Released Pokémon

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Ash saying farewell to his Butterfree.

Released Pokémon are Pokémon that have been caught by a Pokémon Trainer, but are sent back into the wild.

In the games

In every main series Pokémon game, players have been able to release previously captured Pokémon. Unlike the anime, this cannot be done while traveling, but must be done with the Pokémon Storage System in a Pokémon Center. A condition coded into the game exists that disallows the release of Pokémon knowing certain HM moves, such as Surf. This will prevent the player being trapped in an area like Mossdeep City. A Pokémon might also refuse to be released if it has a very high happiness level or if it is the only Pokémon in the player's party.

Released Pokémon cannot be found again in the wild.

In the anime

Throughout the Pokémon anime, a Trainer releases a Pokémon for several reasons. The Trainer may see it as weak, as Damian did with Charmander and Paul with Chimchar. The Pokémon may have to do something that requires it to leave (such as Ash and his Butterfree). Another common reason is that the Pokémon does not listen, frustrating the Trainer, much like when Dawn caught Pachirisu. To guarantee release, some Trainers destroy the Poké Ball, as seen with Jessie and her Dustox.

The blue coloring indicating release.

Pokémon released in the anime

• Ash's Pikachu* Pikachu's Goodbye
• Ash's Butterfree (Bye Bye Butterfree)
• Jessie's Shellder (The Evolution Solution)
• Ash's Pidgeot (Pallet Party Panic)
• Ash's Lapras (Viva Las Lapras)
• The Magikarp salesman's Victreebel (Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid)
• James's second Victreebel (Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid)
• Jessie's Arbok (A Poached Ego!)
• James's Weezing (A Poached Ego!)
• Misty's Togetic (A Togepi Mirage!)
• Paul's Starly (×3) (When Pokémon Worlds Collide!)
• Paul's Stantler (Different Strokes for Different Blokes)
• Dawn's Pachirisu (recaptured) (Twice Smitten, Once Shy!)
• Paul's Chimchar (Glory Blaze!)
• Jessie's Dustox (Crossing Paths)

In the manga

Various manga touch on the aspect of releasing Pokémon. Pokémon Adventures arcs often culminate in the capture of a legendary Pokémon, but these are almost always released afterwards. Pokémon shown to be released include Red's Vee while under Team Rocket's control and Yellow's Seadra.

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.