The Pokémon anime series, a long-running saga of adventure and battles, has captivated audiences for decades. At its heart is Ash Ketchum, a determined trainer, and his loyal Pokémon. While the anime often adheres to the established rules of the Pokémon world, there are instances where Ash’s Pokémon defy logic and use moves they shouldn’t be able to learn, creating memorable moments of surprise and sometimes confusion. Here are ten times when Ash’s Pokémon went off-script.
Bulbasaur’s Unexpected Whirlwind and Dig
Ash’s Bulbasaur, a Grass-type Pokémon, is known for its vine-based attacks. However, in a battle against a Butterfree, Bulbasaur used a Whirlwind attack, a move typically exclusive to Flying-type Pokémon. This move is not part of Bulbasaur’s learnset in the games making it a surprising and impossible move. What’s more, Bulbasaur was also seen using Dig, a Ground-type move that it cannot learn. This was so strange that even Tracey, a character in the anime, pointed out the anomaly. Although the anime tried to justify it by stating that Pokémon can access hidden powers in times of need, it still remains a notable error.
Dubbing Errors and Misinterpretations
It’s worth noting that some move discrepancies are due to errors in the English dub. For example, the Whirlwind incident was a misinterpretation of the Japanese version, where Ash simply told Bulbasaur to “blow it away” rather than command a specific move. This highlights the challenges of translating animation and maintaining consistency across languages.
Totodile’s Skull Bash Mix-Up
During the Whirl Cup, Ash’s Totodile was seen using Skull Bash, a Normal-type move it cannot learn. This is another instance of the English dub taking liberties. In the original Japanese version, Totodile actually used Headbutt, which it can legitimately learn. This demonstrates the impact of localization on the perceived accuracy of the anime.
Cyndaquil’s Misuse of Agility
Cyndaquil, a Fire-type Pokémon, used Agility in a manner that deviates from its function in the games. In the games, Agility doubles the user’s speed, but in the anime, it’s often depicted as an evasive maneuver or a speed burst. This inaccurate representation of Agility showcases how the anime prioritizes visual spectacle over strict adherence to game mechanics.
The Anime’s Take on Agility
In the anime, Agility often allows a Pokémon to dart around quickly, creating afterimages, or to quickly dash at an opponent. This is a far cry from the turn-based speed boost of the games and makes it visually more dynamic.
Staravia/Staraptor’s Early Gust
Before the release of the Pokémon: Legends Arceus game, Staravia, and its evolution Staraptor, were unable to learn Gust. Yet, Ash’s Staraptor was shown using Gust multiple times in earlier seasons. This continuity error was retroactively corrected with the game update, showcasing how the franchise can adapt over time, unintentionally fixing anime errors.
Kingler’s Five-Move Battle
Kingler, Ash’s giant crab Pokémon, broke another rule during the Indigo League. It used five different moves—Vice Grip, Water Gun, Bubble, Crabhammer, and Hyper Beam—in a single battle. This is impossible, as Pokémon can only have four moves at a time. This is a clear example of the anime prioritizing excitement over consistent adherence to the game’s limitations.
Rule-Breaking For Spectacle
While Pokémon battles in the games are strategic and turn-based, the anime often uses creative liberties to make them more visually engaging and intense. This can sometimes result in bending or breaking established rules.
Heracross’s Dubbed Fury Swipes
During a battle with Gary’s Magmar, Ash’s Heracross used Fury Swipes in the English dub, but the original Japanese version had it correctly use Fury Attack. This highlights the role of dubbing errors in creating the perception of impossible moves. The two moves function very similarly, so it’s understandable how the dubbing mistake happened.
Litten’s Slash Attack
Litten, a Fire-type Pokémon that Ash acquired, used Slash, which it is not capable of learning. Usually, Litten’s claw-based attacks are Scratch. This move was one of many instances where Ash’s Pokémon knew attacks that they should not have.
Pikachu’s Odd Moves: Tackle and Leer
Ash’s Pikachu has also used moves it shouldn’t, including Tackle and Leer. These moves are not part of Pikachu’s typical learnset and this was very inconsistent with Pikachu’s regular moves. This makes the moves he used on occasion, more of an oddity than anything else.
Pikachu’s Ever-Evolving Moveset
Pikachu’s moveset has evolved throughout the anime series. While it typically sticks to Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, and Iron Tail, it has learned and swapped other moves such as Volt Tackle, Electro Ball, and Electroweb. The anime frequently introduces new moves to keep Pikachu’s battles exciting and fresh.
Gible’s Unconventional Draco Meteor
Ash’s Gible used Draco Meteor in ways that are inconsistent with the games. Gible’s version of the move not only damages all opponents on the field, but it can also be used while holding an opponent in its mouth. This is very different from the typical Draco Meteor and makes the move unique to this specific Gible.
The Power of Unique Animations
The anime often gives Pokémon moves unique animations and effects not seen in the games. This makes the battles visually dynamic and helps each Pokémon stand out.
Anime-Exclusive Moves
In addition to misusing existing moves, the anime also features several moves that are exclusive to the series. Moves like Aqua Pulse (used by Ash’s Buizel) and Water Balloon (used by Popplio and Brionne) add another layer of uniqueness to the anime’s battles.
Prioritizing Excitement Over Accuracy
These instances demonstrate how the Pokémon anime prioritizes exciting, visually impressive battles and storytelling over strict adherence to the games’ mechanics. While these errors might irk some purists, they contribute to the anime’s unique identity and keep audiences engaged.
In conclusion, while the Pokémon anime strives to stay true to the franchise’s established rules, it often takes creative liberties for the sake of entertainment. These instances, where Ash’s Pokémon use moves they shouldn’t know, are a testament to the anime’s unique style and its willingness to prioritize compelling battles and storytelling over perfect consistency with the games. These moments have become iconic, adding to the charm and unpredictability of Ash’s long and winding Pokémon journey.
