In Alola, Raichu has a dual-type Electric/Psychicregional form. It evolves from Pikachu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. All Pikachu in Alola will evolve into this form regardless of their origin. It is the final form of Pichu in the Alola region.
Raichu is a bipedal, rodent-like Pokémon. Even though it's classified as bipedal, Raichu usually gets around on all fours. It is covered in brown/dark orange fur and has a white belly. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outside, yellow on the insides, and end in a distinctive curl. There is a circular yellow marking on each cheek where its electric sacs are, and it has a triangular, dark brown nose. Its arms and feet have patches of brown fur at the end, and the soles of its long feet are tan with a circular orange pad in the center. On its back are two horizontal brown stripes. Its long, thin tail has a lightning bolt-shaped end, with the tip being chipped on females.
Raichu's tail protects it from its high-voltage power and is used to gather electricity from the atmosphere. Alternatively, it can be planted into the ground like a rod to search for electricity. Raichu exudes a weak electrical charge from its body which makes it glow slightly in the dark. It can store over 100,000 volts of electricity, which is enough to knock out foes several times its size, such as a Copperajah or Dragonite. If Raichu's sacs are fully charged, its ears will stand straight up, and its muscles will be stimulated. However, possibly as a result of stress, it becomes more aggressive as it stores electricity and may even threaten its Trainer. If its sacs are excessively charged, it discharges electricity through its tail into the ground, leading to scorched patches near its nest. Being the result of Evolution via Evolution stone, Raichu is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in forests and woodlands. Part of the reason why Raichu is rarely seen with Trainers is because people prefer the look it had as a Pikachu. As revealed in the Pokémon the Series episode Electric Shock Showdown, Raichu is not capable of learning speed-based moves such as Agility and Quick Attack upon evolving and is only able to when it is still a Pikachu. In Pokémon Sleep, it is shown that Raichu sometimes releases electricity while sleeping, so anyone who approaches it is at risk of being electrocuted. It may also plant its tail into the ground as it rests.[1]
In the Alolaregion, Raichu has lighter coloring and more rounded features. Its eyes are blue with yellow half-circles along the bottom. It has large yellow ears with an inner spiral toward the base and brown on the inside. These ears are thicker and less pointed than a standard Raichu's ear. In addition to its white belly, Alolan Raichu has white markings on its paws with bright yellow lines between its digits. The stripes on its back have also turned white, and there is a small, white circular marking on each heel. The lightning bolt-shaped tip of its tail has rounded edges.
By gathering its psychic power in its tail, Alolan Raichu can ride it like a surfboard and float in the air. It emits a sweet aroma from its cheeks if someone rubs them, though it also causes them to get a light shock. This is thought to be connected to its psychic abilities. Alolan Raichu's origins were initially a mystery, with the people of Alola jokingly suggesting that its form changed because it ate too many sweet and fluffy round pancakes,[2] especially those made with a secret Alolan recipe. However, researchers believe this transformation was caused by its diet in general, as well as Alola's weather and climate. Alolan Raichu uses psychokinesis to control electricity and attacks foes with star-shaped thunderbolts. It is sometimes known by the name "hodad". Befitting its surfboard-like tail, it is a talented surfer which uses its psychic abilities to ride waves and practice its skills on beaches. While normally found in Alola, it has been seen in the Coastal Biome of the Terarium during rare mass outbreakevents.
As Mega Raichu X, it takes on a color scheme reminiscent of Pikachu with its red cheeks and bright yellow fur, but its overall appearance retains a distinctive resemblance to regular Raichu.[3] Its original brown eyes have become red. Its tail has split into two identical tails, which are similar in shape to Pikachu's tail, except for the zig-zagging black fur coloration at the base of each tail. Both of its arms and ears are much larger. The yellow insides of its ears are gone, and its ears now sport a solid black color with golden tips. It also now has a noticeable fang-like left canine tooth. When using electricity, its cheeks and its tails glow brightly.
Mega Raichu X's two tails can generate an electromagnetic force to create enough repulsion for it to float and swiftly propel itself in the air. It focuses its electric power into its fists as its primary method of attack, allowing it to take down much larger opponents in one strike. It has ample subcutaneous fat which stores up electricity, augmenting its defenses and allowing it to maintain a high electrical output.[3] Its appearance while levitating resembles the letter "X", and its ears and forked tail produce 50 million volts of electricity as it flies.
Mega Raichu Y
As Mega Raichu Y, it takes on an appearance distinctly resembling Pikachu,[3] but it retains its original yellow cheeks, though its fur is a lighter shade of an orangish brown. Its brown eyes have become blue, and the lightning bolt-shaped tip of its tail is enlarged. The patches of brown fur at the ends of its arms and feet are now gone, as well as the yellow insides of its ears, which now sport a solid orange color with black tips. A pair of horn-like yellow protrusions made of fur jut out of its ears, resembling two lightning bolts. The ends of these "horns" have the distinctive curls found on the ears of regular Raichu. Additionally, Mega Raichu Y now has two prominent canines. When using electricity, its cheeks and horn-like fur glow brightly; in key artwork for Mega Dimension, Mega Raichu Y's teeth are also shown glowing. Its appearance with its tail extended resembles the letter "Y".
Mega Raichu Y's greatest strength is its ability to unleash its power instantaneously, making it excel in short, decisive battles. The amount of electricity it generates from its sacs is amplified, coursing in a zig-zag pattern between its tail and "horns"; this allows it to use powerful Electric-typemoves. Amassing so much energy gives it a wild and combative temperament, so it prefers a straightforward approach to fighting instead of performing tactical maneuvers.[3] Mega Raichu Y fires "Y"-shaped electric bolts from the tip of its tail and the spiky tufts of fur growing out of its temples.
Mega Raichu X charged up with electricity and throwing a punch
Mega Raichu Y charged up with electricity and its fangs shown glowing
When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
If the electrical sacks become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon's nest.
This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu searches for electricity by planting its tail in the ground.
If the electrical sacs become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon's nest.
This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu plants its tail in the ground to discharge electricity.
It can discharge bursts of electricity exceeding 100,000 volts—a single strike with that amount of power would incapacitate one of the Copperajah of myhomeland.
It fires bolts of electricity from the tip of its tail and from the spiky tufts of fur growing out of its temples. This electricity forms the letter Y.
Apparently, it sometimes sleeps while discharging electricity, its long tail planted like a grounding rod. Take care not to get electrocuted if you approach it!
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Lv.3
Clear up to 3 by making a combo next to them. (Up to 9 by Lv. 25)
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Clear up to 2 without creating any by making a combo next to them. (Up to 5 by Lv. 25)
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Clear up to 3 by making a combo next to them. (Up to 5 by Lv. 25)
This Pokémon is a talented surfer, using its psychic power to ride the waves. It’s always practicing on the beach, waiting for that perfect wave to roll in.
In Electric Shock Showdown, Lt. Surge has a Raichu that defeated Ash's Pikachu with its sheer power during Ash's Gymbattle. After unsuccessfully discussing the prospect of Evolution with Pikachu to match Raichu's power, Ash used a strategy relying on Pikachu's speed to defeat Raichu during a rematch the next day.
In Stage Fight!, Kay's Raichu was a part a stage show that featured "talking" Pokémon, but it had stage fright and was very timid around others due to an incident where it startled Kay with its electricity when they first met. Raichu eventually gained back its confidence around Kay and helped defeat Team Rocket.
A Raichu appeared in Pika and Goliath!, under the ownership of Sho, who sought to have possession of one Pokémon each from the Pikachu evolutionary line. It battled Ash's Pikachu twice in that episode, with Raichu being victorious the first time and Pikachu triumphing during the rematch.
In Destination: Coronation!, Visquez used a Raichu to defeat a Trainer's Hypno. In Ash's match, Raichu went up against Ash's Pikachu, but Ash withdrew Pikachu and sent out Gengar in his place where the Shadow Pokémon managed to defeat Raichu.
In Gotta Catch a What?!, multiple Pikachu evolved into Raichu using the Thunder Stones they had dug up.
In The Legend of Thunder!, a Raichu was one of the Electric Pokémon that were lured by the "Miracle Crystal" that Attila and Hun were using. Raichu tried to hit the robot controlled by Attila to save the other Pokémon from being kidnapped, but his attack ricocheted off.
Raichu, a Mouse Pokémon of the Electric element. Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu. It can shock with more than 100,000 volts, enough to render a Dragonite unconscious.
Raichu, the evolved form of Pikachu. Pikachu and Raichu are both Mouse Pokémon of the electric variety. Combined voltage approaching shockingly dangerous levels.
Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Pikachu. Raichu's tail functions as a ground and releases electricity into the surface, which keeps it from shocking itself.
Raichu, Alola Form. The Mouse Pokémon. An Electric and Psychic type. Raichu manipulates electricity with its mind, and its psychic powers allow it to use its tail as transportation.
Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon. An Electric type, and the evolved form of Pikachu. As Raichu's body fills with electricity, its demeanor becomes more aggressive.
Lt. Surge has a Raichu, which was first seen in Silph Co. in Go for the Golbat. However, it never participated in battles until fighting the Masked Man in his Mahogany Hideout, where it helped Surge break in and seemingly backed the mastermind into a corner, until his Houndour called upon dozens of wild Houndour to thwart Surge, instead. The former Team Rocket triad member barely escaped with his life after having many of his Electrode self-destruct.
AlolanRaichu appears as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball. It attacks by surfing with its tail across the stage and damaging passersby with electricity.
This is also the only Pokédex entry in the game to mention a Pokémon not obtainable in Hisui.
Several Pokédex entries say Raichu can discharge up to 100,000 volts. However, its Pokémon Stadium entry instead says that it can discharge up to 10,000 volts. This is likely a translation error due to the way numbers are read in Japanese, where 100,000 is literally read as "ten ten-thousands".
along with Slowbro, the only Pokémon to have both a Mega Evolution and a regional form, as well as the only electric rodent with either.
the first Pokémon to be revealed to have two Mega Evolutions since Pokémon X and Y.
the first Pokémon whose Mega Evolutions were revealed in promotional trailers for the Mega Dimension DLC of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
the last Pokémon whose Mega Evolutions were introduced before the aforementioned game's release, along with the Mega-Evolved forms of the fully evolved Kalos first partner Pokémon.
Raichu is the most common Pokémon found amongst rivals, being used by five of them.
The Raichu family is the only evolutionary line to have access to Mega Evolution, exclusive Z-Moves, and Gigantamax.
Raichu originally had an evolved form named Gorochu (Japanese: ゴロチュウGorochū), which would have had two horns and fangs.[6][7]Ken Sugimori stated that while there was nothing wrong with its appearance, it was nonetheless omitted from Pokémon Red and Green, as the staff found that the game balance was better without it, and the limited game space meant that some Pokémon originally designed to evolve twice were changed to evolve only once.[8]
Alolan Raichu may be based on the concept of surfing Pikachu and the sport of surfing itself, which originated in and is the state sport of Hawaii (the inspiration for the Alolaregion), as well as the hodad concept of being a fake surfer; hodad is referred to as another name for Alolan Raichu in its Pokédex entry in Pokémon Ultra Sun. Its design and Psychictype may have been influenced by Puka, a surfing Pikachu in Pokémon the Series which had psychic powers and blue eyes. In the Pokémon Stadium series, Colosseum, XD, and Battle Revolution, Raichu rides on its tail when using the move Surf. According to Ken Sugimori, he asked Atsuko Nishida to design Alolan Raichu since she was the one who had worked on the original Raichu design. Nishida insisted that Raichu "has always been cuter than people might think", and designed Alolan Raichu to emphasize its cuteness; in particular, she designed it with the motif of bread. The in-game lore of people believing that its Evolution is induced by eating pancakes was added afterward to play up the concept.[4] The fact that Alolan Raichu was designed after bread may have also inspired the sweet fragrance it can release from its cheeks, as well as the look of its paws which resemble whipped cream decorations, cream puffs, or baozi.
Both Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y resemble their assigned letters, and also take elements from Pikachu's design, such as its colors and the shape of its body and tail. Mega Raichu X takes after regular Raichu, with its color scheme and tail shape being inspired by Pikachu[3] while retaining the same body shape. Mega Raichu Y appears to be the inverse, with its body shape being inspired by Pikachu's[3] while its colors and tail shape remain mostlye the same. Mega Raichu X's Shiny coloration resembles that of regular Raichu, whereas Mega Raichu Y's is instead similar to Pikachu's. Old media has also portrayed Pikachu as having a circular spot on its belly, a feature that Raichu has in all of its forms. They could also be inspired by the scrapped Gorochu species, as it was described as having fangs and two horns; both versions of Mega Raichu have fangs, and Mega Raichu Y is mentioned to have horn-like fur. The latter's rabbit-like appearance suggests that it may be inspired by the jackalope.
Name origin
Raichu may be a combination of 雷 rai (thunder) and チューチュー chūchū (onomatopoeia for the squeak of a mouse).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Concept art of Alolan Raichu for Pokémon Sun and Moon
Alolan Raichu standing off of its tail in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Mega Raichu X charged up with electricity and throwing a punch
Mega Raichu Y charged up with electricity and its fangs shown glowing
Gold Leaf (100%)
Oran Berry (5%)
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For other sprites and images, please see Raichu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
