Animated series move errors

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In the Pokémon animated series, Pokémon occasionally know moves they cannot learn legitimately in any of the games. It is unknown whether most of these instances are actual mistakes, a writing policy of not having to stick to the games too closely, or merely the Pokémon using an attribute that shares the name of a move in the games. In Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!, Professor Oak states that in times of need, Pokémon can call upon power that had never been known to them previously, such as Ash's Bulbasaur learning Dig.

Pokémon with moves that they cannot learn in the games

Former errors

Artwork Name Move First use Notes Picture
027Sandshrew.png A.J.'s Sandshrew Defense Curl The Path to the Pokémon League A.J.'s Sandshrew used Defense Curl. However, Sandshrew was unable to learn Defense Curl until Generation II. AJ Sandshrew Defense Curl.png
109Koffing.png James's Koffing Poison Gas The Ghost of Maiden's Peak James ordered his Koffing to use Poison Gas. However, Koffing was unable to learn Poison Gas until Generation II. James Koffing Poison Gas.png
110Weezing.png James's Weezing Poison Gas The Song of Jigglypuff James ordered his Weezing to use Poison Gas. However, Weezing was unable to learn Poison Gas until Generation II. James Weezing Poison Gas.png
059Arcanine.png Gary's Arcanine Fire Spin The Battle of the Badge Gary's Arcanine uses Fire Spin in this episode. However, Arcanine was unable to learn Fire Spin until Generation II. Gary Arcanine Fire Spin EP063.png
094Gengar.png A giant Gengar Disable The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis In the Japanese version, a giant Gengar was mentioned to use Disable. However, Gengar was unable to learn Disable until Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Gengar Alakazam Disable.png
108Lickitung.png Jessie's Lickitung Tackle Pikachu Re-Volts Jessie's Lickitung uses Tackle in this episode. However, Lickitung was unable to learn Tackle until Pokémon Legends: Arceus. James Victreebel Weezing Jessie Lickitung Tackle.png
151Mew.png Mew Barrier Mewtwo Strikes Back Mew uses Barrier in this movie. However, Mew was unable to learn Barrier until Generation IV. Mew Barrier.png
072Tentacool.png Ritchie's or Assunta's Tentacool Bubble Friends to the End A Tentacool belonging to either Ritchie or Assunta uses Bubble in this episode. However, Tentacool was unable to learn Bubble until Generation V. Ritchie Assunta Tentacool Bubble.png
077Ponyta.png Ponyta Flamethrower Pikachu Re-Volts A Ponyta used Flamethrower in the episode. However, Ponyta was unable to learn Flamethrower until Pokémon Crystal. Ponyta Flamethrower.png
055Golduck.png Golduck Psychic Bye Bye Psyduck A Golduck used Psychic in the episode. However, Golduck was unable to learn Psychic until Generation II. Golduck Psychic.png
037Vulpix.png Brock's Vulpix Agility Hot Matches! Brock's Vulpix uses Agility in this episode. However, Vulpix was unable to learn Agility until Generation VIII. Brock Vulpix Agility.png
216Teddiursa.png Teddiursa Charm UnBEARable A Teddiursa used Charm in the episode. However, Teddiursa was unable to learn Charm until Generation IV. Teddiursa Charm.png
217Ursaring.png Ursaring Charm UnBEARable An Ursaring used Charm in the episode. However, Ursaring was unable to learn Charm until Generation IV. Ursaring Charm.png
047Parasect.png Parasect Sleep Powder For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll! A Parasect used Sleep Powder in the episode. However, Parasect was unable to learn Sleep Powder until Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Parasect Sleep Powder.png
047Parasect.png Parasect Sleep Powder Hocus Pokémon A Parasect used Sleep Powder in the episode. However, Parasect was unable to learn Sleep Powder until Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Parasect Sleep Powder EP241.png
300Skitty.png Skitty Fury Swipes Big Meowth, Little Dreams (Part 2) A Skitty used Fury Swipes in this episode. However, Skitty was unable to learn Fury Swipes until Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Skitty Fury Swipes.png
275Shiftry.png Shiftry Whirlwind Jump for Joy! A Shiftry used Whirlwind in the episode. However, Shiftry was unable to learn Whirlwind until Generation IV. Shiftry Whirlwind.png
329Vibrava.png Vibrava Supersonic Beg, Burrow, and Steal! A Vibrava used Supersonic in the episode. However, Vibrava was unable to learn Supersonic until Generation IV. Vibrava Supersonic.png
397Staravia.png Ash's Staravia Gust Getting the Pre-Contest Titters! Ash's Staravia used Gust in this episode. However, Staravia was unable to learn Gust until Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Ash Staravia Gust.png
446Munchlax.png Kylie's Munchlax Giga Impact A Full Course Tag Battle! Kylie's Munchlax used Giga Impact in this episode. However, Munchlax was unable to learn Giga Impact until Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Kylie Munchlax Giga Impact.png
486Regigigas.png Regigigas Hammer Arm Pillars of Friendship! A Regigigas used Hammer Arm in the episode. However, Regigigas was unable to learn Hammer Arm until Generation VIII. Regigigas Hammer Arm.png
393Piplup.png Piplup Water Gun Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade A Piplup used Water Gun in this Pikachu short. However, Piplup was unable to learn Water Gun until Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Piplup Water Gun.png
661Fletchling.png Chester's Fletchling Feather Dance Breaking Titles at the Chateau! Chester's Fletchling used Feather Dance in this episode. However, Fletchling was unable to learn Feather Dance until Generation IX. Chester Fletchling Feather Dance.png
222Corsola.png Corsola Water Gun Going for the Gold! A Corsola used Water Gun in this episode. However, Corsola was unable to learn Water Gun until Generation VIII. Corsola Water Gun.png
111Rhyhorn.png Rhyhorn Tackle A Race for Home! A Rhyhorn used Tackle in this episode. However, Rhyhorn was unable to learn Tackle until Generation VIII. Rhyhorn Tackle.png
396Starly.png Starly Gust Flying in the Air A Starly used Gust in this episode. However, Starly was unable to learn Gust until Pokémon Legends: Arceus. None.png
397Staravia.png Staravia Gust Flying in the Air A Staravia used Gust in this episode. However, Staravia was unable to learn Gust until Pokémon Legends: Arceus. None.png
194Wooper.png Wooper Hydro Pump A Diamond in the Rough! A Wooper used Hydro Pump in this episode. However, Wooper was unable to learn Hydro Pump until Generation VIII. Wooper Quagsire Lotad Hydro Pump.png
195Quagsire.png Quagsire Hydro Pump A Diamond in the Rough! A Quagsire used Hydro Pump in this episode. However, Quagsire was unable to learn Hydro Pump until Generation VIII. Wooper Quagsire Lotad Hydro Pump.png

Mentioned only

Artwork Name Move First use Notes
030Nidorina.png Nidorina Supersonic Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon? Ash's Pokédex mentioned Nidorina being able to use Supersonic. However, Nidorina was unable to learn Supersonic until Generation II.
073Tentacruel.png Kim's Tentacruel Bind Cerulean Blues Kim commanded his Tentacruel to use Bind, but the move was disrupted by Misty's Gyarados before it could be executed. However, Tentacruel was unable to learn Bind until Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.

Japanese version only

Artwork Name Move First use Notes Picture
396Starly.png Ash's Starly Gust Two Degrees of Separation! Ash's Starly used Gust in this episode. However, Starly was unable to learn Gust until Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It was changed to Whirlwind in the dub, a move that Starly could learn at the time. However, after it evolved into Staravia, it began using Gust in the dub as well. Ash Starly Gust.png

Dub only

Artwork Name Move First use Notes Picture
037Vulpix.png Brock's Vulpix Agility The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis Quick Attack in the Japanese version, a move that Vulpix can learn. Vulpix was unable to learn Agility prior to Generation VIII. The move was used in both versions of Hot Matches!. Brock Vulpix Quick Attack.png
247Pupitar.png Ritchie's Cruise Take Down The Mystery is History Headbutt in the Japanese version, a move that Pupitar could learn at the time. Pupitar was unable to learn Take Down until Generation IX. Ritchie Cruise Take Down.png

Unresolved errors

Artwork Name Move First use Picture
127Pinsir.png Samurai's Pinsir Tackle Challenge of the Samurai Samurai Pinsir Tackle.png
020Raticate.png A Gentleman's Raticate Jump Kick Battle Aboard the St. Anne Ash Raticate Jump Kick.png
015Beedrill.png Jeanette's Beedrill Tackle The Fourth Round Rumble Jeanette Beedrill Tackle.png
004Charmander.png Ritchie's Zippo Tackle Friend and Foe Alike Zippo Tackle.png
071Victreebel.png James's Victreebel Tackle Pikachu Re-Volts James Victreebel Jessie Arbok Tackle.png
024Arbok.png Jessie's Arbok Tackle A Shipful of Shivers Jessie Arbok Tackle.png
032Nidoran.png Ralph's Tony Fury Swipes Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon? Tony Fury Swipes.png
006Charizard.png Ash's Charizard Tackle Pokémon Double Trouble Ash Charizard Tackle.png
025Pikachu.png Ash's Pikachu Tackle The Double Trouble Header Ash Pikachu Tackle.png
194Wooper.png Olesia's Wooper Tackle No Big Woop! Olesia Wooper Tackle.png
025Pikachu.png Ash's Pikachu Leer Hour of the Houndour Ash Pikachu Leer.png
155Cyndaquil.png Ash's Cyndaquil Agility Hot Matches! Ash Cyndaquil Agility.png
158Totodile.png Ash's Totodile Tackle The Fortune Hunters Ash Totodile Tackle.png
016Pidgey.png Trixie's Pidgey Peck Love, Totodile Style Trixie Pidgey Peck.png
016Pidgey.png Malachi's Ken Peck Carrying On! Denjirō Pidgey Peck.png
016Pidgey.png Denjirō's Pidgey Peck Carrying On! Denjirō Pidgey Peck.png
202Wobbuffet.png Jessie's Wobbuffet Bide A Hot Water Battle Jessie Wobbuffet Bide.png
158Totodile.png Duplica's Mini-Dit Tackle* Imitation Confrontation Duplica Mini-Dit Tackle.png
024Arbok.png Duplica's Ditto Tackle* Imitation Confrontation Duplica Ditto Transform Tackle.png
048Venonat.png Aya's Venonat Poison Sting Ariados, Amigos Aya Venonat Poison Sting.png
061Poliwhirl.png Misty's Poliwhirl Tackle Wings 'N' Things Misty Poliwhirl Tackle.png
197Umbreon.png Tamao's Umbreon Agility Trouble's Brewing Tamao Umbreon Agility.png
095Onix.png Janina's Onix Wrap Fight for the Light! Janina Onix Wrap.png
001Bulbasaur.png Ash's Bulbasaur Dig Bulbasaur... the Ambassador! Ash Bulbasaur Dig.png
236Tyrogue.png Kiyo's Tyrogue Jump Kick A Tyrogue Full of Trouble Kiyo Tyrogue Jump Kick.png
149Dragonite.png Lance's Dragonite Whirlwind Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution Lance Dragonite Whirlwind.png
149Dragonite.png Clair's Dragonite Whirlwind Great Bowls of Fire! Dragonite Whirlwind.png
169Crobat.png Brock's Crobat Sonic Boom Lapras of Luxury Brock Crobat SonicBoom.png
246Larvitar.png Ash's Larvitar Harden Hatch Me If You Can Ash Larvitar Harden.png
276Taillow.png Ritchie's Rose Gust Oaknapped! Rose Gust.png
294Loudred.png Loudred Dig Turning Over a Nuzleaf Dewford Island Loudred Dig.png
302Sableye.png Sableye Lick Ready, Willing, and Sableye Sableye Lick.png
385Jirachi.png Jirachi Teleport Jirachi: Wish Maker Jirachi Teleport.png
142Aerodactyl.png Aerodactyl Gust Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl! Aerodactyl Gust.png
168Ariados.png Harley's Ariados Shadow Ball New Plot, Odd Lot! Harley Ariados Shadow Ball.png
269Dustox.png Jessie's Dustox Stun Spore Gymbaliar Jessie Dustox Stun Spore.png
094Gengar.png Gengar of Team Meanies Confusion Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:
Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!
Team Meanies Gengar Confusion.png
414Mothim.png Cheryl's Mothim Supersonic An Angry Combeenation! Cheryl Mothim Supersonic.png
021Spearow.png Spearow Gust Riding the Winds of Change! Spearow Gust.png
203Girafarig.png Roman's Girafarig Bite A Full Course Tag Battle! Roman Girafarig Bite.png
032Nidoran.png Nidoran♂ Bite Leading a Stray! Nidoran m Bite.png
478Froslass.png Froslass Slash The Drifting Snorunt! Froslass Slash.png
477Dusknoir.png Dusknoir Rapid Spin Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:
Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness
Dusknoir Rapid Spin.png
069Bellsprout.png Bellsprout Absorb Promoting Healthy Tangrowth! Bellsprout Absorb.png
343Baltoy.png Damos's Baltoy Shock Wave Arceus and the Jewel of Life Damos Baltoy Claydol Shock Wave.png
344Claydol.png Damos's Claydol Shock Wave Arceus and the Jewel of Life Damos Baltoy Claydol Shock Wave.png
186Politoed.png Politoed Jump Kick A Faux Oak Finish! Politoed Jump Kick.png
435Skuntank.png Jupiter's Skuntank X-Scissor Unlocking the Red Chain of Events! Jupiter Skuntank X-Scissor.png
480Uxie.png Uxie Teleport The Needs of the Three! Uxie Mesprit Teleport.png
481Mesprit.png Mesprit Teleport The Needs of the Three! Uxie Mesprit Teleport.png
433Chingling.png Chingling Sing Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn! Chingling Chimecho Sing.png
358Chimecho.png Chimecho Sing Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn! Chingling Chimecho Sing.png
401Kricketot.png Nando's Kricketot Sing Last Call — First Round! Nando Kricketot Sing.png
402Kricketune.png Kricketune Bullet Seed Zoroark: Master of Illusions Kricketune Bullet Seed.png
HOME201.png
HOME201B.png
Unown Psychic PK21 Unown Psychic.png
216Teddiursa.png Normajean's Teddiursa Pound The Brockster Is In! Normajean Teddiursa Pound.png
581Swanna.png Officer Jenny's Swanna Blizzard Crisis at Ferroseed Research! Officer Jenny Swanna Blizzard.png
694Helioptile.png Helioptile Discharge The Future Is Now, Thanks to Determination! Helioptile Discharge.png
316Gulpin.png Gulpin Water Gun Defending the Homeland! Gulpin Water Gun.png
661Fletchling.png Fletchling Gust Flying in the Air None.png
227Skarmory.png Skarmory Gust Flying in the Air None.png
333Swablu.png Swablu Gust Flying in the Air None.png
277Swellow.png Swellow Gust Flying in the Air None.png
685Slurpuff.png Sawyer's Slurpuff Electro Ball Rivals: Today and Tomorrow! Sawyer Slurpuff Electro Ball.png
270Lotad.png Lotad Psybeam A Diamond in the Rough! Lotad Psybeam.png
270Lotad.png Lotad Hydro Pump A Diamond in the Rough! Wooper Quagsire Lotad Hydro Pump.png
725Litten.png Ash's Litten Slash They Might Not Be Giants! Ash Litten Slash.png
789Cosmog.png Ash's Nebby Supersonic A Masked Warning! Nebby Supersonic.png

Japanese version only

Artwork Name Move First use Notes Picture
520Tranquill.png Ash's Tranquill Wing Attack An Amazing Aerial Battle! In the dub, Ash merely commanded Tranquill to "attack now", without specifying a move. Ash Tranquill Wing Attack.png
310Manectric.png Celosia's Manectric Scratch Meeting at Terminus Cave! In the dub, Celosia tells Manectric to "Go after it!" Celosia Manectric Scratch.png
Mentioned only
Artwork Name Move First use Notes
252Treecko.png Sawyer's Treecko Razor Leaf Battling with Elegance and a Big Smile! Clemont mentioned Treecko having used Razor Leaf during his Gym battle with Sawyer. In the dub, the move mentioned was changed to Mega Drain, a move that Treecko can learn.

Dub only

Artwork Name Move First use Notes Picture
001Bulbasaur.png Ash's Bulbasaur Whirlwind The Ninja Poké-Showdown This was a dubbing error, as Whirlwind's Japanese name is ふきとばし Blow Away. Ash was telling Bulbasaur to simply "blow it away" in the Japanese version rather than commanding the actual move. Ash Bulbasaur Whirlwind.png
121Starmie.png Marina's Starmie Bubble Bye Bye Psyduck Bubble Beam in the Japanese version, a move that Starmie can learn. Marina Starmie Bubble.png
197Umbreon.png Gary's Umbreon Agility Power Play! In the Japanese version, Umbreon was just told to use its footwork, without being given an attack command. Gary Umbreon Agility.png
092Gastly.png Morty's Gastly Confusion From Ghost to Ghost No command given in the Japanese version, most likely a dubbing error. Morty Gastly Confusion.png
158Totodile.png Ash's Totodile Skull Bash Dueling Heroes Headbutt in the Japanese version, a move that Totodile can learn. Ash Totodile Skull Bash.png
208Steelix.png Hun's Steelix Bite The Legend of Thunder! Crunch in the Japanese version, a move that Steelix can learn. Hun Steelix Bite.png
214Heracross.png Ash's Heracross Fury Swipes The Ties That Bind! Fury Attack in the Japanese version, a move that Heracross can learn. Ash Heracross Fury Swipes.png
208Steelix.png Harrison's Steelix Wrap Playing with Fire! Bind in the Japanese version, a move that Steelix can learn. Harrison Steelix Bind.png
269Dustox.png Jessie's Dustox Pin Missile The Bicker the Better Poison Sting in the Japanese version, a move that Dustox can learn. Jessie Dustox Pin Missile.png
Closed captions only
Artwork Name Move First use Notes Picture
283Surskit.png Surskit Tackle Dewpider Ascending! Being a wild Pokémon, this Surskit's attack was not identified out loud in either the original or dub version of Dewpider Ascending!. However, the English version's closed captions identified the move as Tackle. Surskit Tackle.png

See also

Move errors in various Pokémon canons
Animated seriesMangaGameTCG
Project Anime logo.png This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.