Pokémon: Indigo League, the 1997 series that launched the anime’s long run, began streaming on Disney+ on August 7 — but only 27 of the arc’s roughly 80 episodes made it, per IGN. The number is not random: the first season was split into three parts for its North American DVD release, and Disney+’s batch matches Viz Media’s first compilation, listed under the arc’s broader title, “Pokémon the Series: The Beginning.”
Netflix, which has long been the streaming home for most of the franchise, keeps the first 52 episodes under the Indigo League name. Both services skip the original 18th episode, “Beauty and the Beach,” which aired only a few times in the US after heavy editing. The episodes neither service carries — the arc’s final stretch — are free with ads on YouTube and Tubi, and on Warner Home Video’s 2014 DVD re-release.
There is a catch for US subscribers: Pokémon on Disney+ requires the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, because the anime sits on Hulu’s side of the app. The official Disney+ press schedule lists the premiere as “Pokémon: Indigo League (Season 1) — Premiere,” without dwelling on the arithmetic.
For the UAE, nothing changes yet: the Disney deal covers US rights, Disney+ UAE runs a separate catalogue with no sign of Pokémon, and Netflix UAE still carries all 52 episodes of Indigo League.
Is Pokémon: Indigo League on Disney+ in the UAE?
Not yet confirmed. Disney’s deal covers US streaming and broadcast rights, and Disney+ UAE runs a separate catalogue with no sign of the series so far. Netflix UAE still has the first 52 episodes.
Will more Pokémon episodes come to Disney+?
Disney recently re-acquired the US streaming and broadcast rights to Pokémon, and Indigo League is the first series to arrive. More of the franchise is expected to follow, but no dates have been announced.
Which Pokémon series are still on Netflix?
Pokémon: Indigo League (52 episodes), Pokémon: XY, Pokémon Horizons and the movies, including Pokémon: The Arceus Chronicles, remain on the UAE catalogue.
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