Pokémon in mainland China

Pokémon in mainland China
Flag of the People's Republic of China
Language	Mandarin
Continent	Asia
Original animated series airdates
EP001	December 24, 1998 (OTV)
AG001	November 2014 (iQIYI)
DP001	July 3, 2011 (CCTV6)
BW001	December 26, 2012 (iQIYI)
XY001	November 2015 (iQIYI)
SM001	February 2018 (iQIYI)
JN001	December 22, 2023 (iQIYI)
HZ001	April 5, 2025 (iQIYI, Youku, Bilibili)

The Pokémon (Chinese: 宝可梦 Bǎokěmèng) franchise first reached mainland China with the first broadcast of the Pokémon animated series in 1998. Most Pokémon media intended for mainland China is written in Simplified Chinese characters and dubbed in Mandarin.

Names

Since 2019, the official Chinese translations of both "Pocket Monsters" and "Pokémon" have been unified under the name 宝可梦 (Bǎokěmèng), an approximate transcription of Pokémon.^[1] Previously, after the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon in 2016, the term "Pocket Monsters" was distinguished by translating it as 精灵宝可梦 (Jīnglíng Bǎokěmèng), including the word 精灵 (jīnglíng; "creature"). According to Tsunekazu Ishihara, the intention of the rename was to keep the pronunciation of "Pokémon" consistent throughout the world, while still taking its former translations into account by incorporating the former Cantonese name (宠物小精灵) and former Taiwanese name (神奇宝贝) .^[2]

The current name was first introduced in mainland China in December 2010. Following the announcement of the rename, Pokémon Adventures received a reprint with updated translations, while iQiyi gradually uploaded the animated series for streaming under the new title. In addition, Takara Tomy had also released a new line of Pokémon toys from Pokémon the Series: Black & White. On July 10, 2015, a special event was also held during the premiere of Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction in Shanghai to promote the new name^[3].

The Cantonese name 宠物小精灵 (Chǒngwù Xiǎojīnglíng) was used as the official translation of Pokémon from 1998 to 2002, while the Taiwanese name 神奇宝贝 (Shénqí Bǎobèi) was used from 2001 to 2010.

Previously, the animated series, multiple manga series, and various guidebooks have given names to the Pokémon, characters, locations and other important terminologies. With the release of Sun and Moon, Nintendo has provided an updated set of names for the first 151 Pokémon, with some receiving completely new names^[4]. For more information on these localized names for Pokémon, see List of Chinese Pokémon names.

Due to the lack of official Chinese translations of games prior to Generation VII and the proliferation of bootlegs in the market, the unofficial name 口袋妖怪 (Kǒudài Yāoguài; "pocket monster") is commonly used by fans in mainland China. The name was also trademarked by Nintendo in mainland China, but has never seen official usage.

Pokémon games

Core series

Pokémon Sun and Moon are the first set of games to be officially translated into Chinese, available in both Traditional and Simplified characters. In the years prior to the release of the Chinese localizations, only the Japanese and English versions of the video games were made available in Taiwan and Hong Kong, while video games were banned in mainland China around that period^[5]. The release came two years after the lifting of the 14-year ban of video games in mainland China^[6].

As a result of lack of Chinese localizations in the previous games, many Chinese-translated language hacks and bootleg versions of the series are distributed into the mainland.

On July 13, 2024, Pokémon announced the start of "Pokémon Game Season" with Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! being part of the lineup^[7]. The announcement followed the approval of import by the National Press and Publication Administration of Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! on April 7, 2024 and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! on June 5, 2024. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! were released on September 26, 2024, making them the first and only set of games from the core series to be released in the region. Tencent, who licensed the Nintendo Switch for sale in mainland China handled publishing duties.

However, due to Nintendo and Tencent's license agreement expiring, it was announced on November 29, 2024 that the chinese Nintendo eShop would close in 2026.^[8]

Spin-off series

Console and mobile games

Super Smash Bros. (任天堂明星大乱斗) was released in mainland China on November 15, 2005, making it one of the few Pokémon-related games to receive Chinese localization prior to Pokémon Sun and Moon. It contains unique cries for most of the Pokémon characters. Those in question are the same ones with unique cries in the game's English version.

On the App Store in mainland China, Pokémon TCG Online was released by The Pokémon Company International on September 30, 2014, and Pokémon Shuffle Mobile was released by The Pokémon Company on September 25, 2015, but neither received a Chinese localization.^[9][10] Starting in 2016, mobile games released in mainland China must be published by a Chinese company and issued an ISBN by the National Press and Publication Administration. Because of this, no mobile games have since been published by TPC or TPCi in mainland China; both of the aforementioned games have since been removed.^[11]

Pokémon Quest was released by NetEase Games (网易游戏) on May 13, 2021, making it the first Pokémon mobile game to be officially released in the region. The game had continued to receive updates exclusive to the region, such as new areas and Pokémon from later generations that have not appeared in the original version of the game. The game was discontinued in February 2025^[12].

New Pokémon Snap was released on July 16, 2024 as part of the "Pokémon Game Season", making it the first game to receive a physical release in the region. It featured various minor changes from the original version, such as translation of all English text into Chinese, minor alterations of icons, and some revisions of Photodex entries^[13].

Pokémon UNITE was released on November 7, 2024 for mobile devices.

Pokémon Events was released on August 7, 2025 for mobile devices, but without a Chinese localization. This makes it the first app to be published by TPCi in mainland China since Pokémon TCG Online.^[14]

Arcade games

Pokémon Tretta was launched in mainland China in 2019, while Pokémon Ga-Olé (宝可梦加傲乐) was launched on December 12, 2020. Both were distributed by Wahlap Technology and available in Simplified Chinese.

Pokémon MEZASTAR (宝可梦明耀之星) has been planned to launch in April 2025.

Others

Pokémon Pikachu (神奇宝贝皮卡丘) was a step counter and virtual pet toy released in the region in 2001.

Pokémon animation and live action

Animated series

History of broadcast

The first 52 episodes of the original series had initially been dubbed and distributed by Medialink Animation under the title 宠物小精灵, premiering first on OTV (上海东方电视台) on December 24, 1998. The dub had also aired in Beijing Television and Shandong Television.

During the 2000s, Top-Insight International had distributed the Taiwanese dub on Shanghai TV Drama Channel (上海电视剧频道), Active Cartoon TV (炫动卡通卫视), Shanghai Haha Kids Channel (上海哈哈少儿频道), and Kaku Anime (卡酷动画) under the title 神奇宝贝. An alternate dub of the original series had also aired on China Movie Channel (CCTV-6) under the same title.

In 2011, Beijing DynamicMedia Co., Ltd. (北京迪美文化发展有限公司) had dubbed the first 27 episode of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl under the title 精灵宝可梦 and aired it on CCTV-6 before going on an indefinite hiatus.

Digital distribution

The dub is currently distributed by IMMG and JY Animation (杰外动漫). It is available in digital platforms such as iQIYI (爱奇艺), Youku (优酷), Bilibili (哔哩哔哩), WeTV (腾讯视频), Migu Video (咪咕视频), Mango TV (芒果TV), BesTV (百视通), Xigua Video (西瓜视频), and Wasu (华数).

On December 2012, iQIYI uploaded the first 84 episodes of the Taiwanese dub of Pokémon the Series: Black & White up for online legal viewing with episodes from Black & White season 2 and the original series added in the subsequent months. The Taiwanese dub of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, Pokémon the Series: XY, and Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon were eventually uploaded with subtitles in simplified Chinese. The Taiwanese dub of Sun & Moon was later replaced by a dub produced by Shunxin Cultural Development Co. Ltd. (瞬心文化发展股份有限公司).

On December 2023, Migu Video uploaded episodes of the original series, Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, Pokémon the Series: Black & White, and Pokémon the Series: XY dubbed by Shunxin, though parts of Episode: Gold & Silver are from the Taiwanese dub. Various platforms have also uploaded episodes of Pokémon Journeys: The Series dubbed by VOICE BEAR studio (音熊联萌).

On April 5, 2025, Pokémon Horizons: The Series was released on iQIYI, Youku, Bilibili, and other platforms with new episodes released every Friday and Saturday. It was also dubbed by VOICE BEAR studio.

Pokémon movies

Animated series movies

All Pokémon movies are currently available on various digital platforms in mainland China, featuring a mix of Taiwanese and mainland dubs.

Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction premiered on July 10, 2015 in designated theaters in Shanghai as part of CCG Expo 2015, making it the first movie to be screened on Chinese cinemas.

Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel was screened on Chinese cinemas on November 11, 2017.

Mewtwo Strikes Back, The Power of One, Spell of the Unown, Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias were screened on Shanghai CGV Cinema as part of CCG EXPO 2023, while Spell of the Unown, Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Zoroark: Master of Illusions, I Choose You!, and The Power of Us were screened in designated theaters in Shanghai as part of the 2024 Shanghai International Film Festival.

Live-action films

POKÉMON Detective Pikachu premiered in mainland China on May 10, 2019 where it was distributed by Legendary East.

Music

Opening and ending themes

Unlike most dubs in other languages, the mainland China dub prior to Pokémon Horizons: The Series generally uses the subtitled version of the original Japanese opening and ending themes.

A Mandarin version of Pocket Monster was used in the Medialink dub.

Set Sail (启航) is the first opening theme song in the mainland China dub of Pokémon Horizons: The Series. A music video based on the first Japanese opening animation of Pokémon Journeys: The Series was released on various Chinese social media platforms to promote the launch of the Pokémon Trading Card Game product Gem Pack Vol. 1 in mainland China on January 17, 2025.

Little Insights (小小心得) was used as the first ending theme song for the mainland China dub of Pokémon Horizons: The Series with the animation being based on RVR ~Rising Volt Tacklers Rap~.

Music videos

The lyric video of Dreamful (可梦) was released on Weibo on February 19, 2022 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Pokémon. The music video was released on Weibo on August 25, 2022.

The music video of Champion Road (冠军之路) was released on March 2, 2023 as the main theme of Pokémon Trading Card Game Masters with the full version of the video released on March 25, 2023.

The music video of Pokémon Party (宝可梦派对) was released on Bilibili on August 4, 2023.

A Chinese version of Volt Tackle was shown at the 2023 Pokémon Card Masters Shanghai on December 16 and 17, 2023.^[15]

The dancing music video of Eevee Eevee, Step by Step (伊布伊布一步一步) was released on various social media platform on April 30, 2024.

The Chinese version of Aim to Be a Pokémon Master was made in commemoration of the release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! in mainland China with the music video released on various Chinese social media platforms on October 25, 2024.

The music video for Go for Your Future, the main theme of MIRACLE SUMMER: Challenging the Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, was released on Bilibili on December 9, 2024.

Cast and crew

Many voice actors and actresses have contributed to the production of the Chinese dubs of the Pokémon animated series.

Other shorts and series

Shorts

The Journey of One Dream (同梦之旅), a 12-minute animated short, was released on Weibo and Bilibili on February 28, 2023.

Detective Pikachu & the Mystery of the Missing Flan (名偵探皮卡丘～華麗的早晨儀式～) had been dubbed into Mandarin and released on Weibo and Bilibili on October 25, 2023.

Homecoming (良辰有梦), a two-minute animated short based on Chinese New Year, was released on Weibo, Douyin, and Bilibili on February 2, 2024.

Chasing the Moon (但愿梦长久), an animated short based on Mid-Autumn Festival, was released on September 11, 2024.

Shiny Ekans (捕捉你的蛇年好运), an animated short based on Chinese New Year in celebration of the Year of the Snake, was released on January 23, 2025.

Dragonite and the Special Delivery (快龙与小邮递员) had been dubbed into Mandarin and was released simultaneously with Japan on February 26, 2025.

Pokécology Diary (宝可梦生态一日记), a nine-minute animated short, was released on April 22, 2025 in celebration of Earth Day.

Miniseries

Various animated miniseries have also been released on the official Pokémon channel on Bilibili.

POKÉTOON was uploaded to Bilibili with subtitles starting from December 18, 2021. The second season was released dubbed with the first episode released on September 19, 2024 and subsequent episodes released simultaneously with Japan.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings (破晓之翼) has been subtitled with Simplified Chinese and was released on January 30, 2022.

Pokémon: Hisuian Snow (释雪二蓝) has been subtitled with Simplified Chinese and was released on May 18, 2022.

Cube-Shaped Pokémon on Cubie Island?! (方可梦：不圆之岛的方形宝可梦？！) was released on Weibo and Bilibili from February 28 to September 29, 2023.

Pokémon: Path to the Peak (宝可梦 巅峰之路) was screened during the 2023 Shanghai Masters held on December 16 and 17, 2023.

Animated Pokédex (宝可梦动画图鉴) is a series of animated shorts produced by several local animation studios and released on various online platforms such as Weibo, Douyin, and Bilibili. The first episode was released on April 29, 2024, while the first season "Island Break" (小憩岛中) was released on August 5, 2024, the second season "Wholly Witty" (千伶百俐) was released on November 27, 2024, and the third season "Summer Frolic" (嬉闹一夏) was released on July 19, 2025.

Live-action series

The Delicious Day with Pokémon was a series of CGI live-action short videos made in collaboration between The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Shanghai, and the Chinese video creator team Cat's Kitchen. It was released on Bilibili and Weibo from February 7, 2022, while the second season was released on the same channels from October 9, 2023.

MIRACLE SUMMER: Challenging the Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships (逐梦之夏~向宝可梦卡牌世界大赛发起挑战~) is an hour-long live-action documentary that tells the story of Nii., a player of the Simplified Chinese version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, in reaching the 2024 Pokémon World Championships in August 2024. It was released on Bilibili on December 6, 2024.

Pokémon printed media

Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures has been translated by Jilin Fine Arts Press (吉林美術出版社). The manga has also been launched on Bilibili Comics with current translations being handled by Shanghai Viz Communication Co., Ltd. (上海碧日咨询事业有限公司), a subsidiary of Shogakukan.

Pokémon Adventures was also first translated by China Light Industry Press (轻工业出版社) under the Cantonese title (宠物小精灵特别篇), publishing the first seven volumes in 2000. While the Cantonese term of Pokémon is used in that translation, all other names and terminologies were based on the Taiwanese translation. Jilin Fine Arts Press took over the series in 2005, renaming the series to match the Taiwanese title (神奇宝贝特别篇). In 2011, Pokémon Adventures had been renamed to its then-new name (精灵宝可梦特别篇) starting from Volume 29 while the first 28 volumes were re-released under the new name.

The series had been previously serialized on CoroCoro (龍漫CORO-CORO) until August 2014. It was later uploaded to Bilibili Comics in November 2018, updating with X & Y arc on February 14, 2020, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc on March 3, 2020, and Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc on May 5, 2020.

In 2024, Jilin Fine Arts Press released The Art of Pokémon Adventures (宝可梦特别篇 山本智画集) under its current name (宝可梦特别篇), followed by the omnibus edition based on the 2017 Pocket Monsters Special Paperback Edition Red, Green & Blue Chapter released in August 2025.

Other manga and printed media

Jilin Fine Arts Press had also translated Pokémon Pocket Monsters and its sequel Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire, Ash & Pikachu, Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!, Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys. It had also translated several movie manga adaptations from Jirachi: Wish Maker to Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and the first nine volumes of Pocket Monsters Film Comic The Movie, as well as the Pocket Monsters Series (神奇宝贝电视绘本) and Let's Find Pokémon! series.

21st Century Publishing Group (二十一世纪出版社集团) had translated all 20 volumes of Pocket Monsters Film Comic (神奇宝贝彩色电视版), all 9 volumes of Pocket Monsters Film Comic Episode: Orange Islands (神奇宝贝柑橘群岛编), and the first 20 volumes of Pocket Monsters Film Comic Episode: Gold & Silver (神奇宝贝金・银编).

Both publishing house have also translated various Pokédex handbooks.

Translations

Gallery

• 
  Pokémon Adventures (China Light Industry Press)
• 
  Pokémon Adventures (Jilin Publishing Group first edition)
• 
  Pokémon Adventures (Jilin Publishing Group second edition)
• 
  Ash and Pikachu
• 
  Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
• 
  Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Prior to Sun & Moon Era

While TCG products were introduced in Taiwan and Hong Kong during this period, they were never officially released in mainland China nor were the cards printed in Simplified Chinese.

Sun & Moon and later Eras

In September 2022, Pokémon Shanghai Toy Limited (宝可梦（上海）玩具有限公司), The Pokémon Company's subsidiary in mainland China, announced the upcoming release of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (宝可梦集换式卡牌游戏) in Simplified Chinese.^[16]

The first set Storming Emergence was released on October 28, 2022, with cards sourced from Japanese sets Collection Sun/Collection Moon to GX Ultra Shiny. The second set Shining Synergy was released on January 18, 2023, with cards sourced from all remaining Japanese Sun & Moon Era sets.

The third set Dynamax Clash was the first set released for the Sword and Shield Era.

Region-Exclusive Sets

Starter Decks

Booster Decks

Promotional cards

Main article: S-P Promotional cards (SCTCG)

Main article: SV-P Promotional cards (SCTCG)

Events

TCG Masters

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Masters (大师赛) is a series of tournaments held in various major cities in China.

In 2023, it was held in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. It was originally scheduled to be first held in Guangzhou in late 2022, but it was delayed to March 2023 due to the pandemic. Various promotional events and activities have also been held alongside the tournament, such as introductory classes to Pokémon Trading Card Game, a tournament for Pokémon UNITE, a gallery for the Pokémon animated series, an experience zone for Pokémon Ga-Olé, an exhibition area for Pokémon Quest, and a concert featuring Hatsune Miku performing Volt Tackle.

In 2024, the hosting city of Shanghai Masters had been moved to Suzhou and renamed to Suzhou Masters.

In 2025, it was held in Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Beijing, and Shenzhen.

Gallery

• 
  Beijing Masters logo
• 
  Shanghai Masters logo
• 
  Guangzhou Masters logo
• 
  Shenzhen Masters logo
• 
  Suzhou Masters logo
• 
  Hangzhou Masters logo

Others

Pokémon collaborated with the Shanghai Library in 2023 to promote reading through the creation of a multidimensional experience with the theme of Pokémon Trading Card Game^[17]. It featured an exhibition of Pokémon card illustrations and the screening of The Journey of One Dream.

The exhibition of "Artifacts of Indigo Plateau" (石英高原的遗迹) featuring a collaboration of Pokémon and Daniel Arsham was held in Shanghai from December 31, 2022 to May 7, 2023, Guangzhou from December 1, 2023 to May 20, 2024, and Wuhan from May 31, 2024 to December 1, 2024.

Related articles

• List of Chinese Pokémon names
• List of Chinese Pokémon themes

External links

The Pokémon Company

• Pokémon Asia (Mainland China)
  • Pokémon on WeChat
  • Pokémon on Weibo
  • Pokémon on Bilibili
  • Pokémon on Douyin
  • Pokémon on Youku
  • Pokémon on Xiaohongshu
  • Pokémon on Kuaishou

Video games

• Pokémon Sun and Moon website
• Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon website

Animated series

• iQiyi
  • Pokémon
  • Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
  • Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
  • Pokémon the Series: Black & White
  • Pokémon the Series: XY season 1
  • Pokémon the Series: XY season 2
  • Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon season 1
  • Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon season 2
  • Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon season 3
  • Pokémon Journeys: The Series
  • Pokémon Horizons: The Series season 1

Others

• Takara Tomy
• Pokémon MEZASTAR

References

Related articles

This article is part of Project Globe, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon franchise around the world.