Wonder Trade in the anime

[Yamitora1]

Does anyone else think that the anime series is missing a golden opportunity for story arcs and plot lines by not having used/mentioned wonder trading.

They could flesh out one or two episodes revolving around it, or leading up to it.

I could easily foresee James in particular getting to use it, even if unintentional similar to how Jessie got Wobbuffet.

Spoiler

Imagine Ash and James catching two new Pokémon, Ash a Skorupi and James what-have-you. Eventually they battle and can't seem to get the flow because the Pokemon they caught, while cool to them just doesn't match their styles or Jame's just wont listen to him for whatever reason. Although on the verge of winning with Skorupi, Ash has Pikachu give Teamrocket a blast off. Later after their less than impressive battles with their new Pokemon, they hear about wonder trade (no doubt a new fad that has everyone going crazy) from two separate people and then at two separate stations decide to trade the Pokemon and end up with each other's. I could even imagine the Skorupi holding a grudge of some kind against Pikachu for *Pun Alert* stealing its Thunder, by usurping it in the battle and taking its victory.

This would be the perfect vessel to get Ash his 6th Pokemon for the Kalos region and james a second Pokemon on hand. Ash has only caught three or so poison types; Bulbasaur, Muk and Beedrill to my knowledge. He gave Beedril away, and has hardly ever used Muk, and Bulbasaur's poison typing never was taken advantage of. He also struggled to use the Arbok and Weezing in the Pokémon League entrance exam. Poison doesn't seem to be Ash's thing.

 

[Ampharos King]

The issue with that is trading in itself is very rare in the anime. There were only 5 real trades, and all but one of them involved parties who knew exactly what they were getting from the deal. (Jessie's trade is the exception as it wasn't intentional.)

Ash traded Butterfree because he was pressured by the gentleman to trade, as if trading were a requirement to become a great trainer, but he quickly regretted it. Ash still knew he was getting the Raticate that he fought, regardless. James, too, was pressured to trade away his Victreebel by the rest of TRio, but he knew that he would get a Weepinbell that knew Sweet Scent. Ash and Dawn only traded Aipom and Buizel respectively for their Pokémon's sakes. Bianca and Juniper wanted to trade so they can see a trade evolution, and for Bianca to obtain an Escavalier.

The main characters, and this includes TRio, all love their Pokémon and they are very unwilling to trade away one of their precious friends to a stranger they just met, let alone any trainer in the world. The only way I can see a Wonder Trade happening is if the character unintentionally trades that Pokémon away, like Jessie did with Lickitung.

 

[Steel_Justice]

It could still happen just not with Ash and co at least since they can befriend any pokemon they catch in a few episodes and Ash probably has a phobia of trading with people he doesn't know. Supporting or recurring characters like Shauna could potentially show case or talk about it or Jessie may have another accident again in the near future. It would be hilarious for TR to get lucky one day and catch (legitimately) a pokemon strong enough to potentially beat Ash and co and then accidentally trade it away soon after for something silly.

Since we're on the topic of trading why hasn't Jessie done a trade-tradeback with James to evolve her Pumpkaboo? Surely they know how their own Pokemon evolve right?

 

[Yamitora1]

The issue with that is trading in itself is very rare in the anime. There were only 5 real trades, and all but one of them involved parties who knew exactly what they were getting from the deal. (Jessie's trade is the exception as it wasn't intentional.)

Ash traded Butterfree because he was pressured by the gentleman to trade, as if trading were a requirement to become a great trainer, but he quickly regretted it. Ash still knew he was getting the Raticate that he fought, regardless. James, too, was pressured to trade away his Victreebel by the rest of TRio, but he knew that he would get a Weepinbell that knew Sweet Scent. Ash and Dawn only traded Aipom and Buizel respectively for their Pokémon's sakes. Bianca and Juniper wanted to trade so they can see a trade evolution, and for Bianca to obtain an Escavalier.

The main characters, and this includes TRio, all love their Pokémon and they are very unwilling to trade away one of their precious friends to a stranger they just met, let alone any trainer in the world. The only way I can see a Wonder Trade happening is if the character unintentionally trades that Pokémon away, like Jessie did with Lickitung.

Trading may be rare, but it has happened in almost every generation of the anime, with if i am correct the exception being Gen III. Yes ordinarily Ash might not be so willing to part with his pokemon unless it benefits them, but if his battle style is completely wrong for a certain pokemon, then its in their benefit Ash either releases them or trades them. It would otherwise be unfair to keep sending out a pokemon he can't use properly.

 

[Muur]

It'd be an interesting concept for one episode and I think it'd be a cool way to get Ash a new mon, so why not I say go for it. Like it was said it would probably be better for a side or a COT to do it, though.