Unfortunately, Ho-Oh has not made many appearances in the anime, but what makes this legendary so special is that it was featured in the very first episode and was the first Johto Pokemon/legendary ever seen!

• Episode 001 - Pokemon - I Choose You!

Ho-Oh appeared to Ash at the end of the first episode, flying across the sky after the thunderstorm. Ash's Pokédex could not identify it.

• Episode 265 - Pop Goes The Sneasel

Ho-Oh appears in a flashback by Harrison. Harrison explains that long ago, Littleroot Town in the region of Hoenn was one major place for battles and wars. People ravaged the place so badly that the Pokémon suffered because of it and the vegetation was wiped out. Ho-Oh appeared after a battle and unleashed a rose coloured flame that stopped the battles and "burned" the area back to life.

• Episode 273 - Gotta Catch Ya Later!

Sitting on a tree, Ash tells Pikachu he doesn't like the feeling of being alone, and still isn't sure about what to do next now that Ash has covered the Johto region. Suddenly Pikachu alerts Ash, who then looks up in the sky and spots a sparkle. To Ash's amazement, it's Ho-Oh. Watching it fly away, Ash notices it's heading towards the Hoenn region.

• Episode 452 - Battling the Enemy Within!

After Ash lost an informal challenge against Pyramid King Brandon, May points out Ho-Oh flying in the sky to Ash.

• Movie 8 Lucario and the Mystery of Mew

Ho-Oh is seen flying overhead the Tree of Beginning, which eventually reveals itself to be Mew using Transform.

• Movie 6 Jirachi: Wish Maker, Movie 10 The Rise of Darkrai, Movie 12 Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Movie 13 Zoroark: Master of Illusions

Ho-Oh made a small cameo appearance in the introductions of these movies.