>>53766535The anime and the games seem to imply agency despite pokeballs.
"Capturing"a pokemon seems to be entirely a willing process in which the pokemon choses to accept you as their trainer.
In games, pokemon obedience derives from their respect, the stronger a pokemon is, the less they will be willing to follow your commands, therefore chosing to act on their free will. Prove your skill by collecting badges and they will be more inclined to obey you.
In the anime, we've had several instances of pokemon fighting and attacking their trainers. They can also chose to leave their pokeballs at will.
In both content, pokemom are capable of understanding and responding to humans.
Also psychic pokemon.
