Released Pokémon
Released Pokémon arePokémon that have beencaught by aPokémon Trainer, but are sent back into thewild.
In the core series
In thecore series Pokémon games, Pokémon can be released using thePokémon Storage System. However, a Pokémon cannot be released if it is the only Pokémon in the player'sparty. Once the Pokémon is released, it is removed from the player's possession and cannot be encountered again. Releasing a Pokémon is useful if a player needs to free up space in the Pokémon Storage System.Pokémon Eggs cannot be released within these games.
Starting inGeneration VIII, if the Pokémon is holding an item when it is released the item is returned to the player’s bag.
Pokémon Yellow
InPokémon Yellow, it's not possible to release thePikachu received by the player at the beginning of the game, or any other Pikachu with the sameoriginal Trainer and original Trainer ID as the player. If the player tries to release it, Pikachu complains and the attempt fails, but this doesn't affect Pikachu'sfriendship. Pikachu may still be traded to another game and released there (including a separate Pokémon Yellow game with a different Trainer name and/or ID). If Pikachu is traded to another game, evolves intoRaichu, and is traded back to its original game, it can be released normally in its original game.
Pikachu may be released normally like any other Pokémon in theJapanese Pokémon Stadium, theEnglish Pokémon Stadium, orPokémon Stadium 2, connected to Pokémon Yellow viaTransfer Pak.
Generations III–IV
InGeneration III andGeneration IV, if the player attempts to release a Pokémon that is the only Pokémon in their party or PC that knows a certainHM move, it will immediately return. In Generation III, these moves areSurf andDive. In Generation IV, they are Surf,Waterfall, andRock Climb, as well asFly inHeartGold and SoulSilver.
Generation V onward
Fusions of Pokémon (Black and WhiteKyurem, Dusk Mane and Dawn WingsNecrozma, and Ice Rider and Shadow RiderCalyrex) cannot be released unless separated.
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu and Let's Go, Eevee!
InLet's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, releasing Pokémon is also calledtransferring, like inPokémon GO. A player can transfer up to 30 Pokémon at once toProfessor Oak, who will award one stat-specificCandy (of varying sizes) for each Pokémon transferred, each Candy's stat corresponding to what that Pokémon may yield if caught in the wild. For every 50 Pokémon of a common species the player transfers, Professor Oak will award a Candy specific to that Pokémon's species. After every transfer, Professor Oak will tell the player the total number of Pokémon that have been sent over.
The player'spartner Pokémon and anyparty Pokémon cannot be transferred. Transferring aShiny,Legendary, orMythical Pokémon (other thanMeltan[1]) will first display the warning message "Are you really sure you want to send this Pokémon? You can't get it back!". Attempting to transfer a Pokémon marked asfavorite will display a prompt asking the player if they want to unfavorite it first.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
InPokémon Legends: Arceus, theplayer can release their Pokémon from the pastures, and may release multiple at once. Released Pokémon sometimes leave behindGrit Dust,Grit Gravel,Grit Pebble, orGrit Rocks. If the player attempts to release aLegendary Pokémon,Mythical Pokémon, orShiny Pokémon, a warning will appear, stating:
You'll be releasing a very rare specimen.
Are you sure you wish to proceed?
Until the story is finished, the player can't releaseDialga orPalkia due tothem being mandatory for the final battle.
In the side series
Pokémon Stadium series
- Main article:PC (Stadium) → Pokémon
In theJapanese Pokémon Stadium, theEnglish Pokémon Stadium, andPokémon Stadium 2, there is an option to release Pokémon from thecore series games connected viaTransfer Pak. The first two Stadium games are only compatible with theGeneration I games, while the third game is compatible with both Generation I andGeneration II games. It is only possible to release Pokémon if the player has saved the core series game at aPokémon Center. The player is able to release Pokémon from theparty, theBoxes in the core series game, and from the Boxes in the Stadium game cartridge.
- In theJapanese Pokémon Stadium, the player is able to go from themain menu to the "Organize" and then the "Pokémon" screen, where the Release button is a waving hand symbol. When the player presses the Release button, the game displays a list with the party and the boxes. The player is required to select one of these places first, and then choose one or more Pokémon to release.
- In theEnglish Pokémon Stadium, the player is able to go from the main menu to the Pokémon Lab. There is aPC at the lab, with an option "Pokémon". The Pokémon screen includes the Release button, which is a waving hand symbol like in the previous game.
- InPokémon Stadium 2, the player is able to go from the main menu to theWhite City and then to the Pokémon Lab. Like in the previous game, there is aPC in the lab, with an option "Pokémon". Unlike in the previous games, this time the Release button is an emoji moving to the side.
In the English Pokémon Stadium, as well as Stadium 2, the player's party is displayed by default on the left side, while the first Box is also available by default on the right side. The player may press the Release button and choose any Pokémon from the party, or alternate between left and right sides by pressing L and R. Alternatively, the player may choose any of the available places (party and Boxes) by using the options "Choose left Box" and "Choose right Box" (English Stadium) or "Check the window contents" (Stadium 2) prior to releasing Pokémon.
In all three Stadium games, once the player attempts to release a Pokémon, the game asks for confirmation. If the player agrees, a "Bye!" sound is heard and the Pokémon is released. Once the player presses B to leave the list of Pokémon, there are three options: "Save and quit", "Quit without saving", and "Cancel". The player is able to undo the act of releasing Pokémon by quitting without saving. However, once the player has released Pokémon and saved, that act is irreversible.
In the Japanese Pokémon Stadium, it's not possible to release the last Pokémon in the party. The act of pressing Release and then selecting the party results in an error message if there's only one Pokémon there. However, in the English Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, it is possible to release the whole party and then move Pokémon from the Boxes to the party, or alternatively just release all Pokémon from the party and the Boxes. In these last two games, if the party is empty, the act of releasing Pokémon can't be saved—the option "Save and quit" becomes unavailable.
Even though thePikachu received inPokémon Yellow is unable be released in its own game, it can be released normally like any other Pokémon in any of the three games of the Pokémon Stadium series. Similarly, Pokémon Eggs may be released in Pokémon Stadium 2 despite being unable to be released within any main series game.
In the spin-off games
Pokémon GO
InPokémon GO, the player can choose totransfer a Pokémon toProfessor Willow. Pokémon transferred to Professor Willow cannot be taken back, equivalent to releasing the Pokémon in the core series games. When a Pokémon is transferred to the professor, the player will receive aCandy for that Pokémon's species. Players who have reachedLevel 31 (Level 40 prior to June 1, 2022) or higher have a chance of receiving a Candy XL when a Pokémon is transferred.
Transferring a Pokémon toPokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! or Let's Go, Eevee! or toPokémon HOME has a similar effect to transferring to Willow, although 100XP is also awarded in the former case.
The following Pokémon cannot be transferred to Professor Willow:
- Pokémon marked as favorites
- CurrentBuddy Pokémon
- ActiveMega Evolution
- Pokémon currently defending aGym
- Pokémon currently at aPower Spot
- Fused Pokémon
- Resolute FormKeldeo
- Zygarde
- Eternatus
- Kubfu andUrshifu
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
In thePokémon Mystery Dungeon series, the player can remove Pokémon from their team by saying farewell to them. InPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, this can be done by visiting them in theirFriend Area. InPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness, andPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, this can be done at theChimecho Assembly. InPokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, this can be done at theQuagsire Assembly. InPokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, due to the removal of random recruitment, Pokémon cannot be removed once they haveconnected with the player's team.
In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team and Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky, ifLegendary orMythical Pokémon are said farewell to from theirFriend Area orChimecho Assembly, they will reappear indungeons again, unless they were recruited as a story event rather than by being defeated.
Pokémon Ranger series
In the Pokémon Ranger series, Pokémon are captured with theCapture Styler and are released automatically when they have performed a task such as aiding the player in battle or using theirField Move, and can be released from themenu. The player is also forced to release a Pokémon if the player captures a Pokémon and exceeds the limit of Pokémon in their possession.
Pokémon Rumble series
In thePokémon Rumble series, the world consists ofToy Pokémon and they can be released via themenu for money.
Hey You, Pikachu!
In the end of theHey You, Pikachu! storyline,Professor Oak encourages theplayer to release Pikachu back toViridian Forest. Professor Oak tells the player that Pikachu is a wild Pokémon and would be happiest living with other wild Pokémon.
Once the player uses the PokéHelper to say "Goodbye!", there is a cutscene where Pikachu looks sad to leave at first, but then a group of other Pikachu welcome it back to the forest. Pikachu waves goodbye to the player and leaves.
Pokémon Sleep
InPokémon Sleep, the player can choose tosend a Pokémon toProfessor Neroli. Pokémon sent to Professor Neroli cannot be taken back, equivalent to releasing the Pokémon in the core series games. When a Pokémon is sent to the Professor, the player will receiveCandies for that Pokémon's species, the yield of which varies as follows.
- Unevolved Pokémon: 5 candies
- First Evolution ofbaby Pokémon: 6 candies
- First Evolution of non-baby Pokémon: 7 candies
- Second Evolution Pokémon: 10 candies
- Special Pokémon: 25 candies
In animation
Pokémon the Series
ThroughoutPokémon the Series, a Trainer releases a Pokémon for several reasons. The Trainer may see it as weak, asDamian did withCharmander andPaul withChimchar. The Pokémon may have to do something that requires it to leave (such asAsh and hisButterfree, as well as Ash and hisPidgeot). Another common reason is that the Pokémon does not listen, frustrating the Trainer, much like whenDawn caughtPachirisu. If a Trainer chooses to release their Pokémon, it will be indicated by the Pokémon in question emerging from its Poké Ball in a blue light rather than the usual white light (though this only began occurring inPokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl). To guarantee release, some Trainers destroy thePoké Ball, as seen withJessie and herDustox. As shown inWhen a House is Not a Home!, Pokémon can even destroy their own Poké Balls.
InPokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, theUltra Guardians' primary objective is to captureUltra Beasts that find their way intoAlola so they can safely be released and sent back where they came from viaUltra Wormholes.
List of known released Pokémon
- InSnivy Plays Hard to Catch! andEvolution by Fire!,Ash's Snivy is speculated to have once belonged to another Trainer, but this has never been verified.
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
InPokémon Horizons: The Series, specifically the episodeWhere the Adventure Leads, it is shown that when a Trainer passes away, all the Pokémon under their ownership are automatically released, seen as when theSix Heroes were released fromLucius'sAncient Poké Balls immediately upon his death.
List of known released Pokémon
| Pokémon | Episode released | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Pagogo | Prior to inThe Pendant That Starts It All (Part One) | Caught byLiko inThe Wonders of the World! |
 | White Zygarde | The Earthshaking White Zygarde | Caught byAmethio prior toHZ125 |
 | Lucius's Rayquaza | Where the Adventure Leads | |
 | Lucius's Arboliva | ||
 | Lucius's Moltres | ||
 | Lucius's Lapras | ||
 | Lucius's Kleavor | ||
 | Lucius's Gouging Fire | ||
In the manga
Variousmanga touch on the aspect of releasing Pokémon.
Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures chapters often culminate in the capture of aLegendary Pokémon, but these are almost always released afterwards,Diamond'sRegigigas, nicknamedReg, andBlake'sKeldeo, nicknamedKelden, being notable exceptions.
Pokémon released in Pokémon Adventures
Team Plasma
Team Plasma's ultimate goal has been to convince Trainers to release their Pokémon. InPokémon Black and White, it is revealed that their leader,Ghetsis, wanted to make himself the only Trainer to own Pokémon inUnova, making him the region's leader almost by default.N, Team Plasma's king, appears frequently to theplayer to battle them and convince them to release their Pokémon. Each time, he appears with a different team—using theMemory Link inPokémon Black 2 and White 2 confirms that N releasedhis Pokémon after battles with the player, and the player may encounter and catch them again.
Although there were apparently no other instances of anyone releasing their Pokémon in the games, several Trainers are seen releasing their Pokémon whenever Team Plasma holds a speech inPokémon Adventures.Black himself owns a Pokémon (Galvantula) previously owned by another unseen person, and now uses on his team after he decided to keep him after Team Plasma's first seen speech and he agreed to be with him.White herself also released her company'sTepig,Gigi, although this was against her own will, as it was technically Gigi who left White after she learned about her battle capabilities.
In other languages
Release
| Language | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 逃がす | |
| Chinese | Cantonese | 放生 |
| Mandarin | 放生 | |
| French | Relâcher | |
| German | Freilassen | |
| Italian | Libera | |
| Korean | 놓아준다 | |
| Spanish | Liberar | |
References
Related articles
- Episodes in which a main character attempts to release a Pokémon
- Episodes in which a main character releases or gives away a Pokémon
- Episodes in which a released Pokémon rejoins a main character's team
| Aspects ofPokémon training |
|---|
