse than Pikachu giving him the broom. Veronica Taylor arguing with herself for 22 minutes. A worse version of the episode where Ash captured Snorlax. A love story somehow worse than Twilight. The return of formerly one-offs nobody asked for. And of course, my most despised episode of the entire series (up to this point) Misty. Releasing. TOGETIC! 9. Johto League Champions. Like you said, this episode had a ton, and I mean a TON of filler. Sure, there was some good progress and some of the fillers were okay (for me, the Togepi and Houndoom one, the Grass tournament, and the episode where Misty “You and I will be married someday too” come to mind for me.) But most of the fillers are trash. Not helped that Misty gets the least amount of development here out of the 5 seasons she was by Ash’s side. 8. Advanced. It was kind of nice seeing Ash starting over again, and it also has May’s journey get a good start with an amazing intro to contests. But this season is kinda forgettable if you ask me, and kind of a slog to get through, especially with the Dewford Island arc. And that is from the saga with the best pacing in any Pokemon anime. 7. The Johto Journeys. It was fresh to see so many new Pokemon here, and it had some amazing episodes both filler (Ash vs Shingo, the Cyndaquil training episode, James the flaming Moltres) and important (Ash’s battle with Falkner, Charizard and Squirtle’s goodbyes, Wobbuffet’s debut). But it also has some bad fillers that set a bad precedent for the rest of the Johto saga. 6. Indigo League. It’s the one that started it all. It set up so much for how a Pokemon series should go. It had so many memorable episodes and some of the best fillers in the anime. However, it took a massive hit in the pacing department, especially around the time the Porygon episode aired. But hey, it is their first time doing a show, so no hard feelings. 5. Advanced Battle. It might have an awful start with a discount store Whirl Islands arc and the Thunder Armor episode. But after that, it really picks up. Ash and May making pushes for their goals. The introduction of one of the best rivals in Harley, and the Battle Frontier start. Sure, the league and grand festival’s endings were not satisfying, and Misty was practically assasinated in her final episode before the voice actor switch. But it was definitely okay. 4. Orange Islands. The Orange Islands isn’t as bad as some people say it is IMO. It doesn’t have as much fillers as people think it does, and some of the fillers that it does have are actually fun (the Nidoran love story comes to mind). Brock’s non union Mexican equivalent might be boring compared to the OG, but you don’t have to deal with him for long as the season is the 2nd shortest. And the regular episodes are amazing as well, like Charizard Listening, Ash’s 3rd gym battle, and Ash vs. Drake. But the reason it gets so high is the Pokeshipping in the season. Honorable Mention: Chronicles. Few people know this season exists, let alone watched it. But it has some amazing episodes and profes that Ash doesn’t need to be here for the series to be good. 3. Master Quest. The peak of the original series. Whirl Islands. Amazing gym battles. Fantastic fillers. The Johto League. Ash and Misty’s goodbye. It’s all here! Misty gets a ton of development in this season, especially early on, and I love it. Easily the best of the 4Kids era too. 2. Battle Frontier. Sure, the new voice cast takes a while to get used to. But its all worth it with the fastest paced series in the show. Very few bad episodes, and better battles and contests for Ash and May than in Hoenn. And of course, it builds up to my favorite season. (So far) 1. Diamond and Pearl. It has an amazing start with Dawn’s first episode and the start of Ash and Paul’s rivalry, and it doesn’t let go with amazing characters and great development. It goes all the way to the Hearthome Tag Tournament. Easily the best season.

RIP Pokemon TV app :(

also fitting since the 2nd season of Horizons just finished in Japan

I love how Sun and Moon was an anime that literally got better with each season, such an amazing show

Finally, respect for BW’s first season ❤️

I'm glad horizons is so high. Although it is not the best season, it is the perfect start to a new era for Pokemon anime. The problem with the later season of the Ash era was that Ash after Gen 4 ash had all the character development a character could have. That's why the anime team had so little creative freedom. Because we have a completely New Cast of Characters, the future for the Pokemon anime is going to be amazing

Another fantastic video, ranking the seasons, I don't remember someone ranking this type of season until you decided to do it like that and I was surprised. Now I'm hyped for your next analysis of the last 5 episodes of Pokémon Horizons.

The Advance Battle theme will forever be goated

Diamond and pearl, battle dimension, galactic battles and sinnoh league victors are the best by far for me ❤ Xy xyz are good seasons, too, but not the best

You know Sun and Moon are a good Pokemon season when I can easily sit and watch it multiple times

Did this ranking on another video. Haven't watched a series start to finish since my main focus was on the battles. 10. Original Series 9. Black & White 8. Horizons (still haven't seen much of the series yet so maybe when I've actually gotten through a few more episodes I'll have a different opinion). 7. Journeys 6. Advanced Series (not including Battle Frontier) 5. XYZ 4. Johto 3. Battle Frontier 2. Sun & Moon 1. Diamond & Pearl

Refreshing to see SM on top! I would have put Battle Dimension before the first DP season on my personal list but knowing you, this was pretty solid! Great job 💙👏🏼

3:35 I’m assuming you’re talking about dub season order. If that’s the case, those two episodes are actually part of Season 1.

This really feels Like a love letter for those of us that have stayed with the anime. Thank you zac

Each Pokémon series has some good moment and even better than the other. Long live Pokémon anime.

Personal fav for me has got to be Battle Dimension. So many good moments.

Mostly agree. I'd say master quest should be a lot higher, it saves johto from being boring and was a proper conclusion to the prior seasons with Ash and Gary being a dope battle with major buildup + a lot character development for the og trio with it being their last season as a travelling group. It's not as good as the Diamond and Pearl seasons for sure and Paul outshines gary as a rival but Master Quest is definitely one of the highlights from early pokemon and it was my gateway to the franchise. I'd also say even though BNW is overhated , S1 is nowhere near as good as XY S1 or the Indigo League those two shows are genuinely fun to go back to and watch episodes from. BNW has little rewatchability and has little relevance to the franchise. Meanwhile those 2 series have so many good eps and they laid the foundations for subsequent arcs + developments not to mention Indigo League is genuinely hilarious (IE misty waving a cross at a ghastly). There's not many people who've genuinely seen every single pokemon season let alone episode so mad respect for making this video.

Finally someone isn't sleeping on Sun and moon

I'm still working through my own anime rewatch and I can't wait to come up with my own ranking of these seasons 😁!! Love watching these kinds of videos from you ❤!!

Gotta say that the first half of this list really shocked me lol. but i can see why they were ranked that way. this is such a solid list and such a great look back at all the seasons of pokemon! what a great way to celebrate 27 years of pokemon anime!! and the top 10 is beyond solid!! and that top 5 is mint!

Entire Pokemon Sun Moon anime is the best season for Ash as protagonist. However Pokemon Horizons is my second favorite Pokemon anime up to date right now.

Galactic Battles is one of my faves for one reason: Battle Cry (it’s my fav opening OAT)

Looking back at Sun and Moon I really found a new appreciation for it. At first I was just so thrown off by the art style of Ash and how childish they made him feel after XYZ, but they really did a great job fleshing out all the characters and definitely didn’t dissapoint in the final league battles

Indigo League, Orange Islands, and The Johto Seasons May Be My Favorite, But Sun and Moon Deserve More Respect!

4:08 the max slander from Zac will never end 🤣

soon this guy will become bondphenomenon with the amount of SATOSHI GEKKOUGA said in his videos

It's still insane to me how much Sun and Moon was hated upon release. The series trully was the breath of fresh air the franchise needed at the time and then the League straight up clowned on all the people that were still hating.

As someone who has watched the anime since the beginning, It's crazy to see how much has happened over all these years. Sinnoh, for me, is still my favorite arc despite some bad episodes at times. Seeing Hunter J get the karma she deserved was so satisfying. 🙌🙌😁

My ranking of the Pokémon anime series: 1. XY & XYZ 2. Diamond & Pearl 3. Horizons (ongoing) 4. Advanced Generation 5. Original Series (Kanto) 6. Journeys 7. Adventures in the Orange Islands 8. Sun & Moon 9. Original Series (Johto) 10. Black & White 11. Aim to be a Pokémon Master

I will say Adventures in Unova and Beyond had really hype introductions of the new Kalos Pokémon at the time which made it worth watching. Not something that can be appreciated retrospectively.

Sinnoh league victors was probably my most fav. Tobias aside, everything was just perfect.

"alright I'll just watch until all sun and moon stuff happens" me at the end: "WHAT YOOOOOOOO"

XY DP and SM in the top three deserved

Sun and moon is underrated but XYZ for me takes the cake

2:00 I remember that episode I was actually invested in the radio show damn you Jesse

You just really love that “Satoshi Gekkouga” voice, you had to use it twice. That should be place in a voice button and given to you as a gift so that whenever you press it, you’ll get that voice. And we’ll probably need one for Sonia as well lol I also agree with the filler problem in some of the series. As for the first black and white season, the placing was a bit higher than expected (was that a bit of pity, when they went down a slump due to IRL circumstances that ravaged Japan at the time?)

tbh I'd think the people who often dismiss sun and moon or horizons are often the people who think the pokemon world is just gyms and battles, nothing more. They literally show the characters more as people who go through real problems and troubles in their life like any real person and in sun and moon's case, family in particular

Happy 27th Birthday Pokemon Anime!!!

This is a Ranking I Like Where Horizons Stands and Diamond Pearl and i really like that Sun and Moon gets Some Respect and good rankings at 13, 8 and 1 great video 👍

I love this celebration of the anime's 27th anniversary!

As someone, who has DP as favorite series and really likes HZ, XY and SM had probably the most consistent run out of all series where I'm never got tired from fillers. HZ got a step back in second arc with some fillers (still solid episodes) between Galar Castle, Lapras and climax. AG got carried hard by Battle Frontier, and BW got way worse with season 3.

I consider XY-XYZ is the best with horizons right behind it

I completely agree with this ranking. Good job Zac!

DP was my intro to the franchise so seeing most of the seasons in top 10 made me happy😊

15:44 Right, watch the German dub version.

Pokemon horizons season 1 too?😊

where do you watch all Pokemon seasons

The Sun and Moon ending made me cry like a kid

Ashs lycanroc is main ace of alola and shows he is more capable and more collective. Man i love ashs lycanroc i really want to see him again hopefully in horizons if Liko arrives at alola.

best opinion ever

That Thumbnail of Liko screaming is for being one of the best series is my favorite.

Seeing Zak's Number 1 pick: Bliss

Its definitely Kalos dude its so good

DP is the goat series

Sinnoh and Alola were my favorite regions. I almost didn't watch sun and moon because of the way they animated ash, but once I powered through the first few episodes and got used to the animation, the story was easily my favorite.

Pokémon Horizons have brought back Gym Battles during the new Paldea Arc now we get to finally see how great Liko Roy and Dot really are as the new protagonists, and how they measure up against our old friend Ash Ketchum.

Let’s not forget that we had one of the best evolutions in the anime within sun and moon, with Ash’s torracat evolving into Incineroar in the most climatic way!

For me the XY series is the best, my worst is season 9 with the voice changes

Dang the ending of the video!!😅😂😂

Orange islands is so underrated I get it’s all fillers and stuff but it’s great fillers and Tracy was one of my favorite side characters and I loved Lapras and ash’s journeys

1.Sinnoh League victors.. 2.Xy&Z 3.Sun&Moon ultra legends 4Galagtic Battle 5.Jotto League champion❤ My top5

Pokemon Sun and Moon is the Series that Deliver but no body Watch Even No Body Adds LaycanRoc And Incerior in List of Charizard , Greninja, Infernape Etc

While i do agree with most of this list, imo top 3 should be: 1. Xyz 2. Ultra Legends 3. Ultra Adventures

Good ranking overall. Though I want to make a slight correction. The Ultimate Test and The Breeding Center Secret were actually apart of the first broadcast season of Pokemon, which was like 50-something episodes. But the other Kanto episodes you listed were indeed part of season 2, along with most (or all) of the Orange Islands.

That last year of Sun and Moon went crazy!

aint no way horizons is top 10 ah hell no

Sun and Moon are better than OG, X and Y, and Diamond and Pearl? Your list is garbage, bro! UNSUBSCRIBED

Putting black and white over x and y is crazy

IMO, I would say Pokemon Indigo League as the first season that started all things Pokemon is the best season because it gave us an introduction to the wonderful world of Pokemon and what makes them great characters for future generations to experience a great franchise.