Ability/gender expectations

[Pattyman]

Is every anime character expected to know the gender/ability of a Pokémon?

In some occurrences, the character often gets criticized for not knowing about the ability (during the episode it first activated in). The same applies with genders of Pokémon being male or female. For example, in the tenth episode of the best wishes series, Ash got criticized by Iris when Frillish's Cursed Body activated. During the club battle in a later episode, Georgia told Ash during their battle that it took him long to realize that Pawniard was also a girl after Snivy's Attract revealed Pawniard's gender. I know we're not allowed to guess abilities and genders for the anime when writing out information.

 

[Jukain]

I know I don't always remember what a pokemon's ability is. A lot of them have more than one, so who knows which one they have. It's not not knowing other people's pokemon's genders that vexes us, but rather that he forgets the genders of his own pokemon. Yeah, there was no way he could've seen Pawniard coming, but junk like seeing his Palpitoad be attracted, and then trying to counter it with his female Snivy's attract is almost inexcusable. Ash can only be forgiven because no one wants to teach him the Pidgeys and Beedrills.

 

[smalllady]

I don't think a character should be criticized for not knowing a Pokemon's gender/ability. Its not like Ash can see the opposing Pokemon's health bar, level, and gender. And guessing the ability can be a crapshoot, since most Pokemon have one of two possible abilities (not including DW abilities).

 

[Almonds]

It doesn't matter about other pokemons, but the fact that Ash didn't even know his own pokemon's gender had been rather a problem. He didn't even know his Pidove (Tranquil) was a female until Snivy's attract didn't work.

 

[Iteru]

In my opinion, it is clearly a problem not to know your own Pokémons' gender judging by the reactions of characters around Satoshi when he forgets.

 

[Pyrossword]

How can he know the gender if both male and female on most Pokemon look the same? It's not like he has to check on you know what place...

 

[Iteru]

How can he know the gender if both male and female on most Pokemon look the same? It's not like he has to check on you know what place...

Honestly I see no reason why the Zukan couldn't say if you looked it up. It can already tell someone what moves a Pokémon knows.

 

[Aestivate]

Well considering your pokedex has stats like that and it's clear he hasn't bothered to check even that...