Raikou (Pokémon): Difference between revisions

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
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This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Raikou (disambiguation).

Raikou Thunder Pokémon ライコウ Raikou #243 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Electric Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Pressure Cacophony Cacophony Inner Focus Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony Volt Absorb Hidden Ability Gen. V-VI*
Gender ratio Gender unknown	Catch rate 3 (1.6%)
Breeding Egg Group Undiscovered Hatch time 80 cycles Egg not obtainable
Height 6'03" 1.9 m Raikou 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 392.4 lbs. 178.0 kg Raikou 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 216 Gen. II-IV Unknown IV 261 V+	Leveling rate Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Raikou 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 2 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Yellow	Base friendship 35
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Raikou (Japanese: ライコウ Raikou) is an Electric-type Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation II.

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

Along with Entei and Suicune, it is one of the Legendary beasts resurrected 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 fire that consumed the Brass Tower.

Biology

Raikou is a quadruped, yellow, tiger-like Pokémon with black stripes and a white underside. It has a thin, light blue tail with sharp angles and a spark-shaped formation at the end. Most of its face consists of thick, white fur and shorter yellow fur around its red eyes. Raikou's muzzle is a light blue "X" and it has a black faceplate with two bumps that covers its forehead, nose, and ears. Raikou has two long fangs that make its appearance similar to the saber-toothed cat. Its large claws each converge to form a single point and never retract. Extra fur hangs off its body in front of its thighs. Raikou has a mane across its back that resembles dull purple rain clouds and allows it to shoot bolts of lighting.

As seen in the anime, Raikou is able to fly by creating storm clouds. It is shown to be distrustful of humans, though it may form some friendship with those who help it. Raikou tends to appear during thunderstorms and when other Electric-type Pokémon are in danger. Raikou races across grasslands while barking cries that sound like thunder.

In the anime

In the main series

Raikou in the anime

Shiny Raikou in the anime

Major appearances

Raikou (The Legend of Thunder!)

In The Legend of Thunder!, Team Rocket members Attila and Hun attempted to capture a Raikou but failed.

Raikou (M13)

A Shiny Raikou appeared alongside the other members of its trio in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Other

A Raikou appeared at the end of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Part 2).

Minor appearances

In Houndoom's Special Delivery, Togepi and a Houndoom spotted a Raikou before it disappeared.

A Raikou appeared in a flashback in For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!.

A Raikou appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.

A Raikou appeared in the opening sequence of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

In Three Sides to Every Story!, Dawn's Piplup's dream featured a Raikou.

In I Choose You!, Ash, Verity, and Sorrel saw a Raikou as they approached Mount Tensei, but it disappeared before they could get a better look.

Pokédex entries

Raikou in Pokémon Generations

In Pokémon Generations

A wild Raikou appeared in Ecruteak City in The Reawakening, during a flashback about the creation of the legendary beasts.

In the manga

Raikou in Pokémon Adventures

In the movie adaptations

Main article: Raikou (M13)

Raikou appeared in the manga adaptation of the fourth and final Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl movie, Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS manga

A Raikou appeared in PMHGSS04 and PMHGSS05.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

A Raikou appeared in JBA3.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Raikou (Adventures)

Raikou appeared as a beam of light in Slugging It Out With Slugma. Its first real appearance was in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, where it along with Entei tests Falkner and were joined by Suicune in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, talking about Ho-Oh. It was revealed in a flashback in Hello, Lickitung, where it 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 for 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 later catches Raikou in the Battle Frontier saga.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

A Raikou appeared in Gold and Black VS Team Rocket and The Legendary Pokémon.

In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga

A Raikou first appeared in GDZ58.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

A Raikou appeared in Find the Legendary Pokémon!!.

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.

Trophy information

These Thunder Pokémon travel near and far, blasting out electrified whirlwinds. They carry storm clouds on their backs, so they can produce lightning regardless of the local weather; it's even said that they descended to the earth with via lightning bolts. Their extreme quickness lends itself to flight, so they're very hard to capture.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Raikou appears as a trophy.

Trophy information

NA: Was that a bolt of lightning flashing by, on the ground instead of the air? Then it could have been Raikou. A rumble of thunder in the distance, but not a cloud in the sky? Sounds like Raikou's roar to us. It is said that this wild Pokémon perished in the Johto region once, but Ho-Oh was so filled with sorrow at the loss that Raikou was resurrected.

PAL: If you see a bolt of lightning flash across the ground instead of from the sky, you may have just caught a glimpse of Raikou. And if you hear a peal of thunder that lasts longer than it should, that may be Raikou's roar. It's said that this wild yet majestic Pokémon once perished in the Johto region, but Ho-Oh, filled with sorrow, resurrected it.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Raikou appears as a Spirit alongside Entei and Suicune.

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Raikou first appears alongside Suicune up on Revelation Mountain where they confronted Krookodile believing he turned Entei to stone but discovered Nuzleaf was responsible and was turned to stone. Raikou later helped the player and partner escape from the Voidlands.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
GSC	Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Raikou	English	United States	40	November 22 to 29, 2001; December 7 to 20, 2001; June 22 to 28, 2002; July 5 to 11, 2002; November 15 to 21, 2002
RSEFRLG	Journey Across America Raikou	English	United States	70	February 25 to July 23, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	English	United Kingdom	70	June 10, 2006; October 14 to November 19, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	Italian	Italy	70	June 23 to 25, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	Spanish	Spain	70	June 27 to August 27, 2006
RSEFRLG	Party of the Decade Raikou	English	United States	70	August 8, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	German	Germany	70	September 24 to November 5, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	French	France	70	September 26, 2006
DPPtHGSS	Crown Raikou	Japanese	Japan	30	June 18 to August 31, 2010
DPPtHGSS	Shinsegae Raikou	Korean	South Korea	30	September 11 to October 24, 2010
DPPtHGSS	Crown City Raikou	Korean	South Korea	30	December 16, 2010 to January 9, 2011
DPPtHGSS	GameStop Raikou	English	North America	30	January 3 to 9, 2011
DPPtHGSS	Winter 2011 Raikou	English	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
DPPtHGSS	Winter 2011 Raikou	French	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
DPPtHGSS	Winter 2011 Raikou	German	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
DPPtHGSS	Winter 2011 Raikou	Italian	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
DPPtHGSS	Winter 2011 Raikou	Spanish	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
M	Legendary Pokémon Celebration Raikou	American region	Online	60	April 2 to July 23, 2018
UM	Legendary Pokémon Celebration Raikou	American region	Online	100	April 2 to July 23, 2018
M	Legendary Pokémon Celebration Raikou	PAL region	Nintendo Network	60	April 4 to 25, 2018
UM	Legendary Pokémon Celebration Raikou	PAL region	Nintendo Network	100	April 4 to 25, 2018
M	Legendary Pokémon Celebration Raikou	Taiwanese region	Nintendo Network	60	April 4 to 25, 2018
UM	Legendary Pokémon Celebration Raikou	Taiwanese region	Nintendo Network	100	April 4 to 25, 2018
UM	Korean League Season 1 Raikou	Korean	South Korea	100	December 22 to 23, 2018

Held items

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

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Side game data

Pokémon Trozei! Rarity: Rare

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team 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!

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 2 Recruit rate: 5% IQ group: D

Pokémon Ranger Group: Electric Poké Assist: Electric Field move: (Recharge ×3) Loops: 11 Min. exp.: 500 Max. exp.: 600 Browser entry R-203 Raikou is a legendary Pokémon that dashes while dropping thunderbolts.

Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Electric Poké Assist: (present) Electric Field move: (present) (None ×-) Not available in the past. Browser entry R-126 It creates waves of electricity around it and launches thunderbolts to attack.

Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●●●

Pokémon Battle Trozei Electric Attack Power: ★★★★★ Flinch Attack Briefly stops wild Pokémon from taking action.

Pokémon Shuffle Electric Attack Power: 70 - 110 5 #152 Power of 5 Increases damage when you make a match of five. Swappable Skill(s): Barrier Bash+, Astonish

Pokémon GO Base HP: 207 Base Attack: 241 Base Defense: 195 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 20 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Thunder Shock, Volt Switch Charged Attacks: Thunder, Thunderbolt, Wild Charge, Shadow Ball*, Frustration‡, Return‡

Evolution

Unevolved Raikou  Electric

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back

For other sprites and images, please see Raikou images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

Raikou in Jimmy's Pokédex

• Raikou, along with Entei and Suicune, was designed by Muneo Saitō.^[1]
• 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.
• Raikou's effort value yield of 1 Special Attack and 2 Speed is unique.
• Raikou's number in the National Pokédex and the Johto Pokédex is the same: 243.

Origin

Raikou may be particularly based on the Thunder and Lightning gods of most cultures surrounding the world, mostly the 雷獣 raijū (lit. thunder beast), a thunder demon of Japanese lore and is said to be Raijin's companion. It is said to be a creature that could take the form of a tiger, monkey, blue wolf wrapped in lightning, and many other animals. Raikou is specifically based on its tiger form, while the Pokémon Manectric is based on its wolf form. Raikou is also based on dogs.

In terms of physical build, Raikou may be based on the Smilodon, a well-known but extinct species of wildcat often referred to as a saber-toothed tiger. Its color and pattern scheme are reminiscent of that of a Bengal tiger. The stripes that decorate Raikou's body also can be compared to zigzagging thunderbolts and perhaps even scars from claws. The white ruff around Raikou's face is akin to the Siberian tiger's thick fur around its neck. In the anime, Raikou is shown to be very agile, swift, stealthy, and a powerful attacker, just like a tiger. The gray "plate" on its forehead may be similar to Entei's head ornament, being either a helmet or crown that signifies courage and power. The flowing purple cloud on its back is likely meant to invoke the image of a cumulonimbus cloud, the cloud type most often associated with thunderstorms.

Name origin

Raikou could be taken to mean 雷光 raikou (lightning), which is also the inspiration for the name of raijū, or it may be a combination of 雷 rai (thunder) and 皇 kō (emperor). It may also derive from 雷公 raikō (thunder duke), the on'yomi reading of Lei Gong, a Taoist/Daoist deity.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ライコウ Raikou From 雷公 raikō, 雷 rai, 雷光 raikou, and 皇 kō French Raikou Same as Japanese name Spanish Raikou Same as Japanese name German Raikou Same as Japanese name Italian Raikou Same as Japanese name Korean 라이코 Raikou Transliteration of its Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 雷公 Léigōng From 雷公 Raikou. Also a reference to the ancient Chinese god of thunder, Lei Gong. Cantonese Chinese

More languages Hindi रायकू Raikou Transcription of English name Russian Райку Rayku Transcription of English name Thai ไรโค Raikou Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Legendary beasts
• Raikou (The Legend of Thunder!)
• Legendary beasts (M13)
• Raikou (Adventures)
• Legendary beasts (Super Mystery Dungeon)
• Legendary Pokémon
• Myths and legends involving Legendary Pokémon

Notes

External links

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

← #242: Blissey

Pokémon

#244: Entei →

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