Being a huge, huge fan of Pokémon, Hidenori Kusaka strives to make as many references as he can, whether it be from the mainline games, the anime, or even some obscure Spin-Off games.
RGB arc
- Red's very first Pokémon being a Poliwhirl may have been because it's Satoshi Tajiri's favorite.
- The Pokémon Fanclub Chairman's design is based on his appearance in Pokémon Daisuki Club materials
, which collaborated with the manga in its early days. That would be why the chairman asks to deliver a mail with stamp, as the materials were mostly stamp-based. - The Kadabra masquerading as Professor Oak is taken from Imposter Professor Oak Trainer Card.
Yellow arc
- The Celadon University's design is based on its ID card from real-life event. And in Celadon University, Erika is seen teaching, where some supplementary materials show that◊ she attends the university. Lastly, the professor Erika meets is called Professor Matsumoto, who also appeared in tie-in materials◊.
- Cerise Island is based on Cobalt Coast from Pokémon Snap.
- Green's bubble microphone and Pika's babysitting of Yellow's Caterpie are homages to Hey You, Pikachu!.
- The Fanclub Chairman owns a Rapidash and Fearow that knows Pay Day, which were Pokémon obtainable through the said Daisuki Club materials◊.
- The feature added to the Pokédex midway through Yellow allows the heroes to vaguely read Pikachu's thoughts and emotions, similar to a feature in the Pokémon Yellow game.
- A forest that Yellow comes across turns out to be a herd of Exeggutor and Oddish, which may be a nod to one of the intermissions for Pikachu's Summer Vacation.
- At one point in the Yellow arc, Blaine wears a disguise that resembles the anime version of him.
- The changing patterns on Agatha's Arbok is based on a concept art◊ from a Japanese-exclusive guidebook.
- The symbols on the signal Misty made originates from the Ancient Mew card that came with the movie Pokémon 2000. In general, the Elite Four's goal of using Lugia may be because of the Yellow arc running simultaneously with the release of the movie.
- Yellow receiving an Omanyte and a Graveler with both evolving later on may have been inspired by the "Evolution by Mail Campaign" launched in 1998 for the trading card game. Somewhat resembling a trade evolution, people could send a Kadabra, a Machoke, a Graveler, a Haunter, and an Omanyte card with Bill's PC (Vending S3) to the Media Factory corporation to receive their evolved forms.
GSC arc
- Earl Dervish's design is based on Pokémon Stadium 2.
- At the Goldenrod Game Corner, aside from slot machines, there are also people playing Pokémon Pinball (more specifically, Red Field) and Pokémon card games.
- Janine uses a Forretress at one point, which is one of the Pokémon she uses in round 2 of Pokémon Stadium 2. Likewise, Lance owning a Tyranitar comes from that game.
- Brock battling Jasmine, Misty battling Whitney, and Lt. Surge battling Morty is also a reference to Pokémon Stadium 2, where gym leaders were shown battling each other in the credits. They even use the same Pokémon!
- The GS Ball looks identical to the one from the anime in its appearance. And in the same chapter, Gold calls out the move "Super Rising Thunder," which was the only move for Rocket's Raikou card (from the Japan-exclusive Pokémon VS expansion pack).
- In Mt. Silver Training Chapter, the Radio Director takes poses of Red and his team, referencing a photographer named Cameron in HGSS who travels to even Mt. Silver just to take you a photo with your Pokémon for your album.
RS arc
- Norman tells Ruby's mother that Ruby's old enough to decide for himself now that he's 11, which seems to be a nod to the "All Primary School Graduates are Adults Law" in Pocket Monsters: The Animation.
- Chapter 217 properly introduces contests, and releasing in the same magazines were Pokémon Stamps promoting the contest feature◊. Each of the Pokémon that appear when Ruby names the Contest Segments are based off of these stamps, with the entire Beauty Segment lineup in the manga matching the stamp Beauty lineup. (Ruby's Feebas in place of Milotic)
- Archie and Maxie owns Walrein and Houndoom, which may be a nod to Team Aqua's Walrein from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua expansion and Team Magma's Houndoom from EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua pack.
- In addition to being based off of the Nintendo DS, the top screen of Team Aqua's communication device also seems to resemble the map of Pokémon Dash, which was released around the same time.
- Archie and Maxie being possessed by the orbs is most definitely based on how the same fate befalls to Archie and Pikachu in the anime.
FRLG arc
- FireRed and LeafGreen opens on a fight between a Gengar and a Nidorino, just like the intro in the original games.
- Ultima owns a Meganium, a Typhlosion, and a Feraligatr that knows the Ultimate Move of their respective type. In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, the reward for clearing 100 battles in Mt. Battle is one of the Johto starters with the Ultimate Move.
- Sird is based on a design from the Pokémon trading card game. Also, the machine that Carr rides in his introduction is based on Pow! Hand Extension from EX Team Rocket Returns 85 expansion pack.
- When he first appears in this chapter, Mewtwo states "I am here" (我はここに在り), which is the Japanese title for Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns. His personality here also seems to be similar, not to mention the Team Rocket airship that appears later and the M2 Bind heavily resembling Mewtwo's armor in the film.
- Green refers to his Porygon2 as a "cyber warrior", which in Japanese is the title of the infamous 38th episode of the anime.
- Deoxys can make multiple copies of itself and turns out to be a pair, which is clearly inspired by Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys.
- Lanette's design is based on Lanette's Net Search card. Plus, Brigette owns multiple Swablu, where she gives an egg in Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire that hatches into one.
- After taking him to the Team Rocket ship and outfitting him in FRLG arc, Sird refers to Silver as "the Prince of Darkness". That's the same title for the rival character in Pokémon Golden Boys.
- The "eyelash of Mew" fossil from the first movie was retconned into Mewtwo's backstory. The armor for Mewtwo also made an appearance previously as a limiter. And lastly, much like in the first movie, several characters were turned to stone due to Mewtwo using a blast to cancel out another Pokémon's attack.
Emerald arc
- Latias' ability to disguise as a girl and share sights with Latios is obviously based on Pokémon Heroes.
- Guile's plans in the Emerald chapter are pretty much identical to Butler's, but with Kyogre instead of Groudon.
- Emerald's E-shooter is similar to that of Pokémon Ranger's Capture Stylers. It's actually hinted in-universe that the E-shooter is based off of the Capture Stylers as well.
- Todd is given a job to take pictures at Pokémon Snap's Pokémon Island.
- Before leaving the Battle Frontier, Latios says how they would stay with Emerald the loner until a day like this arrives, which is a nod to the ending song of the 5th Pokémon movie, You're Not Alone.
DP arc
- The producer that congratulates Dia and Pearl is called Akinori, who, like the Fanclub Chairman, was the poster child for Daisuki Club materials◊ in Gen. IV.
- Roseanne, Professor Rowan's assistant, is designed like her TCG design. Other instances include Cassius, the storage owner for the Kalos region.
- Diamond's mother, Johanna, has a Glameow like her anime counterpart.
- Maylene's Riolu knows Aura Sphere, referencing how there's a special mission where you could get that certain Riolu in Shadows of Almia.
- Diamond's Mamoswine has the ability Thick Fat, where in December 8th, 2010 (around the time DP arc ended), there was an event Mamoswine with hidden Thick Fat ability.
- Hayley from My Pokémon Ranch makes a cameo appearance during the battle at Sky Pillar. In addition, Hayley's ranch building is based on My Pokémon Ranch's post-Platinum update. And lastly, Bebe has a Glameow, which is seen alongside her in Bebe's Search Supporter Card.
Pt arc
- Shaymin latches onto Giratina and fights it for a while, referencing Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
HGSS arc
- In his revelation of the Plates, Silver calls Normal Type "colorless", which is what Normal Type is referred to in TCG.
- Archer reveals that Arceus was in harmony with humans, but they betrayed it and took its powers, leaving it no choice but to slumber. This is clearly taken from Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
BW arc
- Cilan has his arms behind his back, Cress folds them, and Chili has them in his hips just like in the anime. Hawes' design too is similar to the design from the Black & White anime.
- When the Shadow Triad are discussing about the Dark Stone and Zekrom, said Pokémon is depicted in a pose reminiscent of Ryouga's first transformation from Pokemon Reburst.
- Grimsley plays Card Flip, a minigame that appeared in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
- Elesa's Zebstrika's costume is based on how Blitzle looks in the official illustration◊ for the Pokémon Musical. Not to mention when the musical starts, how the lineup and the costumes of the Pokémon (minus Emolga and Maractus) is based on when the player first enters the Pokémon Musical in-game.
- Brycen's Doctor tells Black that he became injured during a shooting, later getting recommended by Alder to become a Gym Leader. This is based on a section of the April issue◊ of Nintendo Dream magazine in 2011.
- Iris and Black's argumentative yet caring sibling-like dynamic is very similar to Iris and Ash's in the anime, with Iris even specifically teasing Black for his childishness at one point.
- Sacred Sword is performed through a pillar of blade formed on the forehead, almost identical to how it's done in Pokémon: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice. The Swords of Justice being frozen is also taken from the movie, where in general, this whole event in the manga seems to be based on the movie (the legendary musketeers training the inexperienced Keldeo, only to be frozen by an enemy and prompting Keldeo to avenge them).
- Genesect's ability to change forms and fly are based on Pokémon: Genesect and the Legend Awakened. Grimsley also remarks about its speed, where the title of the movie in Japanese is "ExtremeSpeed (神速) Genesect: Mewtwo Awakens".
B2W2 arc
- The entrance to Magician's workshop is blocked by a slot machine originating from the Goldenrod Game Corner.
- Hugh can be found sneezing in his backstory. While sneezing, Hugh shouts "Hi-hi-hi-hiroshun!" which is a reference to how the river character was named "Hihihiroshi" in the April 15, 2014 gameplay of BW2 in a program called Pokémon Smash!.
- Professor Fennel mentions Professor Burnett when discussing about the Dream World.
- White tells Whi-Two to "Live each day to its fullest" (Meippai), which is similar to what Rosa yells in Pokémon Masters.
- Near the end of the Black 2 and White 2 arc, Colress reveals that he has a shiny Genesect, making it a reference to Pokémon: Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
XY arc
- Alex owning a Helioptile must have been inspired by the anime. Not to mention Grace forcing Y to follow in her footsteps, it being a crucial plot point for both versions of the characters.
- Another reference can be found in Y calling Froakie's bubbles Frubbles, just like the anime dex description.
- Like Lanette, Cassius's design is primarily based on the card game.
- The reporter seen with Malva in Korrina's side chapter resembles Junichi Masuda.
- Shauna remarking how squishy the Zygarde cells are would be a nod to how Bonnie named the Zygarde Core she found in the anime. The same can be said for when X and Blue remarks about Mega Mewtwo Y's speed, as Cilan says something similar when seeing it for the first time in the 16th movie.
- Lastly, Bonnie using a Dedenne near the end of the arc must also have been inspired from the anime.
ORAS arc
- Latias and Latios being siblings is another reference to the 5th movie.
- The fact that Zinnia doesn't possess any special abilities while Aster does is another information that comes from Nintendo Dream magazine, this time from the June 2015 issue◊.
SMUSUM arc
- Mina eating a spam musubi◊ and Olivia's dislike of being called old◊ comes from a datebook for USUM.
SWSH arc
- Marvin is introduced to Dynamax through a Pangoro hologram, since that was the Pokémon on the promotional art for Max Raid Battles◊. Plus, the reason why he's given such a spotlight may have to do with how the first protagonist in the Pokémon TCG manga by Ryū Matsushima is named Manabu Kadoo.
- Milo's younger brother and Gordie's younger siblings are shown, all of whom were only seen in concept art.
