{{FAC notice}}
{{AnimePokémonInfobox|
trainername=Ash|
pokemonname=Pikachu|
jtrainername=サトシ|
jpokemonname=ピカチュウ|
tmtrainername=Satoshi|
tmpokemonname=Pikachu|
image=[[Image:Satoshitopikachu.jpg|220px]] |
caption=Ash and Pikachu. |
location=[[Pallet Town]] |
prevonum=025|
epnum=EP001|
epname=Pokémon - I Choose You! |
current=[[Party|With Ash]]|
java1=[[Ikue Ohtani]]|
}}
'''Ash's Pikachu''' (Japanese: '''サトシのピカチュウ''' ''Satoshi's Pikachu'') was the [[starter Pokémon|first Pokémon]] obtained by {{Ash}} on his journey as a {{g|Trainer}}. Its universal voice actress is 大谷育江 ''[[Ikue Ohtani]]''. However, in some episodes during the first season of the English dub, [[Rachael Lillis]] provided its voice when the original Japanese track couldn't be saved.

==In the anime==
===History===
[[image:PikachuDP.png|thumb|left|Ash's Pikachu]]
In the first episode of the {{g|anime}}, ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', Ash woke up late the day he was supposed to go to [[Professor Oak]]'s laboratory to obtain his first Pokémon. When he arrived at the lab, the three available starter Pokémon, {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, and {{p|Squirtle}} had already been taken by other trainers who arrived earlier. Seeing that Ash was disappointed, Professor Oak gave him Pikachu, which did not take a liking to its new trainer. It refused to go into a [[Poké Ball]], and when Ash failed to catch a wild Pokémon, it laughed at him. However, by the end of the episode, Ash gained Pikachu's trust by protecting it from an attack by a flock of {{p|Spearow}} and rushing it to the {{g|Center}}. Pikachu and Ash soon became inseparable. In ''[[EP039|Pikachu's Goodbye]]'', Ash gave Pikachu his consent to remain in a forest filled with Pikachu, but Pikachu returned to Ash's side.
 
[[Image:Ashs 1st pokeball.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Pikachu's [[Poké Ball]], which has a special lightning bolt mark. Ash carries it around but hasn't used it since the very first episode]]
In general, Pikachu as a species are not particularly powerful, but Ash's Pikachu is an anomaly, overcoming odds in battle numerous times. In ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]'', it defeated [[Brock's Onix]] with an {{type2|Electric}} attack when Onix was drenched in water, despite Onix being naturally resistant to electricity. In ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]'', Pikachu fought [[Lt. Surge]]'s {{TP|Lt. Surge|Raichu}} and lost. During a resulting hospital stay, it refused to become Raichu's equal by evolving via a {{evostone|Thunderstone}}, and in the second battle, Pikachu overcame Raichu by using its superior speed. In ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', {{MTR}} remarked that Pikachu's power "far exceeds its evolutionary level." Ash's Pikachu has also defeated very high level Pokémon that Ash's other Pokémon were unable to, such as {{p|Dragonite}} and {{p|Metagross}}. It has helped Ash win innumerable battles and [[Gym]] and {{pkmn|League}} matches.
Pikachu is extremely loyal to Ash, and while it is not always immediately trusting of strangers, it is generally friendly to humans and Pokémon alike. It acted as a guardian and big sibling to [[Misty's Togepi]], and has been seen mediating and even breaking up fights among other Pokémon, such as in ''[[Pikachu's Vacation]]''. In ''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', Pikachu, {{MTR}}, and Meowth's clone were the only Pokémon not to participate in the giant battle; Pikachu stood motionless as its clone repeatedly slapped its face.

However, even Pikachu has had exceptions to this rule. During the Hoenn Saga, Pikachu developed amnesia at one point and sided with [[Team Rocket]] for a while. Later within the same series, Pikachu was possessed by the Red Orb and controlled by Groudon, nearly causing a disaster. On several occasions, Pikachu has developed an "electric flu" causing it to become overcharged, and extremely powerful. During these instances, Pikachu will sometimes attack its friends and Ash. In all of these cases, Pikachu did not intentionally mean harm upon anyone and Pikachu is always extremely sorry for what happened.

Since Ash's first encounter with [[Team Rocket]] in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', Pikachu has been pursued by the trio of [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}}. Throughout the series, it has been Jessie, James and Meowth's desire to steal this Pokémon from Ash and present it to [[Giovanni|their boss]]. To do this, they have come up with many schemes. Though they try, try, and try some more, every last one of their plots fail, usually with the help of Ash, his friends, other Trainers, an [[Officer Jenny]], or even themselves (such as in the [[DP001|first episode]] of the [[Diamond & Pearl series]]).

As shown in a handful of episodes, the first being ''[[EP042|Showdown at Dark City]]'', Pikachu has a special fondness for ketchup, but it will eat and enjoy almost any other human or Pokémon food. A running joke in the anime also seems to be the destruction of a female character's [[bike]] with one of Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt}}s at the beginning of each series, which then causes her to {{ashfr|follow Ash}} for the remainder of the series. This has happened to [[Misty]], {{an|May}}, and {{an|Dawn}} so far.

Pikachu is the primary mascot of the Pokémon franchise, mostly due to Ash's ownership of it. It appears on nearly all merchandise and promotional material for the series, and became, due to the anime, the [[version mascot]] of and only [[starter Pokémon]] in {{game|Yellow}}.

Pikachu became the second non-legendary to defeat a [[legendary Pokémon]] in the anime after {{AP|Charizard}}, beating [[Pyramid King Brandon|Brandon's]] {{p|Regice}} in ''[[AG189|Pace - The Final Frontier]]'', giving Ash his final Frontier Symbol.

Pikachu was also the only Pokémon to come with Ash to [[Hoenn]], and just the same one of only two Pokémon to join Ash on his journey to [[Sinnoh]]. It is worth noting that Ash tried to bring only Pikachu again but {{AP|Aipom}} snuck on board the ship. Up until the capture of [[Dawn's Pachirisu]], Pikachu was the only {{type2|Electric}} Pokémon in the anime owned by a main character.

In Hoenn, Pikachu learned how to surf. It also learned how to box from Ash in ''[[EP029|The Punchy Pokémon]]''.

In Sinnoh, it defeated Roark's Onix in the [[Oreburgh Gym]] rematch.

Pikachu battled again the [[Pastoria City Gym]] battle, where it battled Crasher Wake's Gyarados and defeated it with a {{m|Volt Tackle}} to the face. It also battled [[Crasher Wake's Floatzel]] for a moment, allowing [[Ash's Buizel]] a moment to recover.

===Moves used===
[[Image:May'sEgg-cellentAdventure.jpg|thumb||right|175px|Pikachu using Volt Tackle]]
*{{m|ThunderShock}}
*{{m|Tackle}}
*''{{m|Thunderbolt}}''
*{{m|Thunder}}
*''{{m|Quick Attack}}''
*{{m|Agility}}
*{{m|Leer}} (used only once while battling {{p|Houndour}} in ''[[EP150|Hour of the Houndour]]'')
*''{{m|Iron Tail}}''
*''{{m|Volt Tackle}}''

Moves that have been used most recently are italicized.

====Moves improvised====
An attack where Pikachu stored electricity in its tail similar to {{m|Tail Whip}} (although Tail Whip doesn't do any damage) was used to defeat [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]] in ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]''

Thunder Armor was a one-time technique in the episode ''[[AG100|Solid as a Solrock]]'', Pikachu is seen using Thunder on itself while riding Ash's Swellow. This increased their attack power greatly, and they easily overpowered their opponents.

Volt Tail was used in ''[[DP074|Pika and Goliath!]]'' against [[Sho]]'s {{p|Raichu}}. Merely a combination of {{m|Volt Tackle}} and {{m|Iron Tail}} .
 

==In the games==
Pikachu was one of {{Ash}}'s three Pokémon in {{g|Puzzle League}}. {{ga|Red's Pikachu}} in {{game|Yellow}} and the [[Generation II]] games also seems to be based off of it.

==In the manga==
Pikachu has appeared in two mangas based on the anime, namely ''[[Ash & Pikachu]]'' and ''[[Electric Tale of Pikachu]]''. In both, it was Ash's [[starter Pokémon]], much like the [[EP001|first anime episode]], though in ''Electric Tale'', it was found in Ash's house, not given to him by Oak.

==Trivia==
[[Image:Ash'sHatAG.jpg|right|thumb|Ash and Pikachu.]]
*Ash's Pikachu is also the subject of many 'gamebreaking' abilities that normally do not fit in the general stasis of the games. This includes Pikachu's ability to sometimes hurt ground types with Electric moves (sparking the meme "Aim for the Horn!"), and using moves that do not exist, or moves in a way that do not work in the games, such as the infamous "Thunder Armor".
*Pikachu took a liking towards [[Misty]] in the beginning of the series. In ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]'' Misty was able to hold and pet Pikachu, something that Ash had not been capable of just [[EP001|two episodes earlier.]] Also, it refused to battle for Ash against her in Ash's Gym battle against Misty in ''[[EP007|The Waterflowers of Cerulean City.]]'' It retained this liking towards Misty throughout the series, such as when it was very happy to see her again after [[AG044|a while]] in ''[[AG132|The Scheme Team.]]''
*Pikachu is Ash's only {{type2|Electric}} Pokémon and was the only Electric-type owned by a main character in the anime until the capture of [[Dawn's Pachirisu]].
*For ''[[DP013|A Staravia is Born]]'', [[Professor Oak's lecture]] is about Ash's Pikachu. He writes this {{g|senryū}} about it: パートナー　サトシとピカチュウ　いいかんじ ''Partners Satoshi and Pikachu: a pleasant feeling''.
*Out of all five regions that Ash visited, [[Kanto]] and [[Hoenn]] are the only ones that Ash started out with just Pikachu. He did try to go to [[Sinnoh]] with Pikachu alone but Aipom followed him. At the beginning of each, Pikachu was also, in some way, injured, and ended up destroying the [[bike]] of a girl who would later travel with Ash.
*Throughout the series the yellowish color of Pikachu has become lighter and Pikachu's body has become more slender.
*Pikachu has never been seen defeating any of {{Gary}}'s Pokémon.
*Pikachu was the first of Ash's Pokémon to disobey him. Other Pokémon that would do so, and be better remembered for their disobedience than Pikachu, are {{AP|Primeape}} and {{AP|Charizard}}.
*Although Pikachu has battled all the members of the {{p|Electabuzz}} evolutionary family at one time or another, ([[Rudy]]'s Electabuzz, [[Gary's Electivire]] and [[Paul's Elekid]]) it has not won even once. However Pikachu has defeated an Electabuzz ([[Dr. Namba]]'s) with the help of [[Sparky]]. On every other occasion, Pikachu fought one-on-one and lost.
*Ash's act of keeping Pikachu outside its Poké Ball on a permanent basis has been mimicked by several other characters in the anime. [[Ritchie]], when he first meets Ash, keeps [[Sparky]] inside of its ball, but later is shown to carry it on his shoulder much like Ash does. Dawn, likewise, does the same with her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}. Unlike Ash's Pikachu, however, neither Sparky nor Piplup is shown to have complained about being in the ball.
*Ash's Pikachu has only been seen returned to a Poké Ball once, during ''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''. It has only come from a Poké Ball twice, the first time being when it was given to Ash by [[Professor Oak]] in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', and the second after being cloned in the first movie. {{an|Dawn}} once attempted to capture Pikachu, however, due to it being owned by Ash (and therefore already "marked" by a Poké Ball), she failed.
*Pikachu is the only one of Ash's Pokémon that needs a [[Evolutionary stone|stone]] to evolve, and, with the exception of his Snorunt, which he evolved into {{p|Glalie}}, the only one he has ever had.

===Pikachu's language===
[[Image:Pikachu the Boxer.jpg|thumb|Boxing Pikachu]]Some of Pikachu's speech is consistent enough that it seems that some phrases actually mean something. For instance, Pikachu always uses "Pikapi" when referring to Ash (notice that it sounds somewhat similar to "Satoshi"). Other speech includes:
*PikaPikachu: ''My name is Pikachu''. When Ash and his friends are introducing themselves to the [[characters of the day]], it says this.
*Pi-Kachu: It says this during the sponsor spots in the original Japanese.
*Pikachu-Pi: ''[[Misty|Kasumi-chan]]'' (Misty)
*Pika-Chu: ''[[Brock|Takeshi]]'' (Brock)
*PiPiPi: ''{{TP|Misty|Togepi}}'' (Togepi)
*PikakaPika: ''[[Ash's Bulbasaur|Fushigidane]]'' (Bulbasaur)
*PikaPika: ''[[Ash's Squirtle|Zenigame]]'' (Squirtle) or ''[[Ash's Staravia|Mukubird]]'' (Staravia)
*PiPikachu: ''[[Team Rocket|Rocket-dan]]'' (Team Rocket). It also says this after Ash wins a badge, catches a new Pokémon or anything similar.
*Pi-ka: Used for multiple things such as "eiga" (movie) as seen during trailers for each upcoming {{g|movie}}.
*Specific names for {{Tracey}}, {{an|May}}, [[Max]], and {{an|Dawn}} have not been heard.
*Chuuu-Pika: ''{{m|Iron Tail}}''. It says this when using {{m|Iron Tail}}.
*Pika-Chuuuuuuuu: ''{{m|Thunderbolt}}''. It says this when using {{m|Thunderbolt}}.
*PikaPikaPika...Pi-ka: ''{{m|Volt Tackle}}''. It says this when using {{m|Volt Tackle}}
*ChuChuChu...: ''{{m|Quick Attack}}''. It may also say this when using {{m|Agility}}.
*PiPiPiPiPi...: ''{{m|Quick Attack}}''. It may also say this when using {{m|Agility}}.
**Pikachu will occasionally use pantomime to specify what it is talking about. In particular, it has a face to represent {{AP|Turtwig}}. Pikachu can also mime many other Pokémon which it demonstrated during [[DP033|a cosplay competition]].

===Gender debate===
Pikachu is the most seen Pokémon in the anime and fans have often wondered what gender Pikachu is. While this debate has existed since [[Generation II|gender was introduced]], it recently flared up due to [[gender differences]] being [[Generation IV|introduced in recent games]]. For the sake of neutrality, this article will assume Pikachu's gender is unknown until explicitly stated.

*Because there is no indent on Pikachu's tail, many cite this as proof that it is indeed male. Others disagree, noting Pikachu is from [[Kanto]] (which has not yet been shown to have Pikachu with indented tails in the games besides transfering a FR/LG Pikachu into Pal Park), and was introduced during the time of the [[Generation I]] games, before gender itself was even known for any Pokémon.
** Some also cite a crush that [[Dawn's Buneary]], who is female, has on Pikachu as proof.
** Also, Ash has, on several occasions, referred to his Pikachu as his "buddy".
**In the song ''[[Pikachu (I Choose You)]]'', Pikachu is referred to as Ash's brother.
**In ''[[DP061|Team Shocker!]]'', {{TP|Dawn|Pachirisu}}, {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} and {{TP|Dawn|Buneary}} are cheering for Dawn in cheerleader outfit, while Pikachu is wearing a male kimono. This may suggest Pachirisu, Piplup and Buneary are female, while Pikachu is male.
**In ''[[DP062|Tanks for the Memories!]]'', it, {{AP|Turtwig}}, and {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} also look embarrassed being in maid outfits, much like Ash himself is, which may indicate that Pikachu, Turtwig, and Piplup are male.
**In the episode [[EP052|Princess versus Princess]] Pikachu is carrying the packages with Ash and Brock due to the Princessfestival rules, it may symbolize that he is a male too.
* There is also some evidence supporting the theory that Pikachu might be female.
** Gender differences don't seem to apply consistently to Pokémon caught outside [[Sinnoh]].
** Misty has on at least one occasion pictured Pikachu in dresses.
** Pikachu has been shown to have a fondness for some feminine items like perfume as seen in ''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation!]]''.
** [[Dawn's Buneary]] relation with Pikachu is one sided meaning the Buneary might not know Pikachu's gender.
** [[Ash's Bayleef]]'s extreme rivalry with Pikachu for Ash might point to Pikachu being female too.

Despite there appearing more evidence that Pikachu is male, there isn't enough to definitively state whether it is male or female.

==Related articles==
{{Animespecies|Pikachu}}
* [[:Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu|Episodes focusing on Pikachu]]

==External links==
*[http://pokeani.com/poke/r_p-pikachu.html Pikachu's Profile] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)

{{Ash's Pokémon}}
{{Animecharacters}}
[[Category:Ash's Pokémon|Pikachu]]
[[Category:Anime starter Pokémon|Pikachu, Ash's]]

[[de:Ashs Pikachu]]
[[fr:Pikachu de Sacha]]
[[ja:サトシのピカチュウ]]
[[pt:Pikachu de Ash]]

Ash's Pikachu

2008-10-15T15:10:58Z

Trancebuddha:

{{FAC notice}}
{{AnimePokémonInfobox|
trainername=Ash|
pokemonname=Pikachu|
jtrainername=サトシ|
jpokemonname=ピカチュウ|
tmtrainername=Satoshi|
tmpokemonname=Pikachu|
image=[[Image:Satoshitopikachu.jpg|220px]] |
caption=Ash and Pikachu. |
location=[[Pallet Town]] |
prevonum=025|
epnum=EP001|
epname=Pokémon - I Choose You! |
current=[[Party|With Ash]]|
java1=[[Ikue Ohtani]]|
}}
'''Ash's Pikachu''' (Japanese: '''サトシのピカチュウ''' ''Satoshi's Pikachu'') was the [[starter Pokémon|first Pokémon]] obtained by {{Ash}} on his journey as a {{g|Trainer}}. Its universal voice actress is 大谷育江 ''[[Ikue Ohtani]]''. However, in some episodes during the first season of the English dub, [[Rachael Lillis]] provided its voice when the original Japanese track couldn't be saved.

==In the anime==
===History===
[[image:PikachuDP.png|thumb|left|Ash's Pikachu]]
In the first episode of the {{g|anime}}, ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', Ash woke up late the day he was supposed to go to [[Professor Oak]]'s laboratory to obtain his first Pokémon. When he arrived at the lab, the three available starter Pokémon, {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, and {{p|Squirtle}} had already been taken by other trainers who arrived earlier. Seeing that Ash was disappointed, Professor Oak gave him Pikachu, which did not take a liking to its new trainer. It refused to go into a [[Poké Ball]], and when Ash failed to catch a wild Pokémon, it laughed at him. However, by the end of the episode, Ash gained Pikachu's trust by protecting it from an attack by a flock of {{p|Spearow}} and rushing it to the {{g|Center}}. Pikachu and Ash soon became inseparable. In ''[[EP039|Pikachu's Goodbye]]'', Ash gave Pikachu his consent to remain in a forest filled with Pikachu, but Pikachu returned to Ash's side.
 
[[Image:Ashs 1st pokeball.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Pikachu's [[Poké Ball]], which has a special lightning bolt mark. Ash carries it around but hasn't used it since the very first episode]]
In general, Pikachu as a species are not particularly powerful, but Ash's Pikachu is an anomaly, overcoming odds in battle numerous times. In ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]'', it defeated [[Brock's Onix]] with an {{type2|Electric}} attack when Onix was drenched in water, despite Onix being naturally resistant to electricity. In ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]'', Pikachu fought [[Lt. Surge]]'s {{TP|Lt. Surge|Raichu}} and lost. During a resulting hospital stay, it refused to become Raichu's equal by evolving via a {{evostone|Thunderstone}}, and in the second battle, Pikachu overcame Raichu by using its superior speed. In ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', {{MTR}} remarked that Pikachu's power "far exceeds its evolutionary level." Ash's Pikachu has also defeated very high level Pokémon that Ash's other Pokémon were unable to, such as {{p|Dragonite}} and {{p|Metagross}}. It has helped Ash win innumerable battles and [[Gym]] and {{pkmn|League}} matches.
Pikachu is extremely loyal to Ash, and while it is not always immediately trusting of strangers, it is generally friendly to humans and Pokémon alike. It acted as a guardian and big sibling to [[Misty's Togepi]], and has been seen mediating and even breaking up fights among other Pokémon, such as in ''[[Pikachu's Vacation]]''. In ''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', Pikachu, {{MTR}}, and Meowth's clone were the only Pokémon not to participate in the giant battle; Pikachu stood motionless as its clone repeatedly slapped its face.

However, even Pikachu has had exceptions to this rule. During the Hoenn Saga, Pikachu developed amnesia at one point and sided with [[Team Rocket]] for a while. Later within the same series, Pikachu was possessed by the Red Orb and controlled by Groudon, nearly causing a disaster. On several occasions, Pikachu has developed an "electric flu" causing it to become overcharged, and extremely powerful. During these instances, Pikachu will sometimes attack its friends and Ash. In all of these cases, Pikachu did not intentionally mean harm upon anyone and Pikachu is always extremely sorry for what happened.

Since Ash's first encounter with [[Team Rocket]] in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', Pikachu has been pursued by the trio of [[Jessie]], [[James]], and {{MTR}}. Throughout the series, it has been Jessie, James and Meowth's desire to steal this Pokémon from Ash and present it to [[Giovanni|their boss]]. To do this, they have come up with many schemes. Though they try, try, and try some more, every last one of their plots fail, usually with the help of Ash, his friends, other Trainers, an [[Officer Jenny]], or even themselves (such as in the [[DP001|first episode]] of the [[Diamond & Pearl series]]).

As shown in a handful of episodes, the first being ''[[EP042|Showdown at Dark City]]'', Pikachu has a special fondness for ketchup, but it will eat and enjoy almost any other human or Pokémon food. A running joke in the anime also seems to be the destruction of a female character's [[bike]] with one of Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt}}s at the beginning of each series, which then causes her to {{ashfr|follow Ash}} for the remainder of the series. This has happened to [[Misty]], {{an|May}}, and {{an|Dawn}} so far.

Pikachu is the primary mascot of the Pokémon franchise, mostly due to Ash's ownership of it. It appears on nearly all merchandise and promotional material for the series, and became, due to the anime, the [[version mascot]] of and only [[starter Pokémon]] in {{game|Yellow}}.

Pikachu became the second non-legendary to defeat a [[legendary Pokémon]] in the anime after {{AP|Charizard}}, beating [[Pyramid King Brandon|Brandon's]] {{p|Regice}} in ''[[AG189|Pace - The Final Frontier]]'', giving Ash his final Frontier Symbol.

Pikachu was also the only Pokémon to come with Ash to [[Hoenn]], and just the same one of only two Pokémon to join Ash on his journey to [[Sinnoh]]. It is worth noting that Ash tried to bring only Pikachu again but {{AP|Aipom}} snuck on board the ship. Up until the capture of [[Dawn's Pachirisu]], Pikachu was the only {{type2|Electric}} Pokémon in the anime owned by a main character.

In Hoenn, Pikachu learned how to surf. It also learned how to box from Ash in ''[[EP029|The Punchy Pokémon]]''.

In Sinnoh, it defeated Roark's Onix in the [[Oreburgh Gym]] rematch.

Pikachu battled again the [[Pastoria City Gym]] battle, where it battled Crasher Wake's Gyarados and defeated it with a {{m|Volt Tackle}} to the face. It also battled [[Crasher Wake's Floatzel]] for a moment, allowing [[Ash's Buizel]] a moment to recover.

===Moves used===
[[Image:May'sEgg-cellentAdventure.jpg|thumb||right|175px|Pikachu using Volt Tackle]]
*{{m|ThunderShock}}
*{{m|Tackle}}
*''{{m|Thunderbolt}}''
*{{m|Thunder}}
*''{{m|Quick Attack}}''
*{{m|Agility}}
*{{m|Leer}} (used only once while battling {{p|Houndour}} in ''[[EP150|Hour of the Houndour]]'')
*''{{m|Iron Tail}}''
*''{{m|Volt Tackle}}''

Moves that have been used most recently are italicized.

====Moves improvised====
An attack where Pikachu stored electricity in its tail similar to {{m|Tail Whip}} (although Tail Whip doesn't do any damage) was used to defeat [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]] in ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]''

Thunder Armor was a one-time technique in the episode ''[[AG100|Solid as a Solrock]]'', Pikachu is seen using Thunder on itself while riding Ash's Swellow. This increased their attack power greatly, and they easily overpowered their opponents.

Volt Tail was used in ''[[DP074|Pika and Goliath!]]'' against [[Sho]]'s {{p|Raichu}}. Merely a combination of {{m|Volt Tackle}} and {{m|Iron Tail}} .
 

==In the games==
Pikachu was one of {{Ash}}'s three Pokémon in {{g|Puzzle League}}. {{ga|Red's Pikachu}} in {{game|Yellow}} and the [[Generation II]] games also seems to be based off of it.

==In the manga==
Pikachu has appeared in two mangas based on the anime, namely ''[[Ash & Pikachu]]'' and ''[[Electric Tale of Pikachu]]''. In both, it was Ash's [[starter Pokémon]], much like the [[EP001|first anime episode]], though in ''Electric Tale'', it was found in Ash's house, not given to him by Oak.

==Trivia==
[[Image:Ash'sHatAG.jpg|right|thumb|Ash and Pikachu.]]
*Ash's Pikachu is also the subject of many 'gamebreaking' abilities that normally do not fit in the general stasis of the games. This includes Pikachu's ability to sometimes hurt ground types with Electric moves (sparking the meme "Aim for the Horn!"), and using moves that do not exist, or moves in a way that do not work in the games, such as the infamous "Thunder Armor".
*Pikachu took a liking towards [[Misty]] in the beginning of the series. In ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]'' Misty was able to hold and pet Pikachu, something that Ash had not been capable of just [[EP001|two episodes earlier.]] Also, it refused to battle for Ash against her in Ash's Gym battle against Misty in ''[[EP007|The Waterflowers of Cerulean City.]]'' It retained this liking towards Misty throughout the series, such as when it was very happy to see her again after [[AG044|a while]] in ''[[AG132|The Scheme Team.]]''
*Pikachu is Ash's only {{type2|Electric}} Pokémon and was the only Electric-type owned by a main character in the anime until the capture of [[Dawn's Pachirisu]].
*For ''[[DP013|A Staravia is Born]]'', [[Professor Oak's lecture]] is about Ash's Pikachu. He writes this {{g|senryū}} about it: パートナー　サトシとピカチュウ　いいかんじ ''Partners Satoshi and Pikachu: a pleasant feeling''.
*Out of all five regions that Ash visited, [[Kanto]] and [[Hoenn]] are the only ones that Ash started out with just Pikachu. He did try to go to [[Sinnoh]] with Pikachu alone but Aipom followed him. At the beginning of each, Pikachu was also, in some way, injured, and ended up destroying the [[bike]] of a girl who would later travel with Ash.
*Throughout the series the yellowish color of Pikachu has become lighter and Pikachu's body has become more slender.
*Pikachu has never been seen defeating any of {{Gary}}'s Pokémon.
*Pikachu was the first of Ash's Pokémon to disobey him. Other Pokémon that would do so, and be better remembered for their disobedience than Pikachu, are {{AP|Primeape}} and {{AP|Charizard}}.
*Although Pikachu has battled all the members of the {{p|Electabuzz}} evolutionary family at one time or another, ([[Rudy]]'s Electabuzz, [[Gary's Electivire]] and [[Paul's Elekid]]) it has not won even once. However Pikachu has defeated an Electabuzz ([[Dr. Namba]]'s) with the help of [[Sparky]]. On every other occasion, Pikachu fought one-on-one and lost.
*Ash's act of keeping Pikachu outside its Poké Ball on a permanent basis has been mimicked by several other characters in the anime. [[Ritchie]], when he first meets Ash, keeps [[Sparky]] inside of its ball, but later is shown to carry it on his shoulder much like Ash does. Dawn, likewise, does the same with her {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}. Unlike Ash's Pikachu, however, neither Sparky nor Piplup is shown to have complained about being in the ball.
*Ash's Pikachu has only been seen returned to a Poké Ball once, during ''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''. It has only come from a Poké Ball twice, the first time being when it was given to Ash by [[Professor Oak]] in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', and the second after being cloned in the first movie. {{an|Dawn}} once attempted to capture Pikachu, however, due to it being owned by Ash (and therefore already "marked" by a Poké Ball), she failed.
*Pikachu is the only one of Ash's Pokémon that needs a [[Evolutionary stone|stone]] to evolve, and, with the exception of his Snorunt, which he evolved into {{p|Glalie}}, the only one he has ever had.

===Pikachu's language===
[[Image:Pikachu the Boxer.jpg|thumb|Boxing Pikachu]]Some of Pikachu's speech is consistent enough that it seems that some phrases actually mean something. For instance, Pikachu always uses "Pikapi" when referring to Ash (notice that it sounds somewhat similar to "Satoshi"). Other speech includes:
*PikaPikachu: ''My name is Pikachu''. When Ash and his friends are introducing themselves to the [[characters of the day]], it says this.
*Pi-Kachu: It says this during the sponsor spots in the original Japanese.
*Pikachu-Pi: ''[[Misty|Kasumi-chan]]'' (Misty)
*Pika-Chu: ''[[Brock|Takeshi]]'' (Brock)
*PiPiPi: ''{{TP|Misty|Togepi}}'' (Togepi)
*PikakaPika: ''[[Ash's Bulbasaur|Fushigidane]]'' (Bulbasaur)
*PikaPika: ''[[Ash's Squirtle|Zenigame]]'' (Squirtle) or ''[[Ash's Staravia|Mukubird]]'' (Staravia)
*PiPikachu: ''[[Team Rocket|Rocket-dan]]'' (Team Rocket). It also says this after Ash wins a badge, catches a new Pokémon or anything similar.
*Pi-ka: Used for multiple things such as "eiga" (movie) as seen during trailers for each upcoming {{g|movie}}.
*Specific names for {{Tracey}}, {{an|May}}, [[Max]], and {{an|Dawn}} have not been heard.
*Chuuu-Pika: ''{{m|Iron Tail}}''. It says this when using {{m|Iron Tail}}.
*Pika-Chuuuuuuuu: ''{{m|Thunderbolt}}''. It says this when using {{m|Thunderbolt}}.
*PikaPikaPika...Pi-ka: ''{{m|Volt Tackle}}''. It says this when using {{m|Volt Tackle}}
*ChuChuChu...: ''{{m|Quick Attack}}''. It may also say this when using {{m|Agility}}.
*PiPiPiPiPi...: ''{{m|Quick Attack}}''. It may also say this when using {{m|Agility}}.
**Pikachu will occasionally use pantomime to specify what it is talking about. In particular, it has a face to represent {{AP|Turtwig}}. Pikachu can also mime many other Pokémon which it demonstrated during [[DP033|a cosplay competition]].

===Gender debate===
Pikachu is the most seen Pokémon in the anime and fans have often wondered what gender Pikachu is. While this debate has existed since [[Generation II|gender was introduced]], it recently flared up due to [[gender differences]] being [[Generation IV|introduced in recent games]]. For the sake of neutrality, this article will assume Pikachu's gender is unknown until explicitly stated.

*Because there is no indent on Pikachu's tail, many cite this as proof that it is indeed male. Others disagree, noting Pikachu is from [[Kanto]] (which has not yet been shown to have Pikachu with indented tails in the games besides transfering a FR/LG Pikachu into Pal Park), and was introduced during the time of the [[Generation I]] games, before gender itself was even known for any Pokémon.
** Some also cite a crush that [[Dawn's Buneary]], who is female, has on Pikachu as proof.
** Also, Ash has, on several occasions, referred to his Pikachu as his "buddy".
**In the song ''[[Pikachu (I Choose You)]]'', Pikachu is referred to as Ash's brother.
**In ''[[DP061|Team Shocker!]]'', {{TP|Dawn|Pachirisu}}, {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} and {{TP|Dawn|Buneary}} are cheering for Dawn in cheerleader outfit, while Pikachu is wearing a male kimono. This may suggest Pachirisu, Piplup and Buneary are female, while Pikachu is male.
**In ''[[DP062|Tanks for the Memories!]]'', it, {{AP|Turtwig}}, and {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}} also look embarrassed being in maid outfits, much like Ash himself is, which may indicate that Pikachu, Turtwig, and Piplup are male.
**In the episode [[EP052|Princess versus Princess]] Pikachu is carrying the packages due to the Princessfestival rules, as Ash and Brock, it may symbolize that he is a male too.
* There is also some evidence supporting the theory that Pikachu might be female.
** Gender differences don't seem to apply consistently to Pokémon caught outside [[Sinnoh]].
** Misty has on at least one occasion pictured Pikachu in dresses.
** Pikachu has been shown to have a fondness for some feminine items like perfume as seen in ''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation!]]''.
** [[Dawn's Buneary]] relation with Pikachu is one sided meaning the Buneary might not know Pikachu's gender.
** [[Ash's Bayleef]]'s extreme rivalry with Pikachu for Ash might point to Pikachu being female too.

Despite there appearing more evidence that Pikachu is male, there isn't enough to definitively state whether it is male or female.

==Related articles==
{{Animespecies|Pikachu}}
* [[:Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu|Episodes focusing on Pikachu]]

==External links==
*[http://pokeani.com/poke/r_p-pikachu.html Pikachu's Profile] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)

{{Ash's Pokémon}}
{{Animecharacters}}
[[Category:Ash's Pokémon|Pikachu]]
[[Category:Anime starter Pokémon|Pikachu, Ash's]]

[[de:Ashs Pikachu]]
[[fr:Pikachu de Sacha]]
[[ja:サトシのピカチュウ]]
[[pt:Pikachu de Ash]]