10 Most Used Pokémon By Villains In The Anime

The infamous Team Rocket trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth appear in almost every single episode of the Pokémon anime. It is for this reason that people often assume that they are the main and only villains of the series. However, this simply isn’t true, as every region appears to throw new bad guys and challenges at the heroes for them to overcome.

With Team Rocket’s sheer volume of appearances, their Pokémon naturally get a lot of showings, albeit not necessarily strong ones. At the same time, there are plenty of other Pokémon that are utilized by multiple other villainous teams in the anime.

10 Tyranitar Has Appeared In Multiple Generations

The Armor Pokémon Tyranitar is a dual Rock and Dark type that could easily also have the Dragon and Ground typings. It is a formidable dinosaurian Pokémon that appears to be a natural fit for the teams of bad guys and villainous organizations.

In the Pokémon Journeys series, Team Rocket call upon a Tyranitar from the Rocket Prize Master, and its wide range of moves are on show. The species is also used against the Team Rocket trio by the poacher Rico in A Poached Ego, the episode where they say goodbye to Arbok and Koffing. Hunter J’s client’s henchmen also use one in the Diamond & Pearl series.

9 The Atrocious Gyarados Is A Tough Obstacle For The Heroes To Overcome

Gyarados isn’t really used by Grunts in the anime, yet it still appears on multiple occasions. James technically owns one when his Magikarp evolves. However, it subsequently goes on a rage, destroys everything, and doesn’t seem too keen on sticking around. Jessie later uses one thanks to the Rocket Prize Master, but it is easily defeated by the bane of its existence, Pikachu.

The Atrocious Pokémon is given plenty of good showings from strong trainers in the anime, and Lance is among the most notable. However, a Shiny Gyarados that utilizes Mega Evolution is the secret weapon of Team Flare’s Lysandre in the X & Y Series.

8 The Dark Pokémon Poochyena And Mightyena Are Used By Multiple Bad Guys

While the use of the Gen III Dark types Poochyena and Mightyena is somewhat limited to the Gen III games, these two Pokémon are actually used through multiple generations in the anime. Team Rocket’s Butch uses a Mightyena in the Ruby & Sapphire series, with James using its previous form Poochyena in Pokémon Journeys thanks to the Prize Master.

Team Magma Grunts opt to use multiple Mightyena as an intimidation tactic because they are naturally aggressive Pokémon. Poochyena also appears again with a Team Flare Grunt in X & Y.

7 The Rhyhorn Line Have Been Called Upon Several Times

The Rhyhorn line, including Rhydon and Rhyperior, is used on numerous occasions by various villains in the anime. Rhyhorn itself doesn’t appear in such a role as often as the others. One of Hunter J’s client’s henchmen uses one, as does Giovanni in the Pokémon Origins anime, who also uses a Rhydon.

The Team Rocket trio have also used Rhydon on multiple occasions. The first instance is when Giovanni lends them one to defend the Viridian Gym before they later call upon one from the Rocket Prize Master. Both Rhydon and Rhyperior have also appeared with Team Rocket Grunts during the chase of Meloetta in X & Y and in Pokémon Journeys respectively.

6 Aggron Is A Naturally Intimidating Force

Aggron is undoubtedly one of the more fierce and intimidating Pokémon in terms of size and general design. Its might and potential have been shown under the ownership of Steven Stone, but it has also been utilized by multiple villains and crooks in the anime.

Hunter J’s client uses an Aggron in the Diamond & Pearl series, and Team Rocket also makes use of the species on multiple occasions. The Team Rocket trio get their hands on one thanks to a Delibird drop-off in Grating Spaces. A powerful Mega Aggron also appears in the Sun & Moon series with Gozu of Team Rocket’s Matori Matrix unit. It tears through Faba and Kukui’s Pokémon before the latter’s Incineroar steps up and knocks it out.

5 Graveler And Golem Are Aggressive Pokémon Perfectly Suited To Criminal Work

The Rock types Graveler and Golem have been used by multiple villainous trainers throughout the anime. Team Rocket Grunts use Golem in their pursuit of Meloetta, and James has called upon a Graveler from the trio’s Rocket Prize Master in Pokémon Journeys.

As a particularly intimidating Pokémon, Golem has also been used by a henchman of Hunter J’s client. Its Alolan form has appeared with Viren’s Revengers in Sun & Moon.

4 Drowzee And Hypno’s Psychic Powers Are Always Causing Problems

Drowzee’s sinister psychic capabilities are once again abused by the bad guys in the anime, just like in the games. In Pikachu Re-Volts, Butch and Cassidy use one to brainwash several Pokémon into turning on their trainers. The scale of the brainwashing is a testament to Drowzee’s potential power.

The species also appears in Sun & Moon with Team Skull. Sun & Moon also introduces Faba, a member of the Aether Paradise team who takes up the role of the big bad in parts of the series. He prioritizes Psychic types, so Hypno is a major part of his team.

3 Houndour And Houndoom Are A Natural Fit For The Teams Of Bad Guys

Houndour and Houndoom are the Dark-Fire types with a naturally evil aesthetic. Known simply as the Dark Pokémon, they are both utilized by several villainous trainers throughout the anime. Both evolution forms pop up under the ownership of Team Magma, Team Flare, and Team Skull Grunts, albeit mostly just serving as fodder.

Team Rocket’s use of the Rocket Prize Master sees them utilize a wide range of different species. This welcome change sees them use a Houndour in Sobble Spies A Stealthy Strategy, but it ultimately loses to Jacqueline’s Inteleon. The trio’s Team Rocket rivals Butch and Cassidy, who are also seen utilizing a Houndour.

2 Golbat Is A Popular Choice For Villainous Teams

Zubat and Golbat are equally popular among villainous Grunts in the anime as they are in the games. Unnamed Team Rocket Grunts are shown using Zubat, as is Rapp of Team Skull, who owns three. Golbat appears to be a necessity for Grunts of Team Magma, Galactic, and Plasma.

Several Grunts appear to have two each, with their confusing capabilities and flying being perfect for evil schemes and general scouting. Golbat is naturally aggressive in its looks and general demeanor, making it a perfect Pokémon for the bad guys. They don’t make too much of an impression unless they’re in a group, but they can still be dangerous.

1 The Team Rocket Trio’s Pokémon See A Lot Of Battle Time

Through the sheer number of appearances that Jessie, James, and Meowth have amassed over the years, their Pokémon subsequently get added exposure. They may well lose most of the battles they take part in, but they often do their jobs well in helping to execute criminal plans.

Weezing and Arbok are among the trio’s longest serving Pokémon and are loyal from the very beginning until the Ruby & Sapphire series. Wobbuffet and Meowth technically serve longer overall but are hardly called into action in comparison. Team Rocket try to catch new Pokémon in every region from Gen III onwards, with them being used consistently. The introduction of the Rocket Prize Master in Pokémon Journeys changes this dynamic however, replacing the old format with one-off cameo appearances.