In the Jewel of Life, when Giratina is angry at Dialga and starts a fight, Ash runs up to Giratina. Giratina does stop and looks at Ash remembering the time it spent with Ash. Ash even says "So you remembered us." Thus, Jewel of Life is canon if the the Giratina and the Sky Warrior is canon.

Before watching: I know for a fact that Rise of Darkrai is cannon, because a later episode shows Dawn using the Lunar Wing that she got in the movie

1:33 Mewtwo strikes back 3:37 The power of one 4:08 Entei - spell of the unown 5:39 Celebi - voice of the forest 6:26 Latios and latias 7:21 Jirachi - wish maker 8:47 Destiny deoxys 9:39 Lucario and the mystery of mew 11:16 Ranger and the temple of the sea 12:19 The rise of darkrai 12:51 Giratina and the sky warrior 13:36 Arceus and the jewel of life 14:43 Zoroark : master of illusions 15:38 Black victini and reshiram / White victini and zekrom 17:06 The sword of justice 17:55 Genesect and the legend awakened 19:09 Diancie and the cocoon of destruction 20:16 Hoopa and the clash of ages 20:49 Volcanion and the mechanical marvel 1:11 I choose you 22:12 The power of us 23:02 Mewtwo strikes back - evolution 23:35 Coco 10:22 The mastermind of mirage pokemon

I honestly wished the volcanion movie was canon. Lillie’s dad stealing Magearna away from Volcanion sounds really funny

The problem with Ash not remembering Pokemon is that outside the movies, there have been instances where Ash has forgotten the names of Pokemon even though he had already seen them in past episodes/seasons. Following that logic, wouldn't that mean that past episodes were not canon? So yeah, basing it off of Ash remembering/not remembering is not that reliable, I guess.

Gotta respect the research he has done must have taken a lot of time

Zac - "when gligar evolves into glisgor" subtitles - "when gligar falls into high school"

"Just don't interrupt the summer camp arc" YES!! I LOVED THAT ARC IT NEEDS MORE ATTENTION!!

I read that as “What Pokémon *Moves* are canon”, and was extremely confused.

It is quite surprising how many movies are actually canon.

The funny thing about mewtwo's return is that it was recently confirmed as canon with pokemon journeys where ash and goh face off against the same mewtwo that appeared in the first movie and mewtwo's return.

For as long as the Pokémon Legends: Arceus promotion episodes from Pokémon Journeys can be considered canon, then Arceus and the Jewel of Life is canon since Brock, Ash and Dawn tell Goh that they have met Arceus before, which is why they are calm while Goh is freaking out.

The rise of Darkrai is one of the best pokemon movie.

About Arceus... in the Hoopa movie Ash does recognize Arceus' ring symbol when talking about the Baraz's necklace.

Yes! Rise of Darkrai is canon! Loved that movie, especially the music.

it's interesting to see how DP did a Trilogy and not stand alone stories and SM did an AU. It makes me wonder what direction would the anime had taken if they followed the GS Ball arc in the main series and left the 4th movie to something like Ho-Oh's story, or the BW taking the original Team Rocket vs Team Plasma ideas.

Nobody: Zac: *Episode 69 Hehe*

Lucario & The Mystery of Mew, because, predicted Ash's Riolu so is canon

Rise of Darkrai was definitely my favorite movie as a kid and now, but an honorable mention is Lucario and the mystery of mew, seeing Sir Aaron use his aura to sacrifice himself gave me goosebumps and was an epic moment

Detective Pikachu might actually be considered canon, besides it being live action. In the movie, a scientist references about how Mewtwo escaped from the Kanto region a couple of years ago. A direct reference to Pokémon: The first movie.

That moment when you realize there was a pokemon trilogy

Just to comment a few things Lumiose 11:14 For The Mastermind Of Mirage Mewtwo episode, there’s 2 key moments you forgot to tackle into. When Dr. Yung captured Pikachu to take data out of his memories, *actual flashbacks* from earlier movies are seen. We see Flashbacks from at least Pokémon 4Ever, Spell of the Unknown, Heroes, and 2000 when Dr. Yung was taking data on Celebi, Entei, Latias, Latios and Lugia The first Pokémon movie is also acknowledged here too as when Dr. Yung creates his Mirage Mewtwo, he specifically says to Ash and his friends that *”This is not the same Mewtwo that you are all familiar with”* . That implies that Dr. Yung became aware of the Mewtwo Ash, Brock and Misty met in the first movie and in Mewtwo Returns. 20:20 And about Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, there is another important point you missed. *Ash remembers Arceus* in the movie When Barza and Mary explain about their grandfather and families background, they show Ash their Arceus Necklaces (since they come from a clan associated with Arceus). Ash specifically says *”Hey, that shape, is it....?”* followed by Serena asking Ash if he’s seen it already and Ash responds with. *”Yeah I’m sure I’ve seen it before...”* .Then, when Clemont confirms they were talking about Arceus, Ash completely remembers it after a bit of thinking The English dub version explicitly cut that part out for unknown reasons when streaming it on Cartoon Network.

Ash be like, I just saved the world let's not mention ever

Lucario and the mystery of Mew I think is further Canonised in Pokemon Journeys as Ash and his Riolu/lucario see to share a deep connection through their aura

Im weirdly happy that pretty much all of the movies are canon, or at the very least "maybes". And even the au movies have their possible placements in the timeline

Easy: The first movie and Lucario and the mystery of mew.

Even though the 1st movie isn't exactly my favourite, I do love how it was built up to in the actual show as opposed to being effectively an extended filler like most movies are (didn't know the genesect movie did this too, so that's pretty cool). It makes the first movie feel like much more of an event than the other ones do.

I find it funny that Lucario and the Mystery of Mew is now even more canon since Ash has a Lucario and it literally talked to him via aura.

Fun fact: according to bulbapedia, Magearna from Sun and Moon is shiny

If you're wondering why there's a second Mewtwo, it's because there was a weird legal issue with Takeshi Shudo's estate that legally stopped them from doing it. An interview confirmed that was the case

I really appreciate how much effort went into this. You could've just looked up where each movie roughly takes place and relayed that information, but I can tell that you actually watched all of the episodes and logic-ed them out yourself base don characters recognizing Pokemon and even geographical similarities to anime and movie locations. Great video.

I always thought the Jirachi movie took place during the two weeks before the Slateport contest, where they all took a break from May's training to visit the nearby circus. I guess placing it after AG36 makes a bit more sense though, since the movie's internal timeline doesn't leave much room for May's contest training lol.

Wait I'm pretty sure the 17th movie is Canon because the trainer ash fights in that film is Asteid with Mega Absol but she appears in the Kalos league.

Until the BW anime I feel like pretty much every movie was canon. BW onwards they didn’t really care to keep the movies in continuity though.

This was actually a very well done video! Like impressed with you finding good spots for the movies to fit and explaining to people that most movies are indeed canon to the main anime. And even fitting the recent movies as bridges between gen six and seven, then seven and eight. Well done!

5:10 both Brock and Giovanni are gym leaders, it wouldn’t be too surprising if they’ve met before.

"Movie 5 this is another movie that is Canon" THANK GOD

I just realized that all the movies are in they’re respective region but Alola does not have one.

In the Hoopa movie, Ash is seen to have recognize the legendaries that normal Hoopa summoned(Lugia, the Lati twins, and Rayquaza) as allies. I feel like it should lean it a bit towards canon, though the inclusion of Kyurem does kind of complicate the argument a bit more.

I would recommend watching the Lucario movie after AG145, the teams between these two aren't different at all if i remember correctly. My reason is that both are the final episode and final movie voiced by 4kids and watching the movie last feels like the better way to conclude the 4kids dub era.

Zac: Ash maybe can still catch Latias. Nah, I doubt it. Hell, if Ash was able to win a League, then catch Dragonite, Gengar, and Riolu in a matter of episodes, I can believe anything at this point!

Short answer: all of them except the ones w/AU Ash and the Mewtwo Strikes Back remake are canon. Edit: Okay, watching the vid, there is more nuance to it than I originally thought.

update on movie 15. Ash in the newest special episode 4 regarding a powerful Beatric notes that its ability to create ice spikes just by breathing would impress even Kyurem. this suggests Ash remembers Kyurem and how powerful it was. so, this might make movie 15 canon.

Yes. There's absolutely no doubt that the Sinnoh Trilogy is canon. And I specifically remember Dawn showing us her Lunar Wing within Battle Dimension. And the four-part special about Arceus that's soon to come to Pokémon Journeys will likely prove that Arceus and the Jewel of Life is canon. Also, The Rise of Darkrai is the one Pokémon movie that made me cry because of Darkrai's death and of Oracion.

With ash sensing lucarios aura in episode 25 mystery of mew is technically canon

Latias is easily my favorite legendary Pokémon. At the pace that Ash is heading with catching Dragonite, Gangar, Lucario and Slowpoke, catching Latias would be absolutely epic

I like the beginning part of the Hoopa Movie, since it showed that, yes, Ash did grow closer to his Pokémon since Kanto, as he knows which Pikachu is his w/o hesitation.

12:19 Movie 10 is also Canon because in the episode with the adamant orb the one where team galactic made their debut at the end of said episode they showed a model City Alamos Town so yeah movie 10 is canon not doubt about it

Arceus and the Jewel of Life is canon because Giratina remembers Ash from before and so do Ash, Brock and Dawn

13:01 this movie features regigigas Me: hyper beam INTENSIFIES!!!

17:20 it is canon know since Kyurem was refrenced in aim to be a pokemon master.

For the Darkrai movie, there's something else I wanna bring up that wasn't mentioned. In Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Episode 36 "A Secret Sphere of Influence!" at 8:20, a small model of the Space-Time towers from the movie appears in a display in the background!

If anyone would like a full re-watch list, I compiled one for myself and would be happy to share it: - Movie 20 (AU canon) - EP. 1-69 - Movie 1/ Movie 22 (either one works) - EP. 70-105 - Movie 2 - EP. 106-155 - Movie 3 - EP. 156-178 - Mewtwo Strikes Back Special - EP. 179-205 - Movie 4 - EP. 206-256 - Movie 5 - EP. 257-AG 36 - Movie 6 - EP. AG 37-AG 86 - Movie 7 - EP. AG 87-AG 134 - Movie 8 - EP. AG 135- AG 157 - The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon (If you want to watch it for whatever reason) - EP. AG 158- AG 184 - Movie 9 (Maybe canon) - EP. AG 185-DP 40 - Movie 10 - EP. DP 41- DP 86 - Movie 11 - EP. DP 87- DP 141 - Movie 12 (Maybe canon) - EP. DP 142-DP 177 - Movie 13 (Maybe canon) - EP. DP 178-BW 37 - Movie 14 (Non canon, Zekrom version recommended) - EP. BW 38-BW 81 - Movie 15 (Maybe canon) - EP. BW 82-BW 122 - Movie 16 - EP. BW 123-XY 42 - Movie 17 (Non canon) - EP. XY 43-XY 78 - Movie 18 (Maybe canon) - Ep. XY 79-XY 123 - Movie 19 (Non canon) - EP. XY 124-XY 140 - Movie 21 (AU canon) - EP. SM 1-SM 146 - Movie 23 (AU canon) - JN 1-... If you notice a mistake please let me know so I can fix it. Thanks.

Zac: the first non cannon is the bw movies. Me: what about the spec- Zac: Shut

This helped me a lot for the plans on my Pokémon fanfic series. Thank you for making the video! 😄🙏

I think the jewel of life It’s canon because in the journey special Ash and Dawn remember Arceus but Goh didn’t recognize it

Every time he said “We’re you surprised” I just kept thinking of the hupa voices

Title: Which Pokémon movies are canon Me: Well well well let's find out

I first became aware that some of the movies are canon in the Johto Series when Ash mentions having met a Lugia on the Orange Islands.

I consider the Sinnoh quartet to be canon, because it doesn’t make sense for the first one of them to be canon and the others which are sequels to it talking about the first not being canon. especially since they’re all tied together with an overall storyline.

oh yeah I remember the mastermind movie especially the part who ash left misty dying over there just to go save his pikachu (may saved her later)

I was really expecting the vast majority to be non canon, much like most other anime (One Piece, Dragonball, Naruto, etc.) This is a nice surprise. If I ever end up rewatching the whole series I'll probably pop the movies in there too, so thanks for the watch guide!

This was an awesome video! Didn’t expect so many movies to be deemed canon, but I’ve always loved when movies are connected to the main series for any show. I’m a new subscriber but this quality content.

19:38 Objection! Somebody did recognize Carbink, it was Meowth. So therefore, it is possibly canon.

I needed this video for real! Gave me a greater insight for sure on how some movies I believed were canon, aren’t. Outstanding job bro 🏆

The thing that makes me wonder for movie 21 if it’s canon or not. I know I you covered it, but another good point would be if Ash recognized Zeraora from the movie in SM. I can’t remember so it would be good for you to clarify

Really impressed with your knowledge. Keep up the good work!

Believe it or not, I awaited that someone does this subject of video as seriously as you did since a long time. Pokemon movies' canonicity always intrigued me.

21:13 the Zygarde point can very well be countered. Zygarde was only in its 100% form for only like a minute in the movie because it was by itself and didn't have all the cores and the other Zygarde while it was longer in the anime because it had those. it was on a very short timer when it went into its 100% form by itself but it's able to stay in 100% at will if it has the other Zygarde along with the cores.

This video is great and well researched man! When I rewatched AG I was so surprised to actually hear Professor Lund and LaRousse mentioned in the main city.

im gonna be honest.the zekrom and victini movie has my favorite opening.the "black and white" opening song is great. the battle animations were pretty cool,with the fully evolved unova starters and all.shame its not canon

I never understood why they keep using ash for AU scenarios when they could use any of the game protagonists

Okay but regarding the diance movie, ash gets a rematch battle with Astrid during the Kalos league who he fought in that movie it’s even mega absol vs hawlucha again. Yeah the not remembering Pokémon thing is concerning but I think the Astrid rematch during xyz should at least push it into a maybe

I have been trying to make a perfect Pokémon timeline for my binge of it, and while I still need to figure out the placement of smaller things one off thing such as the Pichu Bros and the Pikachu specials this was really helpful for the movies.

Movie 17 should be canon because astrid faced off against ash in the movie as well as in the kalos leauge

Just wanna say that movies 10, 11 and 12 (Rise of Darkrai, Giratina and the Sky Warrior, Arceus and the Jewel of Life) WERE SO THOROUGHLY PLANNED OUT!! All three are connected in the sense that Palkia and Dialga's space and time dimensions collided due to the reawakening of Arceus (as mentioned in movie 12) and each thought they were invading each other's territory, hence fighting. Their fight caused massive destruction which was reflected in the Reverse World/Distortion World, prompting Giratina to be very angry at the damage dealt to its world, and hence dragging poor Dialga into its world in Giratina and the Sky Warrior. Shaymin was unintentionally caught in the cross-fire and used Seed Flare to open a portal. Dialga escaped and put Giratina in a time loop and the events unfolded. In Arceus and the Jewel of Life, all three rose up to stop their creator on a rampage after finally awakening, with Dialga sending the "twerps" back in time and Palkia trapping Arceus in space. I love the attention to details and how all three plots were interlinked!

"Episode 69" *Heh heh*

A little fact from Pokemon 2019 series, they somewhat remember movie 8 and Ash’s aura sensing so well, he was able to sense a Riolu’s aura while it was still in an egg and hatch it and meet Korina when he and Go stopped in Kalos by having him and his new Riolu recognize the aura of a Lucario

The thing i like the most about the movies is the theme song at both the begining and the end of the movie, it always brings a smile to my face

There’s also the fact that in episodes of Pokémon Journeys they have begun directly referencing several movies with Ash having reunions with the versions of the Pokémon from the films specially

Thank you. This video probably took a very long time to make, and a ton of effort. I learned a lot through watching this video, and I thank you for your hard work on not just this video, but all the others as well. I loved this video, and I hope that you keep up the hard work. Have a good day. 👍

I'm sad that the Magearna movie isn't canon. I've felt the Pokemon movies have grown more and more stale, but I found this moving quite touching actually. It also has a beautiful song in the international versions.

Excellent breakdown! This definitely earned you a massive SUBSCRIBE!

Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back takes place sometime after Showdown at the Po-ke Corral, where Mewtwo is seen escaping from Team Rocket HQ. This mismatch was caused by the Pokémon Shock incident causing the anime to be put on hiatus for several months.

Brock might just reckognize Giovanni from the 8th gym or the news tbh.

Great video i have huge respect for the research you did to find out where the movies go and if they are cannon. Cant wait to see more man glad this showed up in my recommend

You really did a lot of research man.... Hats off 👏👏👏

In the movie "Hoopa And The Clash Of Ages",ash recognises the Arceus pendent shown by the siblings.. Which makes "Arceus and Jewel Of Life" cannon...

The power of us or movie 21 as he call it is amazing, especially the first two acts, it just showed people living their lives in a world that happened to be full of Pokémon and it was so sweet and beautiful. Ash and the ending are probably the lowest parts and it would’ve been improved if Ash was not included but it’s still my favorite Pokémon movie that I’ve watched in a long while

YES FINALY something that tells me where the movies take place (or is it when?) thank you so much this will be so helpful in my rewatch

I always considered the first 3 movies canon no matter what, as those were written by Takeshi Shudo.

This was helpful for me, because I didn't know a lot of the movies that were there that I wanted to watch!

I'd alternate Movie 20's watch period to After the Indigo League instead of before the series starts. That way you don't spoiler Charmander's introduction and you can fully compare his original journey to his alternate journey through Kanto. Plus it let's you end your rewatch of the original series by learning what the Pokemon Ash saw at the start of his journey instead of waiting until right before his fourth gym battle in Johto. Plus it's a pretty clean break, since Friends to the End ends with a freeze frame of Ash running towards the friends he made on that journey so it works better as a transition into an alternate take.

I’ve been planning a whole pokemon rewatch for months now, but always had trouble placing the movies. This video is a life saver 😂

3:50 in a different episode of the Johto anime there talking about articuno and ash says it would be cool if they were real or something like that so the Pokémon anime makes no sense... the again they did call rice ball a jelly filled donut so I don’t think it ever made sense.

I can't remember the episode, but there is an episode of the Orange Islands where they get on the same boat that they're on at the start of the 2nd movie. The next episode shows them getting off that boat, so the movie takes place between those episodes

"Most of them kinda suck" Hahaha! 😂

OMG I'm early yay! Also back like a year or two ago I started watching the anime with the movies in order from Kanto to Alola and it was a fun experience, I definitely recommend it if you have a lot of spare time (which let's be honest, I think well all have free time now)

I am now sad because you reminded me of the team rocket vs team plasma 2 parter. I remember when I watched Pokémon in the subs and I was so hype for these episodes to come out

Although Mewtwo Returns is most likely canon anyway, I don’t think Brock recognizing Giovanni means it happened. They’re both Gym Leaders, so he’d probably have seen his face before.