The Pokemon franchise stretches across several mediums. Fans of Pokemon can choose from shows and movies, as we as video games, card games, and even plushies. For the most part, these mediums line up. For example, a new anime will release with a new game. This isn't always the case though, especially for Pokemon moves.
Here, we are go🐻ing to take a look at Pokemon moves that appeared in the anime prior to being in a game. This will include moves that were eventually adapted into a game, as well as some moves that have never seen the light of day in a game.
Dates for games and anime often vary between countries, with Japan having access to content a b🌃it earlier than the rest of the world. Due to this, we are going to base this list on the original relea▨se.
8 🍸 Blaze Kick 𝓡
First up on our list, we have Blaze Kick. This is a Fire-type move, introduced as the signature move for Blaziken. Blaze Kick was first seen in episode 272 of the anime, used by Harrison's Blaziken. Interestingly, this episode was released on October 31, 2002.
Blaziken is a Generation III Pokemon, which means it debuted with the release of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. These games were released a month later, meaning that the time between the anime and the game wasn't too long. For this short period of time though, Blaze Kick was exclusively seen on television.
7 𒆙 ⛎ Fleur Cannon
Next up, we have Fleur Cannon. This is the signature move of Magearna, a Generation VII Pokemon. This is relat✃ively recent, consisting of Pokemon Sun and Moon which was released on November 18, 2016.
Several months before the release of these games though, a movie came out, titled Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel. Compared to other Pokemon movies, this title wasn't quite as successful, but it did debut the move Fleur Cannon, which had never been seen before.
6 ꦯ Rocket Punch
Rocket Punch is a move that is exclusive to the anime; it has never once been used in a game. On top of this, only one Pokemon has used this move, which is Ash's Pikachu.
In episode 29 of the anime, released in 1997, Ash's Pikachu used Rocket Punch, which is essentially a lightning-charged boxing punch. The move was used against a Hitmonchan, though it doesn't have much of an effect.
5 ꦗ ꦬ Rollout, Shadow Ball & Rapid Spin
Although this entry is three different moves, they all debuted at the same time, which is why they have been grouped together. Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back is one of the more popular Pokemon moves out there. In this movie, we see three brand new moves;♛ Rollout, Shadow Ball & Rapid Spin. These are used by Donphan, Mewtwo, and Blastoisetwo.
These are all Generation II moves, 🐠meaning that they debuted in the games with Pokemon Gold and Silver in November of 1♔999. The movie came out over a year before this though, in July of 1998.
4 🐓 Core Enforcer
Many of the moves on our list are signature moves belonging to specific Pokemon. Core Enforcer is another signature move, this time belonging to Zygarde. This Generation VI Legendary was introduced to us in Pokemon X and Y, but Core Enforcer didn't make an appearance. Instead, the move was first introduced in Generation XII, with Sun and Moon.
As mentioned earlier, these two games were released in Novem♔ber of 2017. Its original debut was a year earlier though, on September 15, 2016. This was episode 136 of Pokemon the Series: XY.
3 Air Lens
This is another move that has never once appeared in a game, just the anime. Air Lens is used by Blaine's Magmar in Riddle Me This, which originally came out in 1998. The move essentially heats the air around Magmar, giving it the ability to repel electrical attacks from Pikachu.
Like Rocket Punch, this is a fairly older move, so it's quite surprising that the two have never made their way into the game. In future generations, we may see Air Lens, but for now, it exists only in the anime.
2 ♉ Misty Terrain 💯
There are several terrain-altering moves that will change the field, giving it a certain type of characteristic. Misty Terrain is one of these moves, protecting Pokemon on the ground from status conditions. As a Generation VI move, Misty Terrain was added to the games with the release of Pokemon X and Y on October 12, 20ﷺ13.
A few months prior to this though, Misty Terrainꦍ was seen in a short that was released alongside the anime. Pokemon: Eevee and Friends was a short that accompanied Pokemon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
1 🌱 Heart Swap
Lastly, we have Heart Swap. This is a Generation IV move that swaps stat changes with y🐓our foe. Interestingly, this move was only present for a short time; in both Sword and Shield, as well as Scarlet and Violet, this move cannot be used.
Heart Swap🧜 first appeared in Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea just a few mon💫ths before the release of Diamond and Pearl on September 28, 2006. During this time, Heart Swap was exclusively used by an animated Manaphy.