Pichu is a small ground-dwelling rodent. Its fur is very short, and it is pale yellow in color. The tips of its large ears are black, and it has additional black markings on its neck and tail. Its tail is short, but still bears some resemblance to the large lightning-bolt structure it will develop later on in life. It has pouches in its cheeks, which are pinkish colored and used for storing electricity. Its nose is extremely small, almost like a dot.
Gender differences
Pichu normally have no gender differences; however, the Spiky-eared Pichu, which is female, has a spiked ear.
Special abilities
Pichu, like its evolutions, is capable of producing electrical sparks from its cheeks, charging itself with electricity more easily on days with thunderclouds or when the air is very dry. However, since Pichu is only a baby, it cannot control them as well, and may release electricity unintentionally. Fortunately, it is not able to store large amounts of electricity in its body.
Pichu are social Pokémon known for their playfulness. They tend to be very mischievous and are always on the lookout for something fun to do. They are usually found in groups, typically with members of their own species, but occasionally with other types of Pokémon. Like its evolutions, it is capable of storing electricity from the atmosphere, however, this ability requires much practice to perfect. Pichu are prone to randomly discharging electricity, as they are not fully mature; however, they become better at holding power as they grow older. Pichu are frequently observed touching tails with each other, creating a shower of sparks.
Pichu also appeared in The Apple Corp. Many were stealing apples from Charmaine's apple orchard.
A Pichu had a role in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate! Pichu's big brother, Pikachu, was lost and he was so worried, the Baby Electric Mouse went out to find him. Pichu came across Team Meanies, but they played a horrible trick on Pichu when asked to join them. Pichu found Team Go-Getters, who gladly let him come along with them. Pichu was eventually kidnapped by the Skarmory that had kidnapped Pikachu.
Pichu, the Tiny Mouse Pokémon. A pre-evolved form of Pikachu. Despite their size, Pichu release bursts of electricity that can shock even humans. However, Pichu are unskilled at controlling their electricity, and sometimes release it by accident when surprised, or when laughing and shock themselves.
Gold, in his desperation, protected an egg containing the offspring of Red's Pika and Yellow's Chuchu from the Masked Man. Soon thereafter, Gold's own talent as the "hatcher" allowed a powerful Pichu to hatch, with which he was able to defeat the villain and free Celebi from the GS Ball using Raikou's massive electrical power. It also returned with its parents to help destroy Guile Hideout's giant Kyogre monster with a Volt Tackle.
In the Pokémon Gold and Silver: The Golden Boys manga
Pichu is a playable character. It can be unlocked by beating event 37 (Legendary Pokémon) or playing 200 matches in VS. mode. As it is very light and electric attacks do damage to itself as well as others, Pichu is considered to be a handicap character. It is often considered to be the weakest character in the game, though its attacks are slightly more powerful than Pikachu's.
A Tiny Mouse Pokémon identifiable by its big ears, Pichu evolves into Pikachu. It's not very skilled at storing up electrical energy and will sometimes discharge it if jarred. Although it's small, it has enough electrical power to give even an adult quite a shock. It's often startled by its own power.
Adventure Mode
Compared with Pikachu, Pichu is a tad more nimble and a little more difficult to hit. Those are the only two advantages, however, and since Pichu damages itself when it uses electrical attacks, it's best suited for handicapped matches. Even though Pichu's tough to catch, it's easy to throw its tiny frame great distances.
All-Star Mode
Pichu is the lightest character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and it's top of the class in weakness, too! For Pichu, it's all about scampering here and there to pick up items that will help it survive. The first warp in Agility causes 1 point of damage to Pichu, and the second causes 3, so try to limit the number of times you use the move.
The sequel downgraded Pichu to just appearing as a trophy. In order to obtain it, one must complete All-Star mode without using a continue.
Trophy information
A Tiny Mouse Pokémon. Because its electric cheek pouches are still small, it cannot store electricity yet. Pichu has been known to flaunt its courage by touching tails with others and setting off sparks. It is easier for Pichu to build up electricity when the humidity is lower. Pichu will evolve into Pikachu.
Pokémon Stadium 2: Pichu stars in the mini-game "Pichu's Powerplant." Similar to Pikachu's and Voltorb's mini-game, "Thundering Dynamo", in Pokémon Stadium, the player has to be the first to charge up the most electrical power in order to win.
Pichu charges itself with electricity more easily on days with thunderclouds or when the air is very dry. You can hear the crackling of static electricity coming off this Pokémon.
When Pichu plays with others, it may short out electricity with another Pichu, creating a shower of sparks. In that event, this Pokémon will begin crying, startled by the flash of sparks.
Pichu is the only Generation II Pokémon to be playable in Super Smash Bros. Melee (although many others have appeared from Poké Balls). Like in the anime, it hurts itself when using electrical attacks.
Pichu is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 205 that is not based on a cocoon.
Due to it being distributed via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for European and North American games, the Pikachu-colored Pichu, a Shiny Pichu, was the first Pokémon to be given out over Wi-Fi Connection outside Japan.
Jirachi has this honor for the Japanese games, as well as overall.
Despite being able to learn ThunderPunch through breeding, it can't learn it via move tutor.
According to the Ruby Version Pokédex entry, one may hear the crackling of static electricity coming off Pichu; however, this is a somewhat dubious claim as, presumably, for the static to be audible it would have to hold more electricity than it most likely seems able to.
While media suggests that Pichu can't store electricity, Pichu can oddly learn and use the move Charge with absolutely no repercussions.
Pichu's name is a shortening of the name Pikachu to indicate that it is less than Pikachu. Its name, like Pikachu's, is a combination of ピカピカ pikapika, which is Japanese onomatopoeia for sparkle, and チューチュー chūchū, which is the sound of squeaking.
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.
Oran Berry (5%)
Zap Plate (100%)*
Everstone (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Pichu images on Bulbagarden Archives.
