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Pikachu ピカチュウ Pikachu #025
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Electric ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Mouse Pokémon
Ability Static Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #025 Johto #022 Hoenn #156 Sinnoh #104 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'4" Imperial 0.4 m Metric 1'4"/0.4 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 13.2 lbs. Imperial 6 kg Metric 13.2 lbs./6 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Yellow	Catch rate 190 (24.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Ground and Fairy groups 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 82 Battle Exp.: 821*
External links {{Links/{{{generation}}}|pokefordex=pikachu|ndex=025|name=Pikachu }}

Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type Pokémon. It is the starter Pokémon one receives at the beginning of Pokémon Yellow, and is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise.

Pikachu comes with the Ability Static, which paralyzes the foe 30% of the time it uses a direct attack on Pikachu.

Pikachu evolves with exposure to a Thunder Stone into Raichu. It evolves from Pichu when it grows a level and its Tameness is 220 or above.

Biology

Physiology

A Pikachu is a ground-dwelling rodent notable for its Electric abilities. Pikachu have short, yellow fur with brown stripes on its back, black-tipped ears, along with an unusually shaped tail, resembling a lightning bolt. Besides its evolution and pre-evolution, it may be related to Plusle and Minun, due to notable physical similarities.

Pikachu are known to have acute senses of hearing, thanks to its large ears. Most domestic Pikachu are very intelligent, understanding and interpreting human speech at levels far surpassing those of any pet dog.

Gender differences

A female Pikachu has a small "dent" at the end of it's tail.

Special abilities

Exclusive to the Pikachu's subspecies is the ability to release electric discharges of varying intensity, at will, through pouches in its cheeks. This electric energy can be manipulated into a variety of techniques which are mostly used in battle but which can be used to roast berries as well.

As Pikachu build up energy in their electricity glands, it is often needed to discharge, as to not result in a short, or worse, which can lead to physical Paralysis, or in severe cases death. Pikachu release the built-up energy through their tail, which acts as a grounding rod, to safely remove unneeded energy. A sure sign to tell if a location is inhabited by Pikachu is to look for patches of burnt grass, which is the result of the discharge. Through an inability to release a buildup of electricity, a Pikachu may develop a rare condition similar to the human flu. This illness is most often caused by strong nearby electro-magnetic forces, which severely impact the electric glands. If a Pikachu is introduced to a magnet, it will be attracted towards its cheeks, and display other common attributes of magnetism.

In a few rare cases, Pikachu can learn to manipulate Water and, with the help of a surfboard, perform a move called Surf.

Behavior

In the wild, Pikachu often travel in packs, and are rarely territorial. However, when threatened, a group can generate an intense electrical offensive, and the electro-magnetic forces exerted by the resulting field can even produce a short lived, localized thunderstorm. Pikachu can be harmful pests, eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment.

Despite this, it is a popular pet, and relatively easy to maintain, with little exercise necessary for it's well being. However, it is important to discharge the electricity in its cheeks periodically.

Habitat

They are found mostly in forests, but possibly because of their attraction to their electricity or simply because they are not afraid of people, Pikachu commonly show up in civilized areas. They may even enter houses, presumably attracted by the electrical output generated by the dwellers' appliances.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Living in wooded areas, Pikachu often are found foraging for berries. Instead of climbing trees, they use small electrical shocks to release the berries from the tree, roasting them at the same time.

As pets, they can be fed a variety of processed food, available at many pet stores. Alternatively, like most Pokémon, Pikachu are tolerant to most "human" foods, and sometimes enjoy them more than the more nutritional food designed for their biology.

In the anime

Ash Ketchum has a Pikachu that he obtained from Professor Oak in Pokémon, I Choose You!, the first episode of the Pokémon anime series. It has appeared in every non-special episode since. Pikachu has also appeared in every Pokemon Movie.

Another Pikachu that was nicknamed "Pooka" was owned by a man named Victor in EP067. This Pikachu had the ability to sense tidals waves approaching.

Ritchie also has a Pikachu nicknamed "Sparky", who debuted in EP078.

A Pikachu also had a part in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!. He was kidnapped by a Skarmory and Team Go-Getters set out to rescue him as their first mission. Pikachu provided them with some items in the battle.

In the TFG

One Pikachu figure has been released.

• Next Quest: Pikachu

Other appearances

Super Smash Brothers Melee

Pikachu is a playable character and the only Pokémon that is playable from the start of the game. It is initially placed to the right of Mario but moves to the bottom row after Luigi is unlocked.

Super Smash Brothers Brawl

Pikachu is currently the only Pokémon confirmed to be in the game.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

• Pokémon Stadium: Pikachu stars in the mini-game "Thundering Dynamo" alongside Voltorb. This mini-game involves charging up electric power.
• Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire:Pikachu serves as a Ball-Saver. But it'll only work if the "Lightening Meter" is full. In the later of the two games, Pichu will sometimes help.
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Pikachu is one of the Pokémon available as a Starter Pokémon, and can also be found at Lightning Field.

Base stats

Type effectiveness

Template:DP type effectiveness

Learnset

Template:Learnset intro

By leveling up

By TM/HM

By breeding

Must evolve from Pichu to learn the following:

• Reversal
• Bide
• Present
• Encore
• Doubleslap
• Wish
• Charge
• Volt Tackle (must inherit from a parent holding a Light Ball in Pokémon Emerald)

By tutoring

In Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald:

• Mega Punch
• Mega Kick
• Body Slam
• Double-Edge
• Counter
• Seismic Toss
• Mimic
• Thunder Wave
• Substitute

In Pokémon Emerald only:

• Dynamicpunch
• Rollout
• Snore
• Endure
• Mud-Slap
• Swagger
• Sleep Talk
• Swift
• Defense Curl
• Thunderpunch

Special moves

There are several ways for a Pikachu to learn Surf.

Evolution

Trivia

Origin

Pikachu has physical aspects resembling several species of rodents, such as mice and squirrels. However, Pikachu most remembles the lagomorph known as the pika.

Name origin

Pikachu is a combination of ぴかぴか pikapika, which is Japanese onomatopoeia for sparkle, and ちゅうちゅう chūchū, which is the sound of squeaking.

In other languages

• German: Pikachu
• French: Pikachu
• Korean: 피카츄 Pikachyu
• Chinese (Taiwan): 皮卡丘 Pí Ka Qiu
• Chinese (Hong Kong): 比卡超 Bî Ka Chao

Related articles

• Ash's Pikachu
• Pooka
• Sparky
• Pikachu (PiPiPi)

External links

• Article on Wikipedia

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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.