Pokemon Legends Arceus anime begins in May on YouTube

Pokemon Legends Arceus
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

The Pokemon Legends Arceus anime spin-off release date has been revealed.

Earlier today, the official Pokemon Twitter account announced that Pokemon: Hisuian Snow would arrive on the company's YouTube channel next month on May 18. That's the first episode of the anime series, to be precise, with two more to come afterwards.

Right now, we don't know a massive amount about the new Arceus anime spin-off series. We know that it stars a newcomer called Alec, and that he'll be journeying through the ancient land of Hisui, encountering Pokemon as he goes. While we'll probably see some of the same creatures as in Pokemon Legends Arceus, we don't know if any of the game's human characters will be crossing over into the series.

The new Arceus spin-off show is being developed by Japanese animation company WIT Studio. If you're unfamiliar with the animation studio now, you probably won't be after this list of bangers, as the studio has developed/co-developed the likes of Spy x Family, The Ancient Magus' Bride, Ranking of Kings, and Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us with various other studios.

That's quite the portfolio for the developer. Last time we saw a Pokemon series tie in with a mainline game, it was for Pokemon Sun and Moon, as the original Pokemon anime saw Ash and co. head to the Alola region for some new adventures. The series departed Alola back in late 2019, so all things considered, it's been a fair while since an anime spin-off of a Pokemon game.

If you're looking to get started in anime generally then check out the best anime for beginners.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus Starters | Pokemon Legends: Arceus Pokedex | Who is Arceus in Pokemon?

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Pokemon Horizons: The Series
New Pokemon leak reveals a surprise first for the next chapter of the anime series – and it fixes a complaint fans have had for over 25 years
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Everything announced at Pokemon Presents 2025
Dragonite and the Postman
The studio behind Your Name is making a new Pokemon anime movie, and the synopsis is already breaking my heart
Dragonite and the Postman
To celebrate Pokemon Day, Pokemon just dropped a new anime short from the studio behind Suzume – and it's adorable
Pokemon TCG Pocket Pikachu ex deck
Pokemon Presents February 2025 time – hopes for Pokemon Z-A and Switch 2 updates run high as Pokemon Day stream draws here
Pokemon
How to watch Pokemon in order: a complete guide to the TV show and movies
Latest in Pokemon
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will allegedly introduce 27 new Mega Evolutions, leakers claim, and we can only hope Flygon gets its chance this time
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shiny Cards
How to get Shiny Pokemon in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's director appears to be a Xenoblade Chronicles fan, and I'm now feeling very validated about a tiny detail I spotted in the upcoming RPG's gameplay trailer
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon TCG Pocket is getting yet another new expansion as the addition of shinies and Gen 9 Pokemon keep free-to-play players drowning in new cards to collect
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry release date and details
Pokemon GO
Despite new ownership's iffy history, Pokemon GO lead claims intrusive ads and playtime restrictions won't plague the game: "Not now, not ever"
Latest in News
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC
Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton in Hawkeye
Linda Cardellini cast as Jason's mom, the original Friday the 13th killer, for Crystal Lake prequel series
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red won't make survival games just because they're popular, but Netflix's Edgerunners anime is fueling dreams bigger than RPGs
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel may have just sneakily confirmed one of the biggest Daredevil: Born Again fan theories
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”