Spring is usually for cleaning out the old, but with Pokémon officially celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, I’m doing the opposite. I’m diving back into the vault.
With over three decades of media, the Pokédex of movies and TV series can be overwhelming.
To help you find your next purchase, I’ve hand-picked the definitive essentials for every fan, all of which are available and discounted, in the Amazon Big Spring Sale right now.
These eight must-own titles will evolve your home library, but be quick! Make sure you catch ‘em all before the Spring Sale flees on March 31.
Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest
While this era of the Pokémon anime had its critics, I’ve personally always held a massive soft spot for it.
Watching Serena find her own voice and Clemont’s resilience provides the kind of "never give up" lessons that Pokémon still teaches better than anyone. At $19.99 (19% off), Kalos Quest is the perfect series to pass down to your kids, or just if you’ve had a rough day and need a comfort watch. I won’t judge.
Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies
Coming off the high of the Pokémon Diamond & Pearl season, fans weren’t sure about the fifteenth season of the anime. It’s undeniable that Ash is at his weakest here thanks to the Unova reset, and the battles can feel like a step backward.
But, as I sat down to revisit this series for the 30th anniversary, I found a different kind of magic - the personality.
Between Oshawott’s hilarious antics and the wholesome filler of a dancing Maractus trio that’s genuinely one of the best episodes of the anime, this season is a scrappy underdog story about failing and getting back up, as if it itself had lost to a Level 5 Snivy.
At 51% off ($29.49, down from $59.99), I’d recommend giving this season another go - it might surprise you.
Pokémon: The Johto Journeys
The third season of the Pokémon anime series is the Gold (and Silver) standard of TV. It brings Ash, Misty, and Brock back together for a playful, nostalgic traipse through the then-new Johto region. Plus, it introduces Chikorita to the party, whose sweet, if a little strange, crush on Ash brought a whole new dimension to the story. It’s 41 episodes of nostalgia that holds up far better than some newer media. At $16.99 (17% off the typical $20.49) in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, you’re basically paying less than $0.42 per episode. That’s a steal even Team Rocket couldn't pull off.
Pokémon Double Feature - The First Movie and I Choose You!
If the 30th anniversary is all about looking back at the history of the Pokémon franchise, this two-movie bundle is the perfect place to start. You’re getting the 1999 Mewtwo vs. Mew showdown that defined an entire generation’s childhoods, paired with the surprisingly excellent 2017 reimagining, I Choose You!
I Choose You is a loose adaptation of the Indigo League’s first episode, but set in an alternate timeline. You’ll spend time with Ash, Pikachu and his new friends, Verity and Sorrel, as they seek to meet the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh at the summit of Mount Tensei.
Some find the "talking Pikachu" scene odd, but in context, it’s a perfectly earned, surprisingly emotional beat, so don’t let that put you off. At $11.99 (33% off the usual $17.99), this then vs. now marathon is one you can’t afford to miss. Plus - did I mention this bundle also includes the 22-minute short Pikachu's Vacation included?
Detective Pikachu Steel Case 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray & Digital Code
Detective Pikachu is the critical hit fans didn’t see coming. Ryan Reynolds’ wise-cracking sleuth is a far cry from Ash’s sassy, but loyal Pikachu. But the same heart and sarcastic, quippy tone as the titular video game series has captured fans all over the world. With rumors of a sequel in the works, it’s the perfect time to pick up this gorgeous 4K steelbook at $19.99 (39% off). Just don’t look too closely at those 4K Aipom’s if you want to sleep soundly at night.
Indigo League - Season 1
Indigo League is the very first anime series that defined (and emotionally scarred) an entire generation. Looking at you, Bye Bye Butterfree.
You know the story - Ash Ketchum, a 10-year-old aspiring Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town, begins the adventure of a lifetime alongside Pikachu, Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader, and Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader. It’s funny, beautifully animated, with surprisingly depth.
At a massive 51% discount in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, you’re snagging the series that started it all for just $24.49, down from $49.99.
Pokémon The Series: Diamond and Pearl The Complete Season
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl is the absolute best the anime has ever been. The battles felt high-stakes, and Team Galactic was a legitimate threat - a much-needed departure from the goofier antics of Team Rocket in past seasons. But the real draw here is the rivalry between Ash and Paul - it’s the most personal, satisfying arc in the whole 30-year run, and arguably gives the iconic Ash/Gary rivalry a run for its money. At $21.99 (13% off), this is the one season you need to own physically so you can watch on repeat, whenever you want.
Pokémon: Movie 2000 & Pokemon: The Power of Us
If my dive into the vault taught me anything, it’s that some legends never age.
This bundle is a true gem in the Amazon Big Spring Sale - you get the 1999 masterpiece Pokémon 2000, with its haunting Lugia’s Theme, paired with the modern brilliance of The Power of Us. The former is great for nostalgia, but the latter is an underrated gem; one of the best-written films in the franchise. At just $11.10, you’re getting the two strongest films in Pokémon history for the price of a single movie ticket.
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