Question

Are abilities used in the anime, if so when are they?

Answer 1

Yes, abilities are used in the anime.

>Starting in the Advanced Generation series, Abilities have been shown in the anime. Usually they are only used in battles, but sometimes they have an effect on the plot, such as Ash's Infernape's Blaze.-Bulbepedia

They started with the Advanced gen series.
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D®.F!@me

Answer 2

There are abilities used rarely in the anime,and when they're used then they are basic abilities like Blaze.