Pikachu (Pokémon) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia - The first knowledge sharing application in Vietnam

Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship and evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.

In Alola, Pikachu will evolve into Alolan Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.

Pikachu has a Gigantamax form. Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.

In Pokémon Yellow, the starter Pikachu will refuse to evolve into Raichu unless it is traded and evolved on another save file. In Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, the player’s partner Pikachu will also not evolve, and cannot be traded to become a Raichu.

Pikachu is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise and one of Nintendo’s major mascots.

It is also the game mascot and starter Pokémon of Pokémon Yellow and Let’s Go, Pikachu!. It has made numerous appearances on the boxes of spin-off titles.

Pikachu is also the starter Pokémon of Pokémon Rumble Blast and Pokémon Rumble World.

Biology

Pikachu’s gender differences in the anime

Pikachu is a short, chubby rodent Pokémon. It is covered in yellow fur with two horizontal brown stripes on its back. It has a small mouth, long, pointed ears with black tips, and brown eyes. Each cheek is a red circle that contains a pouch for electricity storage. It has short forearms with five fingers on each paw, and its feet each have three toes. At the base of its lightning bolt-shaped tail is a patch of brown fur. A female will have a V-shaped notch at the end of its tail, which looks like the top of a heart. It is classified as a quadruped, but it has been known to stand and walk on its hind legs.

The anime has shown that wild Pikachu live in groups in forested areas. Pikachu communicate amongst themselves using squeaks and tail-shaking as friendly gestures. In the anime, Alolan Pikachu are known to greet each other by sniffing one another and rubbing their tails together. Electricity can be used to receive and send messages with each other, as well as other Electric Pokémon species. It raises its tail to check its surroundings and is occasionally struck by lightning in this position. When groups grow, they can inadvertently cause lightning storms. Pikachu forage for Berries, which it roasts with electricity to make them tender enough to eat. A sure sign that Pikachu inhabits a location is patches of burnt grass. It has been observed eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment. By occasion, it can get unintentionally swallowed by Cramorant. While startled, it looks for ways to escape from the latter.

In the mouth of Cramorant

Pikachu charges itself while sleeping overnight, though stress and a lack of sleep can affect this. It is able to release electric discharges of varying intensity. Pikachu has been known to build up energy in its glands, which it will need to discharge to avoid complications. It is also able to release energy through its tail, which acts as a grounding rod, as well as recharging fellow Pikachu with electric shocks. Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are related to Pachirisu.

Pikachu has three alternate forms: the first one, Cosplay Pikachu, appeared exclusively in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. It is always female, has a black heart-shaped spot at the end of its tail, and can be dressed in any of five outfits corresponding to the five Contest conditions. The second form is Pikachu in a cap, which debuted as an event-exclusive Pokémon in Generation VII. It is always male and has eight variants, each wearing one of Ash’s hats from the anime. In addition to these two forms, many other Pikachu variants have appeared in various media. The last, the partner Pikachu, is the Pokémon the player starts with in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!. This Pikachu can be either gender, has higher base stats, and has access to moves that normal Pikachu do not.

As Gigantamax Pikachu, it becomes larger and chubbier. Its tail becomes longer and becomes capable of storing all of the electricity it generates, causing it to glow a bright yellow and enabling it to become as powerful as a lightning strike. Three red clouds float around the tail. Its power is equal to that of a power plant; however, it is difficult to use it in peoples’ homes since Pikachu can only remain in its Gigantamax form for a short time.[1]

Pikachu and its variants have several signature moves:

Pikachu is also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Light Ball item.

In the anime

Main series

Major appearances

Ash has a Pikachu that he obtained from Professor Oak in Pokémon – I Choose You!, the first episode of the Pokémon anime, which also marked its debut. He is the signature Pokémon of the anime series and has appeared in almost every non-special episode and every Pokémon movie since. In The Climb to Be the Very Best!, he was revealed to be capable of Gigantamaxing. He always remains outside of his Poké Ball.

In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mewtwo cloned Ash’s Pikachu. This Pikachu can be distinguished from Ash’s due to the spikes in the black marks found on the tips of its ears. It is also comparatively more aggressive than Ash’s Pikachu and slurs its speech, defects possibly caused by Ash tampering with Mewtwo’s cloning machine during the cloning process. It reappeared in the sequel special Mewtwo Returns and the remake movie Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution.

A Pikachu nicknamed Puka was owned by Victor on Seafoam Island in The Pi-Kahuna. This blue-eyed Pikachu saved Ash from drowning by having the ability to sense tidal waves approaching.

Ritchie has a Pikachu nicknamed Sparky, who debuted in A Friend In Deed. Sparky, unlike most Pikachu, has a tuft of fur on the top of its head, and, unlike Ash’s Pikachu, has no problem with living inside a Poké Ball.

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

All of the Cosplay Pikachu appeared in Lights! Camera! Pika!, under the ownership of Frank. They reappeared in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, where they were all summoned by Hoopa as part of a prank on Ash and his Pikachu.

The Ash Ketchum of the alternate continuity introduced in I Choose You! has a Pikachu of his own. Like the Pikachu of the main series, this Pikachu was his first Pokémon and his main partner, almost always remaining outside of his Poké Ball.

Goh caught a Pikachu in Gotta Catch a What?!. She, along with a few others of her kind, later evolved into Raichu during the episode.

Other

In The Ultimate Test, James used a Pikachu in the Pokémon League Admissions Exam, but it was defeated by the instructor’s Graveler. After interfering with a battle Ash was having with the instructor, James later tried to steal this Pikachu, only for it to zap James instead, as instructed by its instructor.

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!, a Pikachu was kidnapped by a Skarmory. As a result, Team Go-Getters set out to rescue him as their first mission. Pikachu provided them with some items in the battle.

In BWS01, Ayumi’s female Pikachu was trained on how to properly use Thunderbolt with the help of Cilan and Stunfisk.

A Mirror World Pikachu appeared in The Cave of Mirrors!, under the ownership of Mirror Ash. Unlike his regular world counterpart, Mirror Pikachu is a mischievous roughneck.

In Lights! Camera! Pika!, Frank has multiple Pikachu that would participate in his filmmaking endeavors.

In Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, multiple Pikachu were summoned by Hoopa as part of a prank on Ash and his Pikachu, though the prank failed. They were then returned to their original locations with the help of Ash’s Pikachu, who coordinated them into Hoopa’s portals.

In Battling at Full Volume!, Jimmy’s Pikachu, nicknamed Spike, was used in a battle against Ash’s Pikachu. Since Ash was ill, Serena took his place, unbeknownst to Jimmy and Spike. However, the match was interrupted by Team Rocket, who captured Spike, but Spike was promptly saved.

In A Plethora of Pikachu!, Pikala has multiple Pikachu. One of them was nicknamed Curly, while another that is Shiny was nicknamed the Boss. The Boss reappeared in a flashback in Beauty is Only Crystal Deep!. In Battle Royal 151!, another one of Pikala’s Pikachu, nicknamed Bolt, competed in the Battle Royal round of the Manalo Conference. It defeated a Magikarp and Pyukumuku, but ended up losing to Jessie’s Mimikyu.

Multiple Pikachu appeared in Gotta Catch a What?!. They later evolved into Raichu during the episode.

A Pikachu owned by Alternate World Ash appeared in Showdown at the Gates of Warp!.

Minor appearances

In Pokémon Emergency!, Nurse Joy has multiple Pikachu, all of whom helped Ash’s own Pikachu defeat Team Rocket and send them blasting off for the first time. They reappeared in a flashback in Pikachu’s Goodbye.

Wild Pikachu were prominent in Pikachu’s Goodbye, where Ash considered releasing his own Pikachu so he could be with his own kind. However, wild Pikachu let Ash’s Pikachu go to Ash and cheered them.

Multiple Pikachu appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.

In a flashback in Pokémon Double Trouble, Travis’s mother Luana temporarily mistook Ash for Travis when she saw Pikachu on Ash’s shoulder, since Travis has a Pikachu of his own.

A Pikachu appeared in Brock’s demonstration in A Bite to Remember, where it evolved into a Raichu.

In Lights, Camerupt, Action!, a Pikachu appeared in two of Elijah’s movies. Red’s Pikachu was featured in a film that Ash and Gary were watching when they were younger. In a different movie that Ash and his friends were watching at the time the episode was taking place, another Pikachu helped Plusle and Minun on their mission to rescue Princess Kirlia from the evil Exploud.

In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, a Pikachu was one of Mew’s transformations.

In Cooking up a Sweet Story!, Abigail’s Pikachu, nicknamed Sugar, went missing prior to the events of the episode. As a result, Ash’s Pikachu had to fill in for it so that its owner would have the confidence to win a cooking competition. At the end of the episode, Sugar returned, whereupon it was revealed to have evolved into a Raichu.

A Pikachu appeared in a flashback in The Keystone Pops!, under the ownership of an Aura Guardian.

A Pikachu appeared in a flashback in Flint Sparks the Fire!, under the ownership of Volkner. In the present day, it is a Raichu.

A Pikachu appeared in Clemont’s demonstration in To Catch a Pokémon Smuggler!, where it evolved into a Raichu using a Thunder Stone.

A Pikachu appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, under the ownership of Uschi.

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in Now You See Them, Now You Don’t!.

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in Showering the World with Love!.

In Securing the Future!, a Trainer’s Pikachu joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.

In Battle Royal 151!, a Trainer’s Pikachu competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference but ended up losing.

Female Pikachu in the anime
Shiny Pikachu in the anime
Set of Cosplay Pikachu in the anime
Alola Cap Pikachu in the anime
Partner Cap Pikachu in the anime
World Cap Pikachu in the anime
Gigantamax Pikachu in the anime

Pokédex entries

Episode

Pokémon

Source

Entry

DP002
Pikachu

Dawn’s Pokédex

Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks.

Episode

Pokémon

Source

Entry

BW001
Pikachu

Trip’s Pokédex

Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu’s tail is sometimes struck by lightning as it raises it to check its surroundings.

BW093
Pikachu

Cameron’s Pokédex

Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu can help other Pikachu who are feeling weak by sharing its electric current.

Episode

Pokémon

Source

Entry

SM003
Pikachu

Rotom Pokédex

Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. An Electric type. It raises its tail to sense its surroundings. If you pull on its tail, it will bite.

Episode

Pokémon

Source

Entry

JN035
Pikachu

Goh’s Rotom Phone

Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. An Electric type. Pikachu have pouches on their cheeks that can store electricity, which they release if threatened. Male and female Pikachu have differently shaped tails.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Animated Shorts

A female appeared in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Animated Shorts as the protagonist along with an Oshawott.

Pokémon Origins

Red caught a Pikachu in File 4: Charizard.

Other

In File 1: Red, a Pikachu was one of the Pokémon seen in Professor Oak’s introduction.

Pokémon Generations

Red caught a Pikachu in Viridian Forest in The Adventure. He then proceeded to travel though multiple regions with it, facing many strong opponents along the way.

Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer

Two Pikachu appeared in the Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer, with one under the ownership of Scottie and the other under the ownership of Bettie. Scottie’s Pikachu participated in a battle against Erika, a Beauty, and a Lass; while Bettie’s Pikachu participated in a battle against Skyla, Flint, and Acerola.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

A Pikachu appeared in Letter.

A Pikachu appeared in Buddy, under the ownership of a Schoolboy.

POKÉTOON

A Pikachu appeared in The Pancham Who Wants to Be a Hero, where it was trapped in a cave.

A Pikachu that Blossom attempted to catch appeared in Blossom’s Dream.

GOTCHA!

A Pikachu appeared in GOTCHA!, under the ownership of a boy.

Pokémon Evolutions

In The Champion, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Victor and Gloria appeared in Wyndon Stadium, cheering on the battle between Victor and Leon.

In The Eclipse, a Pikachu was briefly seen in a flashback, frozen in Lusamine’s trophy room. Additionally, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Elio and Selene appeared playing with some children.

In The Visionary, two Pikachu wearing the hats and glasses of Calem and Serena appeared near Lysandre and Diantha while they were having a conversation.

In The Plan, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Hilbert and Hilda appeared under the ownership of a Trainer who was listening to Ghetsis’s speech in Accumula Town.

In The Rival, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Lucas and Dawn appeared in the reception hall of the Battle Tower.

In The Wish, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Brendan and May appeared in Pacifidlog Town, watching the battle between May’s Mega Rayquaza and Zinnia’s Mega Salamence.

In The Show, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Ethan and Lyra briefly appeared under the ownership of Trainers watching the Kimono Girls’ performance in Ecruteak City.

In The Discovery, a female partner Pikachu appeared under the ownership of Elaine. She used her in a battle against Green and her Clefable and won in one hit. Additionally, two Pikachu wearing the hats of Chase and Elaine appeared in Pallet Town.

Bidoof’s Big Stand

Bidoof’s Big Stand

Pikachu in

A Pikachu appeared in the intro to Bidoof’s Big Stand.

A Ripple in Time

A Ripple in Time

Pikachu in

A Pikachu based on Ash’s Pikachu has a prominent role in A Ripple in Time along with an alternate version of Ash.

Journey of Shared Dreams

Pikachu plays an important role in Journey of Shared Dreams as one of the many Pokémon featured in Da Ming’s games. In the short’s final battle, Pikachu is used by Da Ming in the final battle against a Mewtwo.

In the manga

Ash & Pikachu

Ash’s Pikachu is a starring character in Ash & Pikachu, a manga adaptation of the Pokémon anime based on Ash’s adventures in Johto, Hoenn, and Battle Frontier.

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Ash’s Pikachu is a main character in The Electric Tale of Pikachu, an adaptation of the Pokémon anime. Ash discovered it under the floorboards at his home, where it was chewing on wires to eat the electricity. After catching it, Ash decided to make it his starter Pokémon.

Sparky, Ritchie’s Pikachu, first appeared in Welcome to the Big Leagues. In this manga, its nickname is translated as “Chuchino”.

Pokédex entries

Manga

Chapter

Entry

The Electric Tale of Pikachu
ET01

An electric mouse Pokémon.
Habitat: Forests and woodlands
Diet: Mainly fruit
Distinguishing features: Has an electric generator on each cheek.
Beware of electrocution!

How I Became a Pokémon Card

A story called Akari and Pikachu’s Birthday is featured in the final volume of How I Became a Pokémon Card.

Magical Pokémon Journey and Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪

Pikachu is a main character in Magical Pokémon Journey. He is the first Pokémon befriended by Hazel, debuting in How Do You Do, Pikachu?. Pikachu is one of the few Pokémon in Magical Pokémon Journey that cannot speak human language, although the others seem to understand him. He is described as rather scatterbrained at times. Pikachu returns as a main character in Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪, the sequel to the Magical Pokémon Journey series.

Ash’s Pikachu also makes a cameo appearance in bonus chapters at the end of every volume of the Magical Pokémon Journey manga.

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

Ash’s Pikachu appeared in Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl.

Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon

A Pikachu appeared in Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō’s Big Adventure

Red’s Pikachu debuted as a silhouette alongside its Trainer in JBA5. It then physically debuted in JBA6.

Pokémon Adventures

A group of Cosplay Pikachu in Pokémon Adventures

Female Pikachu in Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Pika

Pikachu debuted in Wanted: Pikachu!, where it was stealing food in Pewter City. The townsfolk kept chasing him around, but ended up getting shocked by him. Red arrived and caught him, ending the chaos. Although extremely disobedient at first, even prone to regularly electrocuting his owner, the two eventually got over this enmity, and this Pikachu, nicknamed “Pika”, became one of his most loyal and trusted fighters, being used in almost every major battle Red has had.

A Pikachu appeared as a silhouette when Green talked about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.

In Just a Spearow Carrier, a Pikachu appeared with its Trainer at Indigo Plateau. It noticeably had a flower by its ear.

Pika served on Yellow’s team while Red missing during this chapter, before being returned to him. During his time with Yellow, Pika learned how to Surf.

A Pikachu appeared in The Kindest Tentacruel as one of the Pokémon in Yellow’s fantasy about evolution via Evolution stone.

A Pikachu appeared in Can You Diglett? as a silhouette when Agatha and Lorelei explained to Red about how Pokémon and people can’t coexist with each other.

Main article: Chuchu

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy of Professor Elm’s explanation of Pokémon Eggs in Teddiursa’s Picnic.

A Pikachu appeared in Ursaring Major in a fantasy of Silver when he explained the vital points of Pokémon.

In Tyranitar War, Yellow was revealed to have obtained her own Pikachu, nicknamed “Chuchu”. While staying at the Pokémon Day-Care with Pika, the two Pikachu ended up producing an Egg, which later hatched into Gold’s Pichu, Pibu.

Two Pikachu owned by a pair of Poké Fans appeared in Oh, It’s Ho-Oh!, going towards Indigo Plateau.

A Pikachu appeared in Suffering Psyduck.

Multiple Pikachu were among the Electric-type Pokémon that charged the Prism Tower during a blackout in Pangoro Poses a Problem.

Main article: Cosplay Pikachu

Five Pikachu appeared in PS599, where they each wear the five costumes available for the Cosplay Pikachu: Pikachu Rock Star, Pikachu Belle, Pikachu Pop Star, Pikachu Ph.D., and Pikachu Libre. Lisia revealed to Chaz that Ruby created the concept of Pokémon wearing costumes for Contests. Noticeably, some of these Cosplay Pikachu were male. They reappeared in a flashback in PS603.

A Trainer’s Pikachu appeared in The Decision and the Tournament of Six.

Hau’s Pichu evolved into Pikachu prior to Shock!! Father in the Pendant!.

A Pikachu appeared in Gulp Gulp!! Pokémon, having been swallowed by a Cramorant.

Pokédex entries

Manga

Chapter

Entry

Pokémon Adventures
PS004

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.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

A Pikachu appeared in Aim for the Top!.

A Pikachu appeared in Battle Between Student and Master!.

A Pikachu appeared in Introducing the Frontier Brains!, where it was seen in a picture taken by Anabel.

Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!

A Pikachu appeared in ABM02.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Gold owns a Pikachu, which was later revealed to have originally belonged to Eusine before he sent it back in time with Bill’s Time Capsule.

Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘Em All

Shu’s first Pokémon was a Pikachu that he found abandoned in the forest.

A female Pikachu appeared in GDZ40, under the ownership of a male Trainer.

A Pikachu appeared in GDZ61.

Pokémon Horizon

A Trainer’s Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in Journey to a New Horizon.

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in The Power of Teamwork.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Ash’s Pikachu appeared in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

Pokémon Newspaper Strip

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

Pokémon + Nobunaga’s Ambition ~ Ranse’s Color Picture Scroll ~

A Pikachu appeared in The Yellow Scroll: Hanbei vs Kanbei, under the ownership of Hanbei.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Pikachu is one of the main characters in Pokémon Pocket Monsters and its sequels. It was the second Pokémon that Red caught on his own, but the first he kept.

Pikachu is one of the few Pokémon in the manga that cannot speak human language. He is the cousin of Clefairy and is considered the smarter of the two.

In Clefairy Evolves… At Last?!, Pikachu evolved into Raichu, but he has since devolved back to the Pikachu stage.

Yellow has a Pikachu of his own, which debuted in The Fake Pikachu!!.

Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission

A Pikachu appeared in a fantasy in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode One.

Pokémon Zensho

Satoshi caught a Pikachu in PZ02. It later evolved into a Raichu in PZ10.

In the TCG

Pikachu in the TCG

Pikachu TCG Coin

Pikachu manages to find its way into many of the expansions, causing there to be 199 known non-reprint Pokémon cards featuring Pikachu. There are also various Trainer cards with Pikachu in the card’s artwork too, including the very sought-after tournament promos such as No.1 Trainer.

The first Pikachu that appeared in the TCG was Pikachu in the Base Set (which was reprinted in Base Set 2 and in POP Series 2 with different artwork). It was followed in the next set by another Pikachu (which was also reprinted in the Legendary Collection). The third Pikachu card released was the first-ever English promo card, Pikachu. The original Base Set Pikachu was also released as a special promotional card at E3.

In the early days of the TCG, several notable errors were made regarding the Pikachu cards. The Base Set Pikachu was released with altered artwork at first, depicting it with red cheeks, instead of the original yellow. While this matched Ken Sugimori’s artwork, the yellow color on its cheeks was intentional by the artist, who depicted Pikachu using ThunderShock. This error appeared in both the E3 promotional version and the normal Base Set release. A second error was made in the production of Jungle set booster packs, which, instead of the Jungle set’s Pikachu, sometimes contained first edition versions of the Pikachu that was released as a promo card.

Pikachu has also been featured on a number of TCG coins, with one being included with the English and European languages-only Base Set 2. This coin was also featured in the Pokémon Play It! PC game. A Pikachu coin is also featured in the Game Boy game Pokémon Trading Card Game, and is one of the coins that can be obtained in Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, where it is given by Isaac to winners of the Lightning Club.

In the TFG

Two Pikachu figures have been released.

Other appearances

Pikachu Libre in Pokkén Tournament

Pikachu is a playable character for the arcade fighting game. His moveset includes electrical attacks the species uses in the main games, like Thunderbolt, Electro Ball, and Thunder. In Burst form, he can use the Burst Attack Volt Shock Fist. Several of his attacks and victory poses are directly taken from Heihachi and Kazuya Mishima’s movesets from the Tekken series.

Pikachu overwhelms opponents with powerful electric shocks and quick movements.[2]

Pikachu Libre was first announced alongside the Wii U port of the game. She was later released as an additional fighter on the original arcade version.

Pikachu Libre, a wrestling idol, is a small masked fighter overflowing with fighting spirit.

Detective Pikachu stars a Pikachu that is capable of speaking the human language, but only the player character Tim Goodman is capable of hearing him. Much like Meowth from the anime, he is incapable of using moves that most Pikachu are capable of using. This Pikachu also really loves to drink coffee. Early on in the game, a regular Pikachu also briefly appears.

Pikachu and Eliana in the Lightning Force music video

The Brazilian music video Lightning Force features a stop motion animated Pikachu. This Pikachu is also shown later as a live action actor with a full-body costume.

Celestial

Pikachu appeared in the music video for Celestial. It is also featured in the single cover for the song.

Game data

As the player

Pikachu appears as the player character in both PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure and its sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond. He falls down a mysterious tunnel one day with his friends Charmander, Chikorita, and Piplup and ends up in the PokéPark. There he goes on a quest to save the PokéPark from certain destruction. He later travels to a new PokéPark which is being threatened by the ever-expanding Wish Park. At the new PokéPark he meets Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, and they help to save the PokéPark from danger.

NPC appearances

Pokémon Stadium: Pikachu stars in the mini-game “Thundering Dynamo” alongside Voltorb. This mini-game involves charging up electric power.
Hey You, Pikachu!: Pikachu stars alongside an unnamed child (who bears a striking resemblance to Red) who was recently taught how to interact with wild Pokémon by Professor Oak. The boy and Pikachu form a bond and go on many adventures together, and one day the Pikachu decides to live with the boy.
Pokémon Stadium 2: Pikachu can be used in “Pichu’s Power Plant” if one is detected in a Transferred Pokémon game.
Pokémon Pinball: Pikachu serves as a Ball-Saver, but it will only work if the Lightning Meter is full.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & 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.
Pokémon Channel: Much like Hey You, Pikachu!, Pokémon Channel focuses on a boy and a Pikachu bonding through social interactions, such as going outside and talking to other Pokémon, and watching TV together.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

In events

Pikachu

Original Cap Pikachu

Hoenn Cap Pikachu

Sinnoh Cap Pikachu

Unova Cap Pikachu

Kalos Cap Pikachu

Alola Cap Pikachu

Partner Cap Pikachu

Games

Event

Language/Region

Location

Level

Distribution period

Sw

Sh

Ash’s Partner Cap Pikachu

All

Online

September 29 to November 30, 2020

World Cap Pikachu

In-game events

Pikachu

Partner Cap Pikachu

Pikachu

Games

Event

Gigantamax

Location

Level

Distribution period

Sw

Sh

Wild Area News

Yes

hide

17, 30, 40, 50, 60

May 12 to 18, 2020

Games

Event

Tera Type

Location

Level

Distribution period

S

V

Pikachu the Unrivaled

Water

hide

100

February 24 to 27, 2023

Pokémon Global Link promotions

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Generation I-V

Generation VI onward

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Mục lục bài viết

By a prior evolution

Generation IX

Other generations:

–

III

–

VII

–

VIII

Stage

Move

Type

Cat.

Pwr.

Acc.

This Pokémon has no moves exclusive to prior evolutions.

Bold indicates a move that gets
STAB

when used by Pikachu
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pikachu
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Generation IX

Other generations:

–

III

–

VII

–

VIII

Event

Move

Type

Cat.

Pwr.

Acc.

Flying Terastal Pikachu

Fly

Flying

Physical

95%

A superscript level indicates that Pikachu can learn this move normally in Generation IX
Bold indicates a move that gets
STAB

when used by Pikachu
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Pikachu
Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pikachu

Pikachu Libre

Pikachu Pop Star

Pikachu Rock Star

Flying Pikachu

Shaymin scarf Pikachu

Evolution

Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, Partner Pikachu, and Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.

Forms

Cosplay Pikachu

Pikachu in a cap

Partner Pikachu

Pikachu

Electric

Gigantamax Pikachu

Sprites

Other sprites

Spr 3f Pikachu credits.png

FireRed/LeafGreen credits

Trivia

$1 coin from Niue featuring Pikachu

Pikachu in Pokémon Stadium

Pikachu in Pokémon Battle Chess

Origin

Pikachu’s designer, Atsuko Nishida, revealed in an interview that this Pokémon was originally a daifuku-like creature with ears sticking out. Its black ear tips are remnants of this original concept.[4][9]

Nishida named the Pokémon Pikachu “without giving it much thought”, and while it wasn’t originally intended to be based on a mouse, Game Freak CEO Satoshi Tajiri made the decision to base it on such. During the process of making Pikachu “cuter”, as per the instructions of game designer Kōji Nishino, Nishida added cheek pouches for it to store electricity in. These were inspired by squirrels, which store food in their cheeks. Pikachu’s yellow colouration and lightning bolt-shaped tail were given to express Pikachu’s electrical attributes and make its type easier to recognise and understand. According to Nishida, Pikachu’s stripes aren’t based on anything in particular, and were added to fill the empty space on Pikachu’s back, as it is always visible during battle.[4][9]

Pikachu’s Gigantamax form is a reference to its earlier, more rotund design from Generations I and II.[6]

Name origin

Pikachu is a combination of ピカピカ pikapika (onomatopoeia for sparkle) and チューチュー chūchū (the sound of a mouse squeaking).[4][10]

In other languages

Language

Title

Meaning

Japanese