diff --git a/src/data/battler-tags.ts b/src/data/battler-tags.ts
index 5c6d9d66b7c..28ab5ff2a4f 100644
--- a/src/data/battler-tags.ts
+++ b/src/data/battler-tags.ts
@@ -2158,6 +2158,11 @@ export class CommandedTag extends BattlerTag {
       pokemon.scene.triggerPokemonBattleAnim(pokemon, PokemonAnimType.COMMANDER_REMOVE);
     }
   }
+
+  override loadTag(source: BattlerTag | any): void {
+    super.loadTag(source);
+    this._tatsugiriFormKey = source._tatsugiriFormKey;
+  }
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/phases/pokemon-anim-phase.ts b/src/phases/pokemon-anim-phase.ts
index ad0be34af7d..eb5431cbc56 100644
--- a/src/phases/pokemon-anim-phase.ts
+++ b/src/phases/pokemon-anim-phase.ts
@@ -312,6 +312,10 @@ export class PokemonAnimPhase extends BattlePhase {
     // Note: unlike the other Commander animation, this is played through the
     // Dondozo instead of the Tatsugiri.
     const tatsugiri = this.pokemon.getAlly();
+    if (isNullOrUndefined(tatsugiri)) {
+      console.warn("Aborting COMMANDER_REMOVE anim: Tatsugiri is undefined");
+      return this.end();
+    }
 
     const tatsuSprite = this.scene.addPokemonSprite(
       tatsugiri,