Pikachu (Pokémon)
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Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Template:Type2 Pokémon. It is the starter Pokémon one receives at the beginning of Pokémon Yellow, and is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise.
Pikachu comes with the ability Static, which paralyzes the foe 30% of the time it uses a move that makes contact with Pikachu.
Pikachu evolves with exposure to a Thunderstone into Raichu. It evolves from Pichu when it grows a level and its happiness is 220 or above.
Pikachu is the version mascot of Pokémon Yellow, appearing on the boxart.
Biology
Physiology
A Pikachu is a ground-dwelling rodent notable for its Electric abilities. Pikachu have short, yellow fur with brown stripes on its back, black-tipped ears, along with an unusually shaped tail, resembling a lightning bolt. Besides its evolution and pre-evolution, it may be related to Plusle, Minun and Pachirisu, due to notable physical similarities.
Pikachu are known to have acute senses of hearing, thanks to its large ears. Most domestic Pikachu are very intelligent, understanding and interpreting human speech at levels far surpassing those of any pet dog.
In DP074, when Ash's Pikachu was injured, it was shown to have a heart rate of 156.
Gender differences
A female Pikachu has a small "dent" at the end of its tail, causing it to resemble a heart.
Special abilities
Exclusive to the Pikachu's subspecies is the ability to release electric discharges of varying intensity, at will, through electric sacs in its cheeks. This electric energy can be manipulated into a variety of techniques which are mostly used in battle but which can be used to roast berries as well.
As Pikachu build up energy in their electricity glands, it is often needed to discharge, as to not result in a short, or worse, which can lead to physical Paralysis, or in severe cases death. Pikachu release the built-up energy through their tail, which acts as a grounding rod, to safely remove unneeded energy. A sure sign to tell if a location is inhabited by Pikachu is to look for patches of burnt grass, which is the result of the discharge. Through an inability to release a buildup of electricity, a Pikachu may develop a rare condition similar to the human flu. This illness is most often caused by strong nearby electro-magnetic forces, which severely impact the electric glands. If a Pikachu is introduced to a magnet, it will be attracted towards its cheeks, and display other common attributes of magnetism.
Pikachu and its evolution family, Pichu and Raichu, are the only known Pokémon that can learn Volt Tackle. In a few rare cases, Pikachu can learn to manipulate Water and, with the help of a surfboard, perform the move Surf. Other rare cases show that Pikachu can also learn, with the use of balloons, to perform the move Fly, removing its weakness to Ground.
Behavior
In the wild, Pikachu often travel in packs, and are rarely territorial. However, when threatened, a group can generate an intense electrical offensive, and the electro-magnetic forces exerted by the resulting field can even produce a short lived, localized thunderstorm. Pikachu can be harmful pests, eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment.
Despite this, it is a popular pet, and relatively easy to maintain, with little exercise necessary for its well being. However, it is important to discharge the electricity in its cheeks periodically.
As many know, pulling on a Pikachu's tail will result in a severe shock to the offender. Another defense of Pikachu's is the use of its nasty Bite which has been known to leave quite a mark.
Habitat
They are found mostly in forests, but possibly because of their attraction to their electricity or simply because they are not afraid of people, Pikachu commonly show up in civilized areas. They may even enter houses, presumably attracted by the electrical output generated by the dwellers' appliances.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Living in wooded areas, Pikachu often are found foraging for berries. Instead of climbing trees, they use small electrical shocks to release the berries from the tree, roasting them at the same time.
As pets, they can be fed a variety of processed food, available at many pet stores. Alternatively, like most Pokémon, Pikachu are tolerant to most "human" foods, and sometimes enjoy them more than the more nutritional food designed for their biology. In fact, Pikachu have been known to have a fondness of ketchup.
In the anime
Ash Ketchum has a Pikachu that he obtained from Professor Oak in Pokémon - I Choose You!, the first episode of the Pokémon anime series. It has appeared in every non-special episode since. Pikachu has also appeared in every Pokémon movie.
James used a Pikachu in the Pokémon League Entrance Exam in The Ultimate Test, but the Pikachu was defeated by the instructor's Graveler. James, after interfering with a battle Ash was having with the instructor, later tried to steal this Pikachu.
Another Pikachu nicknamed Puka was owned by a man named Victor on Seafoam Island in The Pi-Kahuna. This blue-eyed Pikachu had the ability to sense tidal waves approaching.
Ritchie also has a Pikachu nicknamed Sparky, who debuted in A Friend In Deed.
A Pikachu has also been owned by Luana's son, Travis. Luana mistook Ash for Travis when she saw Ash playing with Pikachu.
Ash gets turned into a Pikachu in Hocus Pokémon by a Pokémon magician named Lily. He reverts to his human form at the beginning of the next episode.
In Lights, Camerupt, Action, Elijah used a Pikachu in one of his movies. This Pikachu helped Plusle and Minun on their mission to rescue Princess Kirlia from the evil Armaldo.
A Pikachu also had a part in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!. He was kidnapped by a Skarmory and Team Go-Getters set out to rescue him as their first mission. Pikachu provided them with some items in the battle.
A Pikachu named Sugar belonging to the owners of a restaurant went missing prior to Cooking up a Great Story!. This Pikachu evolved into a Raichu near the end of the episode.
A Pikachu belonging to an unnamed Aura Guardian appeared in The Keystone Pops!.
In the manga
Electric Tale of Pikachu prominently features a Pikachu.
A Pikachu is one of the main characters in Pokémon PiPiPi Adventure.
A more mouse-like Pikachu that communicates through pantomime is one of Isamu Akai's Pokémon in Pocket Monsters.
Satoshi has a Pikachu as one of the members of his team in Pokémon Zensho. It later evolves into a Raichu.
Shuu's first Pokémon was a Pikachu he found abandoned in the forest in Pokémon Get da ze!.
Ash's Pikachu was the main character in the short-lived Pokémon Newspaper Strip.
A story called "Akari and Pikachu's Birthday" is featured in the final volume of How I Became a Pokémon Card.
In Golden Boys, Gold was in possession of a Pikachu, which ended up being Eusine's.
A Pikachu makes a cameo in Pocket Monsters Emerald: Challenge!! Battle Frontier during one of the battles. Also, a photo album owned by Anabel has a Pikachu on the cover.
Pokémon Special
Pokédex entry: 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.
Both Red and Yellow have Pika and Chu Chu, respectively. Pika often used to shock Red repeatedly. However, Pika becomes one of Red's most valued Pokémon.
Pikachu debuted in its own round in the Red, Green & Blue chapter, Wanted: Pikachu!. Here, Pika is captured by Red.
In the ninth Volume, Yellow is seen to have a new addition to her team: a Pikachu she had found injured in the Viridian Forest and nursed back to health. When Pika is left behind by Red on his trip to Mt. Silver, Pika joins Yellow and Chuchu on their trip 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. In Volume 13, after Yellow and Wilton are brought to the Daycare 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 Pichu.
Wild Pikachu also appeared in the RS and DP sagas.
In the TCG
- Main article: Pikachu (TCG)
In the TCG, Pikachu somehow manages to find its way into many of the expansions, causing there to be at least 30 known 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, contained, at times, first edition versions of the Pikachu that was released as a promo card.
In the TFG
One Pikachu figure has been released.
Other appearances
Pikachu has the honor of being one of the mascots of the Smash Bros. series, alongside Mario, Link and Kirby.
Super Smash Bros.
Pikachu is a playable character and the only Pokémon that is playable from the start of the game. It is in the fifth box of the second row. Its main stage is Saffron City.
In the hands of a skilled player, Pikachu is not to be taken lightly. Alongside electrical attacks, it has very good aerial attacks and superb recovery. Because of this, top-level SSB players have placed Pikachu at the top of their list, theoretically making it the best character in the game.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Pikachu is a playable character and the only Pokémon that is playable from the start of the game. It is initially placed to the right of Mario but moves to the bottom row after Luigi is unlocked. Its main stage is Kanto: Pokémon Stadium.
While Pikachu's play style remained the same, it was powered down in the sequel. The tier lists for Melee place Pikachu in either the Middle or Low tier.
Trophy information
Classic Mode
It's safe to say that Pikachu is the most famous and popular of all Pokémon. It has electric pouches in both cheeks; when in danger, it shoots electricity at its enemies. Although Pikachu can evolve into Raichu by exposure to a Thunderstone, many trainers like Pikachu so much that they don't let it evolve.
Adventure Mode
While its electrical attacks, such as Thunder and Thunder Jolt, are powerful, Pikachu is at its best speeding around the fray and waiting for its chance to strike. You can control the path of Pikachu's two-directional Quick Attack, allowing you to jump twice. Hold down the B Button to charge up Skull Bash.
All-Star Mode
The angle of the Control Stick controls the direction of Pikachu's Quick Attack. Pikachu will move blindingly fast, and it will also cause damage to any character it runs into. Move the Control Stick during Quick Attack and Pikachu will move in up to two directions. Be sure to check out the ceilings on the level when you use Thunder.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Pikachu is a returning playable character to the franchise. Its Final Smash move is Volt Tackle.
| Standard Special Move | Side Special Move | Up Special Move | Down Special Move | Final Smash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Subspace Emissary
Pikachu is first seen in the "Research Facility" stage where it is being used to power a generator. Responding to its shrieks of pain, Zero Suit Samus saves it by destroying the generator. The two then face a group of R.O.B Sentries. Pikachu then joins Samus to search for her stolen power suit. The suit is soon recovered and then are soon confronted by Ridley. He grabs Samus and begins dragging her across the walls. It is now that Pikachu returns the favor as it zaps Ridley with a powerful Thunder attack.
Codec information (on Shadow Moses Island)
- Mei Ling: "Ooh! How cuute!"
- Solid Snake: "What? The yellow thing?"
- Mei Ling: "That's Pikachu. It's a Pokémon. They're popular all over the world, you know. And it may look cute, but be careful. It can store large amounts of electricity in those adorable little cheeks. It'll try to pepper you with electric shocks."
- Solid Snake: "Couldn't be much worse than Ocelot's old torture device..."
- Mei Ling: "Oh, and, Snake?"
- Solid Snake: "What?"
- Mei Ling: "I was wondering, could you maybe try and catch Pikachu for me? Pleeeeease?"
- Solid Snake: "Give me a break! What do I look like, a Pokémon Trainer?"
- Mei Ling: "Fine... Sorry I asked."
Trophy information
"A Mouse Pokémon. Its lightning-bolt tail and round cheeks are its trademarks. When danger draws near, it uses tiny electric pouches within its cheeks to discharge electricity. When it's really fired up, it unleashes thunderbolts on its rivals. It's said to recharge when it's sleeping. It evolves into Raichu."
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Stadium: Pikachu stars in the mini-game "Thundering Dynamo" alongside Voltorb. This mini-game involves charging up electric power.
- 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.
Pokédex entries
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Game locations
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In side games
| Game | Location |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Snap | Beach, Tunnel, River and Cave |
| Pokémon Channel | Collect all 101 Nice Cards |
| Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire | Safari Zone (Ruby Field) |
| Pokémon Trozei! | Secret Storage 4 Secret Storage 20 Endless Level 1 Mr. Who's Den |
| Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (Red and Blue) |
Starter Pokémon Lightning Field (6F-10F) |
| Pokémon Ranger | Lyra Forest Panula Cave Sekra Mountain Range |
| Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (Time and Darkness) |
Starter Pokémon Amp Plains (9F-10F) Far Amp Plains (1F-4F) |
| Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia | Vien Forest Crystal Lake Volcano Cave Nurue Highway Nurue Field Nurue Ruins |
| My Pokémon Ranch | Random trade with Hayley * |
Base stats
| Stat | Range | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| At Lv. 50 | At Lv. 100 | ||
HP: 35
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95 - 142 | 180 - 274 | |
55
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54 - 117 | 103 - 229 | |
30
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31 - 90 | 58 - 174 | |
50
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49 - 112 | 94 - 218 | |
40
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40 - 101 | 76 - 196 | |
90
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85 - 156 | 166 - 306 | |
Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total | ||
Type effectiveness
Template:DP type effectiveness
Learnset
By leveling up
|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | electric | style="background:#FAC000" | electric
| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Pikachu | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note
By TM/HM
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By breeding
Template:Eggmoves
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| colspan="9" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB from an evolution of this Pokémon
*Lucario must have Reversal upon evolving from Riolu
**Pikachu or Raichu must be equipped with Light Ball in order to get this move
|}
By tutoring
Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4
|- style="background:#9DC1B7"
| colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.
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By separate events
Smash Bros.-only moves
Thunder Jolt (Japanese: でんげき Electric Attack) is Pikachu's Standard Special Move in all three Smash Bros. games. When used, Pikachu will release a small, blue bolt that slowly jumps across the platform. It can also turn around at some corners.
When used in midair, Pikachu will instead make a white ball that will travel in a downward diagonal line until it reaches a platform. In Brawl, there is a purple sphere around the white ball.
TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
| Gen | Game | ||||||
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| I | Red | Blue | Yellow | Red (Ja) | Green | Back | |
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| II | Gold | Silver | Crystal | Back | |||
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| III | Ruby | Sapphire | Emerald | FireRed | LeafGreen | Back | |
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| IV | Diamond | Pearl | Platinum | HeartGold | SoulSilver | Back | |
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| V | Black | White | Black 2 | White 2 | Back | ||
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For other sprites and images, please see Pikachu images on Bulbagarden Archives.Trivia
- Coincidentially, both Pikachu and Meowth's shiny forms are orange.
- Pikachu's tail appears to be backwards in its Generation II back sprites, with the end of the tail pointing upwards instead of behind it.
- The "secret" move for Pikachu's evolution line, Volt Tackle, is actually based off of (and in the Japanese version, named after) Pulseman's signature move, Volteccer. To get this move, a Pichu must be bred from a parent Pikachu or Raichu holding a Light Ball, though this can only happen in Pokémon Emerald, Diamond, or Pearl.
- Additionally, a Pikachu knowing Surf and Volt Tackle can be obtained from Pokémon Battle Revolution by defeating Stargazer Colosseum for the first time.
- A Surfing Pikachu can also be won through the use of Pokémon Stadium. Players must beat Prime Cup Master Ball R-2 using a team containing a Pikachu from the player's game pack. The Pikachu must be used in every battle, and no continues may be used.
- Additionally, a Pikachu knowing Surf and Volt Tackle can be obtained from Pokémon Battle Revolution by defeating Stargazer Colosseum for the first time.
- Pikachu's number in the National Dex (25) happens to be the reversed version of Meowth's (52). It is unknown whether or not this was intentional, however, in the anime, Team Rocket's Meowth and Ash's Pikachu are rivals and also as Cat and Mouse Pokemon.
- Pikachu is the smallest and lightest version mascot, likely owing to the fact that it is not fully-evolved nor legendary, unlike the rest.
- In the games, Pikachu is the first Pokémon to have its cry changed-- to that of its anime counterpart. This only happened in Yellow. Junichi Masuda details the modification of Ikue Ohtani's voice to a sound capable of being made by the low-tech Game Boy in his Director's Column.
- Pikachu assumes a pose that is identical to the pose of the Pikachu on the box art of Pokémon Yellow during its battle animation in Diamond and Pearl.
- Pikachu is in all six regional Pokédexes, though it is only native to Kanto out of the four main series regions. It is imported from Kanto to Hoenn's Safari Zone and Mr. Backlot's house in Sinnoh.
- Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow was the first Pokémon to naturally learn a move taught by a Gym Leader's TM (Lt. Surge's TM24 (Thunderbolt)) in its introductory generation and the only one until Generation III.
- Pikachu is the first Template:Type2 Pokémon in National Dex order.
- Pikachu is one of fourteen Pokémon that one can collect foreign Pokédex entries for.
- Pikachu and Raichu share the same species name with Rattata, Raticate, Sandshrew, and Sandslash. They are all known as Mouse Pokémon, though Rattata and Raticate have also been called Rat Pokémon.
- On Red's final team in Mt. Silver at the end of the Generation II games, Pikachu is the highest leveled Pokémon to be faced in any Pokémon game, excluding the Stadium/Colosseum/Battle Revolution series and the Battle Tower/Frontier, at level 81. This places it one level higher than the wild Arceus that appears at the Hall of Origin.
- In the Series 11, Episode 1 (June 22nd, 2008) episode of the British automotive television show, Top Gear, Richard Hammond said, after showing viewers a picture of Tata Motors super budget sedan, the Tata Nano in yellow, suggested that Tata Motors based the car off of Pikachu, complete with an accompanying picture. However, it was clearly done for humor.
- Pikachu was not the original Pokémon mascot. It was supposed to be Clefairy, but this was changed because of the popularity of Ash's Pikachu.
Origin
Pikachu has physical aspects resembling several species of rodents, such as mice and squirrels.
Name origin
Pikachu is a combination of ぴかぴか pikapika which is Japanese onomatopoeia for sparkle,or pika, a type of rabbit that resembles a mouse, and ちゅうちゅう chūchū, which is the sound of squeaking.
In other languages
- German: Pikachu
- French: Pikachu
- Korean: 피카츄 Pikachyu
- Chinese (Taiwan): 皮卡丘 Pí Ka Qiu - Transliteration of the original name.
- Chinese (Hong Kong): 比卡超 Bî Ka Chao - Transliteration of the original name.
Related articles
External links
- Article on Wikipedia
- Electric Mouse, the fanlisting for Pikachu.
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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. |
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