Red is just a normal kid living in the rural Pallet Town, when he decides to go out on his own adventure, along with his rival, Green. In this world of Pokémon, he makes many friends, humans and Pokémon alike. However, all is not well. Team Rocket is trying to capture Mew, a very rare Pokémon, and is performing experiments on other Pokémon, trying to increase their power. Red and his friends must battle against Team Rocket to stop their cruel experiments and unlock the secrets of Pokémon.

Pocket Monsters Special was published in English as Pokémon Adventures by VIZ Media. The series was originally released in monthly single issues from September 1999 to 2003 with bound volumes being published since July 6, 2000, the series has been republished in a "second edition" since June 2, 2009, featuring a new translation with right-to-left artwork (unlike the first one) and content omitted from the previous translation. However, there are some edits in the new-to-American audience volumes. VIZ released a series of mini-volumes titled Pokémon Black and White as a "Pokémon Adventures Special Edition" with the volume versions coming later as Pokémon Adventures: Black & White, released since July 2, 2013. Volume 43 was published as the first volume. It is also published in Spanish by Norma Editorial in Spain and by Toukan Manga in México, in Portuguese by Panini Comics in Brazil, and in Italian by Edizioni BD under the GP manga and J-POP imprints.