Lt. Surge's Raichu (Japanese: マチスのライチュウMachisu's Raichu) is Lt. Surge's main Pokémon in the anime.
Raichu made its appearance in Electric Shock Showdown, when Surge used it to battle Ash's Pikachu. Surge laughed at Ash for not evolving Pikachu, thinking evolved Pokémon are always better. With its powerful Thunderbolt attack, Raichu easily defeated Pikachu.
Eventually, however, Ash defeated Surge in a rematch, proving him that evolved Pokémon are not always better. As Raichu evolved too fast, it never learned any speed attacks. Pikachu took advantage of this by using its speed attacks to confuse Raichu. Pikachu also dodged Raichu's powerful Thunderbolt attack by using its tail to dodge it.
Lt. Surge's Raichu's attitude towards Ash's Pikachu almost completely mirrors Lt. Surge's attitude toward Ash. When they first meet Raichu doesn't have a high opinion of Pikachu, but after being defeated grows to respect Pikachu.
