Pikachu (Pokémon)

Mouse Pokemon

**Pikachu** (Japanese: **ピカチュウ** *Pikachu*) is an Electric-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship and evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.

In Alola, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.

Pikachu has sixteen other forms that fall into four groups: **Cosplay Pikachu**, **Pikachu in a cap**, the **partner Pikachu**, and **Gigantamax Pikachu**. Ordinary Pikachu can Gigantamax into Gigantamax Pikachu if it has the Gigantamax Factor. Additionally, many other Pikachu variants have appeared in various media.

Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner Pikachu, and Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve. The starter Pikachu from Pokémon Yellow will refuse to evolve into Raichu unless it is traded and evolved on another save file.

Pikachu is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise and one of Nintendo's major mascots. It is also the game mascot and starter Pokémon of Pokémon Yellow and Let's Go, Pikachu!, is the starter Pokémon of Pokémon Rumble Blast and Pokémon Rumble World, and has made numerous appearances on the boxes of spin-off titles.

## Biology:

Pikachu is a short, chubby rodent Pokémon. It is covered in yellow fur with two horizontal brown stripes on its back. It has a small mouth, long, pointed ears with black tips, and brown eyes. Each cheek is a red circle that contains a pouch for electricity storage. It has short forearms with five fingers on each paw, and its feet each have three toes. At the base of its lightning bolt-shaped tail is a patch of brown fur. A female will have a V-shaped notch at the end of its tail, which looks like the top of a heart. It is classified as a quadruped, but it has been known to stand and walk on its hind legs.

In the anime, it has been shown that wild Pikachu live in groups in forested areas. Pikachu communicate amongst themselves using squeaks and tail-shaking as friendly gestures. The anime has also shown that Alolan Pikachu are known to greet each other by sniffing one another and rubbing their tails together. Electricity can be used to receive and send messages with each other, as well as other Electric Pokémon species. It raises its tail to check its surroundings and is occasionally struck by lightning in this position. When groups grow, they can inadvertently cause lightning storms. Pikachu forage for Berries, which it roasts with electricity to make them tender enough to eat. A sure sign that Pikachu inhabits a location is patches of burnt grass. In the manga, it has been observed eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment. By occasion, it can get unintentionally swallowed by Cramorant. While startled, it looks for ways to escape from the latter.

Pikachu charges itself while sleeping overnight, though stress and a lack of sleep can affect this. It is able to release electric discharges of varying intensity. In the anime, Pikachu has been known to build up energy in its glands, which it will need to discharge to avoid complications. It is also able to release energy through its tail, which acts as a grounding rod, as well as recharge fellow Pikachu with electric shocks. Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are related to Pachirisu.

Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Volt Tackle. Pikachu is also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Catastropika, and the only known Pokémon capable of using the Light Ball item.

### Forms:

Pikachu has sixteen additional forms that fall into four groups: Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner Pikachu, and Gigantamax Pikachu. Additionally, many other Pikachu variants have appeared in various media.

#### Cosplay Pikachu:

Cosplay Pikachu is always female, has a black heart-shaped spot at the end of its tail, and can be dressed in any of five outfits corresponding to the five Contest conditions.

#### Pikachu in a cap:

Pikachu in a cap is always male and has eight variants, each wearing one of Ash's hats from the anime. Pikachu in a cap is the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. Pikachu in a Cap cannot use Catastropika or Gigantamax.

#### Partner Pikachu:

The partner Pikachu is the Pokémon the player starts with in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!. This Pikachu can be either gender and has access to moves that normal Pikachu do not along with having higher base stats compared to a normal Pikachu. The partner Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moves Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall, and Splishy Splash, as well as the partner power Pika Papow.

#### Gigantamax Pikachu:

As Gigantamax Pikachu, it becomes larger and chubbier. Its tail becomes longer and becomes capable of storing all of the electricity it generates, causing it to glow a bright yellow and enabling it to become as powerful as a lightning strike. Three red clouds float around the tail. Its power is equal to that of a power plant; however, it is difficult to use it in peoples' homes since Pikachu can only remain in its Gigantamax form for a short time. Gigantamax Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max Move G-Max Volt Crash.

### Evolution:

Pikachu evolves from Pichu and evolves into Raichu.

In Alola, it evolves into Alolan Raichu.

Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, Partner Pikachu, and Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.

## In the anime:

### Main series:

#### Major appearances:

##### Ash's Pikachu:

Ash has a Pikachu that he obtained from Professor Oak in *Pokémon - I Choose You!*, the first episode of the Pokémon anime, which also marked its debut. He was the signature Pokémon of the anime series prior to *Pokémon Journeys: The Series* and appeared in almost every non-special episode and every Pokémon movie released up to that point. In *The Climb to Be the Very Best!*, he was revealed to be capable of Gigantamaxing. He always remains outside of his Poké Ball.

##### Pikachutwo:

In *Mewtwo Strikes Back*, Mewtwo cloned Ash's Pikachu. This Pikachu can be distinguished from Ash's due to the spikes in the black marks found on the tips of its ears. It is also comparatively more aggressive than Ash's Pikachu and slurs its speech, defects possibly caused by Ash tampering with Mewtwo's cloning machine during the cloning process. It reappeared in the sequel special *Mewtwo Returns* and the remake movie *Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution*.

##### Puka:

A Pikachu nicknamed Puka was owned by Victor on Seafoam Island in *The Pi-Kahuna*. This blue-eyed Pikachu saved Ash from drowning by having the ability to sense tidal waves approaching.

##### Sparky:

Ritchie has a Pikachu nicknamed Sparky, who debuted in *A Friend In Deed*. Sparky, unlike most Pikachu, has a tuft of fur on the top of its head, and, unlike Ash's Pikachu, has no problem with living inside a Poké Ball.

##### Ashachu:

Ash was turned into a Pikachu in *Hocus Pokémon* by a Pokémon magician named Lily. He reverted to his human form at the beginning of the next episode.

##### Cosplay Pikachu:

All of the Cosplay Pikachu appeared in *Lights! Camera! Pika!*, under the ownership of Frank. They reappeared in *Hoopa and the Clash of Ages*, where they were all summoned by Hoopa as part of a prank on Ash and his Pikachu.

##### Ash's Pikachu (M20):

The Ash Ketchum of the alternate continuity introduced in *I Choose You!* has a Pikachu of his own. Like the Pikachu of the main series, this Pikachu was his first Pokémon and his main partner, almost always remaining outside of his Poké Ball.

##### Goh's Pikachu:

Goh caught a Pikachu in *Gotta Catch a* What?!. She, along with a few others of her kind, later evolved into Raichu during the episode.

##### Captain Pikachu:

In HZ002, a Pikachu nicknamed Captain Pikachu appeared under the ownership of Friede.

##### Other:

In *Pikachu's Goodbye*, many wild Pikachu appear and Ash's Pikachu wants to play with them. Eventually, Ash tries to release him thinking it'd be best for Pikachu to be with his own kind, but he refused to leave Ash's side.

In *The Ultimate Test*, James used a Pikachu in the Pokémon League Admissions Exam, but it was defeated by the instructor's Graveler. After interfering with a battle Ash was having with the instructor, James later tried to steal this Pikachu, only for it to zap James instead, as instructed by its instructor.

In *Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!*, a Pikachu was kidnapped by a Skarmory. As a result, Team Go-Getters set out to rescue him as their first mission. Pikachu provided them with some items in the battle.

In BWS01, Ayumi's female Pikachu was trained on how to properly use Thunderbolt with the help of Cilan and Stunfisk.

A Mirror World Pikachu appeared in *The Cave of Mirrors!*, under the ownership of Mirror Ash. Unlike his regular world counterpart, Mirror Pikachu is a mischievous roughneck.

In *Lights! Camera! Pika!*, Frank has multiple Pikachu that would participate in his filmmaking endeavors.

In *Hoopa and the Clash of Ages*, multiple Pikachu were summoned by Hoopa as part of a prank on Ash and his Pikachu, though the prank failed. They were then returned to their original locations with the help of Ash's Pikachu, who coordinated them into Hoopa's portals.

In *Battling at Full Volume!*, Jimmy's Pikachu, nicknamed Spike, was used in a battle against Ash's Pikachu. Since Ash was ill, Serena took his place, unbeknownst to Jimmy and Spike. However, the match was interrupted by Team Rocket, who captured Spike, but Spike was promptly saved.

In *A Plethora of Pikachu!*, Pikala has multiple Pikachu. One of them was nicknamed Curly, while another that is Shiny was nicknamed the Boss. The Boss reappeared in a flashback in *Beauty is Only Crystal Deep!*. In *Battle Royal 151!*, another one of Pikala's Pikachu, nicknamed Bolt, competed in the Battle Royal round of the Manalo Conference. It defeated a Magikarp and Pyukumuku, but ended up losing to Jessie's Mimikyu.

Multiple Pikachu appeared in *Gotta Catch a* What?!. Several of them evolved into Raichu using the Thunder Stones they dug up.

A Pikachu owned by Alternate World Ash appeared in *Showdown at the Gates of Warp!*.

#### Minor appearances:

In *Pokémon Emergency!*, Nurse Joy has multiple Pikachu, all of whom helped Ash's own Pikachu defeat Team Rocket and send them blasting off for the first time. They reappeared in a flashback in *Pikachu's Goodbye*.

Multiple Pikachu appeared in *Battle Aboard the St. Anne*.

In a flashback in *Pokémon Double Trouble*, Travis's mother Luana temporarily mistook Ash for Travis when she saw Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, since Travis has a Pikachu of his own.

A Pikachu appeared in Brock's demonstration in *A Bite to Remember*, where it evolved into a Raichu.

In *Lights, Camerupt, Action!*, a Pikachu appeared in two of Elijah's movies. Red's Pikachu was featured in a film that Ash and Gary were watching when they were younger. In a different movie that Ash and his friends were watching at the time the episode was taking place, another Pikachu helped Plusle and Minun on their mission to rescue Princess Kirlia from the evil Exploud.

In *Lucario and the Mystery of Mew*, a Pikachu was one of Mew's transformations.

In *Cooking up a Sweet Story!*, Abigail's Pikachu, nicknamed Sugar, went missing prior to the events of the episode. As a result, Ash's Pikachu had to fill in for it so that its owner would have the confidence to win a cooking competition. At the end of the episode, Sugar returned, whereupon it was revealed to have evolved into a Raichu.

A Pikachu appeared in flashbacks in *The Keystone Pops!*, under the ownership of an Aura Guardian.

Volkner's Raichu was seen as a Pikachu during flashbacks of his childhood in *Flint Sparks the Fire!*.

A Pikachu appeared in Clemont's demonstration in *To Catch a Pokémon Smuggler!*, where it evolved into a Raichu using a Thunder Stone.

A Pikachu appeared in *Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction*, under the ownership of Uschi.

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in *Now You See Them, Now You Don't!*.

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in *Showering the World with Love!*.

In *Securing the Future!*, a Trainer's Pikachu joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.

In *Battle Royal 151!*, a Trainer's Pikachu competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference but ended up losing.

Multiple Pikachu appeared in *Distant Blue Sky!*.