Ash's Pikachu (M20)

Kate Bristol\*

**Ash's Pikachu** (Japanese: **サトシのピカチュウ** *Satoshi's Pikachu*) is the first Pokémon that Ash obtained on his journey as a Pokémon Trainer, given to Ash by Professor Oak. He appeared in *I Choose You!*, *The Power of Us*, and *Secrets of the Jungle*, Pokémon movies set in a different continuity from the main series. Despite having largely the same personality as the Pikachu of the main series and starting out his journey with Ash in a similar way, the rest of Pikachu's story developed in quite a different way.

## History

### *I Choose You!*

On his first day as a Pokémon Trainer, Ash learned from Professor Oak that the Kanto starter Pokémon, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, had already been taken by other Trainers from Pallet Town. Professor Oak revealed there was still one Pokémon left to give away. This turned out to be Pikachu, who acted very stubborn and showed no particular interest in Ash. Despite this, Ash chose Pikachu to be his partner, and together, they set out on their journey.

Pikachu initially gave the inexperienced Trainer a hard time, refusing to listen to his commands. It was not until Ash accidentally angered a flock of wild Spearow and Ash protected Pikachu from them that they started to bond. After this, they encountered Ho-Oh and Ash vowed to encounter Ho-Oh again someday with Pikachu. Pikachu would subsequently become a trusted partner for Ash, helping him catch a Caterpie and win Badges. Ash and Pikachu eventually met two other Trainers, named Verity and Sorrel, and found another friend in an abandoned Charmander.

After losing a battle against a Trainer named Cross, Ash started to question himself and his Pokémon and even wished he had started out with a Bulbasaur or Squirtle instead of Pikachu. Luckily, a mysterious Pokémon called Marshadow helped Ash see the error in his new ways by pulling him into a dream where Pikachu was completely absent. Ash apologized to Pikachu and they continued their journey towards the Raizen Mountains to see Ho-Oh again.

Atop the Raizen Mountains at Mount Tensei, Ash's Rainbow Wing became corrupted when Cross appeared and placed it on Rainbow Rock with his evil heart. Marshadow, in turn, became corrupted by the Rainbow Wing and managed to possess a group of nearby Pokémon. Ash used Pikachu to battle against Marshadow, but the Gloomdweller Pokémon proved to be too powerful and it eventually won, but not without exhausting itself in the process. Ash grabbed the injured Pikachu to keep out of harm from Marshadow's army, only for the two to run into a dead end.

When Ash attempted to get Pikachu to return to his Pokéball for safety, he refused. Pikachu, appearing to speak, revealed to Ash that he wished to stay by his side forever. Mirroring the start of their journey, Ash tried to protect Pikachu by standing in the way of the attacks. He eventually managed to recall Pikachu into his Pokéball. Taking the full blast, Ash's body started to disappear, with only his consciousness surviving in a spirit world. Pikachu took hold of Ash's hat and started to cry, with the corrupted Rainbow Wing withering away while launching a massive Thunderbolt around the pinnacle, freeing Marshadow and the other Pokémon he hit from the corrupted wing's control.

Ash could hear Pikachu's cries in the spirit world and ran towards his voice. This caused his body to regenerate in the real world. Noticing this, Pikachu ran towards Ash and reunited with him, fully reviving him. After placing a new Rainbow Wing atop Rainbow Rock with his pure heart, Ho-Oh finally appeared. Ash and Pikachu had a fierce battle with Ho-Oh until the sun set. Sometime after, Ash and Pikachu said their goodbyes to Verity and Sorrel, who continued on their own journeys. Pikachu continued to travel with Ash, aiding him in his dream to become a Pokémon Master.

### *The Power of Us*

Eventually, Pikachu and Ash visited Fula City in order to attend the Wind Festival. Pikachu assisted Ash during the local Pokémon Catch Race, where he helped free a Tyranitar that was caught in some ropes and went on a rampage as a result.

Pikachu was later used by Risa, a beginning Trainer who lacked Pokémon of her own, to battle a wild Eevee, which she was ultimately able to catch.

Pikachu later protected Ash from being hit by Zeraora's Plasma Fists attack and proceeded to battle with the Thunderclap Pokémon, but the battle stopped when Zeraora accidentally launched a Plasma Fists attack at the wild Pokémon and Ash jumped in to save them. He was later used to recharge the sprinkler system, which was later used to extinguish the fire caused by Team Rocket dropping a sample of Effect Spore solution.

### *Secrets of the Jungle*

Pikachu and Ash next traveled to the Forest of Okoya, where they met Koko.

### *Distant Blue Sky!*

Pikachu reappeared in the fifth special episode of *Pokémon Journeys: The Series*.

## Personality and characteristics

Much like the Pikachu of the main series, Pikachu was initially difficult and uninterested in Ash during the start of their journey, but he became extremely loyal to him after he protected him from a flock of Spearow. He also took on Ash's interest and enthusiasm in battling. In addition, the two had a very close bond, to the point where Pikachu issued a massive Thunderbolt in outrage at Ash's death, and then started to cry.

Like the Pikachu from the main series, Pikachu has demonstrated an uncanny ability to imitate other Pokémon, as seen when he imitated a Trainer's Ivysaur.

## Moves used

 A **†** shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.