Pokemon XY is one of the most popular seasons in the Pokemon anime franchise. The XY series introduced Ash to the Kalos region along with new friends Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie. It also featured Ash‘s powerhouse Greninja and some of the most epic battles in the anime‘s history. With such an action-packed and momentous season, it‘s no wonder Pokemon fans are eager to rewatch the XY episodes. But with the series no longer readily available on streaming platforms like Netflix, where can you watch Pokemon XY in 2022? This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the best options.
Overview of Pokemon XY
Pokemon XY spans 3 seasons and 140 episodes which originally aired from 2013 to 2016. The seasons are:
- Pokemon the Series: XY (episodes 1-49)
- Pokemon the Series: XY Kalos Quest (episodes 50-93)
- Pokemon the Series: XYZ (episodes 94-140)
Some of the most notable events in XY include:
- Ash traveling to Kalos and meeting Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie
- Ash catching Froakie which evolves into the powerful Greninja
- Ash battling elite trainers like Diantha and Alain
- Team Flare threatening the Kalos region
- Ash earning his 8th gym badge and entering the Kalos League
- The iconic Ash-Greninja bond phenomenon
- Serena pursuing her goal of becoming Kalos Queen
- Clemont taking over the Lumiose City gym from Clembot
With so many pivotal storylines and battles, it‘s no wonder XY is a fan-favorite season packed with nostalgia. Now let‘s look at how to watch it in 2022.
Pokemon TV
Pokemon TV is the official Pokemon streaming platform offering free episodes and movies. All of the XY series used to be available on Pokemon TV but now only certain episodes are accessible. As of 2022, you can watch the following XY episodes for free on Pokemon TV:
- XYZ Episodes 1-46
- XYZ Episodes 48-55
- XYZ Episodes 57-84
- XYZ Episodes 86-93
So while you can‘t watch the full XY series on Pokemon TV anymore, they do have a significant portion of the XYZ season available. Pokemon TV can be accessed via web browser or their app on mobile devices and smart TVs. There are ads, but it is otherwise completely free.
Amazon Prime Video
For those wanting to watch the full XY series, Amazon Prime Video currently has the entire thing available for subscribers in both English and Japanese. The seasons are available to purchase individually or as a bundle.
Here are the Amazon Prime Video XY options:
- Pokemon the Series: XY (Season 1, episodes 1-49)
- Pokemon the Series: XY Kalos Quest (Season 2, episodes 50-93)
- Pokemon the Series: XYZ (Season 3, episodes 94-140)
- Pokemon the Series: XYZ Combined Seasons (Seasons 1-3 bundle)
The cost is $14.99 USD per season or $37.99 USD for the bundle. If you‘re an Amazon Prime member, you can watch for free as part of your membership. With Amazon Prime Video you can stream XY on internet browsers, mobile devices, smart TVs with the Prime Video app, or devices like Roku and Fire TV.
Hulu
For another full series option, Hulu has all three XY seasons available on-demand for subscribers. The season titles on Hulu are slightly different:
- "Pokemon the Series: XY" (Season 17, episodes 1-48)
- "Pokemon the Series: XYZ" (Seasons 18-19, episodes 49-140)
With Hulu you can stream XY on web browsers, mobile apps, and internet connected TVs either on-demand or via their Hulu + Live TV service. The basic subscription is $7.99 USD per month but you can bundle it with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $12.99 USD.
Netflix
Unfortunately, Pokemon XY was removed from Netflix in most regions in 2019. However, it may still be available on Netflix in some countries like the Philippines. You can check by searching "Pokemon XY" and seeing if it comes up in your country‘s Netflix library. If so, you can stream the full series as part of a basic Netflix subscription.
While no longer on Netflix in the US, UK, and Canada – regions like the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore may still have it in 2022.
Additional Options
Aside from the major streaming platforms above, there are some additional ways to watch XY:
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Disc – You can purchase DVD and BluRay sets from retailers like Amazon. This includes options like the XYZ Complete Collection BluRay set.
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Digital Purchase – Episodes and seasons can be bought digitally through platforms like Amazon Video, iTunes, and Google Play.
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Live TV – Channels like Disney XD sometimes air older Pokemon seasons, so you may be able to catch XY episodes on live TV.
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Piracy – Illegal streaming and torrent sites host the full Pokemon XY series. However, we advise against piracy.
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VPN – If XY is available on Netflix or other platforms in your region, you can try using a VPN service to access the content.
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YouTube – Fans upload XY clips but full episodes will get taken down for copyright. You may find select full episodes that slip through the cracks.
Overall, Pokemon TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu are your best options to watch the full Pokemon XY series in 2022. Let‘s dive deeper into what makes generation 6 such a memorable chapter of the Pokemon anime saga.
Why Fans Love Pokemon XY
Pokemon XY introduced viewers to the Kalos region which was based on France. It marked the first time Ash traveled with companions Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie who brought great group dynamics. XY also took Ash‘s story in new directions while allowing recurring characters like Team Rocket to grow. Let‘s look at some key reasons XY resonates with fans:
Memorable New Characters
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were fresh faces that joined Ash on his Kalos journey. Each brought something unique to the group:
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Serena – A childhood friend of Ash pursuing her dream of being Kalos Queen. Her crush on Ash was a subplot and she became his most popular ship.
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Clemont – An inventor who took over his father‘s Lumiose City gym. His knowledge and gadgets were useful to the group.
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Bonnie – Clemont‘s endearing little sister who looked after the group and tried finding Clemont a wife.
These main companions each had an interesting backstory and goals in Kalos. Their group dynamic was a highlight of the XY anime compared to other seasons.
Return to Ash‘s Roots
After Ash‘s Unova journey which was criticized for "rebooting" his skills, XY returned to his roots. It had a lot of references to the early anime with flashbacks to young Ash. This nostalgic factor made long-time viewers feel connected to the energetic Ash embarking on a new adventure.
Strong Continuity and Development
A well-paced storyline and ongoing character development were strengths of XY. For example:
- Events from previous episodes were frequently referenced
- Subplots like Serena‘s crush evolved across seasons
- Ash learned skills like bonding with Greninja over time
- Team Rocket members like Jessie got character growth when entering Pokemon showcases
Continuity and growth for both characters and story arcs kept XY engaging across 140 episodes.
Mature Themes and Bonds
XY had strong emotional themes as Ash formed deep connections with his Pokemon. Episodes delved into more serious topics like abandonment, betrayal, dealing with failure, and emotional healing. The tragic backstory of Olympia‘s Charizard was a standout drama. This mature tone made the anime compelling for older viewers.
Amazing Animation and Battles
The visuals in XY were movie-quality with intricate fight sequences and gorgeous environmental art. Key battles like Ash-Greninja vs Mega Charizard X set a new bar for dynamic Pokemon clashes. Even minor gym battles were visceral standouts. XY raised the animation standard for future seasons.
With exciting battles, high drama, and entertaining new friends – it‘s clear why Pokemon XY struck a chord with fans. Now let‘s look at some of the most iconic XY episodes you‘ll want to rewatch.
Best Pokemon XY Episodes to Revisit
Narrowing down the best XY episodes is tough with so many highlights. Here are 12 of the most memorable:
- EP39: "Forging Forest Friendships!" – Ash catches Froakie and we meet Clemont and Bonnie
- EP69: "Defending the Homeland!" – Ash and Froakie‘s friendship deepens during a Team Rocket encounter
- EP85: "A Legendary Photo Op!" – Ash meets legendary Pokemon Xerneas and Yveltal
- EP86: "A Festival of Decisions!" – Froakie evolves into Frogadier during Ash‘s gym battle
- EP93: "All Eyes on the Future!" – Ash and friends go to Professor Sycamore‘s summer camp
- EP105: "A Meeting of Two Journeys!" – Ash meets iconic trainer Sawyer who becomes his rival
- EP115: "Battling at Full Volume!" – Ash earns his seventh gym badge in an epic music-themed fight
- EP131: "The Aura Storm!" – Frogadier evolves into Greninja and perfects the Ash-Greninja form
- EP134: "A Towering Takeover!" – Ash and Greninja battle scientist Alain and his Mega Charizard X
- EP135: "Coming Apart at the Dreams!" – Ash loses to Wulfric and questions whether he‘s "good enough" to achieve his dream
- EP139: "A League of His Own!" – The Kalos League begins and Ash reunites with rivals Alain and Sawyer
- EP140: "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!" – Ash battles Druddigon in the Kalos League while reflecting on his journey
Those represent some of the most pivotal and exciting episodes. XY is packed with iconic moments all the way through the Team Flare climax, Kalos League, and even the goodbye to Greninja. It‘s easy to go down nostalgia lane rewatching this chapter of Ash and Pikachu‘s never-ending adventure.
The Legacy of Pokemon XY in the Anime
Looking back, it‘s clear Pokemon XY was a transformative turning point for the Pokemon anime franchise. Here‘s some of its lasting impacts:
Pushed Animation Boundaries
The dynamic animation, vivid battle sequences, and movie-quality art elevated production values to new heights. Future seasons adopted this quality bar going forward.
Established Mega Evolution
XY introduced the concept of Mega Evolution which went on to be a fixture in subsequent seasons. Many of the signature Mega Evolved Pokemon like Charizard and Rayquaza originated in XY.
Spotlighted Ash‘s Bonding Powers
Ash‘s ability to bond with Greninja showcased his emerging aura powers. This concept was built upon in Sun & Moon with the Z-Ring and Gigantamax Pikachu.
Expanded Ash‘s World
XY introduced iconic characters like Diantha, Malva, Alain, and Sawyer who reappeared in future seasons. It broadened the roster of key people in Ash‘s world.
Set Up Sun & Moon Change
After XYZ wrapped up long-running arcs, it paved the way for Sun & Moon‘s fresh setting and art style. The memorable finale made the next season feel like a new chapter.
In many ways XY took the Pokemon anime to the next level while honoring its roots. It was a balancing act that made it such a fan-favorite region and nostalgic high point.
Conclusion
Pokemon XY took Ash to new heights while bringing back longtime viewers. With its exciting adventures, deep bonds, fresh faces, and epic animation – the Kalos saga left a lasting impact. Although no longer on Netflix, fans can relive the magic on Pokemon TV‘s partial collection and the full series on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. For Pokemon‘s 25th anniversary, what better way to celebrate than revisiting Ash‘s journey to become a "Kalos Kid"?
