Pokémon poacher
A Pokémon poacher (Japanese: ポケモンハンター Pokémon hunter) is a person who captures wild Pokémon, sometimes many of the same species at a time, to sell for profit. These people are also referred to as Pokémon hunters, and are known for having exceptionally powerful Pokémon.
In the anime
Poachers have appeared in a number of episodes as well as movies. Team Rocket was the first major organization to steal Pokémon for profit. The first major hunter to appear in a movie was also a member of said team: the Iron-Masked Marauder, the main villain of Celebi: The Voice of the Forest. Using a unique Poké Ball known as the Dark Ball, he attempted to capture Celebi. Another poacher also appeared briefly at the beginning of the film.
J was the first recurring poacher. She traveled through the Sinnoh region with her henchmen, stealing Pokémon on behalf of her clients, who often gave large sums of money in exchange. Like the Iron-Masked Marauder, she often used sinister gadgets to achieve her goals.
Pokémon hunters tend to be far more dangerous than other villains in the series as they typically have no qualms about having their Pokémon attack humans directly or using guns to attack their target. This is most often shown by J, who in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 2 seemed to be trying to kill Ash repeatedly, and Rico who also had his Pokémon attack Jessie and James.
Notable poachers
- See also: List of Pokémon poachers
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Gold, Silver & Crystal chapter
A Pokémon poacher who was also a Bird Keeper appeared in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, later arrested by Falkner for trespassing a protected zone and rampant hunting of Pokémon.
In the movie adaptations
A Pokémon poacher appeared in Celebi: a Timeless Encounter.
In the Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us: Zeraora's Story manga
- Main article: Pokémon hunters (M21)
A trio of Pokémon hunters served as antagonists in Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us: Zeraora's Story.
Pokémon
 Scyther |
 Houndoom |
In the Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire manga
Red and his Pokémon encountered a hunter in A Visitor From Outer Space?!.
Pokémon
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| Swampert is the hunter's only known Pokémon.
Swampert's known moves are Brick Break, Tackle, and Water Gun. | ||
| Debut | A Visitor From Outer Space?! | |
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In other languages
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| Anime-exclusive Trainer classes | ||
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This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime. |
