Animated series move errors

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
	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.
	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'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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Mew	Barrier	Mewtwo Strikes Back	Mew uses Barrier in this movie. However, Mew was unable to learn Barrier until Generation IV.
	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.
	Ponyta	Flamethrower	Pikachu Re-Volts	A Ponyta used Flamethrower in the episode. However, Ponyta was unable to learn Flamethrower until Pokémon Crystal.
	Golduck	Psychic	Bye Bye Psyduck	A Golduck used Psychic in the episode. However, Golduck was unable to learn Psychic until Generation II.
	Brock's Vulpix	Agility	Hot Matches!	Brock's Vulpix uses Agility in this episode. However, Vulpix was unable to learn Agility until Generation VIII.
	Teddiursa	Charm	UnBEARable	A Teddiursa used Charm in the episode. However, Teddiursa was unable to learn Charm until Generation IV.
	Ursaring	Charm	UnBEARable	An Ursaring used Charm in the episode. However, Ursaring was unable to learn Charm until Generation IV.
	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	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!.
	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.
	Shiftry	Whirlwind	Jump for Joy!	A Shiftry used Whirlwind in the episode. However, Shiftry was unable to learn Whirlwind until Generation IV.
	Vibrava	Supersonic	Beg, Burrow, and Steal!	A Vibrava used Supersonic in the episode. However, Vibrava was unable to learn Supersonic until Generation IV.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Rhyhorn	Tackle	A Race for Home!	A Rhyhorn used Tackle in this episode. However, Rhyhorn was unable to learn Tackle until Generation VIII.
	Starly	Gust	Flying in the Air	A Starly used Gust in this episode. However, Starly was unable to learn Gust until Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
	Staravia	Gust	Flying in the Air	A Staravia used Gust in this episode. However, Staravia was unable to learn Gust until Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
	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.
	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.

Mentioned only

Artwork	Name	Move	First use	Notes
	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.
	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
	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.

Dub only

Artwork	Name	Move	First use	Notes	Picture
	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!.
	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.

Unresolved errors

Artwork	Name	Move	First use	Picture
	Samurai's Pinsir	Tackle	Challenge of the Samurai
	A Gentleman's Raticate	Jump Kick	Battle Aboard the St. Anne
	Jeanette's Beedrill	Tackle	The Fourth Round Rumble
	Ritchie's Zippo	Tackle	Friend and Foe Alike
	James's Victreebel	Tackle	Pikachu Re-Volts
	Jessie's Arbok	Tackle	A Shipful of Shivers
	Ralph's Tony	Fury Swipes	Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?
	Ash's Charizard	Tackle	Pokémon Double Trouble
	Ash's Pikachu	Tackle	The Double Trouble Header
	Olesia's Wooper	Tackle	No Big Woop!
	Ash's Pikachu	Leer	Hour of the Houndour
	Ash's Cyndaquil	Agility	Hot Matches!
	Ash's Totodile	Tackle	The Fortune Hunters
	Trixie's Pidgey	Peck	Love, Totodile Style
	Malachi's Ken	Peck	Carrying On!
	Denjirō's Pidgey	Peck	Carrying On!
	Jessie's Wobbuffet	Bide	A Hot Water Battle
	Duplica's Mini-Dit	Tackle*	Imitation Confrontation
	Duplica's Ditto	Tackle*	Imitation Confrontation
	Aya's Venonat	Poison Sting	Ariados, Amigos
	Misty's Poliwhirl	Tackle	Wings 'N' Things
	Tamao's Umbreon	Agility	Trouble's Brewing
	Janina's Onix	Wrap	Fight for the Light!
	Ash's Bulbasaur	Dig	Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!
	Kiyo's Tyrogue	Jump Kick	A Tyrogue Full of Trouble
	Lance's Dragonite	Whirlwind	Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution
	Clair's Dragonite	Whirlwind	Great Bowls of Fire!
	Brock's Crobat	Sonic Boom	Lapras of Luxury
	Ritchie's Rose	Gust	Oaknapped!
	Loudred	Dig	Turning Over a Nuzleaf
	Sableye	Lick	Ready, Willing, and Sableye
	Jirachi	Teleport	Jirachi: Wish Maker
	Aerodactyl	Gust	Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl!
	Harley's Ariados	Shadow Ball	New Plot, Odd Lot!
	Jessie's Dustox	Stun Spore	Gymbaliar
	Gengar of Team Meanies	Confusion	Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!
	Cheryl's Mothim	Supersonic	An Angry Combeenation!
	Spearow	Gust	Riding the Winds of Change!
	Roman's Girafarig	Bite	A Full Course Tag Battle!
	Nidoran♂	Bite	Leading a Stray!
	Froslass	Slash	The Drifting Snorunt!
	Dusknoir	Rapid Spin	Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness
	Bellsprout	Absorb	Promoting Healthy Tangrowth!
	Damos's Baltoy	Shock Wave	Arceus and the Jewel of Life
	Damos's Claydol	Shock Wave	Arceus and the Jewel of Life
	Politoed	Jump Kick	A Faux Oak Finish!
	Jupiter's Skuntank	X-Scissor	Unlocking the Red Chain of Events!
	Uxie	Teleport	The Needs of the Three!
	Mesprit	Teleport	The Needs of the Three!
	Chingling	Sing	Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn!
	Chimecho	Sing	Yes in Dee Dee, It's Dawn!
	Nando's Kricketot	Sing	Last Call — First Round!
	Kricketune	Bullet Seed	Zoroark: Master of Illusions
	Unown	Psychic	PK21
	Normajean's Teddiursa	Pound	The Brockster Is In!
	Officer Jenny's Swanna	Blizzard	Crisis at Ferroseed Research!
	Helioptile	Discharge	The Future Is Now, Thanks to Determination!
	Gulpin	Water Gun	Defending the Homeland!
	Fletchling	Gust	Flying in the Air
	Skarmory	Gust	Flying in the Air
	Swablu	Gust	Flying in the Air
	Swellow	Gust	Flying in the Air
	Sawyer's Slurpuff	Electro Ball	Rivals: Today and Tomorrow!
	Lotad	Psybeam	A Diamond in the Rough!
	Lotad	Hydro Pump	A Diamond in the Rough!
	Ash's Litten	Slash	They Might Not Be Giants!
	Ash's Nebby	Supersonic	A Masked Warning!

Japanese version only

Artwork	Name	Move	First use	Notes	Picture
	Ash's Tranquill	Wing Attack	An Amazing Aerial Battle!	In the dub, Ash merely commanded Tranquill to "attack now", without specifying a move.
	Celosia's Manectric	Scratch	Meeting at Terminus Cave!	In the dub, Celosia tells Manectric to "Go after it!"

Mentioned only

Artwork	Name	Move	First use	Notes
	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
	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.
	Marina's Starmie	Bubble	Bye Bye Psyduck	Bubble Beam in the Japanese version, a move that Starmie can learn.
	Gary's Umbreon	Agility	Power Play!	In the Japanese version, Umbreon was just told to use its footwork, without being given an attack command.
	Morty's Gastly	Confusion	From Ghost to Ghost	No command given in the Japanese version, most likely a dubbing error.
	Ash's Totodile	Skull Bash	Dueling Heroes	Headbutt in the Japanese version, a move that Totodile can learn.
	Hun's Steelix	Bite	The Legend of Thunder!	Crunch in the Japanese version, a move that Steelix can learn.
	Ash's Heracross	Fury Swipes	The Ties That Bind!	Fury Attack in the Japanese version, a move that Heracross can learn.
	Harrison's Steelix	Wrap	Playing with Fire!	Bind in the Japanese version, a move that Steelix can learn.
	Jessie's Dustox	Pin Missile	The Bicker the Better	Poison Sting in the Japanese version, a move that Dustox can learn.

Closed captions only

Artwork	Name	Move	First use	Notes	Picture
	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.

See also

Move errors in various Pokémon canons
Animated series • Manga • Game • TCG

This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.