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 get around on all fours. Raichu is covered in dark orange fur with 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. The tip of this lightning bolt is chipped on females. Raichu exudes a weak electrical charge from its body and glows slightly in the dark.
Raichu's tail is used to gather electricity from the atmosphere, or it can be planted in the ground to search for electricity. It also protects Raichu from its high-voltage power. Raichu can store over 100,000 volts of electricity, enough to knock out a Copperajah. If Raichu's sacs are fully charged, its ears will stand straight up, and its muscles will become stimulated. However, it will become aggressive if it has stored too much electricity and stress. To prevent it from reaching this state, it discharges electricity through its tail into the ground. This leads 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 Pokémon 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 attacks upon evolving and can only learn them when they're still a Pikachu. As shown in Pokémon Sleep, Raichu is known to sleep while discharging electricity, and a long tail is planted into the ground like a rod. It can electrocute anyone who comes near it while sleeping.[1]
In Alola, 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 collecting its psychic power in its tail, it can ride it like a surfboard and float in the air. While its cheek sacs are still used to store electricity, rubbing them releases a sweet aroma while also getting a light shock. This is also thought to be connected to its psychic abilities.
Alolan Raichu's origins were initially a mystery at the time. The people of Alola suggested it ate too many sweet and fluffy pancakes,[2] especially those made with a secret Alolan recipe. However, researchers believe the change is related to Alolan Raichu's diet in general. It is also believed the weather and climate of the Alola region played a role in the transformation. Alolan Raichu uses psychokinesis to control electricity and is capable of unleashing star-shaped thunderbolts. It is also known by the name hodad. 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 Kantonian 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. Its appearance while levitating resembles the letter X.
Mega Raichu X's tails generate electromagnetic force, creating enough repulsion for it to float and propel itself swiftly in the air. It focuses its electric power into its fists as its primary method of attack, allowing it to down much larger foes 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]
Mega Raichu Y
Mega Raichu Y charged up with electricity
As Mega Raichu Y, it takes on an appearance distinctly resembling Pikachu,[3] but it retains its original color scheme as regular Raichu with its yellow cheeks and orange fur. Its original 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 a pair of 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 can generate more powerful electricity in larger quantities using the sacs on its cheeks. When it does so, the energy is amplified, coursing in a zig-zag pattern between its tail and "horns". Amassing so much electricity gives Mega Raichu Y a wild and combative temperament, and it prefers a straightforward approach to battling as opposed to performing tactical maneuvers. This is also because its greatest strength is its ability to unleash this energy instantaneously, making it excel in short, decisive battles.[3]
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.
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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Specialty Gimmick Info
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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.
Alolan Raichu appears as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball. It attacks with Surge Surfer, surfing with its tail across the stage and damaging passersby with electricity.
Alolan Raichu is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a ranged attacker that starts as Pikachu, which evolves into Alolan Raichu at level 5.
Raichu's FireRed and Sun Pokédex entries discuss Raichu's electricity being able to knock out an Indian elephant. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, this is changed to Copperajah, which is based on the Indian elephant.
This is also the only Pokédex entry in Legends: Arceus to mention a Pokémon not obtainable in Hisui.
Several Pokédex entries claim Raichu can discharge up to 100,000 volts. However, its Stadium entry claims it can only discharge up to 10,000 volts. This is likely a translation error due to the way numbers are read in Japanese, where 100,000 literally reads "ten ten-thousands".
Raichu is the only Pokémon whose Alolan form is obtainable in Pokémon Legends: Z-A without the Mega Dimension DLC.
Raichu is the first Pokémon to have a Mega Evolution added through DLC expansion.
Raichu and Slowbro are the only Pokémon to have both a Mega Evolution and a regional form.
Raichu, between its regular and Alolan forms, is the only Pokémon to have access to both Mega Evolution and an exclusive Z-Move.
Raichu is the first Pokémon with two Mega Evolutions to be announced since Pokémon X and Y.
Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y were the last Mega Evolutions to be revealed in promotional trailers before the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, along with the Mega Evolved forms of the fully evolved Kalos first partner Pokémon.
Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y were the first Mega Evolutions to be revealed for the Mega Dimension DLC.
The Raichu family is the only evolutionary family 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]
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 Raichu's 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 seem to take elements from Pikachu's design, such as its color and the shape of its body and tail. Mega Raichu X takes after regular Raichu, with its color scheme and tail shape potentially being inspired by Pikachu, while retaining the body shape of Raichu. Mega Raichu Y appears to be the inverse, with its body shape potentially being inspired by Pikachu,[9] while retaining the colors and tail shape of Raichu. Old media has also portrayed Pikachu as having a circular spot on its belly, a feature that Raichu has in all its forms. They could also be inspired by the scrapped Gorochu species, as Gorochu was described as having fangs and two horns; both Mega-Evolved forms of Raichu have fangs, and Mega Raichu Y is mentioned to have horn-like fur.
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.
Alolan Raichu standing off of its tail in Pokémon the Series
Gold Leaf (100%)
Oran Berry (5%)
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For other sprites and images, please see Raichu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
