Animated series move errors
From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
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's 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
Less blatant examples
- During Caterpie's battle with Pidgeotto in EP003, Ash tells Caterpie to use Counter. However, as Caterpie is the one to take damage from the following attack, this is probably just an example of new trainer Ash not having any battle experience yet.
- 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. Tickle would become an actual move in Generation III, though Bulbasaur still doesn't learn it.
- In DP028, some Drifloon were used to fly around the area. While it can float in air, the Pokédex specifically states that it 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.
