Summary
Some Pokémon, such as Rolycoly and Carkol, never appeared in the anime despite appearing in the games and later developments shown. Barraskewda was only seen in one miniseries, making its appearances more limited than other Galar Pokémon. Porygon2 and Porygon-Z faced bans after a controversial episode, making it difficult for them to appear in the anime.
The Pokémon The anime starring Ash Ketchum is up to 1,232 episodes, and there are currently “only” 1,025 Pokémon in existence, so it seems like the anime could easily include every species. However, despite the many opportunities, there are still a surprising number of Pokémon that fall through the cracks, that is Ash has never had the chance to meet these species.
Many of the excluded Pokémon are from the eighth generation games, Sword and Shield, as well as Pokémon Legends Arceus, possibly a result of the changed formula seen in the anime in Pokémon Journeys. Because Journeys focuses more on the World Coronation Series battles that Ash has to participate in across the globe, it doesn't spend as much time in Galar and thus the Galar Pokémon are the least represented. This list only includes Ash's anime appearances, not Pokémon Horizons or the miniseries, although some of these Pokémon have appeared in it.
10 Rolycoly and Carkol are omitted
Type: Rock/Fire
Rolycoly and its evolution, Carkol, are two relatively popular Pokémon themed around coal. They are found in mines and are believed to have been used to produce coal which they may have generated in the past in the Galar region. Although neither Rolycoly nor Carkol have ever appeared in the anime, Their final evolution, Coalossal, appears in the Darkest Days arc of Sword and Shield. is one of the Pokémon that has grown to enormous size due to instability in the power points surrounding Galar.
Rolycoly and Carkol have both been lucky enough to appear in Pokémon Horizons since launch, with Carkol appearing on the airship and appearing quite often, and Rolycoly appearing in episode 20, where it is seen in the possession of a fitness trainer working under. Gym leader Kabu – a character who has never appeared in Ash's anime.
9 Barraskewda was relegated to a miniseries
Type: Water
Barraskewda is an evolved form of Arrokuda and is slightly rarer than its lower form. It is famous for its ability to launch forward using its propeller-like fins, hurtling toward its target like a missile through water. Arrokuda appears in the episode “Just A Scone's Throw From Here!”, where it was produced by Rocket Prize Master for use by Team Rocket's Jessie and James. This episode introduces quite a few Galar Pokémon for the first time, despite being near the end of the series.
Barraskewda appears by chance in a short series themed around Galar called “Wings of Sunset,” where it is seen at the lake where Nessa is diving and taking photos. However, even this is just a very minor appearance and Barraskewda is not involved in the plot of the mini-episode at all.
Twilight Wings can be viewed for free on Youtube.
8 Arctovish and Dracozolt were rejected for the sake of their partners
Type: Water/Ice and Electric/Dragon
Arctovish and Dracozolt are a special case, because they are Pokémon revived from fossils, and therefore not something Ash would normally encounter. However, that never stopped Ash from encountering other fossil Pokémon like Aerodactyl. The way the Galar fossil worked required two different pieces to be put together to create one creature, Ash and Goh instead chose to create their counterparts, Arctozolt and Dracovish.
Arctovish and Dracozolt appear as images on screen in “A Pinch of This, A Pinch of That!”, shows what the scientists in charge of this crazy study believed the fossils would look like, but were never considered living, breathing Pokémon in the series. Because of the oddities involved in their creation, Arctovish and Dracozolt are unlikely to appear in Pokémon Horizons, although one can never say never when it comes to this series.
7 Polteageist is left to haunt alone
Type: Ghost
Polteageist is a haunted teapot Pokémon that evolved from the teacup Pokémon Sinistea. Polteageist comes in two forms: the “antique” form, which carries the stamp of authenticity, and the “fake” form, which is an imitation of the authentic type. Sinistea appears in the episode “The Spectral Express!” where it was seen with several other Ghost-type Pokémon, but for some reason Polteageist never appeared in that episode with it.
Polteageist will be lucky enough to be the star of episode 30 of Pokémon Horizons, where it was discovered to leave wet spots around the ship and infiltrate the secret Pokémon battle club attached to the ship. Interestingly, Polteageist is shown to recreate in this episode without the use of Pokémon eggs, creating Ancient form Sinistea by pouring its liquid into an authentic ancient cup owned by Riko's grandmother.
6. Boltund was abandoned in favor of its pre-evolved form
Type: Electric
Boltund is the evolved form of the Corgi Pokémon, Yamper. It is known to be extremely fast, able to run at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Yamper has a fairly important role in Pokémon Journeys, appearing as the family pet of Chloe and Professor Cerise, and can thus appear quite often. However, because Yamper is treated as a pet, it never actually fights nor is it ever given a chance to evolve.
Boltund has since appeared sparingly in episode 27 of Pokémon Horizons, where a couple is seen lounging outside the airship after it lands in the Galar region searching for information about Black Rayquaza. However, this small cameo doesn't really give Boltund a chance to shine, and it still has to wait for the day when it can finally receive as much attention as its previously evolved Yamper form.
5 Corvisquire is a forgotten child
Type: Flying
Corvisquire is the evolved form of Rookidee and the pre-evolved form of Corviknight. Corviknight taxis are a popular form of transportation in the Galar region, and Corviknight appeared in that capacity in Pokémon Journeys. Corviknight and Rookidee even had an episode where they played a major role, “Meet the Sultan!”in which Ash and Leon encounter a pair of Corviknights who are upset that their chick Rookidee is injured.
Corvisquire appears briefly in the Twilight Wings miniseries and similarly appears briefly in Pokémon Horizons episode 15, where Roy's Wattrel spots one and tracks it down. Corvisquire leads him to the city of Levincia in the Paldea region, where the villain they are hunting is hiding. It's certainly strange that Corvisquire was left out while other members of its evolutionary family appeared throughout the Journey.
4 Sneasler is strangely absent
Type: Fighting/Poison
Sneasler is a Pokémon that first appeared in Pokémon Legends Arceus, quite late in the anime. Like many of the Pokémon that debuted in that game, it is believed to be extinct in modern times, which explains why Ash has never encountered it. However, other Pokémon from that game, such as Wyrdeer and Basculegion, appeared in the special known as the Arceus Chronicles, albeit as part of the fantasy series. Hisuian Sneasel, where Sneasel evolved, was similarly removed, although Johtonian Sneasel was seen in the anime.
In Pokémon Legends Arceus, Sneasler is an extremely valuable Pokémon and has quite a large role, as it is used to climb cliffs in the game. It's a bit strange that Sneasler can't at least get the appearance in the fantasy series that Wyrdeer and Basculegion, its companion mounts, get. Since it is considered extinct in modern times, it is also unlikely to appear in Pokémon Horizons.
3 Overqwil is completely ignored
Type: Dark/Poison
Like Sneasler, Overqwil first appeared in Pokémon Legends Arceus and it evolved from the Hisuian Qwilfish. Unlike Sneasler, Overqwil doesn't have a major role in Arceus, which may explain why it feels forgotten. Since water is already featured in the fantasy sequence from Chronicles of Arceus, it would seem easy to include Overqwil with Basculegion, but it is still omitted.
Although there exists a mini-series based on Hisui called “Hisuian Snow,” even that series does not feature Overqwil, not even a cameo. Thus, Overqwil (along with Sneasler) is one of the very few Pokémon that has never been animated in any Pokémon series or short film, a difference that Pokémon fans are unlikely to enjoy. Since Overqwil can be found in the Indigo Disk DLC for Scarlet and Violet, it's possible that it will appear in future Pokémon Horizons episodes, but there's no reason to think that will happen anytime soon .
2 Ursaluna has the best scene when it appears
Type: Ground/Normal
Another Hisui Pokémon that first appeared in Pokémon Legends Arceus, Ursaluna is an evolved form of Ursaring and its lower form, Teddiursa. Teddiursa and especially Ursaring have appeared many times in the anime, but Ursaluna never had the chance to appear, and was absent from the fantasy scene of The Arceus Chronicles. Like Sneasler, Ursaluna has a large role in Arceus as a mount, allowing players to dig and find hidden items.
Due to Ursaluna playing an important role in the Blue Mask of Scarlet and Violet DLC, Ursaluna probably has the best chance of appearing in a future episode of Pokémon Horizons, at least in “Bloodmoon” form., provided this globe-trotting series makes its way to Kitakami or not. Common Ursaluna is slightly less likely, as no normal members of its species are known to survive to this day, and evolution no longer seems possible. .
1 Porygon2 and Porygon-Z May Never Appear in the Anime
Type: Normal
While many of the Pokémon on this list have no clear reason as to why they never appeared, the same cannot be said for Porygon2 and Porygon-Z. POrygon itself appears only once, in the infamous banned episode “Porygon Electric Soldier,” which caused epileptic seizures in some children who watched the episode. While Pikachu was actually responsible for the flashing lights causing the seizures, Porygon took responsibility and never appeared in the anime again.
Unfortunately, aside from a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in a movie, Kyurem Vs. Sword of Justice, Porygon2, and Porygon-Z are unlikely to appear in the anime due to this unofficial ban on the entire Porygon evolution family. Thus, Porygon2 and Porygon-Z top the list of Pokémon that have never appeared in the game Pokémon anime, and in this case, it probably never will be.
