Raikou (Pokémon)

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Blissey #242: Blissey
Pokémon
#244: Entei Entei
Raikou
ライコウ Raikou
#243
243Raikou.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Type
Electric '
Category
Thunder Pokémon
Ability
Pressure
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Johto
#243
Hoenn
#378
Regional Browser numbers
Fiore
R-203
Oblivia
R-126
Height
6'03"
Imperial
1.9 m
Metric
Weight
392.4 lbs.
Imperial
178.0 kg
Metric
Dex color
Yellow
Catch rate
3 (0.4%)
Body style
Body08.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F243.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
Gender unknown
Breeding
Undiscovered group 81 cycles*
(20655 minimum steps)
EV yield
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
1
Sp.Def
0
Speed
2
Base Exp.: 216 Battle Exp.: 2161*

Raikou (Japanese: ライコウ Raikou) is an Template:Type2 legendary Pokémon.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is, along with Entei and Suicune, one of the legendary beasts created by Ho-Oh after the burning of the Brass Tower. Of the three legendary beasts, Raikou is said to represent the lightning strike which ignited the burning Brass Tower.

Biology

Physiology

Raikou is a yellow tiger-like creature with black stripes that resemble lightning bolts and a white under-side. Raikou has a skinny, light-blue tail with a star-shaped formation at the end. Raikou appears to have a purple cape that is supposedly made of thunderclouds. Most of Raikou's face is white with a light-blue "X" on its face and a gray crest on its forehead. Raikou has red eyes and long fangs in its upper jaws that make its appearance similar to the sabre-tooth cat.

Gender differences

Raikou is a genderless species.

Special abilities

Raikou has the ability to shoot bolts of lightning from the rain clouds on its back. Raikou can also attack using its fangs and has limited psychic powers. Raikou has also shown an ability to create storm clouds from its cape, allowing it to fly, however this has only been seen in the Pokémon Adventures manga, whilst attacking Falkner.

Behavior

Raikou is normally distrustful of humans due to the fact that humans have tried to capture the Legendary Beast of Thunder for many centuries, though it has shown some friendship with those that just wish to help it. Raikou tends to show up either when there is a thunderstorm or when other Electric-type Pokémon are in danger.

Habitat

As a member of the legendary beast trio, Raikou is constantly on the move and seems to lack any set place where they show up.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Being an Electric Type Pokémon, Raikou tends to feed on electricity at most Powerplants and Storm clouds.

In the anime

Raikou in the anime

Major appearances

Raikou (Legend of Thunder)

Raikou appeared in the Pokémon Chronicles episode, The Legend of Thunder! where members of Team Rocket hunt down and attempt to catch Raikou.

Other

A shiny Raikou made its first movie appearance alongside Celebi, and the other members of its trio in the thirteenth Pokémon movie, Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark.

Minor appearances

Raikou first appeared in Houndoom's Special Delivery. It was spotted by Togepi and a Houndoom before it disappeared.

The Mauville City Gym Leader Wattson owns many Raikou robots which he uses in his Gym.

Raikou made a small cameo at the opening of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Raikou also had a minor appearance in Dawn's Piplup's dream in Three Sides to Every Story!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
The Legend of Thunder! Raikou Jimmy's Pokédex Raikou, the Thunder Pokémon. It is said to have descended to earth on a bolt of lightning.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Raikou was awakened by Yellow along with its two counterparts, and the three raced around Kanto and Johto looking for Trainers to help them defeat the Masked Man to free Ho-Oh and repay the debt of the latter saving its life. Nearing the end of the chapter, Raikou eventually pairs up with Lt. Surge after encountering and escaping Falkner, and later Gold. Once Ho-Oh is freed and Pryce, the true identity of the Masked Man, is defeated, it once again roams the lands of Johto with Suicune and Entei.

Anabel also owns a Raikou in the Battle Frontier saga. It has been confirmed that it is the same Raikou as the one that befriended Gold, having caught it sometime before the Emerald arc in Johto. Raikou is more powerful than any other Electric-type Pokémon in the manga because billowing thunder clouds follow it everywhere carried on its back, allowing it to perform powerful attacks, such as Thunder, more quickly and efficiently than regular Electric Pokémon. Strangely, despite clearly possessing sentient intelligence like its fellow beasts, it obeyed Anabel's commands to battle Emerald without question while she was under psychic control of Guile Hideout. After he is defeated and the Battle Frontier is saved, Raikou is seen interacting with Gold and Crystal, and has not appeared since.

In the TCG

Main article: Raikou (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

When released from a Poké Ball, Raikou releases a powerful Spark attack that electrocutes any opponents that get caught in it. Raikou is the only legendary beast that does not return in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red {{{redbluedex}}}
Blue
Yellow {{{yellowdex}}}
Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II
Gold The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Silver A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
Crystal This rough Pokémon stores energy in its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity.
Stadium 2 The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Generation III
Ruby Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down.
Sapphire
Emerald Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. Its roars send shock waves shuddering through the air and ground as if lightning bolts were crashing down.
FireRed This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
LeafGreen The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Generation IV
Diamond It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGold The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
SoulSilver A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
Generation V
Black {{{blackdex}}}
White {{{whitedex}}}
Black 2 {{{black2dex}}}
White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI
X Unknown
Y Unknown


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation I
Red Blue
None Trade
Blue (Japan)
None Trade
Yellow
None Trade
Generation II
Gold Silver
One Roaming Johto
Crystal
One Roaming Johto
Generation III
Ruby Sapphire
None Trade
Emerald
None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen
One Roaming Kanto (with Squirtle as starter)
Colosseum
One Shadow Pokémon Laboratory (Shadow)
XD
None Trade
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
None Trade
Platinum
None Trade
HeartGold SoulSilver
One Roaming Johto
Pal Park
Mountain
Pokéwalker
None
Generation V
Black White
None Trade
Black 2 White 2
None Trade
Dream World
None
Generation VI
X Y
None Trade



In side games

Game Location
Pokémon Trozei! Random Agent Cards
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team
Lightning Field (30F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness
Concealed Ruins (B20F)*
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Sky
Southeastern Islands (B12F-B24F; appears on random floor after accepting challenge letter)
Pokémon Ranger Fiore Temple
Pokémon Ranger:
Guardian Signs
Radio Base
Talga's House

In events

Games Event Language Location Level Distribution period
M13 13th Movie Premiere Japan 2010 30 Never

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Events* Micle Berry Micle Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
90
150 - 197 290 - 384
85
81 - 150 157 - 295
75
72 - 139 139 - 273
115
108 - 183 211 - 361
100
94 - 167 184 - 328
115
108 - 183 211 - 361
Total:
580
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed
5/5 ★★★★★
Power
3/4 ★★★
Skill
4/4 ★★★★
Stamina
3/3 ★★★
Jump
3/3 ★★★
Total
18/19 ★★★


Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric ½×
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric ½×
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric ½×
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying ½×
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel ½×
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric ½×
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
None

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | electric | style="background:#FAC000" |  electric 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 2 | style=" background:#FFF" | Raikou | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By TM/HM

Template:Movelisttm Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4


|- style="background:#FCD659" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.
|} |}

By events

Template:Movelistspecial Template:Mlentry4special Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

Special moves

Shadow moves <span style="color:#{{{2}}};">Level 40+ Purified moves
Shadow Rush File:Box colo 243.png Rain Dance Water
-- Leer Normal
-- Quick Attack Normal
-- Thunder Electric

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Pinball RS
 N/A 
Not available
Pokémon Trozei!
 Trozeiani243.png 
Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
MDP RT 243.png Body size: 1
Recruit rate: 0.1%
Friend Area: Sacred Field
Phrases
51%-100% HP I am the thunderbolt that races through the fields!
26%-50% HP I don't like this... My HP is cut to half?
1%-25% HP This is it... The power of lightning fails here...
Level up I gained a level! May lightning bolts empower me!
Partner phrases
51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%.
26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%.
1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%.
Level up I gained a level! May lightning bolts empower me!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness
,
and Explorers of Sky
MDP E 243.png Body size: 2
Recruit rate: 5%
IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger
Group:  Electric  Poké Assist: Electric PA.png
( Electric )
Field move: Recharge fm.pngRecharge fm.pngRecharge fm.png
(Recharge ×3)
Loops: 11 Min. exp.: 500 Max. exp.: 600
Browser entry  
Raikou is a legendary Pokémon that dashes while dropping thunderbolts.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist: Field move:
 Electric  Electric Assist.png
( Electric )
Past
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
None.png Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Raikou
Does not evolve
Raikou
 Electric 


Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 243.png Spr 2s 243.png Spr 2c 243.png Spr b 2g 243.png
Spr 2g 243 s.png Spr 2s 243 s.png Spr 2c 243 s.png Spr b 2g 243 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 243.png Spr 3e 243.png Spr 3f 243.png Spr b 3r 243.png
Spr 3r 243 s.png Spr 3e 243 s.png Spr 3f 243 s.png Spr b 3r 243 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 243.png Spr 4p 243.png Spr 4h 243.png Spr b 4d 243.png
Spr 4d 243 s.png Spr 4p 243 s.png Spr 4h 243 s.png Spr b 4d 243 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 243.png Spr 5b2 243.png Spr b 5b 243.png
Spr 5b 243 s.png Spr 5b2 243 s.png Spr b 5b 243 s.png
Raikou For other sprites and images, please see Raikou images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

File:RaikouEntry.jpg
Raikou in Jimmy's Pokédex
  • Raikou is the only Pokémon in the anime whose image on the anime Pokédex was of stylized art rather than Ken Sugimori's official artwork for it.
  • In the 4Kids dub of the anime, Raikou's name is frequently mispronounced as rai-kuu, rather than rai-ko.
  • Raikou is also the only legendary Pokémon that Ash hasn't encountered in the anime.
  • Raikou is the only member of its trio not to be weak to another member of its trio. Entei is weak against Suicune and Suicune is weak against Raikou, but Raikou is not weak to either of them.
  • In Pokémon Gold and Silver's sprite, Raikou's facial design does not match its official artwork, but this was corrected in Crystal.
  • The order that the beasts appears in the National Pokédex is the order of the events that happened at the Burned Tower; The lightning that started the fire (Raikou), the fire that consumed the Brass Tower (Entei) and the rain that quenched the fire (Suicune).
  • The "clouds" on Raikou's back are miscolored a darker shade of purple in the frontal sprite of the SoulSilver and HeartGold versions. However, the back sprite maintains the correct coloration.

Origin

Raikou is based on the 雷獣 raijū, a thunder demon of Japanese lore. In regards to physical build, it most closely represents Smilodon fatalis, a well-known but extinct species of wildcat often referred to as a saber-toothed tiger. Its color and pattern scheme seem to resemble a Tiger or a Thylacine. Raikou is particularly based on the Thunder and Lightning gods of most cultures surrounding the world. The flowing purple mane on its back is likely meant to invoke the image of a cumulonimbus cloud, the cloud type most often associated with thunderstorms.

Name origin

The name in Japanese could be taken to mean 雷光, raikou, lightning. It could also be a combination of 雷 rai, thunder and 皇 , emperor. Its name may also come from 雷公 raikō ("thunder duke"), identical to the name of the Taoist deity Lei Gong.

In other languages

Related articles

External links

Notes

Games: Super Smash Bros.Super Smash Bros. MeleeSuper Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii USuper Smash Bros. Ultimate
Characters: PikachuJigglypuffMewtwoPichu
Pokémon Trainer (SquirtleIvysaurCharizard) • LucarioGreninjaIncineroar
Stages: Saffron CityPokémon StadiumPoké FloatsPokémon Stadium 2Spear Pillar
Prism TowerUnova Pokémon LeagueKalos Pokémon League
Poké Ball and Master Ball: AbomasnowAbraAlolan ExeggutorAlolan RaichuAlolan VulpixArceusArticunoBeedrill
BellossomBewearBlastoiseBonslyCelebiChanseyCharizardChespinChikoritaClefairy
CyndaquilDarkraiDedenneDeoxysDittoEeveeElectrodeEnteiFennekin
FletchlingGardevoirGenesectGiratinaGogoatGoldeenGroudonGulpinHitmonlee
Ho-OhInkayJirachiKeldeoKoffingKyogreKyuremLatias and Latios
LugiaLunalaManaphyMarillMarshadowMeloettaMeowthMewMetagrossMimikyu
MoltresMunchlaxOnixOshawottPalkiaPiplupPorygon2PyukumukuRaikouScizorSnivy
SnorlaxSolgaleoSpewpaStaryuStarmieSuicuneSwirlixTapu KokoTogedemaruTogepi
TorchicUnownVenusaurVictiniVulpixWeavileWeezingWobbuffetXerneasZapdosZoroark
Collectables: Trophies (MeleeBrawlfor Nintendo 3DS/Wii U)
Stickers
Spirits
Misc: The Subspace EmissaryMy MusicFinal SmashPokémon ChangeBrawl cameos
Blissey #242: Blissey
Pokémon
#244: Entei Entei
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