Pikachu (Pokémon)

This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Pikachu.

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

In the main series, it evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship and evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.

In Alola, Pikachu will evolve into Alolan Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. In Generation AN-I, its Evolution methods were changed: it now Evolves into Raichu when leveled up to Level 30, which then Evolves into Naruchu when a Thunder Stone is used on it, while it now Evolves into Alolan Raichu when a Big Malasada is used on it.

Pikachu has a Gigantamax form. Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.

In Pokémon Yellow, the starter Pikachu will refuse to evolve into Raichu unless it is traded and evolved on another save file. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, the player's starter Pikachu also will not evolve, but cannot be traded to become a Raichu.

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!. It has made numerous appearances on the boxes of spin-off titles.

Pikachu is also the starter Pokémon in Pokémon Rumble Blast and Pokémon Rumble World.

## Biology

 File:Pikachu gender difference anime.png
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.

The anime has shown that wild Pikachu live in groups in forested areas. Pikachu communicate amongst themselves using squeaks and tail-shaking as friendly gestures. In the anime, 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. 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. 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 recharging fellow Pikachu with electric shocks. Pikachu can also electrify itself to use its signature move Volt Tackle.

Pikachu has three alternate forms: one, the Cosplay Pikachu appeared exclusively in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. It 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. The second form is Pikachu in a cap, which debuted as an event-exclusive Pokémon in Generation VII. It is always male and has eight variants, each wearing one of Template:Ash's hats from the anime. In addition to these two forms, many other Pikachu variants have appeared in various media. The last, Partner Pikachu is the Pokémon the player starts with in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!. This Pikachu can be either gender, has higher base stats, and has access to moves that normal Pikachu do not.

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 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.

Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Catastropika, while Pikachu in a cap has its own exclusive Z-Move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. Partner Pikachu is the only Pokémon capable of using Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall, Splishy Splash, and the Partner Power, Pika Papow. Pikachu is the only Pokémon capable of using the Light Ball item. Gigantamax Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max Move G-Max Volt Crash.

HOME845Go.pngIn the mouth of Cramorant

## Game data

### As the player

Main article: Pikachu (PokéPark)
Pikachu appears as the player character in both PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure and its sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond. He falls down a mysterious tunnel one day with his friends Charmander, Chikorita, and Piplup and ends up in the PokéPark. There he goes on a quest to save the PokéPark from certain destruction. He later travels to a new PokéPark which is being threatened by the ever-expanding Wish Park. At the new PokéPark he meets Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, and they help to save the PokéPark from danger.

### NPC appearances

* Template:Eng: Pikachu stars in the mini-game "Thundering Dynamo" alongside Voltorb. This mini-game involves charging up electric power.
* Hey You, Pikachu!: Pikachu stars alongside an unnamed child (who bears a striking resemblance to Red) who was recently taught how to interact with wild Pokémon by Professor Oak. The boy and Pikachu form a bond and go on many adventures together, and one day the Pikachu decides to live with the boy.
* Pokémon Stadium 2: Pikachu can be used in "Pichu's Power Plant" if one is detected in a Transferred Pokémon game.
* Pokémon Pinball: Pikachu serves as a Ball-Saver, but it will only work if the Lightning Meter is full.
* Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Pikachu has the same role as in Pokémon Pinball but is sometimes helped by Pichu. Pikachu also appears on the Catch 'Em Mode banner.
* Pokémon Channel: Much like Hey You, Pikachu!, Pokémon Channel focuses on a boy and a Pikachu bonding through social interactions, such as going outside and talking to other Pokémon, and watching TV together.

### Stats

#### Base stats

##### Generation I-V

* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
* This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was **50**.

##### Generation VI onward

* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

##### Partner Pikachu

* Maximum stats are calculated with 200 AVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) maximum friendship and a helpful nature.

### Learnset

Pikachu is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

#### By tutoring

 * **Bold** indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pikachu
* *Italic* indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pikachu
* Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

#### By a prior evolution

 * **Bold** indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Pikachu
* *Italic* indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pikachu
* Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

### Evolution

#### Pikachu (main series)

←Breed

 Thunder Stone(In Alola)→

#### Pikachu (Generation AN-I to AN-V)

←Breed

 Big Malasada→

## Trivia

 File:Niue Dollar Pikachu.jpg
 File:Stadium025.png
* Pikachu was designed by Atsuko Nishida, a core designer at Game Freak.
* The nation of Niue released a one-dollar coin with its coat of arms on one side and Pikachu on the other to promote the Pokémon franchise.
* Pikachu and its evolved form both share their category name with Sandshrew, Sandslash, Rattata, and Raticate. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called the Rat Pokémon.
	+ They all have at least one family member with a regional form in Alola.
* Pikachu is the only core series starter Pokémon with a pre-evolved form, though Pokémon Yellow predates Pichu and Pichu is unobtainable in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
* According to *A Sneak Peek at Pokémon*, Pikachu can deliver a constant current of 1000 amperes.
* Pikachu has the most event-exclusive moves available to it.
	+ Additionally, Pikachu is the only Pokemon with two exclusive Z-moves.
* In the Japanese Template:Jap, Pikachu is the only usable Pokémon that is not fully evolved.
* In Pokémon Yellow and from Generation VI onward, Pikachu uses its cry from the anime (voiced by Ikue Ohtani). Before Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, it was the only Pokémon to do so in core series games.
	+ Its battle cry differs from status or Pokédex screens.
	+ The starter Pikachu in Yellow has unique voice clips in Template:Eng and Stadium 2.
* Pikachu is the only core series starter Pokémon that does not have a 7:1 gender ratio.
* Template:4v are the only core series games in which Pikachu cannot be obtained without transporting or an event.
* Pikachu was the focus of a Pokémon Center collection in June 2014.
* Pikachu is the only not fully evolved Pokémon whose base stats increased in Generation VI, and also the only to receive more than one: Defense and Special Defense.
* Pikachu is the only Pokémon that can be caught in all three pinball titles: Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Pinball mini, and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire.
* Pikachu is number 025 in both the National Pokédex and Alola Pokédex in Sun and Moon.
* Pikachu originally had a second-stage evolution named "Gorochu", which would have had two horns and fangs. Sugimori stated that while there was nothing wrong with its appearance, it was nonetheless omitted, as the staff found that the game balance was better without it.
* Pikachu's Gigantamax form is most likely a reference to its earlier, more rotund design from Generations I and II.

### Origin

Pikachu is based on a mouse after its name. Its cheek pouches were also inspired by squirrels, which store food in their cheeks. The stripes on its back and its lightning bolt-shaped tail were given for aesthetic reasons.

Pikachu's designer, Atsuko Nishida, revealed in an interview that it was originally a daifuku-like creature with ears. Its black ear tips are remnants from this original concept.

#### Name origin

Pikachu is a combination of ピカピカ *pikapika* (onomatopoeia for sparkle) and チューチュー *chūchū* (the sound of a mouse squeaking). It may also be derived from "peekaboo", or the animal *pika*, a relative of the rabbit with similar proportions.

## Related articles

* Pikachu in a cap
* Cosplay Pikachu
* Partner Pokémon (game)
* Starter Pokémon
* Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)
* Pikachu variants
* List of Pokémon with form differences
* Gigantamax

## References

1. ↑ https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/pokemon-galar-region/gigantamax-pikachu/
2. ↑ Natsume: THE TALENT BEHIND HOMETOWN STORY
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Siliconera - Pikachu Originally Had A Second Evolution Called ‘Gorochu’ With Large Fangs And Two Horns
4. ↑ TIME - The Ultimate Game Freak

## External links

* Article on Wikipedia

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