List of cross-canon references

This article contains fan speculation. There is no solid evidence for or against some parts of this article.

The Pokémon series is noted for having multiple, distinctly different canons. They often will make references to one another.

List of references

Game references

To anime

In the core series games

• Pokémon Yellow and its remakes, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, are all based on the anime.
• In Pokémon Yellow, Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Let's Go, Eevee!, Brock mentions his dream being to become a Pokémon Breeder, similar to his anime counterpart.
• In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal and their remakes, a Trainer found at the Lake of Rage mentions having seen a pink Butterfree.
• In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the female Rocket Grunt design is based on Cassidy, while their outfit resembles that of Jessie.
• In Generation II and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, wild Mr. Mime can be found in the grassy area south of Pallet Town; this is most likely a reference to the events of the anime.
• The mysterious GS Ball, a Key Item in Pokémon Crystal, was introduced during the Orange Islands arc.
• In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, a Pokémon Journal entry (which is registered in the Fame Checker) mentions that Misty worships the Elite Four member Lorelei, which may reference her interaction with Lorelei (identified in the dub as "Prima") in the anime. In addition, her message to the player mentions that she intends to use the Gym to get better, and once she does, she will hit the road and travel, which might allude to Misty's major role in the anime as one of Ash's traveling companions.
• In the Japanese versions of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, one of the default names for Barry is Shigeru. In the English versions, one of the default names for Lucas is Ash.
• Riley appears to be based on Sir Aaron, a character that appeared in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Riley has a Lucario, a Pokémon Aaron also had, and they both are capable of using the Aura. However, Riley himself also appeared later in the anime.
• In Diamond and Pearl, an NPC named Luis will sometimes participate in Pokémon Super Contest with his Pikachu, nicknamed Sparky, potentially referencing Ritchie's Pikachu Sparky.
• In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, several Trainers the player can battle are named after characters from Pokémon movies in the Japanese version, although the translation team missed these references and gave the characters new names that don't match their names in the anime:
  • On Route 224, there's an Ace Trainer who analyzes battles using her laptop and uses a Metagross in battle. This is a reference to the movie character Rebecca, who first appeared in Destiny Deoxys.
  • On the southernmost part of Route 229, there are two Ace Trainers who are based on Butler and Diane from Jirachi: Wish Maker. Each of them uses two of the Pokémon that Butler used in the movie.
  • Swimmer Katelyn on Route 220 is based on Lizabeth from Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
• In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, when Red is battled on Mt. Silver, Red's Pikachu's moves have been changed from the original moves in Generation II to reflect Ash's Pikachu's moves in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, and Volt Tackle.
• In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Clair has a Gyarados on her team, much like in the anime.
• The movie event Pikachu-colored Pichu and the Spiky-eared Pichu appear in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, when the first partner Pokémon is chosen, the desk will appear in 3D on the touch screen, resembling Professor Oak's desk with the first partner Pokémon seen in Pokémon - I Choose You!.
• After getting his phone number, Brock may offer to trade a Rhyhorn that knows the Egg Move Thunder Fang in exchange for a player's Bonsly. This is a reference to Brock being a Pokémon Breeder in the anime at the time of these games' release.
• When a player enters Cerulean Gym with a Togepi as their walking Pokémon, it will start crying softly, making a reference to Misty's Togepi.
• In Pokémon Black and White, if the player brings the Celebi distributed to commemorate Zoroark: Master of Illusions to a building in Castelia City, a boy there will reveal himself to be a Zorua in disguise, and the girl next to Zorua says that Celebi and Zorua seem to be good friends. This is a reference to the Zorua and Celebi from the aforementioned movie.
• In Pokémon Black and White, the Zoroark that can be encountered in Lostlorn Forest by bringing one of the Shiny Legendary beasts there will always be female, a reference to the female Zoroark from Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
• In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, wild Stunfisk appear in Striaton City at night. This is a possible reference to Cilan's Stunfisk in the anime.
• A downloadable tournament made available for the Pokémon World Tournament is based on the anime's Vertress Conference, with Trip, Stephan, Cameron, and Virgil appearing as possible opponents.
• In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, if Memory Link is used in Opelucid City, Drayden will mention how he first met Iris at the Village of Dragons, which is also Iris's hometown in the anime.
• In Pokémon X and Y, on Route 21 a male Rising Star has a Pokémon nicknamed "Ash Ketchum" in the Spanish version and "Misty" in the German version.
• In Pokémon X and Y, Trainers named after Ash and his friends' Japanese voice actors from Pokémon the Series: Black & White can found in various locations in Kalos, each of them using the signature Pokémon of the character played by their namesake voice actor:
  • Lass Anna, named Rica in the Japanese version, is named after Rica Matsumoto, the voice actress of Ash. They both use a Pikachu.
  • Youngster Keita, named Mamoru in the Japanese version, is named after Mamoru Miyano, the voice actor of Cilan. They both use a Pansage.
  • Rising Star Paulette, named Aoi in the Japanese version, is named after Aoi Yūki, the voice actress of Iris. They both use an Axew.
• In Pokémon X and Y, an Ace Trainer in the Lumiose City Museum mentions the Village of Dragons.
• In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, if the player has Steven's Shiny Beldum in their party at a certain point during the Delta Episode, Steven will mention the player how he once, long time ago, fought against Mega Rayquaza alongside with a young man and his black Charizard, referring to the events of Mega Evolution Special II.
• In the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version, the player receives a special Greninja from a certain Trainer in the mail.
• In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a new event-exclusive Pikachu form, Pikachu in a cap, was introduced to commemorate the anime's 20th anniversary. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, an additional form based on the twentieth movie was added.
• In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, a blurry picture of Pikachu riding on Ash's shoulder can be seen during the final part of Acerola's trial at the Thrifty Megamart.
• In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, at the Malie Community Center, a Punk Girl can sell the player a hat called "Hero Cap", which resembles Ash's hat from Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.
• In Rowlet's Pokémon Ultra Moon Pokédex entry, it is stated that Rowlet has been known to use its Trainer's pocket or bag as a nest, referencing Ash's Rowlet's habit to sleep in Ash's backpack.
• In the Spanish version of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the first Team Rainbow Rocket Grunt faced at Aether Paradise recites a part of Team Rocket's original motto.
• In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Sam's sketchbook from Celebi: The Voice of the Forest can be seen on top of a bookshelf in Professor Oak's Laboratory.
• In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Pewter Gym has sprinklers on its ceiling, visible from Brock's platform. This is likely a reference to the Gym's sprinkler system as seen in Showdown in Pewter City.
• In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the three Beauties at the Cerulean Gym are named after Misty's sisters from the anime.
• In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, when Brock is met in Celadon City, he mentions how all the girls at the Celadon Gym turned him down, referencing Brock's habit of hitting on pretty girls in the anime.
• In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, there is a book in Professor Oak's Laboratory that contains poems written by Oak himself. Also, when the player visits Oak's Laboratory close to the end of the game and receives a Key Stone from Blue, Oak recites a short poem about Mega Evolution. These poems are a reference to Professor Oak's habit of making senryūs in the anime, which are referred to as poems in the dub.
• Kangaskhan's Pokémon Shield Pokédex entry mentions there being records of a childless Kangaskhan raising a lost human child. This could be a reference to The Kangaskhan Kid, where a boy named Tommy was raised by Kangaskhan after he got accidentally separated from his parents as a toddler.
• In Pokémon Sword and Shield, a special Zarude form wearing the same cloth as one is seen wearing in Secrets of the Jungle was introduced. Its Pokédex entries talk about it raising an orphaned human child, referring to Koko, one of the protagonists of the aforementioned movie.
• Starting from version 1.1.2, if the player's first partner Pokémon was Turtwig, Dawn's post-game rematch team in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is almost completely made up of fully-evolved versions of her anime counterpart's Pokémon, only replacing Pachirisu with a Bellossom.
• In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the Path of Solitude contains several anime references:
  • Pikachu's opponent being Onix is a reference to Ash and Brock's Gym battle from Showdown in Pewter City.
  • Manaphy and Phione's respective opponents are Chatot and Parasect, referencing the Phantom's Pokémon from Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
  • Darkrai's opponent is a Lickilicky that knows Hyper Beam, referencing Baron Alberto's Lickilicky in The Rise of Darkrai.
  • Shaymin's opponent being Magnezone is a reference to Zero's Magnezone in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
• In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Meowth's Paldea Pokédex image features a Meowth trying to sneak up on a Pikachu, possibly referencing Team Rocket's Meowth.
• In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Cyndaquil's Blueberry Pokédex image features a Cyndaquil battling a Skarmory, referencing Hot Matches!, where Ash's Cyndaquil also battled against a Skarmory.

In the side series games

• In Pokémon Stadium, Brock's team includes a Vulpix and Giovanni's team includes a Persian. In Pokémon Stadium 2, Misty's team includes a Togetic.
• In Pokémon Colosseum, Rider Zalla's team at Mt. Battle Zone 77 in the Single Battle Battle Mode is based on the main Pokémon of Jirachi: Wish Maker: Jirachi was the main focus of the film; Kirlia, Dusclops, and Mightyena were owned by Butler; and Absol and Flygon were wild Pokémon that served notable roles for the plot.
• In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, the Beauty at Mt. Battle Zone 35 states "I've heard someone has the same team combination as me. Do you know him or her?" With a team consisting of Cacnea and Chimecho, she has the same Pokémon that James has in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire's Hoenn region arc.
  • In addition, she says, "What a horrible feeling!" after being defeated, a reference to how Team Rocket tends to scream "What a bad feeling!" while blasting off in the Japanese version.

In the spin-off games

• A Jigglypuff with a marker appears in Pokémon Snap.
• In Pokémon Snap, Mew uses a bubble which acts like a shield. In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mew were seen to create bubbles with it inside for the seemingly same reasons.
• Pokémon Puzzle League is heavily based on the anime, with Ash Ketchum being the player character and all other characters coming from the anime.
• In Hey You, Pikachu!, Ash's outfit can be seen hanging on a coatrack in the bedroom. Pikachu also uses the hat in The Piñata Party to cover its eyes.
• Pokémon Channel uses the anime voices of Pokémon, including Maddie Blaustein's Meowth. It also features an episode exclusive to the game: Pichu Bros. in Party Panic.
  • After completing the main story, a Togepi will come to the player's house with a channel that contains a dub of "Pichu Bros. in Party Panic" with Misty as the narrator, a reference to her Togepi.
• In the Japanese version of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Rand has a line in which he notes that "someone said that dreams will someday become reality".
• In Pokémon GO, if the player nicknames their Eevee after one of the Eevee brothers (excluding Mikey), it is guaranteed to evolve into that brother's respective Eeveelution. In every other case, the form Eevee evolves into in Pokémon GO is random.
  • Once Generation II Pokémon became fully available in the game, it also became possible to guarantee Eevee's evolution into Umbreon or Espeon by naming it after Tamao or Sakura, respectively.
• In Pokémon GO, an exclusive Pikachu form, Pikachu wearing Ash's hat, was introduced for a period of three weeks in July 2017 to celebrate the anniversary of the game.
• In Pokémon GO, the medal players can get for trading a lot of Pokémon is named after the Gentleman Trainer class, doubling as a reference to the Gentleman Ash temporarily traded his Butterfree to in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.
• In Pokémon Duel, before the start of The Volcano's Stage 17, Luca's Device, Another, tells him "I'm like you, pal. I'll battle every day to claim my rightful place" and "Ya wanna be the very best, don't ya?" This is a reference to the lyrics of the Pokémon Theme song.
• In Pokkén Tournament, after the player clears the Iron League tournament, Nia says, "You might just end up being the very best, like no one ever was." This is a reference to the lyrics of the Pokémon Theme song.
• In Detective Pikachu, when Tim and Detective Pikachu encounter a regular Pikachu, the two Pikachu have a short talk, during which Detective Pikachu tells the other Pikachu and his partner to become "the very best, like no one ever was", referencing the lyrics of the Pokémon Theme song. The other Pikachu could potentially also be a reference to Ash's Pikachu.
• From October 2 to December 16, 2019, the Viridian Gym, in its anime design, appeared in a Team GO Rocket-themed loading screen in Pokémon GO.
• In July 2020, Jessie and James started appearing as members of Team GO Rocket in Pokémon GO, moving around in their Meowth balloon.
• Also in July 2020, the Team Rocket trio appeared in an event for Pokémon Masters EX, having wound up on Pasio while chasing after a Shiny Celebi, a reference to Secrets of the Jungle, which was supposed to have been released that same month before being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the trio's running gags are mentioned or featured during the event as well, such as their robots, pitfall traps, and motto.
  • The trio reappeared in a follow-up event in September 2020, during which James mentions how he was almost married to Jessebelle. When the player battles them, they acknowledge how they always have trouble with Pikachu, shortly before the player's Pikachu blasts them off, with their signature blast-off twinkle appearing in the distance.
• In one of his possible Pokémon Center interactions in Pokémon Masters EX, James expresses his disappointment in Trainers using their Bottle Caps to Hyper Train their Pokémon instead of collecting them. This is a reference to James's habit of collecting bottle caps in the anime.
• In Pokémon Masters EX's "Battle Buffet Bash" event in November–December 2020, Brock mentions wanting jelly-filled donuts. This is a reference to the infamous 4Kids Entertainment dub edit from the original series episode Primeape Goes Bananas, where rice balls made by Brock are referred to as jelly-filled donuts in the English dub.
• In Pokémon Masters EX, Professor Kukui's Pokémon when he's dressed up as the Masked Royal is Incineroar, just like in the anime.
• In the "Hearts United" story event, Steven makes a reference to Alain and his battle against a Rayquaza alongside him in Mega Evolution Special II.
• The English names of Red's Trainer moves, "My Destiny!" and "You and Me!", are possible references to the lyrics of the Pokémon Theme.
• Ash was introduced to Pokémon Masters EX in "The Classic Thunderbolt" special event, using his Pokémon Journeys: The Series team and referencing the Masters Eight Tournament and his Charizard.
• In Sygna Suit (Thunderbolt) Red's sync pair story, it is mentioned that Red used Pikachu in his Gym battles against Brock's Onix and Lt. Surge's Raichu, which could be a reference to Ash using his own Pikachu against the same Pokémon in the anime.

In the Super Smash Bros. series

• All Pokémon are depicted with their anime voices, though the Western language versions of the game keep Mewtwo's Japanese voice.
• The Misty trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee depicts her in her original series clothes.
• The Meowth trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee depicts Team Rocket's Meowth with the guitar from Meowth's Party.
• The Pokémon Stadium stage introduced in Super Smash Bros. Melee has four different terrain effects, corresponding to four different types: Fire, Water, Grass, and Rock, while the one introduced in Brawl has a new set of four different terrain effects: Ice, Ground, Flying, and Electric. These reference the changing fields of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
• In Melee's 44th Event match, Mewtwo Strikes!, Mewtwo uses Princess Zelda to beat the player in the Battlefield, a stage that has a star background. The name, the fact that Mewtwo uses Zelda, and the stage setting are clearly based on Mewtwo Strikes Back.
• In Brawl's 25th Event match, "The Aura Is With Me", the player battles as Lucario against Ness and Sheik on Spear Pillar. This is a clear reference to Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, where Lucario was an ancient Pokémon that had slept in hundreds of years, and Ash Ketchum himself even said "The aura is with me!" when in the Tree of Beginning.
• In all its Japanese appearances, Lucario shares its voice actor with the aforementioned movie's Lucario, Daisuke Namikawa. In the English version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U onwards, Sean Schemmel, who voiced Lucario in the movie's English dub, returns to voice Lucario.
• Pokémon Trainer's trophy in the English version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS references the original Pokémon Theme, as well as Ash and three of his companions; Misty, Brock, and Iris.
• The Zapdos trophy in North American version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS states that children looking up at storm clouds wonder if the Pokémon from "the second Pokémon movie" is there. PAL region releases simply state that it is from "the latest movie".
• In all Super Smash Bros. games thus far, Mew, upon being summoned, immediately flies away in a bubble. In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mew was seen to create bubbles with itself inside, seemingly for protection.
• Mewtwo's design in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U incorporates aspects of its design in the first Pokémon movie that differ from its in-game model in Generation VI and its trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, such as more angular eyes and flatter ears.
• Mewtwo's reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U gives it the tagline "Mewtwo Strikes Back!"
• Mewtwo's title in the Boxing Ring stage is "A Legend Reawakens", a reference to Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
• Pikachu's Classic Mode scenario in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is titled "I Choose You!", referencing the first episode of the anime and the movie of the same name.
  • In the same scenario, one of Pikachu's fights is against two Pichu at Prism Tower, a reference to the Pichu Brothers and the city they live in, Big Town.
• Mewtwo's Classic Mode route is called "Psychic Control". In it, after Mewtwo completes a round, one of its opponents joins it as an ally in the next fight in an alternate costume. This ally is often one, or represents one, that has been brainwashed in their series, and is likely a reference to Mewtwo Strikes Back, where Mewtwo controls a Nurse Joy to act as a proxy.
• In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Greninja transforms into Ash-Greninja when performing its Final Smash, Secret Ninja Attack.
• One of Pichu's alternate palettes in Ultimate makes it resemble the Spiky-eared Pichu from Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
• Pokémon Trainer's title in the Boxing Ring stage is a reference to the first theme songs of the anime. The titles in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Russian translate to "Aims to be a Champion", while the English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German versions translate to "Wants to be the Very Best".
• On the main image for the Pokémon Smash online tourney, all five Pokémon teamed up with the male trainer are Pokémon owned by Ash: Pikachu, Squirtle, Charizard, Greninja, and Lucario.

To manga

• From Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver onward, Blue has used a Machamp as a part of his team, just like his counterpart from Pokémon Adventures.
• In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Rolling Pass, which can be unlocked via Wonder Mail, is a reference to the short promotional manga Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Go For It! Novice Investigation Team!, in which the main characters explore the same mystery dungeon and battle a Garchomp there, just as it happens in the game as well.
• In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the Pokémon statue in Eterna City is redesigned to more closely resemble the statue's appearance in Pokémon Adventures.
• May's EX outfit in Pokémon Masters EX resembles the one worn by her Adventures counterpart, Sapphire.

To TCG

• Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR! are directly based on the TCG.
• In Pokémon Colosseum and XD, the Shadow Pokémon (known as Dark Pokémon in Japanese) are similar to the Dark Pokémon from the TCG, including the fact that most Shadow Pokémon are evolved forms.
• Pre-release versions of Super Smash Bros. Melee's Pokémon Stadium stage originally featured the Fire, Grass and Water Energy symbols. The reason for their removal was likely because there are also Normal and Rock variations, and no Energy symbol that represents the Rock type.
• In Pokémon X and Y, the artwork from the cards Town Volunteers, Mr. Briney's Compassion, Forest Guardian, and Fossil Excavator appear as paintings in the Lumiose Museum.
• In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Farfetch'd named Dux (originally a traded Pokémon from Generation I games) appears in Vermilion City under the possession of a Gentleman. Since in Dux is owned by a little girl in Generation I, it is possible that the Gentleman is a reference to the Pokémon Trader card.

To other Pokémon media

• In Detective Pikachu Returns, Tim's mother and sister comment on how a movie was made based on the R incident, which they weren't featured in, referencing the live action film, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu.

Anime references

To games

Original sketch of Silver

• All anime canon is based on the world and events of the main game series.
• Ash's original clothes are almost identical to the original clothes of Red, while Gary's outfit is taken directly from Blue's; the Generation I one during the original series, as well as the Generation III clothes during Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. Ritchie, in spirit of being designed to bear a resemblance to Ash, who was based on Red, also has clothes that are somewhat similar to Red's Generation I clothing.
• The beginning of Pokémon - I Choose You! was based on the intro of Red and Green.
  • Similarly, the beginning of Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin! is based on the intro of X and Y.
• Todd Snap, the protagonist in Pokémon Snap, has accompanied Ash for two short periods of time, although the first occasion was before the game was released.
• In The Battle of the Badge, Mewtwo's sprite from Japanese Blue can be seen on the wall of Giovanni's office.
• In The Rivalry Revival, Ash has his first battle against Gary, which takes place between Ash's Pikachu and Gary's Eevee. This is a reference to Pokémon Yellow, where the first rival battle takes place between the player's Pikachu and their rival's Eevee.
• The special Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate! is based directly on Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. Another episode was produced for the game's sequel.
• Green Guardian, Pokémon Ranger - Deoxys Crisis! Part 1 and Part 2, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, and Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1 and Part 2 are based on Pokémon Ranger, with Solana playing a large role in the two Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire episodes and making a cameo in the movie and DP episodes, and Kellyn playing a large role in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl episodes. The plot of each is based on a mission from the games.
• Brendan, the male protagonist in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, makes cameos at the beginning of Jirachi: Wish Maker, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, and Giratina and the Sky Warrior. In the third cameo, he is shown battling Lucas, the male protagonist of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum.
• Several similarities between Paul and Silver have been noted, such as Paul's positioning in his stock art being almost identical to Ken Sugimori's original sketch of Silver. The character of Trip also bears similarities to Cheren, although a direct counterpart of Cheren later appeared in the anime.
• In The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, the password Professor Oak enters for Dr. Yung is REDGREEN, referring to the original pair of games in Japan.
• In Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, Meowth states that "diamonds" and "pearls" would be great names for games. When James later uses these same words while dreaming about treasure, Meowth tells him to wait until the next season.
• In Giratina and the Sky Warrior, Newton Graceland describes the Reverse World as a "distorted world", referring to its counterpart from the games, the Distortion World.
• In Ya See We Want An Evolution!, the "B-Button League" is a reference to how pressing B mid-evolution cancels the process in the games.
• In The Brockster Is In!, when Team Rocket see what seems to be treasure, they reference every game from Gold and Silver to Black and White, only missing Emerald and Crystal. However, the Black and White reference is only made in the dub. They do this again in Mystery on a Deserted Island!, referencing all the games from Gold and Silver to Diamond and Pearl, except for Crystal.
• In Pokémon the Series: Black & White, prior to the Best Wishes! Season 2, no pre-Generation V Pokémon appeared in the flesh (excluding Pikachu, Meowth, Giovanni's Persian, and Roxie's Koffing). This is based on the fact that in Black and White, no Pokémon from previous generations can be caught in Unova itself until after the National Pokédex is obtained. In Black 2 and White 2, as well as Best Wishes! Season 2, this is no longer the case.
• In Drayden Versus Iris: Past, Present, and Future!, Drayden says that he wants Iris to become the next Opelucid Gym Leader, referencing her role in Pokémon White.
• In Scary Hospitality!, Lon's story to the group is very similar to the story the man told tells the player and their friends in the scary house in Pokémon X and Y.
• In Till We Compete Again!, Team Rocket drops Solrock and Lunatone keychains while rushing to catch their flight, representing the then-upcoming Pokémon Sun and Moon games.
• The first Japanese ending theme of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Pose, references two recurring lines in the core series prior to Generation VII:
  • おーっす！みらいのチャンピオン (Yo! Champ in the making), a reference to the greeting of gym guides in Kanto and Johto.
  • かがくのちからってすげー！ (The power of science is amazing!), a reference to the a man that can be found in every hometown who talks about advances in core series communication technology.
• In A Crowning Moment of Truth!, a Hiker photobombs Ash and company's picture, a reference to the Wela Volcano Park trial in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
• In When Regions Collide!, upon Mega Evolving their Pokémon, Brock and Misty perform the same poses their game counterparts' sprites are performing in Pokémon Red and Blue. Moreover, Brock takes off his shirt as well, referencing how he's shirtless in his Red and Blue sprite; and they recite their respective Gym Leader slogans.
• In Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?, the man who has his Nugget stolen by Gengar bears a strong resemblance to the Man of Mystery from Pokémon: Magikarp Jump.
• In the Manalo Conference arc, Jessie and James enter with disguises resembling Sina and Dexio, respectively, as they appear in Generation VII. They enter under the pseudonyms "Jamesio" and "Jessina".
• The finale of the Manalo Conference draws several parallels with the ending of Pokémon Sun and Moon, including Ash becoming the first Champion of a newly-established Pokémon League, a Full Battle with Professor Kukui, and a test with Tapu Koko at the end.
• Many Pokédex entries from the games are used as plot points during Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
• Many of the World Coronation Series participants’ profiles are based on their game counterpart's recent official artwork by Ken Sugimori.
• In Legend? Go! Friends? Go!, Ash's trophy display in his room includes a Poké Doll similar to the one Lillie was known to have, a possible reference to the departure of her counterpart during the ending of Pokémon Sun and Moon. Later, during Professor Cerise's presentation of the Pokémon world, one of the pictures shown depicts a Machoke carrying a box with Pikachu's face from Pokémon Quest on it. In the same episode, a Pokémon GO-style Raid Battle is also featured.
• In Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!, Ash and Goh visit an incomplete Pokémon Gym in Vermilion City, which resembles the Gyms seen in Pokémon GO. In addition, Goh's Rotom Phone shows a picture from the start of the construction project, with multiple Machop stomping the ground flat. This is a reference to the construction site seen in Vermilion City in the games.
• In Settling the Scorbunny!, the recycling can that the three Nickit use to throw at the train station has a Slowpoke's face design resembling one from Pokémon Quest.
• As first seen in Working My Way Back to Mew!, Goh's Rotom Phone will occasionally rate his Poké Ball throws, like how the player's throws are rated in Pokémon GO.
• In A Little Rocket R & R!, Goh finds a giant Magikarp while fishing at the Resort Area, referencing how in Pokémon Platinum, it is possible to find level 100 Magikarp at the Resort Area by fishing.
• In Splash, Dash, and Smash for the Crown!, the Magikarp High Jump Competition and Goh's training methods for it are references to Pokémon: Magikarp Jump.
• In Trade, Borrow, and Steal!, a Gentleman trades his Farfetch'd named Dux for a Spearow named Speary, a reference to the in-game trade in Vermilion City in the Generation I games and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, where the player can trade a Spearow for a Farfetch'd nicknamed Dux. Moreover, Farfetch'd's original Trainer being a Gentleman is a reference to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, where Dux the Farfetch'd is owned by a Gentleman in Vermilion City; and the Spearow being named Speary is a reference to a Spearow with the same nickname in Viridian City.
• In Solitary and Menacing!, Goh visits the Fighting Dojo in order to obtain a Hitmonchan or a Hitmonlee from the Karate Master, referencing how the player can receive one of those Pokémon by defeating the Karate Master in Generations I, III, and VII.
• In When a House is Not a Home!, Goh's Rotom Phone says "Don't be a thief!" when he attempts to catch a Grookey that's already owned by someone else. This a reference to the phrase the games will display of the player throws a Poké Ball at another Trainer's Pokémon.
• In Thrash of the Titans!, Ash's Dragonite learns Draco Meteor after interacting with Iris, referencing her game counterpart's role as the Draco Meteor Move Tutor in Pokémon Black.
• In Leaping Toward the Dream!, a Regice appears on Mount Coronet, similar to Pokémon Platinum.
• Several Trainers who appear during Pokémon Journeys: The Series use same Pokémon they use in the Pokémon World Tournament in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2:
  • In Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start!, Volkner uses a Fan Form Rotom.
  • In Reuniting for the First Time!, Wallace uses a Swampert and a Walrein.
  • In Pride of a Champion!, Lance uses a Hydreigon
• In An Adventure of Mega Proportions!, Ash obtains a Mega Glove from Korrina at the top floor of the Tower of Mastery, where the player also obtains their Mega Ring in Pokémon X and Y.
• In The Gates of Warp!, Cynthia is revealed to own a Kommo-o, similar to how Sygna Suit Cynthia owns one in Pokémon Masters EX.
  • Similarly, in Suffering the Flings and Arrows!, Erika is revealed to own a Leafeon, which could be a reference to Sygna Suit Erika owning one in Pokémon Masters EX.
  • In Just a Scone's Throw From Here!, Goh leaves Eternatus under Leon's care, which could be a reference to Sygna Suit Leon.
• In Battling in the Freezing Raid!, Gary is revealed to own a Tyranitar, which could be a reference to his game counterpart using one during his rematches with the player in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• In Taking Two For The Team!, Wikstrom's relationship with Ash's Sirfetch'd may be a reference to Pokémon Masters EX, where he can mention Sirfetch'd in his Pokémon Center dialogue.
• In Radio Lulled the Mischievous Stars!, Brock uses his Gym Leader slogan as a pseudonym while writing a letter to Team Rocket's radio show.
• In Chasing to the Finish!, Goh takes part in a Project Mew Trial Mission that involves catching a Regieleki and a Regidrago at the Split-Decision Ruins, while simultaneously, Horace takes part in another Trial Mission, which involves tracking down the Swords of Justice based on their footprints. These are both references to The Crown Tundra.

To manga

• Lights, Camerupt, Action! shows a clip of a movie based on the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga, featuring Red, Clefairy, and Pikachu. The title, "The Gluttonous Visitor, Clefairy", is a parody of the Japanese title of the seventh movie, "The Sky-Splitting Visitor, Deoxys".
• In Our Cup Runneth Over, Wallace was confirmed to be a Contest master, a title achieved by him in the latter part of the Ruby & Sapphire arc of Pokémon Adventures.
• In the Pokémon Origins episode File 2: Cubone, the Pokémon Fan Club Chairman used his design from Pokémon Adventures.

To TCG

• James, known for his collecting habits, identifies Pokémon using cards instead of a Pokédex. Dark Primeape appears in James's possession in the Japanese version of Bad to the Bone.
• Lawrence III has an Ancient Mew card.
• The Energy symbols were featured on a poster for the Indigo League in Showdown in Pewter City and are used to demonstrate the various terrain effects during the Indigo Plateau Conference. They also make appearances in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral and Showdown at the Oak Corral.
  • Additionally, the first Japanese opening theme Aim to Be a Pokémon Master shows the seven (at the time) Energy symbols circling the Pocket Monsters logo.
• In the Japanese version of Pearls are a Spoink's Best Friend, James is seen looking through a set of TCG cards featuring various Generation III Pokémon while trying to identify Spoink.
• In Fly! Wattrel!!, Friede Terastallizes his Charizard into a Dark type, referencing the Darkness-type Tera Charizard ex from the Obsidian Flames expansion.

To other Pokémon media

• In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Mimey occasionally makes faces similar to the Mr. Mime that appears in POKÉMON Detective Pikachu as a recurring visual gag.
• In Raid Battle in The Ruins!, the scene where Shane Seeker's Psyduck hugs Ash's Pikachu is a reference to a similar scene from POKÉMON Detective Pikachu.

Manga references

Pokémon Adventures references

To games

• This series is based on the world and events of the core series games.
• Pokémon Pinball appears in the Goldenrod Game Corner.
• Surfing and Flying Pikachu appear, both of which are derived from Pokémon Yellow.
• In the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc, Red and Blue temporarily switch their teams around, making them match the teams used by their respective game counterparts in the Generation II core series games.
• When Red and Blue (whose Japanese name is Green) temporarily trade their Venusaur and Charizard, in the original Japanese version, Mewtwo muses, "Fire Red and Leaf Green", referencing the games with the same names.
• A disguised Grimsley is seen playing card flip with Workers in the Desert Resort.
• Both Green and Blake have used a device based on the N64 Voice Recognition Unit from Hey You, Pikachu!.
• Pokémon Island and ZERO-ONE from Pokémon Snap appear in the manga.

To anime

• Red's French (Sacha), German (Ash), Korean (지우 Jiu) and Chinese (小智 Xiǎo Zhì) names are the same as Ash Ketchum's names in the same languages.
• Misty's crush on Red is similar to the one the anime's version of the character has been suspected to have on Ash.
• Red's Pikachu acts in a similar fashion to Ash's Pikachu from the anime.
• The picture of Park Ball shown in volume 13 resembles the Ball's design from the anime. However, whether the design originates from the anime or was created by game designers remains unknown.
• Mewtwo's armored suit from the first movie appears in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc. However, the armor (called "M2 Bind" in this canon) was designed in order to restrain Mewtwo, rather than concentrate its power.
  • Mewtwo has also since gained the ability to communicate telepathically by this arc, like its anime counterpart.
  • Also, like its anime counterpart, this Mewtwo is revealed to have been cloned from Mew's eyelash.
• The Team Rocket airship, which was also first seen in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc, greatly resembles the airship used by Giovanni in Mewtwo Returns.
• Latias has a human form who looks a lot like the one from the fifth movie.
• Latios and Latias have the same kind of "Sight Sharing" power as the Latios and Latias from the fifth movie have.
• A Jirachi is used to summon a fake Groudon in the sixth movie, while a Jirachi is used to summon a fake Kyogre in the Emerald arc.
• Todd Snap, who debuted in the anime before becoming the player character of Pokémon Snap, is a notable supporting character in the Emerald arc.
• Deoxys has an ability to duplicate itself, much like in the seventh movie. The duplicates look like those from the movie.
• Johanna appears in a Pokémon Super Contest video where she has a Glameow.
• Gladion owns a Lycanroc, like his anime counterpart does, although their forms differ between the two canons.
• Mallow's restaurant is called Aina's Kitchen, just like in the anime.
• Sun and Kiawe are seen delivering boxes containing various designs of Ash's hat to Pikachu Valley.

To TCG

• Bill's type detector in Blame It on Eevee uses the Element symbols from the TCG to display the type of energy it's currently detecting.
• Sabrina's Kadabra disguises itself as Professor Oak and looks like Impostor Professor Oak.
• The Pokémon Trading Card Game appears in the Goldenrod Game Corner.
• Pow! Hand Extension and Swoop! Teleporter from the EX Team Rocket Returns expansion appear in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc.
  • In addition, Team Rocket member Sird's design from the same arc is based on the Rocket's Admin. card from the same expansion.

The Electric Tale of Pikachu references

To games

• Gary's sister's existence (in the anime he was never revealed to have one).
• May gives Ash a Town Map, much like her game counterpart does to Red.
• TMs (which come from games and have never appeared in the anime) are shown in this manga.

To anime

• This series is loosely based on the anime.

To TCG

• The design of the TM that Ash uses to teach Mimic to Mikey's Eevee resembles the TM design seen in the TCG.

Pokémon Zensho references

To games

• This manga is the most direct adaptation of Generation I games. It shows some events from games, which were omitted in other canons (e.g. Brock having a Jr. Trainer♂ as an apprentice, S.S. Anne's captain's sea sickness, the hunt for the Safari Zone Warden's dentures).
• The main characters' names are Satoshi and Shigeru, rather than Red and Green, however it's likely that these names are directly taken from optional names of the game characters, rather than the anime.
• When Brock's apprentice mentions the Elite Four, they appear as shadows in the same poses they had in their Generation I sprites.

To anime

• Satoshi without his hat looks a lot like Ash.
• Satoshi has a Pikachu, it however doesn't seem to be an intended reference, as this one wasn't Satoshi's first Pokémon, and it eventually evolved.
• The Cerulean Gym building has a picture of Dewgong on the outside wall.
• Satoshi receives the Rainbow Badge from Erika as a gift, rather than winning it in a battle.

To other manga

• Just like in Pokémon Adventures, Poké Balls are shown to be semi-transparent, making the Pokémon locked inside visible through it.
• Mr. Fuji's appearance in this manga greatly resembles the design from Pokémon Adventures, rather than the one used in the games and TCG.

Magical Pokémon Journey references

To anime

• Several bonus chapters feature Ash, Misty, Brock, and Tracey visiting the MPJ universe.

To other manga

• Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪ is written by the same author and set in the same world.

Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪ references

To other manga

• Magical Pokémon Journey is written by the same author and set in the same world.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters references

To games

• This series is based on the world and events of the main game series.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys references

To games

• Many events from the manga are based on those of the Generation II games.

To anime

• Gold and Chris encounter a talking Slowking at the Whirl Islands, similar to how Ash and his friends also encountered a talking Slowking on another island associated with Lugia.

Aim to Be a Card Master!! references

To TCG

• The main goal for the manga's main character Kenta Minamii is to become a great TCG player.

TCG references

To games

• Many locations and characters from the games appear on different cards, particularly Trainer cards.
• Many backgrounds for Pokémon cards are closely based on game locations, especially from the BW era onward.

To anime

• Several anime characters, such as Jessie and James, appear on different cards, particularly Trainer cards.
• The pairing of Rayquaza and Deoxys on Rayquaza & Deoxys LEGEND (Undaunted 89) may be a reference to the movie Destiny Deoxys.

TFG references

To games

• All Trainer figures are based directly on game characters.

To TCG

• This game uses the same rarities as the TCG, with the exception of extra rare figures.
• This game has Trainer cards like those in the TCG, though their incorporation and usage is different.

POKÉMON Detective Pikachu movie references

To games

• While Tim Goodman is attempting to capture a Cubone, he compliments it for being able to pull off wearing the skull of a dead relative on its head, a reference to several of Cubone's Pokédex entries.
  • Tim's friend, Jack, says that a Cubone would be a perfect Pokémon for him as they are both lonely, a reference to Cubone's category.
• Mewtwo is said to have escaped from the Kanto region 20 years ago, referring to its backstory in the Generation I games and their remakes.
• The Greninja use water swords similar to those used by the one in the Super Smash Bros. series.
• Pikachu is afraid of using Volt Tackle as he knows it could knock him out, referencing how the move works in the games.
• Posters referring to the Johto and Sinnoh regions can be seen in Tim's bedroom.
• The Trainer who appears in the Ryme City promotional ad that Tim watches on the train looks like an older version of Red.

To anime

• Multiple Pokémon communicate by saying their own names.
• Mewtwo speaks telepathically, like the one from Mewtwo Strikes Back.
  • Mewtwo's "voice" fluctuates between sounding masculine and feminine, the latter possibly being a nod to the Mewtwo from Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
  • Before escaping from its containment pod at the beginning of the film, Mewtwo can be heard saying "they're outside", which is what the original anime Mewtwo said before waking up at the beginning of Mewtwo Strikes Back.
• A group of Squirtle is seen working as firefighters in Ryme City, referencing the Squirtle Squad.
• The Jigglypuff singing inside the Hi-Hat Café wields a microphone/marker, like the recurring Jigglypuff.
• There are two instances in which Pokémon Theme are referenced:
  • An instrumental version can be heard during the promotional ad that Howard and Roger Clifford filmed together.
  • Pikachu sings a verse of it to himself before finding the bridge where Harry Goodman disappeared.
• Pikachu tries to make a Magikarp evolve by kicking it, a reference to how James's Magikarp evolved after being kicked in Pokémon Shipwreck.
• Howard Clifford's Ditto retains its beady eyes when transformed, like Duplica's Ditto.

To TCG

• A folder full of Pokémon cards is on the desk in Tim's bedroom.
• Posters featuring the artwork of Feraligatr from HeartGold & SoulSilver's Mind Flood theme deck, and Nidoking from Triumphant's Royal Guard theme deck, can be seen in Tim's bedroom.

See also

• List of cross-generational references
• List of references to Pulseman
• Cross-canon counterpart