Raikou (Pokémon)

← #242: Blissey	Pokémon	#244: Entei →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Raikou (disambiguation).

Raikou ライコウ Raikou #243 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Electric Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Pressure Cacophony Cacophony Volt Absorb Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Gender unknown	Catch rate 3 (1.6%)
Breeding Egg Group Undiscovered Hatch time 81 cycles
Height 6'03" 1.9 m Raikou 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 392.4 lbs. 178.0 kg Raikou 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 216 Gen. II-IV Unknown IV 261 V+	Leveling rate Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Raikou 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 1 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 2 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Yellow	Base friendship 35
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

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

Raikou in the anime

A Shiny Raikou in the anime

Major appearances

Raikou (The Legend of Thunder!)

Raikou appeared in the Pokémon Chronicles episode, The Legend of Thunder! where members of Team Rocket hunt down and attempt to catch Raikou.

Raikou (M13)

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

Episode Pokémon Source Entry The Legend of Thunder! Raikou Jimmy's Pokédex Raikou, the Thunder Pokémon. It is said to have descended to earth on a bolt of lightning.

In the manga

Raikou in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Raikou appeared as a beam of light in Slugging It Out With Slugma. Its first real appearance was in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, where it along with Entei tests Falkner and were joined by Suicune in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, discussing about Ho-oh. 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

Super Smash Bros. Melee

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.
Generation II Gold The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. Silver A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder. Crystal This rough Pokémon stores energy in its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity. Stadium 2 The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Generation III Ruby 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. Sapphire Emerald Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. Its roars send shock waves shuddering through the air and ground as if lightning bolts were crashing down. FireRed This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder. LeafGreen The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Generation IV Diamond It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. Pearl Platinum HeartGold The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. SoulSilver A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
Generation V Black It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. White Black 2 It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. White 2
Generation VI X The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. Y This rough Pokémon stores energy inside its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity. Omega Ruby 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. Alpha Sapphire

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Gold Silver Roaming Johto Crystal Roaming Johto
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Trade Emerald Trade FireRed LeafGreen Roaming Kanto (if the player chose Squirtle) Colosseum Shadow PKMN Lab (Shadow) XD Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Trade Platinum Trade HeartGold SoulSilver Roaming Johto Pal Park Mountain
Generation V Black White Poké Transfer Relocator (Shiny event Raikou only) Black 2 White 2 Poké Transfer
Generation VI X Y Trade Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Trackless Forest (requires Ho-Oh or Lugia in the party)

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III Trozei! Random Agent Cards, Mr. Who's Den MD Red MD Blue Lightning Field (30F) Ranger Fiore Temple
Generation IV MD Time MD Darkness Concealed Ruins (B20F) MD Sky Southeastern Islands (B12F-B24F; appears on random floor after accepting challenge letter) Ranger: GS Wireless Tower, Rand's House
Generation V Rumble Blast Meadow: World Axle - B1F (post-ending) Rumble U Conductor Room: Rumbling Magnetic Motors (Reward), Entranceway: Battle Royale - Cage Match
Generation VI Battle Trozei Island of Haste: Stage 2 Shuffle Expert Stages: Stage EX16 Rumble World Dark Land: Royal Armory (Special Boss)

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
	Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Raikou	English	United States	40	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
RSEFRLG	Journey Across America Raikou	English	United States	70	February 25 to July 23, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	English	United Kingdom	70	June 10, 2006; October 14 to November 19, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	Italian	Italy	70	June 23 to 25, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	Spanish	Spain	70	June 27 to August 27, 2006
RSEFRLG	Party of the Decade Raikou	English	United States	70	August 8, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	German	Germany	70	September 24 to November 5, 2006
RSEFRLG	Top 10 Distribution Raikou	French	France	70	September 26, 2006
	Crown Raikou	Japanese	Japan	30	June 18 to August 31, 2010
	Shinsegae Raikou	Korean	South Korea	30	September 11 to October 24, 2010
	Crown City Raikou	Korean	South Korea	30	December 16, 2010 to January 9, 2011
	GameStop Raikou	English	North America	30	January 3 to 9, 2011
	Winter 2011 Raikou	English	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
	Winter 2011 Raikou	French	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
	Winter 2011 Raikou	German	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
	Winter 2011 Raikou	Italian	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011
	Winter 2011 Raikou	Spanish	Wi-Fi	30	February 7 to 13, 2011

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Micle Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 90		150 - 197	290 - 384
Attack: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Defense: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Sp. Atk: 115		108 - 183	211 - 361
Sp. Def: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Speed: 115		108 - 183	211 - 361
Total: 580	Other Pokémon with this total
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.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 5/5 ★★★★★	Power 3/4 ★★★☆
Skill 4/4 ★★★★	Stamina 3/3 ★★★
Jump 3/3 ★★★	Total 18/19 ★★★

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying ½× Poison 1× Ground 2× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon has Volt Absorb, the effectiveness of  Electric-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  00Start Extrasensory Psychic Special 08080 100100% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ 1 ♥ 00Start Discharge Electric Special 08080 100100% 15 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 2 ♥♥ 00Start Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25 Tough 2 ♥♥ 3 ♥♥♥ 00Start Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 Cool 2 ♥♥ 1 ♥ 088 Thunder Shock Electric Special 04040 100100% 30 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   1515 Roar Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 0   2222 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 0   2929 Spark Electric Physical 06565 100100% 20 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   3636 Reflect Psychic Status 0000— ——% 20 Clever 2 ♥♥ 0   4343 Crunch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 15 Tough 1 ♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ 5050 Thunder Fang Electric Physical 06565 09595% 15 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   5757 Discharge Electric Special 08080 100100% 15 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 2 ♥♥ 6464 Extrasensory Psychic Special 08080 100100% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ 1 ♥ 7171 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— ——% 5 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   7878 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— ——% 20 Clever 1 ♥ 0   8585 Thunder Electric Special 110110 07070% 10 Cool 1 ♥ 0

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

By TM/HM

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  TM04 TM04 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 20 Clever 1 ♥ 0   TM05 TM05 Roar Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 Cool 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM06 TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM10 TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM11 TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— —}}—% 5 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   TM15 TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ TM16 TM16 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 30 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 0   TM17 TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM18 TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— —}}—% 5 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   TM21 TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ 3 ♥♥♥ TM24 TM24 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100}}100% 15 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM25 TM25 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10 Cool 1 ♥ 0   TM27 TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 Cute 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM28 TM28 Dig Ground Physical 08080 100}}100% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥ 0   TM30 TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15 Clever 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM32 TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 15 Cool 1 ♥ 0   TM33 TM33 Reflect Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 20 Clever 2 ♥♥ 0   TM37 TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Tough 2 ♥♥ 1 ♥ TM42 TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM44 TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 1 ♥ 0   TM48 TM48 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 Beautiful 2 ♥♥ 0   TM57 TM57 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10 Beautiful 1 ♥ 0   TM60 TM60 Quash Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 Clever 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM68 TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 4 ♥♥♥♥ TM70 TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 Beautiful 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM72 TM72 Volt Switch Electric Special 07070 100}}100% 20 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM73 TM73 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 Cool 1 ♥ 3 ♥♥♥ TM77 TM77 Psych Up Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Clever 2 ♥♥ 0   TM78 TM78 Bulldoze Ground Physical 06060 100}}100% 20 Tough 2 ♥♥ 2 ♥♥ TM87 TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 090}}90% 15 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0   TM88 TM88 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 1 ♥ 0   TM90 TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 10 Cute 2 ♥♥ 0   TM93 TM93 Wild Charge Electric Physical 09090 100}}100% 15 Tough 6 ♥♥♥♥♥♥ 0   TM94 TM94 Rock SmashXY Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   TM94 TM94 Secret PowerORAS Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 Clever 1 ♥ 0   TM95 TM95 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   XTM100 TM100 Confide Normal Status 0000— —}}—% 20 Cute 3 ♥♥♥ 0   ZHM01 HM01 Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   ZHM04 HM04 Strength Normal Physical 08080 100}}100% 15 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   ZHM06 HM06 Rock SmashORAS Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0

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

By breeding

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.

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

By tutoring

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  X Y OR AS Iron Head Steel Physical 80 100% 15 Tough 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 Cool 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Magnet Rise Electric Status — —% 10 Clever 2 ♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Shock Wave Electric Special 60 —% 20 Cool 2 ♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Signal Beam Bug Special 75 100% 15 Beautiful 3 ♥♥♥ 0   X Y OR AS Snore Normal Special 50 100% 15 Cute 4 ♥♥♥♥ 0

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

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0.1% Friend Area: Sacred Field Phrases 51%-100% HP I am the thunderbolt that races through the fields! 26%-50% HP I don't like this... My HP is cut to half? 1%-25% HP This is it... The power of lightning fails here... Level up I gained a level! May lightning bolts empower me! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I gained a level! May lightning bolts empower me!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 2 Recruit rate: 5% IQ group: D
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Electric  Poké Assist: ( Electric ) Field move: (Recharge ×3) Loops: 11 Min. exp.: 500 Max. exp.: 600 Browser entry   Raikou is a legendary Pokémon that dashes while dropping thunderbolts.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Electric  ( Electric ) Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It creates waves of electricity around it and launches thunderbolts to attack.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ●●●● Defense ●●● Speed ●●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Raikou  Electric

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
Generation II Gold Silver Crystal Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V Black White Black 2 White 2 Front Back Front Back
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back

For other sprites and images, please see Raikou images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Raikou, along with Entei and Suicune, was designed by Muneo Saitō.

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's EV yield (1 Sp. Atk and 2 Speed) is unique.
• 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 Title Meaning Japanese ライコウ Raikou From 雷公 raikō, 雷 rai, 雷光 raikou, and 皇 kō French Raikou Same as Japanese name Spanish Raikou Same as Japanese name German Raikou Same as Japanese name Italian Raikou Same as Japanese name Korean 라이코 Raiko Transliteration of its Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 雷公 Léigōng From 雷公 Raikou. Also a reference to the ancient Chinese god of thunder, Lei Gong. Cantonese Chinese

More languages Hindi रायकू Raikou Transliteration of English name

Related articles

• Raikou (The Legend of Thunder!)
• Legendary beasts (M13)
• Legendary beasts

External links

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

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Pokémon

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