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[[File:Rowlet Fourth Wall Break SM055.png|thumb|250px|{{AP|Rowlet}} literally breaking the fourth wall]]
[[File:Rowlet Fourth Wall Break SM055.png|thumb|250px|A literal fourth wall break]]
"'''Breaking the {{wp|fourth wall}}'''" refers to a point at which a character acknowledges that they are fictional. In the [[Pokémon|Pokémon franchise]], several characters appear to break the "fourth wall" in the {{pkmn|anime}}, {{pkmn|manga}}, and in the {{pkmn|games}}.
"'''Breaking the {{wp|fourth wall}}'''" refers to a point at which a character acknowledges that they are fictional. In the [[Pokémon|Pokémon franchise]] several characters appear to break the "fourth wall" in the {{pkmn|anime}}, {{pkmn|manga}}, and in the {{pkmn|games}}.


There are several ways of breaking the fourth wall; examples include when characters refer to a particular episode or season, when characters stop others from performing an occult or criminal act by referring to the fact that it is a "children's show", when characters respond to a real world person who is not physically present (such as the [[narrator]]), when characters talk to the viewer or player directly rather than to their in-game avatar, or when characters crash into the screen and either slide down from it or cause it to crack from impact.
There are several ways of breaking the fourth wall; examples include when characters refer to a particular episode or season, when characters stop others from performing an occult or criminal act by referring to the fact that it is a "children's show", when characters respond to a real world person who is not physically present (such as the [[narrator]]), when characters talk to the viewer or player directly rather than to their in-game avatar, or when characters crash into the screen and either slide down from it or cause it to crack from impact.
==In the core series games==
* [[Trainer Tips]] signs and message boards provide advice to the player in using the game's control scheme. Similar instructions are also given by NPCs, such as the player's [[mother]], the regional [[Pokémon Professor]], and NPCs telling the player that they are [[Save|saving]].
* In the [[Generation I]] games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, there is a sign on {{Rt|17|Kanto}} that says "Don't throw the game, throw [[Poké Ball]]s instead!".
* An in-game appearance of [[Game Freak]] is a recurring feature in the series, with offices in [[Celadon City]], [[Castelia City]], and [[Heahea City]]. The employees will often announce their roles in the development of the game when the {{player}} speaks to them:
** "I'm the game designer!"
** "I wrote the story!"
** "I'm the graphic artist! I drew you!" or "I'm the graphic designer! I'm a skilled dot artist!"
** "Me? I'm the programmer!"
** In addition, examining the computers gives the message "It's the game program! [[Cheating|Messing with it]] could [[glitch|bug out]] the game!"
* In the [[Pokémon Communication Center]], a staff member receives an email stating Game Freak's desire of linking at worldwide level without link cable barriers.
* In {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, and their {{pkmn|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl|remakes}}, a {{tc|Black Belt}} on {{rt|215|Sinnoh}} mentions real life before giving away {{TM|66|Payback}}.
* In {{g|X and Y}}, {{tc|Hex Maniac}} Osanna, found on {{rt|16|Kalos}}, says: "You’re definitely the leader type! Like the protagonist of a game or something!"
==In the spin-off games==
===[[Pokémon Masters EX]]===
* Upon reaching his maximum level, {{mas|James}} will say, "Nothing can stop us now! Not even the writers!"
===[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]]===
* In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness]], and [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|Sky]], both {{OBP|Sunflora|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} and {{OBP|Bidoof|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} break the fourth wall at 4th entry of their diaries, mentioning the Y and A buttons, respectively.
* During the post-game of [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity]], {{OBP|Hydreigon|Gates to Infinity}} senses something and leans towards the screen, indicating he's sensing the player's presence. This is confirmed later at the [[Worldcore|Hill of Universal Order]], where Hydreigon and player's partner turn to look at the screen, realizing that the player has been watching them the whole time.
===Pokémon Ranger series===
* At the beginning of the first {{vg|Pokémon Ranger}} game, when explaining the control style of the game, an NPC says that he uses the stylus instead of the D-pad because he is from the "touch generation". This is a reference to [[Nintendo]]'s {{wp|Touch! Generations}} line of games for casual gamers, which were brand new at the time of Pokémon Ranger's release.
* During the ending of the first official mission in the first Pokémon Ranger game, [[Professor Hastings]] knows the game options exist by saying, "By options, I don't mean fooling with some text settings, I mean consider what we might do!"
* In the mission that introduces [[Sven]] in [[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]] there are many [[Team Dim Sun]] goons taking Dark Shards from [[Chroma Ruins]]. Sven explains that to make them leave the place, a {{p|Skuntank|Pokémon that produces a horrible stench}} is needed. Then, he turns to the screen and says "you know what I mean?"
** Also, after capturing the hypnotized Pokémon of a couple of Dim Sun Admins in [[Almia Castle]], said Admins make a comment about how they were not given names, not even "Admin A" or "Admin B".
* At the end of the {{p|Heatran}} Mission in [[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]], the [[Capture Styler]] breaks the fourth wall, telling the player themselves to wait a moment during [[Nema]]'s explanation of how Heatran learned {{m|Eruption}}.
===[[Pokémon Rumble series]]===
* In [[Pokémon Rumble World]], if the [[Toy Pokémon]] in use does not have a second move, pressing B will cause it to look up at the screen for a couple of seconds.
** In the castle courtyard, pressing A will cause it to look out at the screen as before, while pressing B will cause it to jump up and down.
===Pokémon Play It! series===
In both [[Pokémon Play It!]] and [[Pokémon Play It! Version 2]], {{OBP|Julie|Play It!}} often talks directly to the player and explains various aspects of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].


==In the anime==
==In the anime==
Line 24: Line 58:
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation]]''
| {{MTR}} complains that {{p|Gloom}}'s horrible stench must have melted his nose from his face. He then remembers, and points out to the audience, that the show's cartoonists never gave him one.
| {{MTR}} complains that {{p|Gloom}}'s horrible stench must have melted his nose from his face. He then remembers, and points out to the audience, that the show's cartoonist never gave him a nose.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]''
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"|''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]''
| [[Jessie]] remarks that their early arrival in the episode is based on the half-hour time constraint involving the show.
| [[Jessie]] remarks that their early arrival in the episode is based on the half-hour time constraint involving the show.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| James asks why they didn't just fly away with the Pokémon from the start after their Mirror scheme fails. Jessie responds they have to fill a half hour.
| James asks why they didn't just fly away with the Pokémon from the start after their Mirror scheme fails. Jessie responds they have to fill a half-hour.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| Misty orders the narrator not to congratulate her for "capturing" her {{TP|Misty|Psyduck}}.
| Misty orders the narrator not to congratulate her for "capturing" her {{TP|Misty|Psyduck}}.
Line 38: Line 72:
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP030|Sparks Fly for Magnemite]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP030|Sparks Fly for Magnemite]]''
| When {{TRT}} appears with a new [[Team Rocket's mechas|mecha]] without Ash and {{ashfr}} noticing, Jessie and James introduce their new plan to the audience (Jessie even says ''"Tell them, James!"''), and Meowth asks who they are talking to.
| When {{TRT}} appears with a new [[Team Rocket's mechas|mecha]] without Ash and {{ashfr}} noticing, Jessie and James introduce their new plan to the audience (Jessie even says, ''"Tell them, James!"''), and Meowth asks who they are talking to.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP031|Dig Those Diglett!]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP031|Dig Those Diglett!]]''
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|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| During the ending, when the narrator credits Psyduck with saving the rest of Misty's Pokémon from Keith, Psyduck, in its own language, happily replies to him.
| During the ending, when the narrator credits Psyduck with saving the rest of Misty's Pokémon from Keith, Psyduck, in its own language, happily replies to him.
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP052|Princess vs. Princess]]''
| When Jessie starts to tell James and Meowth about her past of never owning a Princess Doll, James asks if there is going to be a flashback, to which Meowth replies that there might be.  (There was none.)
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP060|Beach Blank-Out Blastoise]]''
| After [[Jigglypuff (anime)|Jigglypuff]] scribbles on the Trainers and Pokémon, Misty complains that she looks like a cartoon character. Ash responds, ''"A cartoon character? Like that could ever happen!"''
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP071|To Master the Onixpected!]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP071|To Master the Onixpected!]]''
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|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|''[[EP087|The Crystal Onix]]''
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|''[[EP087|The Crystal Onix]]''
| After Team Rocket has ran into [[Crystal Onix]]'s cave, the screen focuses on Jessie and James catching breath. After a second, Meowth calls ''"Hey! Down here! I'm down here!"'', followed by the camera panning down to him, indicating that Meowth was aware of the screen focusing on Jessie and James instead of him.
| After Team Rocket runs into [[Crystal Onix]]'s cave, the screen focuses on Jessie and James catching breath. After a second, Meowth calls ''"Hey! Down here! I'm down here!"'', followed by the camera panning down to him, indicating that Meowth was aware of the screen focusing on Jessie and James instead of him.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| When James says that the way how they got out of their own traps is a secret, Jessie supports him by saying ''"The writers can't figure it out, either."''
| When James says that the way they got out of their own traps is a secret, Jessie supports him by saying ''"The writers can't figure it out, either."''
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP089|Shell Shock!]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP089|Shell Shock!]]''
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|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP104|Bound For Trouble]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP104|Bound For Trouble]]''
| When Misty tells Ash and Pikachu to come back from the fruit basket, their run at the basket is simply rewound.
| When Misty tells Ash and Pikachu to come back from the fruit basket, their run towards the basket is simply rewound.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP112|Enter The Dragonite]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP112|Enter The Dragonite]]''
Line 108: Line 148:
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP226|Espeon, Not Included]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP226|Espeon, Not Included]]''
| Meowth is knocked into the screen by Jessie and slides down from it after the ladder realized they're missing an {{TP|Sakura|Espeon}} to complete the then-set of [[Eeveelution]]s.
| After Jessie realizes that she is missing an {{TP|Sakura|Espeon}} to complete the set of [[Eeveelution]]s, she knocks Meowth into the screen and he slides down from it.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP227|For Ho-oh the Bells Toll]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[EP227|For Ho-oh the Bells Toll]]''
Line 134: Line 174:
| style="text-align:center"|''[[AG004|You Never Can Taillow]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[AG004|You Never Can Taillow]]''
| {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} fight {{TRT}} for control of the larger portion of a split screen, meaning they are aware of its existence.
| {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} fight {{TRT}} for control of the larger portion of a split screen, meaning they are aware of its existence.
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[AG019|Sharpedo Attack!]]''
| While {{an|Brock}} yells at {{TRT}} for poisoning the lead {{p|Sharpedo}} with {{TP|Jessie|Seviper}}'s {{m|Poison Tail}}, he fights them for control of the larger portion of a split screen, meaning they are aware of its existence.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[AG036|The Spheal of Approval]]''
| style="text-align:center"|''[[AG036|The Spheal of Approval]]''
Line 244: Line 287:
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP117|Noodles! Roamin' Off!]]''
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP117|Noodles! Roamin' Off!]]''
| Team Rocket says at the end of the episode after {{p|Metagross}} blasts them off with {{m|Gyro Ball}} ''"Hey kids, so dream with us!"'' Like ''[[DP092|A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine]]'' and ''[[DP108|Dealing With Defensive Types!]]'', "kids" refers to the viewers that are watching the show.
| Team Rocket says at the end of the episode after {{p|Metagross}} blasts them off with {{m|Gyro Ball}} ''"Hey kids, so dream with us!"'' Like ''[[DP092|A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine]]'' and ''[[DP108|Dealing With Defensive Types!]]'', "kids" refers to the viewers that are watching the show.
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"|''[[DP127|Sliding into Seventh!]]''
| After [[Jeremiah]]'s {{p|Skuntank}} uses its {{a|Stench}} [[Ability]] to gas them out and send them running off again, Meowth advises the audience, saying ''"You kids out there better behave or your folks might get you a Skuntank someday!"''
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP129|Pillars of Friendship!]]''
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP129|Pillars of Friendship!]]''
Line 252: Line 298:
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP158|Regaining the Home Advantage!]]''
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP158|Regaining the Home Advantage!]]''
| In the {{pmin|Brazil|Brazilian}} dub, Meowth says ''"Best friends together and ready to start a new season!"'' This is the first episode of ''[[S13|Pokémon DP: Sinnoh League Victors]]''.
| In the {{pmin|Brazil|Brazilian}} dub, Meowth says ''"{{tt|Melhores amigos, juntos e prontos para começar uma nova temporada!|Best friends, together and ready to start a new season!}}"'' This is the first episode of ''[[S13|Pokémon DP: Sinnoh League Victors]]''.
|-style="background: #fff"
|-style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP166|The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore!]]''
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[DP166|The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore!]]''
Line 316: Line 362:
|- style="background: #fff"
|- style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center"| ''[[XY075|Rivals: Today and Tomorrow!]]''
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center"| ''[[XY075|Rivals: Today and Tomorrow!]]''
| When Jessie fantasizes about marrying [[Steven Stone]], [[James]] and Meowth tear out Steven and the background respectively.
| When Jessie fantasizes about marrying {{an|Steven Stone}}, [[James]] and Meowth tear out Steven and the background respectively.
|- style="background: #fff"
|- style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center"| ''[[XY081|Rotom's Wish!]]''
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center"| ''[[XY081|Rotom's Wish!]]''
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|- style="background: #fff"
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM026|So Long, Sophocles!]]''
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM026|So Long, Sophocles!]]''
| When {{an|Sophocles}} thinks about getting some [[malasada]]s, {{TP|Sophocles|Togedemaru}} looks at Sophocles's thought balloon and reaches out for the malasadas inside it.
| When {{an|Sophocles}} thinks about getting some [[malasada]]s, {{TP|Sophocles|Togedemaru}} looks at Sophocles's thought balloon and reaches out for the malasadas inside it, showing that she is aware of the balloon's existence.
|- style="background: #fff"
|- style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM028|Pulling Out the Pokémon Base Pepper!]]''
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM028|Pulling Out the Pokémon Base Pepper!]]''
Line 392: Line 438:
| {{an|Lillie}} tells the viewers not to jump into hot springs too quickly after her [[Poké Ride|Ride]] {{p|Altaria}} forces her to do so.
| {{an|Lillie}} tells the viewers not to jump into hot springs too quickly after her [[Poké Ride|Ride]] {{p|Altaria}} forces her to do so.
|- style="background: #fff
|- style="background: #fff
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM098|Bright Lights, Big Changes!]]''
| In one scene, Ash shoos away Rotom's flashback of himself.
|- style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM124|Living on the Cutting Edge!]]''
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| ''[[SM124|Living on the Cutting Edge!]]''
| {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Kartana}} slices the background in two at the end of {{TRT}}'s {{motto}}.
| {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Kartana}} slices the background in two at the end of {{TRT}}'s {{motto}}.
|- style="background: #fff"
|- style="background: #fff"
| At the end of the episode, as the screen fades to black, Kartana cuts a hole into the black background and appears through it.
| At the end of the episode, as the screen fades to black, Kartana cuts a hole into the black background and appears through it, speaking the line "As the journey continues..." backwards.
|- style="background: #fff
|- style="background: #fff
| style="text-align:center"| [[SM127]] ([[Poké Problem]] segment)
| style="text-align:center"| [[SM127]] ([[Poké Problem]] segment)
Line 411: Line 460:
|- style="background: #fff"
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN022|Goodbye, Friend!]]''
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN022|Goodbye, Friend!]]''
| [[Goh]] pushes away a thought bubble of two {{p|Beautifly}} relaxing on a beach, explaining to Ash that they're here to watch the Beautifly migration, not relaxation.
| [[Goh]] pushes away a thought bubble of two {{p|Beautifly}} relaxing on a beach, explaining to Ash that they're here to watch the Beautifly migrating, not hydrating.
|- style="background: #fff"  
|- style="background: #fff"  
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| [[JN026]]
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN026|Splash, Dash, and Smash for the Crown!]]''
| When [[James]] gets a {{p|Slowking}} in the [[Rocket Prize Master]] at the beginning of the episode, he speaks to the audience by mentioning that the episode will be a "2-in-1", referencing the fact the episode features two segments.
| When [[James]] gets a {{p|Slowking}} in the [[Rocket Prize Master]] at the beginning of the episode, he speaks to the audience by mentioning that the episode will be a "double-feature", referencing the fact the episode features two segments.
|- style="background: #fff"  
|- style="background: #fff"  
| {{Ash}} reads the closing lines of the first part of the episode from a script and winks at the audience, while Goh gets frustrated that Ash got to read his lines.
| {{Ash}} reads the closing lines of the first part of the episode from a script and winks at the audience, while Goh gets frustrated that Ash got to read his lines.
|- style="background: #fff"  
|- style="background: #fff"  
| style="text-align:center"| [[JN031]]
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN031|The Cuteness Quotient!]]''
| [[Chloe]] squeezes into Ash's split screen to tell him that the [[Water-type Pokémon Friendship Contest]] is not about battling.  
| [[Chloe]] squeezes into Ash's split screen to tell him that the [[Friendship Festival]] has nothing to do with battling.
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN041|Pikachu Translation Check...]]''
| The Rocket Prize Master gives Team Rocket the episode's two titles, and they realize one of them is for the part of the episode that had just ended.
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN050|A Pinch of This, a Pinch of That!]]''
| Ash and Goh look and speak directly towards the bubble where the [[Curator]] was located instead of talking through the Rotom Phone at the end of the episode.
|- style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN095|The Good, The Bad, and The Lucky!]]''
| When Ash and Goh confront Team Rocket, Jessie pushes the split screens featuring Ash and Goh apart to tell them that they've caught Pikachu.
|- style="background: #fff"  
|- style="background: #fff"  
| When {{OBP|Pelipper|Team Rocket}} tries to escape from the Team Rocket trio, who wants to get strong Pokémon from the Rocket Prize Master in order to escape from inside a {{p|Wailord}}, Pelipper flies towards the camera and hits it.
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN103|The Future is Now, Thanks to Strategy!]]''
| After Goh analogically explains to Clemont and Bonnie about {{AP|Dracovish}} being like training wheels on a bike for {{AP|Sirfetch'd}}, his thought bubble of Ash riding a bike without training wheels poofs as Ash walks through it while walking up to Goh.
|- style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN106|Radio Lulled the Mischievous Stars!]]''
| During the opening that introduces Ash, Goh, and their goals, Team Rocket interrupts the [[narrator]] and pauses the screen, before the screen is pulled away.
|- style="background: #fff"
| Team Rocket acknowledges the timings of the opening credits and the commercial break. When Jessie says the numbers in [[One, Two, Three|the opening theme]]'s name in Japanese, James and {{MTR}} correct her by saying them in English. In the English dub, Jessie says "Team Rocket's [[With You]]", referencing the name of the opening theme, and James and Meowth count to three before cutting to said opening intro.
|- style="background: #fff"
| At the end of the episode, Team Rocket interrupts the narrator's closing speech and gives him a mail to read for their radio show.
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN114|Friends, Rivals, Lend Me Your Spirit!]]''
| Goh's speech bubble hides behind Ash's when he gets scared by Paul.
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[JN147|The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!]]''
| Team Rocket shushes the camera as they attempt to sneak up on Ash and Pikachu. This is the last episode for Team Rocket to do that.
|}
===''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]''===
{| style="background: #{{violet color}}; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; {{roundy|10px}} border: 3px solid #{{violet color}}"
|-
! style="background: #{{scarlet color}}; {{roundytl|10px}}"| Episode
! style="background: #{{scarlet color}}; {{roundytr|10px}}"| Details
|- style="background: #fff"
| style="text-align:center"| ''[[HZ002|The Pendant That Starts It All (Part Two)]]''
| When [[Liko]] finds herself caught in a serious situation in the middle of a thunderstorm, she asks herself, ''"Am I the main character of this story!?"'' lampshading her role as a protagonist.
|}
|}


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|style="background: #fff; {{roundybr|10px}}"| When [[James]] mentions diamonds and pearls again, Meowth says they should at least get through this season first. [[S10|The next season]] starts the Sinnoh arc.
|style="background: #fff; {{roundybr|10px}}"| When [[James]] mentions diamonds and pearls again, Meowth says they should at least get through this season first. [[S10|The next season]] starts the Sinnoh arc.
|}
|}
==In the games==
===[[Core series]]===
* [[Trainer Tips]] signs and message boards provide advice to the player in using the game's control scheme. Similar instructions are also given by NPCs, such as the player's [[mother]], the regional [[Pokémon Professor]], and NPCs telling the player that they are [[Save|saving]].
* In the [[Generation I]] games and {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, there is a sign on {{Rt|17|Kanto}} that says "Don't throw the game, throw [[Poké Ball]]s instead!".
* The [[Game Freak]] office can be found in [[Celadon City]], [[Castelia City]] and [[Heahea City]]. The characters there will announce their role in the game when the {{player}} speaks to them:
** "I'm the game designer!"
** "I wrote the story!"
** "I'm the graphic artist! I drew you!" or "I'm the graphic designer! I'm a skilled dot artist!"
** "Me? I'm the programmer!".
** In addition, examining the computers gives the message "It's the game program! [[Cheating|Messing with it]] could [[glitch|bug out]] the game!"
* In the [[Pokémon Communication Center]], a staff member receives an email stating Game Freak's desire of linking at worldwide level without link cable barriers.
* In {{3v2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}, a {{tc|Black Belt}} on {{rt|215|Sinnoh}} mentions real life before giving away a {{tm|66|Payback}}.
* In {{g|Sword and Shield}}, Game Freak designer and programmer [[Shigeki Morimoto]] appears as the NPC {{tc|GAME FREAK}} Morimoto in [[Circhester]]'s Hotel Ionia. A Game Freak director also appears in the hotel room next to Morimoto.
===[[Pokémon Masters EX]]===
* Upon reaching his maximum level, {{mas|James}} will say, "Nothing can stop us now! Not even the writers!"
===[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]]===
* In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness]], and [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|Sky]], both {{OBP|Sunflora|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} and {{OBP|Bidoof|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} break the fourth wall at 4th entry of their diaries, mentioning the Y and A buttons, respectively.
* During the post-game of [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity]], {{OBP|Hydreigon|Gates to Infinity}} senses something and leans towards the screen, indicating he's sensing the player's presence. This is confirmed later at the [[Worldcore|Hill of Universal Order]], where Hydreigon and player's partner turn to look at the screen, realizing that the player has been watching them the whole time.
===Pokémon Ranger series===
* At the beginning of the first {{ga|Pokémon Ranger}} game, when explaining the control style of the game, an NPC says that he uses the stylus instead of the D-pad because he is from the "touch generation". This is a reference to [[Nintendo]]'s {{wp|Touch! Generations}} line of games for casual gamers, which were brand new at the time of Pokémon Ranger's release.
* During the ending of the first official mission in the first Pokémon Ranger game, [[Professor Hastings]] knows the game options exist by saying, "By options, I don't mean fooling with some text settings, I mean consider what we might do!"
* In the mission that introduces [[Sven]] in [[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]] there are many [[Team Dim Sun]] goons taking Dark Shards from [[Chroma Ruins]]. Sven explains that to make them leave the place, a {{p|Skuntank|Pokémon that produces a horrible stench}} is needed. Then, he turns to the screen and says "you know what I mean?"
** Also, after capturing the hypnotized Pokémon of a couple of Dim Sun Admins in [[Almia Castle]], said Admins make a comment about how they were not given names, not even "Admin A" or "Admin B".
* At the end of the {{p|Heatran}} Mission in [[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]], the [[Capture Styler]] breaks the fourth wall, telling the player themselves to wait a moment during [[Nema]]'s explanation of how Heatran learned {{m|Eruption}}.
===[[Pokémon Rumble series]]===
* In [[Pokémon Rumble World]], if the [[Toy Pokémon]] in use does not have a second move, pressing B will cause it to look up at the screen for a couple of seconds.
** In the castle courtyard, pressing A will cause it to look out at the screen as before, while pressing B will cause it to jump up and down.


==In the manga==
==In the manga==
===In [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]] manga===
===[[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]]===
* In ''[[ET08|You Gotta Have Friends]]'', there is a footnote explaining, "{{OBP|Ash Ketchum|EToP|Ash}} has been busy since the last comic."
* In ''[[ET08|You Gotta Have Friends]]'', there is a footnote explaining, "{{OBP|Ash Ketchum|EToP|Ash}} has been busy since the last comic."
* In the beginning of ''[[ET16|You Bet Your Wife]]'', Ash is shown with a pen, as if he drew the title page himself. {{an|Misty}} comments, "Since when are you [[Toshihiro Ono]]?"
* In the beginning of ''[[ET16|You Bet Your Wife]]'', Ash is shown with a pen, as if he drew the title page himself. {{an|Misty}} comments, "Since when are you [[Toshihiro Ono]]?"
* In ''[[ET19|Side Story: Ash vs. Gary]]'', as {{Gary}} is saying goodbye to the giant {{p|Slowpoke}}, he adds "The End" into his farewell speech. Ash retorts, "This comic isn't over till I say it is!".
* In ''[[ET19|Side Story: Ash vs. Gary]]'', as {{Gary}} is saying goodbye to the giant {{p|Slowpoke}}, he adds "The End" into his farewell speech. Ash retorts, "This comic isn't over till I say it is!".


===In the [[Magical Pokémon Journey]] manga===
===[[Magical Pokémon Journey]]===
* In ''[[PPP04|Tangela's Secret]]'', [[Grandpa]] attempts to give a recap of the story thus far, until he finally says, "Oh, just read the story!"
* In ''[[PPP08|The Legendary Articuno]]'', a text box thanks the reader for their "unflagging support in reading this comic."
* In ''[[PPP08|The Legendary Articuno]]'', a text box thanks the reader for their "unflagging support in reading this comic."
* In ''[[PPP09|Eevee... Pokémon Genius!]]'', when [[Coconut]] appears for the first time with [[Almond]], [[Hazel]] exclaims "Who thinks she can share a panel with ''my'' Almond?!".
* In ''[[PPP09|Eevee... Pokémon Genius!]]'', when [[Coconut]] appears for the first time with [[Almond]], [[Hazel]] exclaims "Who thinks she can share a panel with ''my'' Almond?!".
* In ''[[PPP11|Charmander's Peanut]]'', the story so far is explained by "the marketing department" and encourages the reader to buy many copies of [[Magical Pokémon Journey volume 1|Volume 1]] to find out what previously happened in the story.
* In ''[[PPP11|Charmander's Peanut]]'', the story so far is explained by "the marketing department" and encourages the reader to buy many copies of [[Magical Pokémon Journey volume 1|Volume 1]] to find out what previously happened in the story.
* In ''[[PPP14|Forever Friends ♥]]'', in the section explaining the story thus far, Hazel says to Coconut, "I thought you were a one-time-only supporting character!" As they continue to argue, {{TP|Coconut|Eevee}} says, "Well, since our narrator seems to be busy at the moment..." and presents a recap of the story thus far.
* In the "Bonus Bonus 2" chapter of [[Magical Pokémon Journey volume 2]], Hazel refers to {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}}, and {{an|Brock}} as "the people from [[Magical Pokémon Journey volume 1|Volume 1]]."
* In the "Bonus Bonus 2" chapter of [[Magical Pokémon Journey volume 2]], Hazel refers to {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}}, and {{an|Brock}} as "the people from [[Magical Pokémon Journey volume 1|Volume 1]]."
** In the same bonus chapter, [[Ash's Pikachu]] shows {{MPJ|Pikachu}} a video of him bouncing a [[Poké Ball]] on his head from [[One Hundred Fifty-One]] (the lyrics to {{so|Pokémon World}} are used in the English translation).
** In the same bonus chapter, [[Ash's Pikachu]] shows {{MPJ|Pikachu}} a video of him bouncing a [[Poké Ball]] on his head from [[One Hundred Fifty-One]] (the lyrics to {{so|Pokémon World}} are used in the English translation).
** Also in the same bonus chapter, Hazel and Misty state that they change their outfits when they aren't appearing in the manga.
** Also in the same bonus chapter, Hazel and Misty state that they change their outfits when they aren't appearing in the manga.
* In ''[[PPP15|A Quest of Life or Death]]'', Almond mentions, "it's been a few issues since I got really creamed" after being attacked by a wild {{p|Fearow}}.
* In ''[[PPP15|A Quest of Life or Death!]]'', in the section explaining the story thus far, {{TP|Peanut|Charmander}} says, "What's the big idea?! I'm not even in this story!" Below the panel is a note from Hazel: "P.S. Don't let that macho title page fool you! This is still the cute Pokémon comic!"
** In the same chapter, Almond mentions, "it's been a few issues since I got really creamed" after being attacked by a wild {{p|Fearow}}.
* In ''[[PPP16|Fun at the...Potato Dig?]]'', after [[Peanut]] gives a recap of the story thus far, Charmander says, "Have you been reading this comic or not?!"
* In ''[[PPP17|Eevee in a Jam]]'', [[Master Ditto]] gives a cap of the story thus far, saying that Eevee is the star of this chapter.
* In ''[[PPP25|Odd Oddish Out]]'', {{TP|Hazel|Clefairy}} looks at a previous issue so he can catch up on the story thus far, then realizes there's not enough room left on the page to explain it all.
* In ''[[PPP26|The Terror of...The First Date]]'', {{MPJ|Arbok}} is too nervous to give a recap of the story thus far, so the [[Ekans Brothers]] fill in for him and one of them says, "We'll just do the synopsis in his place."
* In ''[[PPP27|Hypnotism]]'', when Almond refuses to tell Coconut who he plans to marry, Grandpa says, "He's probably not old enough to think about things like that. Sometimes boys are a bit slow developmentally, you know.", to which Coconut replies, "Th-that's the first time in this series...that you've said anything sensible!"
* In ''[[PPP28|Wal of Power]]'', [[Walnut]] says, "It's been months since my last appearance."
* In ''[[PPP29|Never Say Diet!]]'', {{MPJ|Bulbasaur}} says, "Since the stupid writer hasn't used me for months, I'm sure many of you have forgotten me..."
* In ''[[PPP30|Hazel's Holiday]]'', Grandpa says, "Good thing comic book characters never age!"
* In ''[[PPPB12|Gone Fishing!?]]'', Grandpa appears at the end to promote ''Magical Pokémon Journey''.
* In ''[[PPP50|Vulpix and Cyndaquil]]'', Coconut laments, "Nothing has worked for me since I appeared in this comic."
* In ''[[PPP50|Vulpix and Cyndaquil]]'', Coconut laments, "Nothing has worked for me since I appeared in this comic."
* In ''[[PPP59|The Exorcist Nurse!!]]'', {{TP|Peanut|Charmander}} tells [[Peanut]] that it's been "three years since you've had a starring role."
* In ''[[PPP59|The Exorcist Nurse!!]]'', Charmander tells Peanut that it's been "three years since you've had a starring role."
* In ''[[PPP69|True Identities]]'', [[Master Ditto]] says to [[Walnut]], "This comic will never end if you continue to be like this!"
* In ''[[PPP69|True Identities]]'', [[Master Ditto]] says to Walnut, "This comic will never end if you continue to be like this!"
 
===[[Pokémon Newspaper Strip]]===
* Several strips end with a character speaking directly to the reader.
* In {{strip|8}}, after Pikachu attacks some children who mistake him for someone in a Pikachu costume, [[Ash Ketchum (Pokémon Newspaper Strip)|Ash]] says, "Someone should have a little talk with the artist of this comic."  


===In the {{OBP|Pocket Monsters XY|Kosaku Anakubo}} manga===
==={{OBP|Pocket Monsters XY|Kosaku Anakubo}}===
* In [[PMXY09]], {{TP|Red|Clefairy}} shows {{PPM|Red}} and {{PPM|Pikachu}} a copy of [[CoroCoro]] magazine, which is where the manga is serialized in real life.
* In [[PMXY09]], {{TP|Red|Clefairy}} shows {{PPM|Red}} and {{PPM|Pikachu}} a copy of [[CoroCoro]] magazine, which is where the manga is serialized in real life.
==In the novels==
===[[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]]===
After the [[Team Rocket trio]] say their [[Team Rocket motto|motto]] in [[Viridian Forest]], they say that the motto was long enough to be wasting pages if they were characters in a novel. Meowth says that [[Takeshi Shudō|the author]] is cutting corners.


[[Category:Anime running gags]]
[[Category:Anime running gags]]
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[[de:Durchbrechung der vierten Wand]]
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[[it:Rottura della quarta parete]]
[[it:Rottura della quarta parete]]
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