Raikou (Japanese: ライコウ Raikou) is an Electric-type Legendary Pokémon.
It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
Along with Entei and Suicune, it is one of the legendary beasts created by Ho-Oh after the burning of the Brass Tower. Of the three legendary beasts, Raikou is said to represent the lightning strike which ignited the fire that consumed the Brass Tower.
Biology
Raikou is a quadruped, yellow, tiger-like Pokémon with black stripes and a white underside. It has a thin, light blue tail with sharp angles and a spark-shaped formation at the end. Raikou's mane looks like dull purple rain clouds and allows it to shoot bolts of lighting. Most of its face consists of thick, white fur and shorter yellow fur around its red eyes. Raikou's muzzle is a light blue "X" and it has a black faceplate with two bumps that covers its forehead, nose, and ears. Raikou has two long fangs that make its appearance similar to the saber-toothed cat. Its large claws each converge to form a single point and never retract. Extra fur hangs off its body in front of its rear thighs.
As seen in the anime, Raikou is able to fly by creating storm clouds. It is shown to be distrustful of humans, though it may form some friendship with those who help it. Raikou tends to appear during thunderstorms and when other Electric-type Pokémon are in danger. Raikou races across grasslands while barking cries that sound like thunder.
In the anime
A
Shiny Raikou in the anime
Major appearances
Raikou appeared in the Pokémon Chronicles episode, The Legend of Thunder! where members of Team Rocket hunt down and attempt to catch Raikou.
A Shiny Raikou made its first movie appearance alongside Celebi, and the other members of its trio in the thirteenth Pokémon movie, Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Other
Raikou appears at the end of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Part Two), the second half of the special episode based on Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs.
Minor appearances
Raikou first appeared in Houndoom's Special Delivery. It was spotted by Togepi and a Houndoom before it disappeared.
The Mauville City Gym Leader Wattson owns many Raikou robots which he uses in his Gym.
Raikou made a small cameo at the opening of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
Raikou also had a minor appearance in Dawn's Piplup's dream in Three Sides to Every Story!.
Pokédex entries
In the manga
Raikou in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
It was revealed in a flashback in Hello, Lickitung, where it was awakened by Yellow along with its two counterparts, and the three raced around Kanto and Johto looking for Trainers to help them defeat the Masked Man to free Ho-Oh and repay the debt of the latter for saving its life. Nearing the end of the chapter, Raikou eventually pairs up with Lt. Surge after encountering and escaping Falkner, and later Gold. Once Ho-Oh is freed and Pryce, the true identity of the Masked Man, is defeated, it once again roams the lands of Johto with Suicune and Entei.
Anabel also owns a Raikou in the Battle Frontier saga. It has been confirmed that it is the same Raikou as the one that befriended Gold, having caught it sometime before the Emerald arc in Johto. Raikou is more powerful than any other Electric-type Pokémon in the manga because billowing thunder clouds follow it everywhere carried on its back, allowing it to perform powerful attacks, such as Thunder, more quickly and efficiently than regular Electric Pokémon. Despite clearly possessing sentient intelligence like its fellow beasts, it obeyed Anabel's commands to battle Emerald without question while she was under psychic control of Guile Hideout. After he is defeated and the Battle Frontier is saved, Raikou is seen interacting with Gold and Crystal, and has not appeared since.
In the TCG
- Main article: Raikou (TCG)
Other appearances
When released from a Poké Ball, Raikou releases a powerful Spark attack that electrocutes any opponents that get caught in it. Raikou is the only legendary beast that does not return in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Trophy Information
Raikou also appears in Melee as a trophy.
These Thunder Pokémon travel near and far, blasting out electrified whirlwinds. They carry storm clouds on their backs, so they can produce lightning regardless of the local weather; it's even said that they descended to the earth with via lightning bolts. Their extreme quickness lends itself to flight, so they're very hard to capture.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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Generation II
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Gold
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The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
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Silver
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A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
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Crystal
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This rough Pokémon stores energy in its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity.
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Stadium 2
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The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
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Generation III
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Ruby
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Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
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Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. Its roars send shock waves shuddering through the air and ground as if lightning bolts were crashing down.
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FireRed
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This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
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LeafGreen
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The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
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Generation IV
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Diamond
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It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
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SoulSilver
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A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
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Generation V
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Black
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It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
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White
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Black 2
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It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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X
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The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
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Y
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This rough Pokémon stores energy inside its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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In side games
In events
Games
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Event
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Language
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Raikou
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English
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United States
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40
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November 22 to 29, 2001; December 7 to 20, 2001; June 22 to 28, 2002; July 5 to 11, 2002; November 15 to 21, 2002
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RSEFRLG
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Journey Across America Raikou
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English
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United States
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70
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February 25 to July 23, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Raikou
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English
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United Kingdom
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70
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June 10, 2006; October 14 to November 19, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Raikou
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Italian
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Italy
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70
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June 23 to 25, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Raikou
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Spanish
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Spain
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70
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June 27 to August 27, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Party of the Decade Raikou
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English
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United States
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70
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August 8, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Raikou
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German
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Germany
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70
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September 24 to November 5, 2006
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RSEFRLG
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Top 10 Distribution Raikou
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French
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France
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70
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September 26, 2006
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Crown Raikou
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Japanese
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Japan
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30
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June 18 to August 31, 2010
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Shinsegae Raikou
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Korean
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South Korea
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30
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September 11 to October 24, 2010
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Crown City Raikou
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Korean
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South Korea
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30
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December 16, 2010 to January 9, 2011
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GameStop Raikou
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English
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North America
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30
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January 3 to 9, 2011
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Winter 2011 Raikou
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English
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Wi-Fi
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30
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February 7 to 13, 2011
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Winter 2011 Raikou
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French
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Wi-Fi
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30
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February 7 to 13, 2011
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Winter 2011 Raikou
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German
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Wi-Fi
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30
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February 7 to 13, 2011
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Winter 2011 Raikou
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Italian
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Wi-Fi
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30
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February 7 to 13, 2011
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Winter 2011 Raikou
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Spanish
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Wi-Fi
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30
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February 7 to 13, 2011
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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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90
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150 - 197
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290 - 384
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85
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81 - 150
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157 - 295
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75
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72 - 139
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139 - 273
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115
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108 - 183
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211 - 361
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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115
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108 - 183
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211 - 361
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Total: 580
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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.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raikou
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raikou
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raikou
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raikou
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Raikou in Generation VI
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Raikou in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raikou
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raikou
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Raikou can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Raikou cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raikou
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raikou
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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Trivia
Raikou in
Jimmy's Pokédex
- Raikou is the only Pokémon in the anime whose image on the anime Pokédex was of stylized art rather than Ken Sugimori's official artwork.
- Raikou is the only Pokémon with the EV yield 1 Sp. Atk and 2 Speed.
- Raikou's number in the National Pokédex and the Johto Pokédex is the same: 243.
Origin
Raikou is particularly based on the Thunder and Lightning gods of most cultures surrounding the world, mostly the 雷獣 raijū, a thunder demon of Japanese lore. It is said to be a creature that could take the form of a tiger, monkey, blue wolf wrapped in lightning, and many other animals. Raikou is specifically based on its tiger form, while the Pokémon Manectric is based on its wolf form. In terms of physical build, Raikou is based on the Smilodon fatalis, a well-known but extinct species of wildcat often referred to as a saber-toothed tiger. Its color and pattern scheme are reminiscent of that of a Bengal tiger. The stripes that decorate Raikou's body also can be compared to zigzagging thunderbolts and perhaps even scars from claws. The white ruff around Raikou's face is akin to the Siberian tiger's thick fur around its neck. In the anime, Raikou is shown to be very agile, swift, stealthy, and a powerful attacker, just like a tiger. The gray "plate" atop its head may be similar to Entei's head ornament, being either a helmet or crown that signifies courage and power.
The flowing purple mane on its back is likely meant to invoke the image of a cumulonimbus cloud, the cloud type most often associated with thunderstorms.
Name origin
Raikou could be taken to mean 雷光 raikou (lightning), which is also the inspiration for the name of raijū, or it may be a combination of 雷 rai (thunder) and 皇 kō (emperor). It may also derive from 雷公 raikō (thunder duke), identical to the name of the Taoist deity Lei Gong.
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ライコウ Raikou
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From 雷公 raikō, 雷 rai, 雷光 raikou, and 皇 kō
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French
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Raikou
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Same as Japanese name
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Spanish
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Raikou
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Same as Japanese name
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German
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Raikou
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Same as Japanese name
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Italian
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Raikou
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Same as Japanese name
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Korean
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라이코 Raiko
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Transliteration of its Japanese name
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Mandarin Chinese
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雷公 Léigōng
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From 雷公 Raikou. Also a reference to the ancient Chinese god of thunder, Lei Gong.
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Cantonese Chinese
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Related articles
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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