Electric rodents: Difference between revisions

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Artwork of the pre-Generation IX electric mice and Mimikyu

Pikachu clone redirects here. For the Pikachu that is a clone, see Pikachutwo.

The electric mice are a group of Electric-type Pokémon based on rodents, consisting of Pikachu, Raichu (sometimes omitted), Pichu (sometimes omitted), Plusle, Minun, Pachirisu, Emolga, Dedenne, Togedemaru, Morpeko, Pawmi, Pawmo, and Pawmot. At least one of these Pokémon has been introduced in every generation.

The term "electric mice" is used on the official Pokémon Singapore Facebook page. The group was also also featured in the "Mouse Pokémon" (Japanese: ねずみポケモン Nezumi Pokémon) collection of Pokémon Center merchandise. This group is also referred to by fans as the Pikachu family, electric rodents, Pikachu clones, or Pikaclones. An equivalent term used within the Japanese fandom is 電気袋組(でんきぶくろぐみ) Electric Pouch Group, referencing the electric sacs on these Pokémon's cheeks.

Character designer Ken Sugimori acknowledged the concept of the recurring "electric rodents" theme in an interview published in Volume 201 of the Nintendo Dream magazine.^[1]

Shared design

Design-wise, all of the electric mice have big round heads, black button-like eyes, and electric sacs on their cheeks. All are in the Fairy or Field Egg Groups, and all have English names very close to being pure transliterations of their Japanese names. Prior to Generation VIII, these were the only Pokémon capable of learning Nuzzle.

Pachirisu is the only one revealed to actually be biologically related to Pikachu's evolutionary line. Pawmi is the only one (aside from Pikachu itself) to have an evolutionary line, having 3 stages, mirroring Pikachu — although Pikachu's evolutionary line includes a baby Pokémon while Pawmi's evolutionary line lacks one.

Generation I

#0025

Pikachu
 Electric 

#0026

Raichu
 Electric 

Generation II

#0172

Pichu
 Electric 

Generation III

#0311

Plusle
 Electric 

#0312

Minun
 Electric 

Generation IV

#0417

Pachirisu
 Electric 

Generation V

#0587

Emolga
 Electric  Flying 

Generation VI

#0702

Dedenne
 Electric  Fairy 

Generation VII

#0777

Togedemaru
 Electric  Steel 

Generation VIII

#0877

Morpeko
 Electric  Dark 

Generation IX

#0921

Pawmi
 Electric 

#0922

Pawmo
 Electric  Fighting 

#0923

Pawmot
 Electric  Fighting 

Similar Pokémon

Marill, its evolutionary relatives, and Mimikyu are also sometimes included in this group by the fandom, although none of these are Electric types. Marill was often incorrectly referred to as "Pikablu" by fans and on the Topps trading cards for the first movie prior to the release of Pokémon Gold and Silver. Mimikyu is sometimes featured in official artwork showcasing the electric mice.

In the games

In Pokémon X and Y, the "Stickers" battle menu background features all the members of the group that existed at the time. This is the only time that the group has ever been acknowledged directly in the games.

In the anime

In the anime, Ash and his friends own a number of the electric mice: Ash owns a Pikachu, Dawn owns a Pachirisu, Iris owns an Emolga, Bonnie cares for her brother Clemont's Dedenne, and Goh owns a female Raichu that evolved from a Pikachu. Additionally, James of Team Rocket owns a Morpeko, and while it is not considered one of the electric mice, Jessie owns a Mimikyu. Ash's friend Tracey also owns a Marill, though Marill has never been officially connected to the electric mice.

Pichu, Plusle, and Minun are the only electric mice that haven't been owned by a main character of the anime, though it is confirmed in Enter Pikachu! that Ash's Pikachu used to be a Pichu.

References