Pikachu

**Pikachu** is a yellow mouse Pokémon from the fictional Pokémon world that was created by Satoshi Tajiri. Pikachu is the mascot of the Pokémon franchise, and one of the main characters of the Pokémon anime series. It has also appeared in most Pokémon video games and merchandise. In the video game _Pokémon Yellow_, it is the player's starter Pokémon. In the anime series, Pikachu is Ash's first Pokémon.

Pikachu is an electric-type Pokémon, which attacks using electricity from two red pouches on its cheeks.

Pikachu evolves from a baby Pokémon called Pichu if it loves its trainer. Pikachu can evolve into Raichu, which is darker orange than Pikachu, if a Pikachu evolves in Alola the Raichu it evolves into has the ability to fly and use its tail kind of like a hoverboard.

## Design

Pikachu is a yellow mouse Pokémon. It has long ears with black tips. It has red cheeks that store electricity. It has brown stripes on its back. Pikachu has a lightning bolt-shaped tail, while female Pikachus have a heart-shape at the end of their tails.

Pikachu is 40 centimeters (1 foot, 4 inches) tall and it weighs 6 kilograms (14 pounds).

The name "Pikachu" comes from the Japanese words "pikapika" (the sound of electricity) and "chuchu" (the sound that a mouse makes).

## Appearances

In the _Pokémon_ anime, the trainer Ash Ketchum's first Pokémon is a Pikachu. At first, it does not like him, but then he saves it from a group of Spearow and their friendship grows slowly from there.

Pikachu has also appeared in the _Super Smash Bros._ series. He has appeared in _Super Smash Bros._, _Super Smash Bros. Melee_, _Super Smash Bros. Brawl_, _Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U_, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a very fast and light playable character. In the game Pokémon Go, Pikachu can be found wearing a Santa hat at Christmas.

Ryan Reynolds voiced Pikachu in the 2019 movie _Pokémon: Detective Pikachu_.

## Pichu

Pichu is the pre-evolved form of Pikachu. It is a small yellow electric mouse, but is not as powerful as Pikachu. It evolves to Pikachu when it is very happy, such as loving its trainer. There are special forms of Pichu: a notched-ear Pichu, and a Pikachu-colored Pichu as event Pokémon in the _Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver_ games. Pichu has appeared as an unlockable character in _Super Smash Bros. Melee_ and _Super Smash Bros. Ultimate_ where it has a cloned moveset to Pikachu's but takes damage when it uses electric attacks. Pichu features in the intro of the third Pokémon movie.

## Raichu

Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu and has orange fur, unlike Pikachu's yellow fur. In order for a Pikachu to evolve into a Raichu, it must use a Thunderstone. It can hold much more electricity in its cheeks. In Alola, it can evolve into Alolan Raichu by using a Thunderstone in Alola. It is a Psychic/Electric type. In the Pokémon anime, in Kanto, Gym Leader Lt. Surge's Raichu has a battle with Ash's Pikachu. At first, Raichu wins, but Pikachu beats it in a rematch.

## Infobox (vg character)

- **name**: Pikachu
- **image**:
- **caption**: Cosplay of Pikachu
- **series**: Pokémon (video game series), _Pokémon_ series
- **firstgame**: Pokémon Red and Blue, _Pokémon Red_ and _Blue_ (1996)
- **artist**: Ken Sugimori
- **voiceactor**: Ikue Ōtani
Rachael Lillis <small>(some _List of Pokémon: Indigo League episodes, Indigo League_ episodes)</small>
Chika Sakamoto <small>(Puka; episode 67)</small>
Satomi Kōrogi <small>(Sparky; episode 78)</small>
Craig Blair <small>(Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, PMD special)</small>
Ryan Reynolds <small>(Detective Pikachu)</small>
- **japanactor**: Ikue Ōtani
Chika Sakamoto
Satomi Kōrogi
Tomoe Hanba <small>(Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, PMD special)</small>
- **liveactor**: Jennifer Risser (Pokémon Live!)