The best Pokemon manga series, ranked

Key recommendations

• The Pokemon Adventures manga started in 1997 and continues, inspired by the original games.
• Pokemon Try Adventure is an underrated spin-off with a focus on Pokemon lore and legendary creatures.
• Pokemon Adventures: Yellow focuses on battles and includes some of the best chapters of the arc.

Pokémon fans may know the anime and games, but there's a whole world to explore thanks to the many Pokémon charcoal created by multiple authors and designed by talented artists. The world of Pokemon has many mysteries to uncover, and some of these stories touch on certain events that have never been told in the games.

So if fans want to discover more about this fantastic world, what better way to do it than by reading Pokémon manga? These are the best of the best for them Pokémon coaches who are ready to start a new adventure.

8 Pokemon Adventures

The beginning of a long journey

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Mato, Satoshi Yamamoto
• First published: March 1997

The very first Pokémon the manga was published in 1997 and is still updated. This series tells the adventures of Red, the original protagonist of the film Pokémon games, which inspired the story of Satoshi (Ash) Ketchum from the anime. Over nearly three decades of publication, this impressive 64-volume series has explored the world of Pokémon like no other serialized story.

With beautiful classic designs, this story will take us from Kanto and beyond on a fantastic journey of discovery (and sweet nostalgia for those who started with Gen 1). His world Pokemon Adventures is filled to the brim with heartwarming moments, incredible battles, and stories of friendship between humans and Pokemon.

7 Pokemon Try Adventure

One of the best spin-offs of Pokemon adventures

• Author: Jun Keijima
• Artist: Miho Asada
• First published: March 2009

One of the most underrated spin-offs of the original Pokemon Adventuresillustrated by the talented Miho Asada (Battle Story Megaman, Yokai Watch) and written by Jun Kejima. This story is about three young people chosen by a mysterious character named Mr. Crow to solve Pokemon mysteries and experience dozens of adventures.

Katsuya, a battle trainer obsessed with becoming stronger, Toki, an expert explorer and survivor, and Soto, a Pokemaniac whose goal is to discover and catch every Pokemon. The story is great and the trio of characters complement each other quite nicely. This series is a fantasy series that emphasizes the lore of this fantasy world, especially the legendary Pokemon.

6 Pokemon Adventures Sword And Shield

A great spin-off with modern artwork

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First published: November 2019

This story focuses on the Galar region and is one of the best of the best. It doesn't just focus on explaining the Dynamax phenomenon (more than the games ever cared to), and it has three new protagonists to follow: Marvin, Henry, and Casey. Marvin has just moved to Galar when he meets Henry, a Pokemon Artifact Technician (or Meister), and Casey, a computer geek who watches his Pokemon team disappear due to a Dynamax incident.

Needless to say, the story also involves many important characters from the Galar region, such as Champion Lionel and Professor Magnolia, as well as every gym leader in the Galar region. Full to the brim with adventure and one of the best rides ever Pokémon the story of the world that exists to this day.

5 Pokemon Adventures Sun and Moon

Colorful, full of drama and great twists

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First published: November 2016

A courier in desperate need of money and an apothecary skilled in creating medicine who fight using poison-type Pokémon: these two are Sun and Moon, the protagonists of the Alola Arc in Pokemon Adventure. Needless to say, it's a pretty weird story involving the outbreak of the Legendary Tapus' rage, an Ultrabeast invasion, and a conspiracy behind Sun's reason for embarking on a Pokémon travel.

Yamamoto's art peaked during this run, with splendid scenarios, colorful characters, and incredible fight scenes, though some fans don't find the Alola region all that appealing. Worth reading for those who want to know more about the origin of the Ultra Beasts.

4 Best Pokemon Adventures: Yellow

One of the best editions of the original adventure series

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Mato
• First published: December 2006

A mysterious boy named Yellow arrives in Pallet Town to meet Professor Oak, catch his favorite Pokemon (Pikachu) and find the best trainer of all time: Red. Although this particular anthology takes some of the best chapters from Pokemon Adventures Yellow bow, not the full story. But to make up for it, it has a selection of the most fantastic stories and epic battles.

During his journey to find the missing Red, Yellow will face the infamous (and now deranged) Elite Four, who are trying to overthrow the current world order and establish their own Pokemon Utopia. Something our little trainer will have to stop at all costs, even if it means taking down the strongest trainers in Kanto. This special edition was translated by VIZ Media and is one of the best translations of the original manga currently available in English, both in quality and attention to detail.

3 Best Pokemon Adventures: Red

A faithful translation and great cover art in this beautiful anthology

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Mato
• First published: October 2006

This edition of Pokemon Adventures manga compiles the first three volumes of the first Arc (Red, Green, Blue) and has a selection of the best chapters. Also edited by VIZ Media, with special emphasis on the fidelity of the translation. It was rated as one of the best editions of Pokemon Adventure series. It has beautiful internal art and special front and back cover designs.

The story follows the beginning of Red's journey to become a Pokemon Master of the Kanto region and covers most of the adventures, including his encounter with Articuno, the Pokemon League battles, and the crowning of the New Champion.

2 Pokemon Adventures: Gold and Silver

One of the greatest Pokemon adventures

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First published: September 2012

English edition of Pokemon Adventures play a new trainer (Gold) and the beginning of a new journey through the Johto region. For those readers who have just started Pokémon travel during the 2nd generation, this will be a tear-jerking experience with many interesting references to the events of Pokemon Gold, Silverand Crystal.

It has some differences with Pokémon games, of course, but most of the events that take place in this story are aligned with the Gamefreak RPG, but with some differences. In this case, Professor Elm asks Gold to retrieve a stolen Totodile. And we discover much more about Silver and its origins. Neo Team Rocket also makes an appearance, and its leader is none other than Pryce, the Gym Leader of Mahogany Town.

1 Pokemon Adventures: Fire Red and Leaf Green

The best, better than anyone

• Author: Hidenori Kusaka
• Artist: Satoshi Yamamoto
• First published: February 2004

A sequel from Kanto Adventure Series, Fire Red and Leaf Green is a new story with Blue, Yellow and Red hot on the trail to stop the evil Team Rocket from capturing Deoxys. For this, they will have the help of the new Pokemon and an unlikely ally: Mewtwo.

The series is a love letter to every Pokemon fan and a must read for those who managed to play the 2004 remastered versions of the classic. Pokémon games. Yamamoto's artwork in this series is colorful, detailed, and more suited to modern times, while retaining the classic style of the original run.