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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′04″ Imperial 0.4 m Metric 1′04″/0.4 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 13.2 lbs. Imperial 6.0 kg Metric 13.2 lbs./6.0 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 On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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.

Pikachu is the version mascot of Pokémon Yellow, appearing on the boxart.

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 its tail, causing it to resemble a heart.

Special abilities

Exclusive to the Pikachu's subspecies is the ability to release electric discharges of varying intensity, at will, through electric sacs 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 the move 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 its well being. However, it is important to discharge the electricity in its cheeks periodically.

As many know, yanking on a Pikachu's tail will result in a severe shock or a bite to the offender. Another defense of Pikachu's is the use of its nasty bite which has been known to leave quite a mark.

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 fact, Pikachu have been known to have a fondness of ketchup.

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 Pokémon Movie.

James used a Pikachu in the Pokémon League Entrance Exam in The Ultimate Test, but the Pikachu was defeated by the instructor's Graveler. James, after interfering with a battle Ash was having with the instuctor, later tried to steal this Pikachu.

Another Pikachu nicknamed Pooka was owned by a man named Victor on Seafoam Island in The Pi-Kahuna. This blue-eyed Pikachu had the ability to sense tidal waves approaching.

Ritchie also has a Pikachu nicknamed Sparky, who debuted in A Friend In Deed.

Ash gets turned into a Pikachu in Hocus Pokémon by a Pokémon magician named Lily. He reverts to his human form at the beginning of the next episode.

A Pikachu belonging to the owners of a restaurant went missing prior to Cooking up a Great Story!. That Pikachu evolved into a Raichu near the end of the episode.

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 manga

A Pikachu is one of the main characters in Pokémon PiPiPi Adventure.

A more mouse-like Pikachu that communicates through pantomime is one of Isamu Akai's Pokémon in Pocket Monsters.

Satoshi has a Pikachu as one of the members of his team in Pokémon Zensho. It later evolves into a Raichu.

Shuu's first Pokémon was a Pikachu he found abandoned in the forest in Pokémon Getto Da Ze!

Ash's Pikachu was the main character in the short-lived Pokémon Newspaper Strip.

Pokémon Special

Both Red and Yellow have Pika and Chu Chu, respectively. Pika often used to shock Red repeatedly. However, Pika becomes one of Red's most valued Pokémon.

Pikachu debuted in its own round in the Red, Green & Blue chapter, Wanted: Pikachu!. Here, Pika is captured by Red. Pokémon Special

Pokédex entry: 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.

In the TFG

One Pikachu figure has been released.

• Next Quest: Pikachu

Other appearances

Super Smash Brothers

Pikachu is a playable character and the only Pokémon that is playable from the start of the game. It is in the fifth box of the second row.

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 playable Pokémon confirmed to be in the game. It's Final Smash move is confirmed to be Volt Tackle.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Stadium: Pikachu stars in the mini-game "Thundering Dynamo" alongside Voltorb. This mini-game involves charging up electric power.
• Pokémon Pinball: Pikachu serves as a Ball-Saver, but it will only work if the Lightning Meter is full.
• Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire: Pikachu has the same role as in Pokémon Pinball but is sometimes helped by Pichu. Pikachu also appears on the Catch 'Em Mode banner.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

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:

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

By tutoring

In Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald:

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

In Pokémon Emerald only:

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

Special moves

There are several ways for a Pikachu to learn Surf as well as Fly, though not both.

Side game data

Template:Side game

Evolution

Trivia

The "secret" move for Pikachu's evolution line, Volt Tackle, is actually based off of Pulseman's signature move, Volteccer. To get this move, a Pichu must be bred from a parent Pikachu or Raichu holding a Light Ball, though this can only happen in Pokémon Emerald, Diamond, and Pearl.

Origin

Pikachu has physical aspects resembling several species of rodents, such as mice and squirrels. However, Pikachu most resembles 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. It may also be related to pika, a type of rodent.

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)
• Ashachu

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Electric Mouse, the fanlisting for Pikachu at The Anime Fanlistings Network

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: player's first Pokémon

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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.