Pokémon battle/Anime

In the, the progression of a battle is slightly different. An expansion on the games' concept, the anime's battles are more free-flowing than those in the games, with opposing s being able to block and evade moves in different and more creative ways than the games allow for, invent their own moves as combinations of other moves, and so on. Several concepts that later became standard in the games were developed in the anime, such as the Ability and Double Battles.

Unlike the games, there will often be a referee who determines whether or not a Pokémon is able to continue the match, as there is not the strictly-programmed limit. This referee will sometimes be a Pokémon League official, especially in matches conducted in the various Pokémon League Conferences, though informal battles can be conducted with either no referee at all or with a knowledgeable person serving as the referee. and have served as the referee for many of the informal matches between  and the various people he has met along his journey.

Battles in the anime often feature a limit to the amount of Pokémon that can be used: Trainers rarely are allowed to use their full party of six, and must instead choose which members they will use. Most Gym Leaders and Frontier Brains will not switch their Pokémon when challenged, as well, but will allow the challenger to do so.

Pokémon battles are a universal recreation and humans in the Pokémon world are encouraged to engage in battles as a way to meet new people and. Many are held to allow Trainers to showcase the results of their. Additionally, many teach aspiring Trainers about situations they may face during battles, such as status conditions and additional effects of moves. After a battle, Trainers are expected to show good sportsmanship, regardless of the outcome.