Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Ash attends Pokémon School in the Alola region.
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon marks the twentieth season of the Pokémon anime and serves as the first and title season of the Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon story arc. In Japan, it is known as Pocket Monsters: Sun & Moon. The season follows Ash Ketchum as he enrolls at the Pokémon School in the Alola region, where he becomes friends with classmates Lillie, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, and Sophocles, and takes on the island challenge to learn Z-Moves. It aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from November 17, 2016, to September 21, 2017, and in the United States on Disney XD from May 12, 2017, to December 9, 2017—the first Pokémon series to debut on that channel. A preview of the first two episodes had aired on Disney XD on December 5, 2016. The Japanese opening songs are "Alola!!" by Satoshi (Rica Matsumoto) with Pikachu (Ikue Otani) for 29 episodes, and "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master (20th Anniversary)" by Rica Matsumoto for 15 episodes to promote the film Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!. The Japanese ending song is "Pose" by Taiiku Okazaki. The English opening is "Under the Alolan Sun" by Jannel Candrice, with composer Ed Goldfarb; its instrumental version serves as the English ending theme. Viz Media and Warner Home Video released the full season on a single 6-disc DVD box set in the United States on May 21, 2019.
- Season number
- 20
- Japanese title
- Pocket Monsters: Sun & Moon
- Japanese airdates
- November 17, 2016 – September 21, 2017
- Us airdates
- May 12, 2017 – December 9, 2017
- Us network
- Disney XD
- Japanese network
- TV Tokyo
Lore & Background
The season follows Ash Ketchum as he attends the Pokémon School in the Alola region, befriends his classmates Lillie, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, and Sophocles, and participates in the island challenge to master various Z-Moves. A preview of the first two episodes aired on Disney XD on December 5, 2016.
Reader's Guide
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon marks a significant shift in the anime's setting and format, moving Ash to the tropical Alola region and placing him in a school environment rather than the traditional gym challenge. It was the first Pokémon series to premiere on Disney XD in the United States, expanding the franchise's broadcast reach. The season introduced Z-Moves as a new battle mechanic and featured a distinct visual style. Its home media release in the United States came as a single 6-disc DVD boxset from Viz Media and Warner Home Video on May 21, 2019. The season's music included Japanese openings by Rica Matsumoto and an English opening titled 'Under the Alolan Sun.'
Did You Know?
- The Japanese opening song 'Alola!!' is performed by Satoshi / Ash Ketchum (Rica Matsumoto) with Pikachu (Ikue Otani).
- The English opening song is 'Under the Alolan Sun' by Jannel Candrice.
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