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Height
1'04"
Imperial
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0.4 m
Metric
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1'04"/0.4 m
Red-Striped
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0'0"/0.0 m
Blue-Striped
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0'0"/0.0 m
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Weight
13.2 lbs.
Imperial
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6.0 kg
Metric
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13.2 lbs./6.0 kg
Red-Striped
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0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Blue-Striped
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0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
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EV yield
HP
0
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Atk
0
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Def
0
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Sp.Atk
0
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Sp.Def
0
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Speed
2
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| Base Exp.: 82
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Battle Exp.: 821*
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Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Template:Type2 Pokémon.
It evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high happiness and evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunderstone.
Pikachu is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise and a major representative of Nintendo's collective mascots.
It is also the version mascot of Pokémon Yellow, where it is the only starter Pokémon in that game. It has also made numerous appearances on the boxes of spin-off titles.
Biology
Physiology
Pikachu is a short, chubby, rodent-like Pokémon with yellow fur all over its body. Pikachu's ears are long and come to a point with black tips. It has a small mouth which resembles a sideways 3, it has black eyes and two red circles on its cheeks. Its forearms are short and somewhat stubby, with 5 digits on each "hand" and its feet have three digits. It has two brown stripes on its back, and its tail is in the shape of Zigzag-styled lightning bolt, with a patch of brown fur at the base of the tail. It's technically a quadruped, but has been shown to be able to walk upright on its hind legs.
Besides its evolution and pre-evolution, it may be related to Plusle, Minun, Pachirisu, Emolga and the Marill evolutionary family due to their many physical similarities.
In Pika and Goliath!, when Ash's Pikachu was injured, it was shown to have a heart rate of 156.
Gender differences
A female Pikachu has a v-shaped "dent" at the end of its tail. Male Pikachu do not have this dent. However, both genders' tails resemble a lightning bolt, fitting their Electric typing. In Black and White, male Pikachu have less black covering their ear, this is only shown in frontal sprites. Also female Pikachu have slightly longer ears, this is also only shown in frontal sprites.
Special abilities
Exclusive to Pikachu 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 builds up energy in its electricity glands, it often needs 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 remove unneeded energy safely. A sure sign that 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 electromagnetic forces, which severely affect 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. Pikachu also have their own signature held item - the Light Ball. This item boosts a Pikachu's Attack and Special Attack stats, and, when held by a Pikachu in the daycare center, causes the offspring to know the move Volt Tackle.
Pikachu is known to have acute senses of hearing, thanks to its large ears. Most domestic Pikachu are able to understand and interpret human speech at levels far surpassing those of any pet dog.
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 electromagnetic 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 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. Pikachu are native only to the Kanto region (specifically, the Viridian Forest and the Kanto Power Plant), although they have been introduced to the Hoenn Safari Zone and to the Trophy Garden in Sinnoh.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
Living in forested 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. They especially like Oran Berries, which wild Pikachu are often seen holding.
As pets, they can be fed a variety of processed food. 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. An example of this is the fact that Ash's Pikachu has been known to have a fondness of ketchup. Pikachu is also occasionally seen eating apples.
In the anime
Aside from Ash's Pikachu, Pokémon of this species, wild and Trainers' alike, are rarely seen in the anime. This is most likely due to the fact that Ash's Pikachu is seen in every episode.
Major appearances
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 and every Pokémon movie since. Ash's Pikachu does not like being in its Poké Ball.
Ash was given the opportunity to release Pikachu in Pikachu's Goodbye, as Pikachu seemed very happy with the other Pikachu. Even though he did attempt to, the bond between the two was too strong, so Pikachu chose to stay with him. This episode also featured many other wild Pikachu.
Ritchie also 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.
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.
Other
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.
In Mewtwo Strikes Back, Mewtwo clones Ash's Pikachu. This Pikachu can be told apart from Ash's due to spikes on the black marks at 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.
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.
Minor appearances
Numerous other Pikachu appeared in Pokémon Emergency! to help Ash's Pikachu defeat Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth to send them blasting off for the first time.
Lt. Surge's Raichu was once a Pikachu, as was Volkner's Raichu when Volkner was younger.
A Pikachu has also been owned by Luana's son, Travis. Luana mistook Ash for Travis when she saw Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.
James used a Pikachu in the Pokémon League Entrance Exam in The Ultimate Test, but it 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, only for that Pikachu to zap James instead, as instructed by its instructor.
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 Exploud.
A Pikachu named Sugar belonging to the owners of a restaurant went missing prior to Cooking up a Sweet Story!, and 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 returns, however, it has evolved into a Raichu.
A Pikachu that belonged to an unnamed Aura Guardian appeared in a flashback in The Keystone Pops!.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| DP002
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Pikachu
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks.
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In the manga
In the Ash and Pikachu manga
- Main article: Ash's Pikachu
Ash's Pikachu is a starring character in Ash and Pikachu, a manga adaptation of the Pokémon anime which is based on Ash's adventures in the Johto region.
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Ash's Pikachu
Ash's Pikachu is a main character in the manga series The Electric Tale of Pikachu, an adaptation of the Pokémon anime.
In the manga, Ash discovered Pikachu under the floorboards at his home, where he was chewing on wires to eat the electricity.
Sparky, Ritchie's Pikachu, appears in The Electric Tale of Pikachu as well, however, it is nicknamed "Chuchino" instead.
Pokédex entries
| Manga
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Chapter
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Entry
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| The Electric Tale of Pikachu
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ET01
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An electric mouse Pokémon.
Habitat: Forests and woodlands
Diet: Mainly fruit
Distinguishing features: Has an electric generator on each cheek.
Beware of electrocution!
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In the How I Became a Pokémon Card manga
A story called Akari and Pikachu's Birthday is featured in the final volume of How I Became a Pokémon Card.
In the Magical Pokémon Journey and Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪ manga
- Main article: Pikachu (MPJ)
Pikachu is a main character in the Magical Pokémon Journey manga series. He is the first Pokémon befriended by Hazel, appearing for the first time 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.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Pika
- Main article: Chuchu
Pikachu debuted in its own round in the Red, Green & Blue arc, Wanted: Pikachu!. Here, a Pikachu was stealing all the crops in a town. The townsfolk kept chasing it around, but end up getting shocked by it. Red arrives and captures it, ending the chaos. Although extremely disobedient at first, even prone to regularly electrocuting its 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. It also served on Yellow's team while Red was held captive by the Elite Four during the Yellow arc before being returned to him, during which Yellow discovered that it can Surf.
In the ninth volume during the Gold, Silver, & Crystal arc, Yellow is seen to have a new addition to her team: a Pikachu of her own nicknamed "Chuchu", that 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 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 Pichu.
Wild Pikachu also appeared in the Ruby & Sapphire arc and Diamond & Pearl arc.
Pokédex entries
| Manga
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Chapter
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Entry
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| Pokémon Adventures
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PS004
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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.
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In the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga
A Pikachu makes a cameo in Pokémon Battle Frontier during one of the battles. Also, a photo album owned by Anabel has a Pikachu on the cover.
In the Pokémon Get da ze! manga
- Main article: Shū's Pikachu
In the Pokémon Get da ze! manga, Shū's first Pokémon was a Pikachu that he found abandoned in the forest.
In the Pokémon Gold and Silver: The Golden Boys manga
In Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, Gold was in possession of a Pikachu, which ended up being Eusine's.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
- Main article: Isamu Akai's Pikachu
Pikachu is one of the main characters in the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga series and its sequels. It was the first Pokémon that Isamu Akai captured on his own.
Pikachu is one of the few Pokémon in the manga that cannot speak human language. He is the cousin of Isamu Akai's Clefairy and is considered the smarter of the two.
Pikachu evolved into Raichu in Clefairy finally evolves?!, but he has since devolved back to the Pikachu stage.
In Pokémon Newspaper Strip
Ash's Pikachu was the main character in the short-lived Pokémon Newspaper Strip.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
Satoshi has a Pikachu as one of the members of his team in Pokémon Zensho. It later evolves into a Raichu.
In the TCG
- Main article: Pikachu (TCG)
Pikachu somehow manages to find its way into many of the expansions, causing there to be 211 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, contained, at times, 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 Card GB, and is one of the coins that can be obtained in Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, where it is given by Club Master Isaac to winners of the Lightning Club.
In the TFG
One Pikachu figure has been released.
Other appearances
Pikachu is a playable character and the only Pokémon that is playable from the start of the game. Its main stage is Saffron City.
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
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
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| Generation I
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| Red
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When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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It keeps its tail raised to monitor its surroundings. If you yank its tail, it will try to bite you.
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| Stadium
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Lives in forests away from people. It stores electricity in its cheeks for zapping an enemy if it is attacked.
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
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| Silver
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It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
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| Crystal
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When it is angered, it immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks.
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| Stadium 2
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This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard Berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
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| Generation III
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| Ruby
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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.
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| Sapphire
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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.
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| Emerald
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It stores electricity in the electric sacs on its cheeks. When it releases pent-up energy in a burst, the electric power is equal to a lightning bolt.
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| FireRed
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It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
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| LeafGreen
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When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
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| Generation IV
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| Diamond
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It lives in forests with others. It stores electricity in the pouches on its cheeks.
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| Pearl
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If it looses crackling power from the electrical pouches on its cheeks, it is being wary.
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| Platinum
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It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
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| HeartGold
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This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
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| SoulSilver
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It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
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| Generation V
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| Black
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It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
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| White
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{{{whitedex}}}
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| Black 2
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{{{black2dex}}}
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| White 2
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{{{white2dex}}}
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Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
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In side games
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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35
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95 - 142
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180 - 274
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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30
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31 - 90
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58 - 174
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
- This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 50.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- 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 level-up moves from other generations
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| Game |
Move |
Type |
Cat. |
Pwr. |
Acc. |
PP
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| This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
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- A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Pikachu can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Pikachu cannot be tutored the move in that game
- 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 Move Tutor moves from other generations
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Anime-only moves
TCG-only moves
Smash Bros.-only moves
Pikachu's Thunder Jolt in Brawl
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 blue sphere around the white ball.
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
$1 coin from
Niue featuring Pikachu
Pikachu's appearance in Pokémon Stadium.
- Niue released a one-dollar coin featuring Pikachu as part of a commemorative promotion for the Pokémon franchise, with Pikachu on one side and the nation's coat of arms on the other.
- In 2008, Japanese researchers discovered a new protein which helps carry electrical impulses from the eyes to the brain and named it Pikachurin. According to the researchers, the decision was based on both the Pokémon and protein possessing "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects".
- There have been two Pikachu balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The first, known as the "Flying Pikachu" was flown from 2001 through 2005, was used in a morning rush hour test of wind conditions in Times Square after an accident in 2005's parade, and made its farewell appearance at the Party of the Decade in August of 2006 in New York City's Bryant Park. The second version features glowing cheeks and chases a Poké Ball balloon, and debuted in the 2006 parade.
- Pikachu is one of fourteen Pokémon that one can collect foreign Pokédex entries for in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
- Pikachu and Raichu share the same species name with Rattata, Raticate, Sandshrew, and Sandslash. They are all known as Mouse Pokémon.
- Despite Pikachu's absence from the Unova Dex and not being native to Unova, a Trainer's Pikachu can be seen in Castelia City, and another Pikachu is depicted on a billboard. Also, there are several Pikachu-shaped hedges in Striaton City, There is a large Pikachu-head balloon near the gym in Nimbasa City, and Pikachu is depicted on clothing worn by male PokéFans.
Origin
Pikachu has physical aspects resembling several species of rodents. Its species suggests that it is based on a mouse. Despite its name, however, it has no relation to the pika, which is related to rabbits.
Name origin
Pikachu is a combination of ピカピカ pikapika, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia for sparkle, and チューチュー chūchū, which is the sound of squeaking.
In other languages
| Language
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Name
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Name Origin
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| German
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Pikachu
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| French
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Pikachu
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| Korean
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피카츄 Pikachyu
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Transliteration of its Japanese name.
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| Chinese (Mandarin)
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皮卡丘 Píkǎqiū
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Transliteration of its Japanese name.
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| Chinese (Cantonese)
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比卡超 Béikāchīu
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Transliteration of its Japanese name. The last character means super.
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| Indonesian
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Pikacu (Pocket Monsters only)
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Transliteration of its Japanese name.
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Related articles
- Main article: Pikachu (disambiguation)
Notes
External links
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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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Oran Berry (50%)
Light Ball (5%)
Shuca Berry (100%)
Lum Berry (100%)
Sitrus Berry (100%)
Leppa Berry (100%)
TinyMushroom (100%)
Lucky Egg (100%)
Shell Bell (100%)
Soothe Bell (100%)
Chesto Berry (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Pikachu images on Bulbagarden Archives.
