Pokémon in the Netherlands
Flag of the Netherlands
Language	Dutch
Continent	Europe
Original animated series airdates
EP001	October 27, 1999
AG001	2004
DP001	May 2008
BW001	February 25, 2011 September 4, 2011
XY001	April 18, 2014
SM001	November 27, 2016 August 26, 2017
JN001	June 28, 2020
HZ001	March 7, 2024

ThePokémon franchise first arrived in theNetherlands in 1999, with the first broadcast ofPokémon, ik kies jou! in Dutch. The release ofPokémon Red and Blue Versions followed afterwards, on October 10, 1999 in the English language.

Pokémon video games

Mostcore series andspin-offPokémon games have been released in English in the Netherlands, usually the same day as the release in the rest of Europe. An exception to this werePokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver—due to a major bug found in some releases of Pokémon HeartGold, which prevented saved games from being detected, the release was postponed from March 25 to April 2, 2010 in both the Netherlands and Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium).

Due to regulations banningloot boxes in video games beginning in 2018,Pokémon Duel was discontinued early in the Netherlands, with sales of paid items being ended on December 10, 2018, and the game being removed from storefronts and made unplayable on January 10, 2019.^[1] Subsequently,Pokémon Masters EX,Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, andPokémon Friends (mobile device version) were not released in the Netherlands or Belgium, despite being released elsewhere in Europe. WhilePokémon UNITE did receive a release, it was discontinued early in the Netherlands or Belgium, with registration and renewal of UNITE Club memberships and sales of Aeos gems ending on October 31, 2024, and service ending on November 30, 2025.

As in the rest of Europe,Pokémon Trozei! was sold under the titlePokémon Link! andPokémon Rumble Blast was sold under the titleSuper Pokémon Rumble.

Pokémon Play It! Version 2 was released in a Dutch dubbed version asPokémon Play It!, though referred to in voice-overs asPokémon: Speel Het. The interface ofPokémon Trading Card Game Online is available in Dutch but the cards themselves remain in English.

On August 19 and 20, 2000 Nintendo Benelux organised the Dutch Pokémon Championship 2000 inSix Flags Holland. 3 × 128 Pokémon Trainers could battle for the Pika Cup, Poké Cup and the Prime Cup using their Pokémon from Red, Blue, or Yellow. Using Transfer Paks these Pokémon were moved to Pokémon Stadium, which was used for battling.^[2]

• Publicity materials
• 
  Gold & Silver magazine ad
• 
  Gold & Silver magazine ad

Pokémon animation

Pokémon animated series

ThePokémon animated series was originally broadcasted in the Netherlands onFox Kids. On February 23, 2005, the network was renamedJetix and then again on January 1, 2010, asDisney XD. On May 1, 2025, the channel was shuttered to make room for a free-to-air Dutch version ofDisney Jr.

When Fox Kids announced it would stop broadcasting Pokémon in March 2001, 32,000 complaining children called to Fox Kids. It turned out to be a 1 April joke, when the channel announced on 1 April that the third season would begin airing the same day.^[3]

Episodes and movies in the Netherlands generally debut a few weeks after the first airing in the United States. A notable exception to this wasPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness which aired in Dutchbefore airing in English anywhere in the world. Which together with thefirst Pokémon Mystery Dungeon special, threePikachu shorts (PK01,PK04 andPK07),The Uncut Story of Mewtwo's Origin (part ofM01)Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening (part ofM16),Mewtwo Returns andThe Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon were the only specials of the Pokémon animated series to be released in the Netherlands.

The Dutch dub also airs in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part ofBelgium. In both Belgium and the Netherlands the animated series is available onNetflix.

From 1999 until 2006, JPS Producties was the company responsible for producing the Dutch dub. From 2007 until 2008, it was Fred Butter Soundstudio; and starting in 2008, it wasSDI Media (formerly Sun Studio).

The Dutch dub ofPokémon Journeys: The Series is being broadcasted onNickelodeon Netherlands since June 2021.

Pokémon movies

The first fourmovies (M01 Dutch premiere: 20 April 2000, more than 525,000 visitors in total;M02 Dutch premiere: 12 October 2000, more than 356,000 visitors in total;M03 Dutch premiere: 23 May 2001, more than 183,000 visitors in total;M04 Dutch premiere: 3 July 2003, more than 18,500 visitors in total) saw a release in Dutch theaters. Later movies, as well the special episodes, are regularly broadcasted on Disney XD. The last Pokémon movie to be released in the Netherlands on VHS wasM04, the last release on DVD wasM15 and there have been no Blu-ray releases.

Most of the movies held the original voice actors. However, the distributor for movies 4-7 chose for another dubbing studio. As a result, most of the original cast was replaced by other voice actors. OnlyChrista Lips as Ash andMarlies Somers as Misty remained. From movie 5 and on, they, too, got replaced by new voice actors.

Beside the replaced voice actors, the dub was also not of high quality. The dialogue and title song were poorly translated, and at some scenes, the English dub voices could still be heard, or no voices would be present at all. ThePikachu short was also not included anymore.

From 2007 on, the movies did not premiere anymore on DVD, but rather on TV (Jetix and later Disney XD). This meant that the dubbing was once again of high quality and held the original cast.

M08 premiered on November 11, 2007 at Jetix,M09 on November 18, 2007 at Jetix and two movie posters were given away with Jetix Magazine of the movies.M12 premiered on February 24, 2010 at Disney XD,Black—Victini and Reshiram on May 20, 2012 at Disney XD,White—Victini and Zekrom on 18:00 June 13, 2012 at the digital channel Disney XD 24 uur (the normal Disney XD airs until 18:00),M15 on 09:00 April 7, 2013 at Disney XD.

On November 27, 2016,M19 aired on Disney XD.

In fall 2017,M20 debuted in the Dutch theaters. In December 2017, it debuted on television. It was the first movie that was shown in theaters sinceM04.

M21 debuted on television in December 2018.M22 debuted on Netflix in February 2020.

Music

Some songs used in the Dutch dub of the animated series are translated (these includePokémon Karaokémon,Pokérap and the title songs from season 3-4 and season 8 onwards), while some other songs are used untranslated (Pikachu's Jukebox,The Time Has Come (Pikachu's Goodbye). Usually the regular singer for television theme songs is Herman van Doorn, returning in the 17th seasonPokémon the Series: XY. Herman van Doorn did not return to sing the opening of the 18th season and was replaced by Franky Rampen, who also sung the opening for the 19th season.

The openings of season 1-2 and 5-7 were not translated into Dutch. The first opening did receive an official Dutch translation as part of the20th movie. It is sung by Julian Ubbergen.

Three soundtrack albums have been released in the Netherlands. The first,Pokémon 2.B.A. Master, was the same as its North American counterpart and was sold in English. The second,Pokémon - De Reis van Johto, was a Dutch translation ofTotally Pokémon. The thirdPokémon 3: The Ultimate Soundtrack Nederlands Versie, was a Dutch translation ofPokémon 3: The Ultimate Soundtrack.

Cast and crew

The lead role ofAsh Ketchum is performed byChrista Lips (born 1964), a Dutch actress and singer. Christa also voicedCassidy in season 2 and 8.

Marlies Somers (born January 16, 1973) gave her voice toMisty, whileFred Meijer is the voice ofBrock,Gurkinn,Butch (S02) as well asGiovanni in seasons 3-6.

In season 2, the role ofTracey Sketchit was voiced byMartin van den Ham (September 15, 1962 - March 9, 2001), an actor and comedian. After his sudden death of cardiac arrest at the age of 38, Tracey's recurring appearances were performed byRolf Koster (born February 25, 1968). InM03 Tracey was voiced byTony Neef (born January 29, 1961).

InPokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire,May was voiced byNicoline van Doorn andMax was voiced byLot Lohr (born June 3, 1963).

InPokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl,Dawn's role was given toMeghna Kumar (born June 23, 1979).

InPokémon the Series: Black & White,Iris is voiced byJosé Kroon andCilan is voiced byJurjen van Loon (born September 14, 1983)

InPokémon the Series: XY,Serena is voiced byTara Hetharia,Clemont is voiced byChristian Nieuwenhuizen, andBonnie is voiced byManou Jue Cardoso.Professor Sycamore is voiced byRutger le Poole.

Jessie is dubbed byHilde de Mildt (born November 19, 1959), she has also dubbedOfficer Jenny in one episode.^[4]James was originally dubbed byBram Bart (April 32, 1962 - April 8, 2012), who also voicedGary Oak, but the role was given toPaul Disbergen in season 8, also the voice ofButch in season 8.

Meowth also had a change of voice actors at the same time, fromJan Nonhof (born December 9, 1947) toBas Keijzer (born March 31, 1973) because of his disagreement with the change of the dub company.^[5] In season 15, Bas Keijzer has been replaced withFred Meijer who previously provided the voice of Brock and Giovanni.

Giovanni has had many voice actors. He was originally voiced byJust Meijer (born 1956), in season 2Stan Limburg gave his voice. From season 3 to season 6Fred Meijer, who also did the voice of Brock, dubbed him and in the specialMewtwo Returns,Sander de Heer did Giovanni's voice. From season 6 to 7Just Meijer did Giovanni's voice again but he was replaced byBas Keijzer, who also didMeowth's voice. In season 14,Just Meijer returned once again and he is the current voice of Giovanni and also voicedStephan in his debut episode.

Dexter andProfessor Oak were voiced byJon van Eerd (born September 5, 1960) up to season 7, at which point he was replaced byTony Neef (born January 29, 1961), who also voicedGary Oak (AG146-present),Harley (S08-09),Paul andButch (S09-present). In season 11, Professor Oak's role was moved toThijs van Aken (born May 5, 1969), while Dexter's role was moved toHetty Heyting (born October 19, 1953), also the voice ofZoey (S10-13),Cassidy (S09-present), andVivian Meridian (S08). InS17 Professor Oak was voiced byFlorus van Rooijen. In 2 episodes Dexter was voiced byHilde de Mildt (born November 19, 1959). After that Dexter was voiced byJust Meijer and concurrently in Kalos byEdna Kalb.

Other notable voice actors in the Dutch dub includeJeroen Keers as thenarrator,Mandy Huydts (born April 9, 1969) asNurse Joy (S01-S13) andCassidy (S1),Lizemijn Libgott (born May 24, 1980) asNurse Joy (S14-present),Gardenia (S10),Sophie andViola,Edna Kalb (born October 11, 1959) asOfficer Jenny (S01-S13) andDelia Ketchum in one episode,Saskia Maarleveld asOfficer Jenny andFennel (S14),Beatrijs Sluyter asDelia Ketchum,J (S12),Lilian Meridian, andMarian,Edward Reekers (born May 24, 1957) andPepijn Gunneweg (born May 18, 1976) asTodd Snap,Niki Romijn asRitchie andCasey (S03, S04 and S05),Sander van der Poel (born September 19, 1986) asDrew,Huub Dikstaal (born January 6, 1968) asDrew (S07-09),Butch (S01),Kenny (S11-S12),Scott andPierce,Finn Poncin asButch (S05),Lottie Hellingman (born August 7, 1977) asCassidy (S03, S04 and S05),Marjolein Algera (born November 25, 1965) asNurse Joy inM01 andVivian Meridian (S06 and S07),Lotte Horlings (born April 10, 1979) asJ (S10 and S11),Frank Rigter (S11-S12) andMitchell van den Dunge Bille (S12-S13) asBarry,Kenny (S10) and asDrew (S06),Thijs van Aken (born May 5, 1969) asTrip (S14),Fleur van de Water asBianca,Eva Burmeister asBurgundy,Natalie Hanenveld asGeorgia,Trevor Reekers (born June 21, 1988) asLuke,Levi van Kempen asGary Oak (S09-11),Leon Wiedijk (S12),Jannemien Cnossen asNurse Joy inM10,Donna Vrijhof asNurse Joy in two episodes,Matori andGrace,Jeroen van Wijngaarden asPaul (S10-S13),Ruud Drupsteen asKenny (S13),Frans Limburg asStephan (S14),Nathalie Haneveld asGeorgia (S14),Florus van Rooijen asPaul in one episode,Tineke Blok asOfficer Jenny (S17),Alexa andCosette,Nicoline van Doorn asKorrina andLyra,Cynthia was voiced byMarieke de Kruijf in S10,Lotte Horlings in S11 and byDonna Vrijhof in S12,Ewout Eggink asProfessor Birch (S06),Jann Cnossen asMatori (S14) andProfessor Juniper,Louis van Beek asProfessor Birch (S07 and S08) andProfessor Rowan, andPaul Disbergen asButch (S9),Gary Oak in one episode andDr. Zager.

Pokémon manga

EnglishPokémon Adventures volumes published byVIZ Media are imported and sold in the Netherlands by comic/manga stores.Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team was translated into Dutch and serialized in three parts alongside 2007 publications of Jetix Magazine.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

Booster packs of thePokémon Trading Card Game have been sold in the Netherlands since the beginning of the TCG. Prices are generally around €4 per pack.Base Set,Jungle, andFossil were localized in Dutch, while all later sets were exclusively in English. A localized version ofPokémon Play It! Version 2, featuring the Dutch cards, was also distributed.

999 Games was responsible for the TCG's distribution in Flanders and the Netherlands until 2003 when Wizards of the Coast's license was transferred to The Pokémon Company International by Nintendo. Afterwards, PS-Games (who also organizedPokémon Day) became responsible. After the company went bankrupt in 2011, all of its activities were taken up by a newly established Benelux branch of Enigma Distribution, which has since then been acquired by Asmodee.^[6]

There are nineteenPlay! Pokémon leagues in the Netherlands, which work the same way as leagues in other countries. Once every year, the leagues in the Netherlands and Belgium hold an international tournament called the Benelux Cup.

Championships and tournaments

National Championship 2005

The National Championship of 2005, organized by PS-Games, took place on 3 July 2005 in theNationaal Denksport Centrum in Utrecht. Participants competed across three age brackets: 10 and under, 11–14, and 15 and older. The format was Modified Constructed, with Swiss-style rounds. A total of 166 players took part, who each received a promo card, a badge, and two Pokémon Organized Play boosters. Because of the unexpectedly large turnout, the tournament's start was delayed from 11am to 1pm.

Each age bracket winner received a $500 Scholarship Award, with second, third, and fourth place finishers also earning scholarship prizes (though the article does not specify if the amounts were the same). The champion was additionally awarded 72 booster packs, while runners-up received smaller quantities. Nintendo contributed to the prize pool with items such as a Nintendo DS and goodie bags. The top four players from each age bracket qualified for theWorld Championships in San Diego, with the first-place winner’s travel expenses covered.

In the 10 and under division, the prizes were shared among multiple winners. Jeanete Klijmij claimed victory in the 11–14 category, while the 15 and older division was won by Anna Schipper.^[7]

Publicity materials

• 
  Pokémon Liga magazine ad (2000)
• 
  Pokémon Liga magazine ad (2000)
• 
  Jungle set magazine ad (2000)

Merchandise

Pokémon coins andPokémon Flippos were given away in the Netherlands.

In 2000, Hasbro distributed a free Pokémon toy catalog in toy stores.^[8]

• Publicity materials
• 
  Magazine ad for the toy catalog
• 
  Magazine ad for Flippos

Trivia

• LikeGermany andItaly, an annual event namedPokémon Day was held in 2006 (two times), 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the Netherlands by Nintendo atWalibi World.

• A Dutch version ofPokémon Official Magazine is published in the Netherlands by Panini.

External links

• The official Netherlands Pokémon website (partial website)

References

Related articles

• List of Dutch Pokémon themes
• List of Dutch Pokémon home video releases

This article is part ofProject Globe, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon franchise around the world.

• Pokémon around the world