Ash's Pikachu (Japanese: サトシのピカチュウ Satoshi's Pikachu) was the first Pokémon obtained by Ash on his journey as a Pokémon trainer. Its universal voice actress is 大谷育江 Ikue Ohtani.

In the first episode of the Pokémon anime, 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, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and 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 Spearow and rushing it to the Pokémon Center. Pikachu and Ash soon became inseparable. In Pikachu's Goodbye, Ash gave Pikachu his consent to remain in a forest filled with Pikachu, but Pikachu returned to Ash's side.

In general, Pikachu as a species are not particularly powerful, but Ash's Pikachu is an anomaly, overcoming odds in battle numerous times. In Showdown in Pewter City, it defeated Brock's Onix with an Electric attack when Onix was drenched in water, despite Onix being naturally resistant to electricity. In Electric Shock Showdown, Pikachu fought Lt. Surge's Raichu and lost. During a resulting hospital stay, it refused to become Raichu's equal by evolving via a Thunder Stone, and in the second battle, Pikachu overcame Raichu by using its superior speed. In Pokémon Emergency!, Meowth remarked that Pikachu's power "far exceeds its evolutionary level." It has helped Ash win innumerable battles and Gym and 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 it has been seen mediating and even breaking up fights among other Pokémon, such as in Pikachu's Vacation. In Mewtwo Strikes Back, it, Meowth, and Meowth's clone were the only Pokémon not to participate in the giant battle; it stood motionless as its clone repeatedly slapped its face.

Since its first encounter with Team Rocket in Pokémon Emergency!, Pikachu has been pursued by the trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth.

As shown in a handful of episodes, the first being Showdown at Dark City, Pikachu has a fondness for ketchup, but it will eat and enjoy almost any other human or Pokémon food.

Pikachu is the primary mascot of the Pokémon franchise. It appears on nearly all merchandise and promotional material for the series.

Pikachu became the second non-legendary to defeat a legendary Pokemon in the anime, beating Brandon's Regice in AG 189, giving Ash his final Frontier Symbol.

Attacks Used

• Thundershock
• Thunderbolt
• Thunder
• Volt Tackle
• Quick Attack
• Agility
• Iron Tail
• Double-Edge
• Tackle

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For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Pikachu.