The Best Pokemon Manga Series, Ranked

Important takeaways

  • The Pokemon Adventures manga started in 1997 and still continues, inspired by the original games.
  • Pokemon Try Adventure is an underrated spin-off focusing 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 anime and games, but there's a whole world to explore thanks to the many Pokémon manga created by multiple authors and designed by talented artists. The world of Pokémon has many mysteries to uncover, and some of these stories address certain events never told in the games.

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


8 Pokemon adventure

The beginning of a long journey

Pokemon adventure

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


The very first one Pokémon manga was published back in 1997 and is still current. This series tells the story of Red, the original protagonist of Red's Adventures Pokémon game, which inspired the story of Satoshi (Ash) Ketchum in the anime. In almost three decades of publication, this impressive edition of 64 volumes has explored the world of Pokémon like no other serialized story.

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With beautiful classic designs, this story will take us from Kanto and beyond, on an amazing journey of discovery (and sweet nostalgia for those who started with Gen 1). The world of Pokemon adventure is filled to the brim with heartwarming moments, incredible battles, and stories of human-Pokémon friendship.

7 Pokemon Try Adventure

One of the best spin-offs of Pokemon Adventures

Pokemon Try Adventure

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


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

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

6 Pokemon Adventures Sword and Shield

A big spin-off, with modern art

Pokemon Special Sword and Shield

  • 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's not just focused on explaining the Dynamax phenomenon (more than the games have ever wanted to do) and has three new main characters 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 investigating the disappearance of her Pokemon team due to a Dynamax incident.

Of course, the story also involves many important characters from the Galar region, such as its master Lionel, and Professor Magnolia as well as all the gym leaders from the Galar region. Filled to the brim with adventure, and one of the best drives of Pokémon world story that is current.

5 Pokemon adventure sun and moon

Colorful, Filled With Drama And Big Twists

Pokemon Special Sun And Moon

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


A courier in desperate need of money and a pharmacist skilled in creating medicines that battle with Poison-type Pokémon: these two are Sun and Moon, the protagonists of the Alola Arc of Pokémon Adventures. Needless to say, it's a rather strange story involving the outbreak of rage from the legendary Tapus, an Ultra Beast invasion, and a conspiracy hidden behind Sun's reason for embarking on a Pokémon trip.

Yamamoto's art reached its highest perfection during this run, with stunning scenario designs, colorful characters and incredible battle scenes, although some fans don't find the Alola region all that appealing. Worth reading for those who want to know more about the origins of the Ultra Beasts.

4 The best of Pokemon Adventures: Yellow

One of the best editions of the original adventure series

The best of Pokemon Adventures Yellow

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


A mysterious boy named Yellow reaches Pallet town to meet Professor Oak, catch his favorite Pokemon (Pikachu) and track down the best trainer of all time: Red. Although this particular anthology picks up some of the best chapters from Pokemon adventure Yellow Arc, that's not the whole story. But to make up for it, it has a selection of the most amazing stories and epic battles.

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During his journey to find the missing Red, Yellow will encounter the infamous (and now deranged) Elite Four, who seek 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 most powerful 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 for its quality and attention to detail.


3 The best of Pokemon Adventures: Red

A faithful translation plus good cover art in this beautiful anthology

The best of Pokemon Adventures Red

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

This edition of Pokémon Adventures manga compiles the first three volumes of the first arc (red, green, blue) and features a selection of the best chapters. Also edited by VIZ Media, with special emphasis on translation fidelity. It has qualified as one of the best editions of Pokemon adventure series. It has beautiful interior art and special front and back designs.

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

2 Pokemon Adventures: Gold & Silver

One of the greatest Pokémon adventures

Pokemon Adventures Gold and Silver


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

The English edition of Pokemon adventure the stars a new trainer (Gold) and the start of a new journey through the region of Johto. For those readers who started their Pokémon travel during the 2nd generation, this will be a tear-jerking experience, with many cool references to the events of Pokemon Gold, Silverand Crystal.

It has some differences with Pokémon game, of course, but most of the events that happen in this story are in line with Gamefreaks RPG but with some differences. In this case, Professor Elm tasks Gold with recovering a stolen Totodile. And we discover a lot more about Silver and his origins. Neo Team Rocket also appears, and its leader is none other than Pryce, the Gym Leader of Mahogany Town.

1 Pokemon Adventures: FireRed and LeafGreen

The very best, better than anyone else

Pokemon Adventures FireRead & LeafGreen


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

A follow up from Kanto Adventures Series, FireRed and LeafGreen is a new story featuring Blue, Yellow and Red, who are hot on the road to stop the evil Team Rocket from capturing Deoxys. For that, they will have the help of new Pokémon, and an unlikely ally: Mewtwo.

The series is a love letter to all Pokemon fans and a must read for those who managed to play the 2004 remastered versions of the classic Pokémon game. Yamamoto's artwork in this series is colorful, detailed, and more contemporary, while retaining the classic style of the original.

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