Pocket Monsters: The Animation

Pocket Monsters: The Animation is a series of novelizations based on the Pokémon anime, authored by the late Takeshi Shudō. 
It expands a lot on background details not mentioned or alluded to in the series proper. Some aspects of it have since been contradicted by later seasons of the anime, which leaves its canonical status ambiguous.
The first, entitled Departure (Japanese: 旅立ち Tabidachi), was released in 1997, and focuses on the beginning of Ash's journey, including some background to his character. The second, entitled Friend (仲間 Nakama), was released in 1999, and focuses on his battles in Pewter City, Cerulean City and Vermilion City.
The afterword for the second volume included a "To Be Continued" note, but it was never released.
Category:Books