Raichu (Japanese: ライチュウ Raichu) is an Electric-type Pokémon.
It evolves from Pikachu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. It is the final form of Pichu.
Biology
Raichu is a bipedal, rodent-like Pokémon. Raichu is covered in dark orange fur with a cream belly. Its arms and feet have patches of brown fur at the end, and the soles of its big feet are tan with a circular orange pad. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outside and yellow on the insides and ends in a distinctive curl. The electric sacs on its cheeks are yellow. It has two horizontal brown stripes on its back. Its long, thin tail has a lightning bolt-shaped end. This lightning bolt is smaller on females. Its tail is used to gather electricity from the atmosphere, or it can be planted in the ground to search for electricity. Its tail also serves to protect itself from its own power.
Raichu exudes a weak electrical charge from all its body and slightly glows in the dark, and is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity. However, it will become aggressive if it has stored too much electricity. To keep from reaching this state, it discharges electricity through its tail into the ground. This leads to scorched patches near its nest. If Raichu’s sacs are fully charged, its ears will stand straight up and its muscles become stimulated. Raichu is found in forests and woodlands. Like the two others in its evolutionary family, Raichu is able to learn Volt Tackle.
In the anime
Major appearances
Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City, has a Raichu that defeated Ash's Pikachu with its sheer power in Electric Shock Showdown. After discussing evolution with Pikachu to match Raichu's power, Ash used a strategy relying on Pikachu's speed to defeat Raichu the next day.
Other
Raichu was one of the four Pokémon causing trouble for Pikachu and co. in Pikachu's Vacation, along with Marill, Snubbull, and Cubone.
In Lights, Camera, Quack-tion, a girl named Katrina decided to use her Raichu in the Cleavon Schpielbunk film "Pokémon in Love".
Stage Fight! was about a stage show that featured "talking" Pokémon. Kay's Raichu was supposed be a part of these shows, but it had stage fright.
A Raichu named Sugar appeared in Cooking Up a Sweet Story. It evolved from the restaurant owners' missing Pikachu.
Another Raichu appeared in Pika and Goliath!, owned by Sho. It battled against Ash's Pikachu twice in that episode.
The Pokémon Summer Academy has a very skittish Raichu for its students. It appeared in Camping It Up! where it was trained by Ash.
Another Raichu appeared in Flint Sparks the Fire! and The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore! under the ownership of Volkner.
A Raichu appeared in Good Friends, Great Training! and XY126 under the ownership of Tierno.
Minor appearances
A Raichu also appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash, Mewtwo Strikes Back and Pokémon Double Trouble.
A Raichu appeared in The Battling Eevee Brothers during the evolution party in Stone Town.
Multiple Raichu also appeared in The Power of One.
A Raichu was seen herding Mareep in Mild 'n Wooly.
A Raichu was one of the Pokémon seen at the Pokémon Swap Meet in Tricks of the Trade.
A Raichu appeared in Beauty and the Breeder where it participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.
Raichu made a cameo in The Legend of Thunder!. It was one of the Electric Pokémon that were lured by the "Miracle Crystal" that Attila and Hun were using. Raichu tried to be the hero by zapping the crystal, but the attack bounced back to itself.
Raichu is one of the Pokémon that were affected by the crystal in As Clear As Crystal.
A Raichu appeared in Deceit and Assist under the ownership of a Pokémon Coordinator participating in the Hoenn Grand Festival.
Another Raichu appeared in Sticking With Who You Know!, falling in love with a Squirtle due to the effect of Professor Kodama's machine.
Three Raichu appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!
A Raichu appeared in a fantasy in To Catch a Pokémon Smuggler!, evolving from a Pikachu using a Thunder Stone.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP014
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Raichu
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Ash's Pokédex
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Raichu, a Mouse Pokémon of the Electric element. Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu. It can shock with more than 100,000 volts, enough to render a Dragonite unconscious.
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Original series entries continue below.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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PK01
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Raichu
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Dexter
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Raichu, the evolved form of Pikachu. Pikachu and Raichu are both Mouse Pokémon of the electric variety. Combined voltage approaching shockingly dangerous levels.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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XY065
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Raichu
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Serena's Pokédex
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Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Pikachu. Raichu's tail functions as a ground and releases electricity into the surface, which keeps it from shocking itself.
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In Pokémon Origins
Raichu in Pokémon Origins
Red battled Lt. Surge's Raichu in File 2: Cubone.
In the manga
In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga
- Main article: Sandy's Raichu
In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga series, a Raichu appears in the bonus chapter Raichu's Best Friend. In the chapter, the ghost of a Trainer named Sandy wishes to be reunited with her old friend Raichu.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Lt. Surge has a Raichu in Pokémon Adventures, which was first seen in Silph Co. in Go for the Golbat but never participated in battles until fighting the Masked Man in his Mahogany Hideout, where it helped Surge break in and seemingly backed the mastermind into a corner, until his Houndour called upon dozens of wild Houndour to thwart Surge, instead. The former Team Rocket triad member barely escaped with his life after having many of his Electrode self-destruct.
In The Last Battle XIII a Raichu was one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest.
Volkner has a Raichu which he used it in his battle against Platinum in VS. Elekid.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
Satoshi had a Pikachu that chose to evolve into a Raichu to help him defeat the Elite Four in Pokémon Zensho.
In the Pokémon Pocket monsters manga
Blue has a Raichu which he used to battle Red in The Pokémon Banana League (Part 1).
Pokédex entries
Manga
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Chapter
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Entry
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Pokémon Adventures
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PS139
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When the electricity accumulated in Raichu's cheeks reach a maximum, its ears will become pointed.*
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In the TCG
- Main article: Raichu (TCG)
In the TFG
One Raichu figure has been released.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
Generation I
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Red(ENG)
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Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
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Blue
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Yellow
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When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
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Stadium
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Its electrical attacks may reach 10,000 volts. It discharges electricity from its tail, so it is not harmed by its own power.
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Generation II
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Gold
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When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
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Silver
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If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
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Crystal
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If its electric pouches run empty, it raises its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.
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Stadium 2
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When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
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Generation III
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Ruby
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If the electrical sacks become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon's nest.
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Sapphire
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This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu searches for electricity by planting its tail in the ground.
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Emerald
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If it stores too much electricity, its behavior turns aggressive. To avoid this, it occasionally discharges excess energy and calms itself down.
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FireRed
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Its electric charges can reach even 100,000 volts. Careless contact can cause even an Indian elephant to faint.
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LeafGreen
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Its long tail serves as ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.
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Generation IV
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Diamond
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It turns aggressive if it has too much electricity in its body. It discharges power through its tail.
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Pearl
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It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
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Platinum
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Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
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HeartGold
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When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
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SoulSilver
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If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
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Generation V
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Black
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Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
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White
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Black 2
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Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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X
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When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
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Y
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It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
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Omega Ruby
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If the electrical sacs become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon's nest.
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Alpha Sapphire
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This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu plants its tail in the ground to discharge electricity.
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Game locations
In side games
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Generation II
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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Held items
Stats
Base stats
Generation I-V
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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60
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120 - 167
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230 - 324
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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80
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76 - 145
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148 - 284
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100
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94 - 167
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184 - 328
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Total: 475
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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 90.
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Generation VI
Stat
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Range
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At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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60
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120 - 167
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230 - 324
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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55
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54 - 117
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103 - 229
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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80
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76 - 145
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148 - 284
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110
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103 - 178
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202 - 350
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Total: 485
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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 Raichu
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raichu
- 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 Raichu
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raichu
- 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 Raichu 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 Raichu in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raichu
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raichu
- 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 Raichu can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Raichu cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raichu
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raichu
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Raichu
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Raichu
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger
Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Recharge ×3)
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Loops: 3
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Min. exp.: 15
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Max. exp.: 15
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Browser entry R-000
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Raichu discharges energy to greatly recharge the Styler's energy.
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PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
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Strong:
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Weak:
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PokéPark Pad entry:
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When it comes to Electric-Type moves, he has no equal. He saw the potential in Pikachu and made him his apprentice.
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- In Pokémon Red and Blue, there is a Scientist at the Pokémon Lab in Cinnabar Island who will trade a Raichu for an Electrode. If the player talks to him after the trade, he will mention that the Raichu evolved, which is not possible. This mistake was due to the original translation of the script of the Japanese Blue (in which this person traded a Graveler for a Kadabra) rather than that of Pokémon Red and Green. This error was corrected in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, as the script was retranslated.
- Raichu's FireRed Pokédex entry references a 1903 documentary film called Electrocuting an Elephant by Thomas Edison.
- Several Pokédex entries claim Raichu can discharge up to 100,000 volts. However, its Stadium entry claims it can only discharge up to 10,000 volts. This is likely a translation error due to the way numbers are read in Japanese, where 100,000 literally reads "ten ten-thousands".
- Raichu appears in every regional Pokédex except the Unova Pokédex.
- Although Pikachu is the starter of Pokémon Yellow, it is not possible to directly evolve it into Raichu in the game, and must be traded in from Red and Blue. This inability to evolve Pikachu is a reference to Ash's Pikachu in the anime.
- Raichu and its pre-evolved form share their category with Rattata, Raticate, Sandshrew, and Sandslash. They are all known as the Mouse Pokémon.
Origin
Raichu's legs and long tail are like those of a kangaroo rat.
Name origin
Raichu is a combination of 雷 rai (thunder) and チューチュー chūchū (the sound of squeaking).
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ライチュウ Raichu
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From 雷 rai and チューチュー chūchū (the sound of squeaking)
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French
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Raichu
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Same as Japanese name
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Spanish
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Raichu
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Same as Japanese name
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German
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Raichu
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Same as Japanese name
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Italian
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Raichu
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Same as Japanese name
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Korean
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라이츄 Raichu
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Same as Japanese name
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Mandarin Chinese
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雷丘 Léiqiū
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Transliteration of its Japanese name, also 雷 léi means "thunder"
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Cantonese Chinese
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雷超 Lèuihchīu
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Transliteration of Japanese name. Also from 雷 lèuih and 超 chīu
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More languages
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Hindi
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राईछू Raichu
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Lithuanian
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Raičiu
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From English name
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Russian
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Райчу Raychu
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Related articles
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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