Animated series move errors

In the Pokémon anime, there will often come up a Pokémon that knows a move it cannot learn legally in any of the games. It is unknown whether these are actual mistakes or a writing policy of not having to stick to the games too closely.

List of anime Pokémon with moves they can't learn in the games

#	Icon	Name	Move	Episode
127	File:127MS.gif	Samurai's Pinsir	Tackle	EP004
110	File:110MS.gif	James's Weezing	Counter	EP006
020	File:020MS.gif	Ash's Raticate	Hi Jump Kick	EP015
001	File:001MS.gif	Ash's Bulbasaur	Whirlwind	EP032
116	File:116MS.gif	Misty's Horsea	Sludge	EP040
037	File:037MS.gif	Brock's Vulpix	Agility	EP072
055	File:055MS.gif	Golduck	Barrier	EP091
055	File:055MS.gif	Golduck	Psywave	EP091
006	File:006MS.gif	Ash's Charizard	Tackle	EP108
182	File:182MS.gif	Bellossom	Twister	EP122
001	File:001MS.gif	Ash's Bulbasaur	Dig	EP225
246	File:246MS.gif	Ash's Larvitar	Harden	EP258
299	File:299MS.gif	Roxanne's Nosepass	Hyper Beam	AG016
372	File:372MS.gif	Michelle's Shelgon	Skull Bash	AG043
196	File:196MS.gif	Anabel's Espeon	Zap Cannon	AG170
397	File:397MS.gif	Ash's Staravia	Gust	DP002
269	File:269MS.gif	Jessie's Dustox	Stun Spore	DP008
436		Saturn's Bronzor	Teleport	DP060
446		Munchlax	Giga Impact	DP076
217	File:217MS.gif	Paul's Ursaring	Headbutt	DP081

Less blatant examples

• During Caterpie's battle with Pidgeotto in EP003, Ash tells Caterpie to use Counter; however, Caterpie cannot learn Counter, yet this doesn't stop it from attempting (and failing) to use it anyway.
• In EP037, Duplica tells her Ditto to use Constrict on Ash's Bulbasaur after Transforming into said Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur cannot learn Constrict by any means.
• In EP050, Misty gets stuck with Psyduck in her battle with Ash. Ash doesn't battle seriously and has Bulbasaur simply lick Psyduck's head and tickle it with its vines. This is not to be confused with the actual moves Lick and Tickle, the latter of which was later introduced in Generation III. Bulbasaur still cannot learn Lick or Tickle. It is worth noting, however, that Ash's specific words were "Use the Tickle attack!".
• In EP075, Mandi's Golbat uses a move that the announcer calls Double Team, but more closely resembles Teleport (which of course, Golbat cannot learn).
• In AG170, Anabel's Espeon uses Zap Cannon, which, though impossible to have in Generation III or IV, was available to teach to Espeon by TM07 in Generation II.
• In DP028, some Drifloon were used to fly around the area. However, they did not use the actual move Fly (which is just as well, as they are unable to learn said move). The Pokédex specifically states that Drifloon can't carry the weight of children anyway.
• A group of Combee in DP032 appear to be using Psybeam, however, this is actually the anime representation of Vespiquen's Attack Order.
• DP071 and DP072 feature a Riolu that can use Aura Sphere. This is due to its unique ability to manipulate aura prior to evolution. This episode is directly based on a mission from Pokémon Ranger Batonnage featuring a similar Riolu. This is the only way a Riolu that knows Aura Sphere is available in the games.
• In DP081, Paul's Ursaring uses Headbutt. While Headbutt was available to Ursaring in Generation II as a TM move, Ursaring cannot learn Headbutt in Generation III or Generation IV.

'Thunder Armor'

File:Thunderarmor.png

Pikachu and Swellow performing Thunder Armor

In Solid as a Solrock, Pikachu, while riding Swellow, uses Thunder on itself (and subsequently, Swellow). They endure the self-attack, and after doing so, are both enveloped in a golden aura, colored like the one used in Volt Tackle. This technique substantially increased both Pikachu and Swellow's Speed and Attack, and where able to subdue their opponents with relative ease after this was performed. This technique, however, does not exist in the games and appears to be a Deus ex Machina.