User:Landfish7/Overview/Pikachu

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0024: Arbok	Pokémon	#0026: Raichu →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Pikachu (disambiguation).

Pikachu Mouse Pokémon ピカチュウ Pikachu #0025 Pikachu Cosplay Pikachu Pikachu in a cap Partner Pikachu Partner Pikachu Gigantamax Pikachu Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Electric Unknown Unknown Unknown Cosplay Pikachu Unknown Unknown Pikachu in a cap Unknown Unknown Partner Pikachu Unknown Unknown Gigantamax Pikachu Unknown Unknown
Abilities Static Cacophony Cosplay Pikachu Cacophony Pikachu in a cap Lightning Rod Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cosplay Pikachu Cacophony Pikachu in a cap
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 190 (35.2%)
Breeding Egg Groups Field and Fairy or No Eggs DiscoveredCosplay/Cap Hatch time 10 cycles
Height 1'04" 0.4 m Pikachu 0'0" 0 m Cosplay Pikachu 0'0" 0 m Pikachu in a cap 68'11"+ 21.0+ m Partner Pikachu	Weight 13.2 lbs. 6.0 kg Pikachu 0 lbs. 0 kg Cosplay Pikachu 0 lbs. 0 kg Pikachu in a cap ??? lbs. ??? kg Partner Pikachu
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 82 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 112 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 2 Pikachu 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 2 Speed Cosplay Pikachu 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Pikachu in a cap 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed Partner Pikachu 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint Cosplay Pikachu
Pokédex color   Yellow	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex

Pikachu Navigation

Events Spin-offs Animation Manga TCG Gallery

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 alternate forms that fall into four groups: Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner Pikachu, and Gigantamax Pikachu. A regular 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 Pikachu received at the beginning of 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 of and the player's first Pokémon in Pokémon Yellow and Let's Go, Pikachu!, the player's first Pokémon in Pokémon Rumble Blast and Pokémon Rumble World, and has made numerous appearances on the covers of spin-off games.

Concept and development

Pikachu was designed by Atsuko Nishida, a core designer at Game Freak. Pikachu had a short, stout design during the initial release of Pokémon Red and Green, but its design was altered for Pokémon the Series and subsequent entries of the games, becoming slightly taller and skinnier. According to Ken Sugimori, Pikachu's design was altered to make animating its actions easier. Pikachu is depicted with a white belly similar to its evolved form Raichu in the Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards as seen here.

Pikachu also originally had a second-stage evolution named "Gorochu" (Japanese: ゴロチュウ Gorochū), which would have had two horns and fangs. Sugimori stated that while there was nothing wrong with its appearance, it was nonetheless omitted from Pokémon Red and Green Versions, as the staff found that the game balance was better without it, and the limited game space meant that some Pokémon originally designed to evolve twice were changed to evolve only once.

Gigantamax Pikachu was designed by James Turner.

Biology

Pikachu's gender differences in Pokémon the Series

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; therefore, Pikachu is a facultative biped.

In the mouth of Cramorant

In the Pokémon the Series episode Pikachu's Goodbye, wild Pikachu are shown to live in groups in forested areas. Pikachu communicate amongst themselves using squeaks and tail-shaking as friendly gestures. In A Plethora of Pikachu!, it is 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 with other Electric-type Pokémon. 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 Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, it is depicted 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 can release electric discharges of varying intensity. In the Pokémon the Series episode Sparks Fly for Magnemite, Pikachu is shown 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. As shown in Pokémon Sleep, Pikachu is known to generate electricity through its cheeks while sleeping. Pikachu discharges while sleeping due to it dreaming of firing electric shots. According to A Sneak Peek at Pokémon, Pikachu can deliver a constant current of 1000 amperes.

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.

Cosplay Pikachu	Pikachu Rock Star	Pikachu Belle	Pikachu Pop Star	Pikachu, Ph.D	Pikachu Libre

Pikachu in a cap

Pikachu in a cap is always male and has eight variants, each wearing one of Ash's hats from Pokémon the Series. 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.

Original Cap

Hoenn Cap

Sinnoh Cap

Unova Cap

Kalos Cap

Alola Cap

Partner Cap

World Cap

Partner Pikachu

The partner Pikachu is the Pokémon the player starts with in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!. This Pikachu can be either gender. It has higher base stats than normal Pikachu. Unlike other Pikachu, the partner Pikachu can learn the exclusive moves Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall, and Splishy Splash, as well as having access to the partner power Pika Papow.

The partner Pikachu is not differentiated from standard Pikachu in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s Pokédex, and it cannot be transferred out of the games.

Partner Pikachu

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.

Gigantamax Pikachu

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.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Unevolved Pichu  Electric	→	First Evolution Pikachu  Electric	↗	Second Evolution Raichu  Electric
			↘	Second Evolution Raichu Alolan Form  Electric  Psychic

In the games

Pikachu appears in every core series and side series game, Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, Pokémon Channel, Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, Pokémon Trozei!, every game in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, every game in the Pokémon Ranger series, every game in the Pokémon Rumble series, Pokémon Conquest, Pokémon Battle Trozei, Pokémon Picross, Pokémon Quest, New Pokémon Snap, Pokémon UNITE, Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Masters EX, and Pokémon GO.

As the player

Pikachu (PokéPark)

Pokédex entries

Generation IX Paldea #74 Kitakami #21 Blueberry #— Scarlet When it is angered, it immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks. Violet When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms. Original Cap Pikachu Scarlet The cap this Pikachu wears is filled with memories of this Pokémon and its partner traveling across lots of different regions together. Violet This Pikachu wears its partner's cap—proof of the strong bond Pikachu and its partner formed during adventures across many different regions. Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola Cap Pikachu Scarlet The cap this Pikachu wears is filled with memories of this Pokémon and its partner traveling across the Hoenn/Sinnoh/Unova/Kalos/Alola region together. Violet This Pikachu wears its partner's cap—proof of the strong bond Pikachu and its partner formed during adventures across the Hoenn/Sinnoh/Unova/Kalos/Alola region. Partner Cap Pikachu Scarlet The cap this Pikachu wears is filled with memories of this Pokémon traveling together with its partner, whom it met in a fateful encounter. Violet This Pikachu wears its partner's cap—proof of the strong bond Pikachu and its partner formed as the two overcame many hardships together. World Cap Pikachu Scarlet The cap this Pikachu wears is filled with memories of this Pokémon and its partner traveling across the world together. Violet This Pikachu wears its partner's cap—proof of the strong bond Pikachu and its partner formed during adventures across the world.

Pikachu in the Paldea Pokédex Pikachu in the Kitakami Pokédex

Game locations

Generation IX Scarlet Violet South Province: Area Two, Area Four, Artazon East Province: Area One West Province: Area Three Tera Raid Battles (2★, 3★) The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Kitakami Road, Apple Hills, Oni Mountain, Wistful Fields, Paradise Barrens, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods

Held items

Games		Held items
Scarlet	Violet	Light Ball (5%)

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon has Lightning Rod, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Play Nice Normal Status 0000— 00——% 20 011 Sweet Kiss Fairy Status 0000— 07575% 10 011 Nuzzle Electric Physical 02020 100100% 20 011 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00——% 20 011 Charm Fairy Status 0000— 100100% 20 011 Thunder Shock Electric Special 04040 100100% 30 011 Tail Whip Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 011 Growl Normal Status 0000— 100100% 40 011 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 044 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 09090% 20 088 Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00——% 15 1212 Electro Ball Electric Special 0000— 100100% 10 1616 Feint Normal Physical 03030 100100% 10 2020 Spark Electric Physical 06565 100100% 20 2424 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00——% 30 2828 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100100 07575% 15 3232 Discharge Electric Special 08080 100100% 15 3636 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100100% 15 4040 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— 00——% 30 4444 Thunder Electric Special 110110 07070% 10

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 level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation IX Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM001 TM001 Take Down Normal Physical 09090 085}}85% 20 TM002 TM002 Charm Fairy Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM003 TM003 Fake Tears Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM004 TM004 Agility Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM007 TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM018 TM018 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM019 TM019 Disarming Voice Fairy Special 04040 00—}}—% 15 TM020 TM020 Trailblaze Grass Physical 05050 100}}100% 20 TM023 TM023 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10 TM025 TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM032 TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20 TM037 TM037 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 05050 100}}100% 10 TM043 TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM047 TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM048 TM048 Volt Switch Electric Special 07070 100}}100% 20 TM050 TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM055 TM055 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 TM058 TM058 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM066 TM066 Body Slam Normal Physical 08585 100}}100% 15 TM068 TM068 Thunder Punch Electric Physical 07575 100}}100% 15 TM070 TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM072 TM072 Electro Ball Electric Special 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM074 TM074 Reflect Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM075 TM075 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM081 TM081 Grass Knot Grass Special 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM082 TM082 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 090}}90% 20 TM085 TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM096 TM096 Eerie Impulse Electric Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM103 TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM122 TM122 Encore Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 5 TM123 TM123 Surf Water Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TM126 TM126 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TM127 TM127 Play Rough Fairy Physical 09090 090}}90% 10 TM130 TM130 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM134 TM134 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000— 100}}100% 15 TM136 TM136 Electric Terrain Electric Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM140 TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM147 TM147 Wild Charge Electric Physical 09090 100}}100% 15 TM166 TM166 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10 TM171 TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM173 TM173 Charge Electric Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM181 TM181 Knock Off Dark Physical 06565 100}}100% 20 TM192 TM192 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150150 100}}100% 20 TM205 TM205 Endeavor Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 5 TM211 TM211 Electroweb Electric Special 05555 095}}95% 15 TM227 TM227 Alluring Voice Fairy Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TM229 TM229 Upper Hand Fighting Physical 06565 100}}100% 15

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

By breeding

Generation IX Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Charge Electric Status — —% 20 Disarming Voice Fairy Special 40 —% 15 Fake Out Normal Physical 40 100% 10 Flail Normal Physical — 100% 15 Present Normal Physical — 90% 15 Tickle Normal Status — 100% 20 * Volt Tackle Electric Physical 120 100% 15 * Wish Normal Status — —% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Pikachu 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 Egg moves from other generations

By a prior Evolution

Generation IX Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon has no moves exclusive to prior Evolutions.

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

By events

Generation IX Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII

Event   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  Flying Terastal Pikachu Fly Flying Physical 90 95% 15

A superscript level indicates that Pikachu can learn this move normally in Generation IX 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

Costumes in Pokémon GO

Pikachu

Costumes in Pokémon GO
Holiday hat	Party hat	Original hat	Halloween hat	Summer-style
H.F. Custom cap	Flower crown	Detective hat	Straw hat	Mimikyu costume
Beanie	Party hat	Clone	Safari hat	Flower hat
Charizard hat	Umbreon hat	Rayquaza hat	Lucario hat	World cap
Explorer	Winter Carnival	New Year's hat	Meloetta hat	Halloween Mischief
Kariyushi shirt	Gracidea flower	Pokémon TCG hat	Cake costume	World Championships 2022
Shaymin scarf	Green T-shirt (Berry)	Purple T-shirt (Flower)	Party top hat	Brendan's hat
May's bow	Cherry blossoms	Blue T-shirt (Citrus)	Amethyst crown	Quartz crown
Pyrite crown	Malachite crown	Aquamarine crown	Tricks & Treats	Holiday attire

Cosplay Pikachu

Costumes in Pokémon GO
Libre	Pop Star	Rock Star

Flying Pikachu

Costumes in Pokémon GO
Standard	5th Anniversary	Okinawa exclusive
Green balloons	Purple balloons	Orange balloons

Sprites

Cross-Generation HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Pikachu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In animation

Pikachu appears in the main animated series Pokémon the Series and Pokémon Horizons: The Series, as well as the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Animated Shorts, Pokémon Origins, Pokémon Generations, the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, Pokémon: Twilight Wings, POKÉTOON, GOTCHA!, Pokémon Evolutions, Bidoof's Big Stand, A Ripple in Time, The Journey of One Dream, and Biri-Biri.

Animated series

Major appearances

Ash's Pikachu	Pikachutwo	Puka
Sparky	Ashachu	Cosplay Pikachu
Ash's Pikachu (M20)	Goh's Pikachu	Captain Pikachu

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP002 Pikachu Dawn's Pokédex Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry BW001 Pikachu Trip's Pokédex Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu's tail is sometimes struck by lightning as it raises it to check its surroundings. BW093 Pikachu Cameron's Pokédex Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu can help other Pikachu who are feeling weak by sharing its electric current.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry SM003 Pikachu Rotom Pokédex Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. An Electric type. It raises its tail to sense its surroundings. If you pull on its tail, it will bite.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry JN035 Pikachu Goh's Rotom Phone Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. An Electric type. Pikachu have pouches on their cheeks that can store electricity, which they release if threatened. Male and female Pikachu have differently shaped tails.

Pokémon Origins

Red's Pikachu (Origins)

Pokémon Generations

Red's Pikachu (Generations)

In the manga

Pikachu appears in Ash & Pikachu, The Electric Tale of Pikachu, How I Became a Pokémon Card, Magical Pokémon Journey and Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪, Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl, Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon, Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure, Pokémon Adventures, Pokémon Battle Frontier, Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!, Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All, Pokémon Horizon, Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Pokémon Newspaper Strip, Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~, Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission, and Pokémon Zensho.

Ash & Pikachu

Ash's Pikachu (Ash & Pikachu)

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Ash's Pikachu (EToP)	Sparky/Chuchino

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry The Electric Tale of Pikachu ET01 An electric mouse Pokémon. Habitat: Forests and woodlands Diet: Mainly fruit Distinguishing features: Has an electric generator on each cheek. Beware of electrocution!

Magical Pokémon Journey and Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪

Hazel's Pikachu	Ash's Pikachu (MPJ)

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

Ash's Pikachu (Diamond & Pearl)

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Red's Pikachu (JBA)

Pokémon Adventures

Pikachu	Chuchu	Cosplay Pikachu (Adventures)

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures PS004 When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build up and cause lightning storms. Forest dwellers, they are few in number and exceptionally rare. The pouches in their cheeks discharge electricity at their opponents. The Pikachu are believed to be highly intelligent.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Gold's Pikachu

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

Shu's Pikachu

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Ash's Pikachu (JNM)

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Red's Pikachu (Pocket Monsters)

In the TCG

Pikachu in the TCG

Pikachu TCG Coin

Main article: Pikachu (TCG)

Pikachu manages to find its way into many of the expansions, causing there to be 213 known non-reprint Pokémon cards featuring Pikachu, more than any other Pokémon. There are also various Trainer cards with Pikachu in the card's artwork too, including the very sought-after tournament promos such as No.1 Trainer.

The first Pikachu that appeared in the TCG was Pikachu in the Base Set (which was reprinted in Base Set 2 and in POP Series 2 with different artwork). It was followed in the next set by another Pikachu (which was also reprinted in the Legendary Collection). The third Pikachu card released was the first-ever English promo card, Pikachu. The original Base Set Pikachu was also released as a special promotional card at E3.

In the early days of the TCG, several notable errors were made regarding the Pikachu cards. The Base Set Pikachu was released with altered artwork at first, depicting it with red cheeks, instead of the original yellow. While this matched Ken Sugimori's artwork, the yellow color on its cheeks was intentional by the artist, who depicted Pikachu using ThunderShock. This error appeared in both the E3 promotional version and the normal Base Set release. A second error was made in the production of Jungle set booster packs, which, instead of the Jungle set's Pikachu, sometimes contained first edition versions of the Pikachu that was released as a promo card.

Pikachu has also been featured on a number of TCG coins, with one being included with the English and European languages-only Base Set 2. This coin was also featured in the Pokémon Play It! PC game. A Pikachu coin is also featured in the Game Boy game Pokémon Trading Card Game, and is one of the coins that can be obtained in Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, where it is given by Isaac to winners of the Lightning Club.

In the TFG

Pikachu in the TFG

Two Pikachu figures have been released.

• Next Quest: Pikachu
• Black Star Promo: Pikachu

In merchandise

Pikachu in Pokémon Battle Chess

Pikachu appears in Pokémon Battle Chess. It doesn't behave like any traditional piece in chess but behaves like a gold general in shogi.

Pikachu was the focus of a Pokémon Center collection in June 2014.

In real life

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has included three Pikachu balloons. "Flying Pikachu" was the first, flown from 2001 to 2005, and was used in a morning rush hour test of wind conditions in Times Square after an accident involving an M&M's balloon in the 2005 parade. It was last used in the August 2006 Party of the Decade in New York City's Bryant Park. The second balloon debuted in the 2006 parade, features glowing cheeks, and chases a Poké Ball balloon. The third, introduced in the 2014 parade, wears a green scarf and holds a small, Pikachu-shaped snowman.

Other appearances

Pokkén Tournament

Pikachu is a playable character for the arcade fighting game. His moveset includes electrical attacks the species uses in the main games, like Thunderbolt, Electro Ball, and Thunder. In Burst form, he can use the Burst Attack Volt Shock Fist. Several of his attacks and victory poses are directly taken from Heihachi and Kazuya Mishima's movesets from the Tekken series.

Pikachu overwhelms opponents with powerful electric shocks and quick movements.

Pikachu Libre was first announced alongside the Wii U port of the game. She was later released as an additional fighter on the original arcade version.

Pikachu Libre, a wrestling idol, is a small masked fighter overflowing with fighting spirit.

Pikachu (Pokkén)	Pikachu Libre (Pokkén)

Super Smash Bros. series

Pikachu (Super Smash Bros.)

Detective Pikachu

Main article: Detective Pikachu (character)

Detective Pikachu stars a Pikachu that is capable of speaking the human language, but only the player character Tim Goodman is capable of hearing him. Much like Meowth from Pokémon the Series, he is incapable of using moves that most Pikachu are capable of using. This Pikachu also really loves to drink coffee. Early on in the game, a regular Pikachu also briefly appears.

Pikachu (Super Smash Bros.)

Lightning Force

Pikachu and Eliana in the Lightning Force music video

The Brazilian music video Lightning Force features a stop motion animated Pikachu. This Pikachu is also shown later as a live action actor with a full-body costume.

Celestial

Single cover for Celestial

Pikachu appeared in the music video for Celestial. It is also featured in the single cover for the song.

Reception

Cultural impact

$1 coin from Niue featuring Pikachu

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.

On December 11, 2023, Google revealed that Pikachu was the "most searched Pokémon" in the platform's history during its 25 years of creation.

Pikachu has also served as the inspiration for the naming of several scientific discoveries:

• In 2008, Japanese researchers discovered a new protein that helps carry electrical impulses from the eyes to the brain and named it pikachurin. According to them, it was so named for sharing Pikachu's "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects".
• The springtail species Dicranocentrus pikachu was named after Pikachu.
• The spider species Epicratinus pikachu was named after Pikachu due to the female spider's epigynum resembling its face.
• The spider species Alistra pikachu was named after Pikachu due to its yellow coloration.
• The beetle species Hiperantha pikachu was named after Pikachu because of its yellow elytra with a black apical band that resembles Pikachu's ears.

Trivia

• Pikachu and its evolved form both share their category with Rattata, Raticate, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Pawmi, and Pawmo. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate were originally called the Rat Pokémon prior to Generation III.
• Veronica Taylor has said Pikachu is her favorite Pokémon. Sarah Natochenny has as well, shared with Mew.
• Pikachu is the only Pokémon that serves as the player's first Pokémon in the core series games that has a pre-evolved form. However, Pichu (its pre-evolved form) does not exist in either game in which it fills this role.
• Pikachu has the most event-exclusive moves available to it.
• Pikachu is the only Pokémon with two exclusive Z-Moves.
• When starting a new game in Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu's front sprite appears with a slightly different color palette (the palette index number 0x10) than usual when it is introduced by Professor Oak. This is the same red/yellow palette used for Mew, Mewtwo, and Jynx (except the Virtual Console Jynx), as well as the battle sprites of all Pokémon Trainers.
  • Due to the color palette used at the start of Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu has red cheeks (in the Game Boy Color) or pink cheeks (in the Super Game Boy). However, in this game's normal gameplay, Pikachu has dark orange cheeks instead.
• In Pokémon Yellow and from Generation VI to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pikachu uses its animated series cry (voiced by Ikue Otani). Before Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, it was the only Pokémon to do so in the core series games.
  • Its battle cry differs from status or Pokédex screens.
  • The Pikachu received at the beginning of Pokémon Yellow has unique voice clips in Pokémon Stadium and Stadium 2.
  • In Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it uses an updated version of its original cry, like other Pokémon.
• Pikachu is the only core series first partner Pokémon that does not have a 7:1 gender ratio.
• Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 are the only core series games in which Pikachu cannot be obtained without transporting or through an event.
• Pikachu is the only not fully evolved Pokémon whose base stats increased in Generation VI, as well as the only Pokémon to receive more than one stat increase: Defense and Special Defense.
• Pikachu is the 25th Pokémon in both the National Pokédex and Alola Pokédex in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
• In the Japanese Pokémon Stadium, Pikachu is the only usable Pokémon that is not fully evolved.
• 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 currently represented in the Trading Card Game by more cards than any other Pokémon, with 213 unique cards.
• On December 11, 2023, Google revealed that Pikachu was the "most searched Pokémon" in the platform's history during its 25 years of creation.

Origin

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

Nishida named the Pokémon Pikachu "without giving it much thought", and while it wasn't originally intended to be based on a mouse, Game Freak CEO Satoshi Tajiri made the decision to base it on such. During the process of making Pikachu "cuter", as per the instructions of game designer Kōji Nishino, Nishida added cheek pouches for it to store electricity in. These were inspired by squirrels, which store food in their cheeks. Pikachu's yellow colouration and lightning bolt-shaped tail were given to express Pikachu's electrical attributes and make its type easier to recognise and understand. According to Nishida, Pikachu's stripes aren't based on anything in particular, and were added to fill the empty space on Pikachu's back, as it is always visible during battle.

Pikachu's Gigantamax form is a reference to its earlier, more rotund design from Generations I and II.

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).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ピカチュウ Pikachu From ピカピカ pikapika and チューチュー chūchū French Pikachu Same as English/Japanese name Spanish Pikachu Same as English/Japanese name German Pikachu Same as English/Japanese name Italian Pikachu Same as English/Japanese name Korean 피카츄 Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 皮卡丘 Píkǎqiū Transcription of Japanese name Cantonese Chinese 皮卡丘 Pikachu* 比卡超 Béikāchīu* From its Mandarin name paired with the pronunciation of English/Japanese name From the transcription of Japanese name and 超 chīu

More languages Albanian Pikaçu Transcription of Japanese name Arabic بيكاتشو Bīkātshū Transcription of Japanese name Azerbaijani Pikaçu Transcription of Japanese name Bulgarian Пикачу Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Greek Πίκατσου Píkatsou Transcription of Japanese name Hebrew פיקאצ'ו Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Hindi पिकाचू * पीकाछू Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Icelandic Pikatsjú* Píkatsu* Transcription of Japanese name Indonesian Pikacu (Pocket Monsters only) Transcription of Japanese name Lithuanian Pikačiu Transcription of Japanese name Macedonian Пикачу Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Mongolian Пикачу Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Russian Пикачу Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name Serbian Pikaču Transcription of Japanese name Thai พิคาชู Phikhachu Transcription of Japanese name Turkish Pikaçu* Transcription of Japanese name Ukrainian Пікачу Pikachu Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Ash's Pikachu
• Ash's Pikachu (EToP)
• Ash's Pikachu (M20)
• Red's Pikachu (game)
• Pika
• Chuchu
• Sparky
• Pikachutwo
• Puka
• Shu's Pikachu
• Goh's Pikachu
• Hazel's Pikachu
• Gold's Pikachu
• Lt. Surge's Pikachu
• Red's Pikachu (Pocket Monsters)
• Pikachu (PokéPark)
• Pikachu (Super Smash Bros.)
• Detective Pikachu (character)
• Pikachu (Pokkén Tournament)
• Pikachu Libre (Pokkén Tournament)
• Ashachu
• Pikachu in a cap
• Cosplay Pikachu
• Partner Pokémon (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!)
• First partner Pokémon
• Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)
• Pikachu variants
• List of Pokémon with form differences
• Gigantamax

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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