List of cross-canon references

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175Togepi.png This article contains fan speculation.
There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

The Pokémon series is noted for having multiple, distinctly different canons. They often will make references to one another.

List of references

Game references

To anime

In the core series
In the side games
In spin-off games
In the Super Smash Bros. series

To manga

To TCG

Anime references

To games

Original sketch of Silver

To manga

To TCG

To other Pokémon media

Manga references

Pokémon Adventures references

To games
To anime
To TCG

The Electric Tale of Pikachu references

To games
  • Gary's sister's existence (in the anime he was never revealed to have one).
  • May gives Ash a Town Map, much like her game counterpart does to Red.
  • TMs (which come from games and have never appeared in the anime) are shown in this manga.
To anime
  • This series is loosely based on the anime.
To TCG
  • The design of the TM that Ash uses to teach Mimic to Mikey's Eevee resembles the TM design seen in the TCG.

Pokémon Zensho references

To games
  • This manga is the most direct adaptation of Generation I games. It shows some events from games, which were omitted in other canons (e.g. Brock having a Jr. Trainer♂ as an apprentice, S.S. Anne's captain's sea sickness, the hunt for the Safari Zone Warden's dentures).
  • The main characters' names are Satoshi and Shigeru, rather than Red and Green, however it's likely that these names are directly taken from optional names of the game characters, rather than the anime.
  • When Brock's apprentice mentions the Elite Four, they appear as shadows in the same poses they had in their Generation I sprites.
To anime
  • Satoshi without his hat looks a lot like Ash.
  • Satoshi has a Pikachu, it however doesn't seem to be an intended reference, as this one wasn't Satoshi's starter and it eventually evolved.
  • The Cerulean Gym building has a picture of Dewgong on the outside wall.
  • Satoshi gets the Rainbow Badge from Erika, rather than winning it in the battle.
To other manga

Magical Pokémon Journey references

To anime
To other manga

Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪ references

To other manga

Pokémon Pocket Monsters references

To games
  • This series is based on the world and events of the main game series.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys references

To games
  • Many events from the manga are based on those of the Generation II games.
To anime

Aim to Be a Card Master!! references

To TCG
  • The main goal for the manga's main character Kenta Minamii is to become a great TCG player.

TCG references

To games

  • Many locations and characters from the games appear on different cards, particularly Trainer cards.
  • Many backgrounds for Pokémon cards are closely based on game locations, especially in the BW era.

To anime

TFG references

To games

To TCG

  • This game uses the same rarities as the TCG, with the exception of extra rare figures.
  • This game has Trainer cards like those in the TCG, though their incorporation and usage is different.

Detective Pikachu movie references

To games

  • While Tim Goodman is attempting to capture a Cubone, he compliments it on being able to pull off wearing the skull of a dead relative on its head, a reference to several of Cubone's Pokédex entries.
    • Tim's friend, Jack, says that a Cubone would be a perfect Pokémon for him as they are both lonely, a reference to Cubone's category.
  • Mewtwo is said to have escaped from the Kanto region 20 years ago, referring to its backstory in the Generation I games and their remakes.
  • The Greninja use water swords similar to those used by the one in the Super Smash Bros. series.
  • Pikachu is afraid of using Volt Tackle as he knows it could knock him out, referencing how the move works in the games.
  • Posters referring to the Johto and Sinnoh regions can be seen in Tim's bedroom.
  • The Trainer who appears in the Ryme City promotional ad that Tim watches on the train looks like an older version of Red.

To anime

  • Multiple Pokémon communicate by saying their own names.
  • Mewtwo speaks telepathically, like the one from Mewtwo Strikes Back.
    • Mewtwo's "voice" fluctuates between sounding masculine and feminine, the latter possibly being a nod to the Mewtwo from the sixteenth movie.
    • Before escaping from its containment pod at the beginning of the film, Mewtwo can be heard saying "they're outside", which is what the original anime Mewtwo said before waking up at the beginning of Mewtwo Strikes Back
  • The Jigglypuff singing inside the Hi-Hat Café wields a microphone/marker, like the recurring Jigglypuff.
  • There are two instances in which Pokémon Theme are referenced:
    • An instrumental version can be heard during the promotional ad that Howard and Roger Clifford filmed together.
    • Pikachu sings a verse of it to himself before finding the bridge where Harry Goodman disappeared.
  • Pikachu tries to make a Magikarp evolve by kicking it, a reference to how James's Magikarp evolved after being kicked.
  • Howard Clifford's Ditto retains its beady eyes when transformed, like Duplica's Ditto.

To TCG

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