{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|E}}|Korean Pokémon Festa 2019 Shiny Pikachu|All|Online|10{{shinystar|LGPE}}|May 1 to 31, 2019|link=List of event Pokémon distributions (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!)#Pikachu}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|E}}|Korean Pokémon Festa 2019 Shiny Pikachu|All|Online|10{{shinystar|LGPE}}|May 1 to 31, 2019|link=List of event Pokémon distributions (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!)#Pikachu}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|E}}|American Pokémon Pass Shiny Pikachu|All|Online|10{{shinystar|LGPE}}|May 11 to June 23, 2019|link=List of event Pokémon distributions (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!)#Pikachu}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev7|E}}|American Pokémon Pass Shiny Pikachu|All|Online|10{{shinystar|LGPE}}|May 11 to June 23, 2019|link=List of event Pokémon distributions (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!)#Pikachu}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}|Pokémon Center Birthday Pikachu|All|Japan|5|November 15, 2019 to ???<!--November 14, 2020-->|link=List of serial code event Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)#Pokémon Center Birthday Pokémon}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}|Pokémon Center Birthday Pikachu|All|Japan & Singapore|5|November 15, 2019 to March 31, 2021|link=List of serial code event Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)#Pokémon Center Birthday Pokémon}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}|Original Cap Pikachu|All|Online|25|September 29 to November 30, 2020|link=List of serial code event Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)#Original Cap}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}|Original Cap Pikachu|All|Online|25|September 29 to November 30, 2020|link=List of serial code event Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)#Original Cap}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}|Partner Cap Pikachu|All|Online|25|September 29 to November 30, 2020|link=List of serial code event Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)#Partner Cap}}
{{eventAvail|{{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}|Partner Cap Pikachu|All|Online|25|September 29 to November 30, 2020|link=List of serial code event Pokémon distributions (Generation VIII)#Partner Cap}}
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.
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 can also electrify itself to use its signature moveVolt Tackle.
Pikachu has three alternate forms: one, the 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, 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 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]
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 every non-special episode, with the exception of Time After Time!, and also every Pokémon movie since.
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.
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.
Gohcaught 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 entrance 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
An electric mouse Pokémon. Habitat: Forests and woodlands Diet: Mainly fruit Distinguishing features: Has an electric generator on each cheek. Beware of electrocution!
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.
Pikachu debuted in Wanted: Pikachu!, where it was stealing all the crops in a town. The townsfolk kept chasing him around, but end up getting shocked by him. Red arrives and captures 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.
Pika served on Yellow's team while Red was held captive by the Elite Four during this chapter before being returned to him, during which Yellow discovered that he can Surf.
A Pikachu appeared in Can You Diglett? as a silhouette when Agatha and Lorelei explains to Red about how Pokémon and people can't coexist with each other.
A Pikachu appeared in Ursaring Major, where it appeared in a fantasy of Silver when he explains the vital points of Pokémon.
In Tyranitar War, Yellow is seen to have a new addition to her team: a Pikachu of her own nicknamed "Chuchu", which she had found injured in Viridian Forest and nursed back to health. When Pika is left behind by Red on his trip to Mt. Silver, Pika joined Yellow and Chuchu on their adventure to Johto. Pika and Chuchu share a loving relationship, one that is so strong that even Jasmine noticed, prompting her to hand Yellow a slip with the Pokémon Daycare's address on it. Later on, after Yellow and Wilton were brought to the Day Care after being shipwrecked, Yellow finds that Pika and Chuchu now have an Egg shortly after they were "put together." The Egg eventually hatches into Gold's Pibu.
Five Pikachu appeared in Omega Alpha Adventure 3, 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 reveals to Chaz that Ruby created the concept of Pokémon wearing costumes for Contests. Noticeably, there are several males, with the exception of Pikachu Pop Star, which has the black marking on the tip of her tail. They reappeared in a flashback in Omega Alpha Adventure 7.
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.
Pikachu is one of the main characters in Pokémon Pocket Monsters and its sequels. It was the second Pokémon that Redcaught 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.
Pikachu somehow manages to find its way into many of the expansions, causing there to be 213 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 is a playable character for the arcade fighting game. Its moveset includes electrical attacks it uses in the main games, like Thunderbolt, Electro Ball, and Thunder. In Burst form, it can use the Burst Attack Volt Shock Fist. Several of its 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.
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.
Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it's evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.
This Pokémon has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while Pikachu sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.
Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it's evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.
This Pokémon has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while Pikachu sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.
The nation of Niue released a one-dollar coin with its coat of arms on one side and Pikachu on the other to promote the Pokémon franchise.
Pikachu and its evolved form both share their category name with Sandshrew, Sandslash, Rattata, and Raticate. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called the Rat Pokémon.
In 2008, Japanese researchers discovered a new protein that helps carry electrical impulses from the eyes to the brain and named it pikachurin. According to them, it was so named for sharing Pikachu's "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects".
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has included three Pikachu balloons. "Flying Pikachu" was the first, flown from 2001 to 2005, and was used in a morning rush hour test of wind conditions in Times Square after an accident involving an M&M's balloon in the 2005 parade.[4] It was last used in the August 2006 Party of the Decade in New York City's Bryant Park. The second balloon debuted in the 2006 parade, features glowing cheeks, and chases a Poké Ball balloon. The third, introduced in the 2014 parade, wears a green scarf and holds a small, Pikachu-shaped snowman.
Pikachu has the most event-exclusive moves available to it.
Additionally, Pikachu is the only Pokemon with two exclusive Z-moves.
In the Japanese Pokémon Stadium, Pikachu is the only usable Pokémon that is not fully evolved.
In Pokémon Yellow and from Generation VI onward, Pikachu uses its cry from the anime (voiced by Ikue Ohtani). Before Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, it was the only Pokémon to do so in core series games.
Its battle cry differs from status or Pokédex screens.
Pikachu is the only not fully evolved Pokémon whose base stats increased in Generation VI, and also the only to receive more than one: Defense and Special Defense.
Pikachu originally had a second-stage evolution named "Gorochu", which would have had two horns and fangs. Sugimori stated that while there was nothing wrong with its appearance, it was nonetheless omitted, as the staff found that the game balance was better without it.[5]
Pikachu's Gigantamax form is most likely a reference to its earlier, more rotund design from Generations I and II.
Pikachu appears in Pokémon Battle Chess. It doesn't behave like any traditional piece in chess.
Origin
Pikachu is based on a mouse after its name. Its cheek pouches were also inspired by squirrels, which store food in their cheeks. The stripes on its back and its lightning bolt-shaped tail were given for aesthetic reasons.[5]
Pikachu's designer, Atsuko Nishida, revealed in an interview that it was originally a daifuku-like creature with ears. Its black ear tips are remnants from this original concept.[5]
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).[6] It may also be derived from "peekaboo", or the animal pika, a relative of the rabbit with similar proportions.
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.