Pikachu variants

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050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: variants from Pikachu's Goodbye, images from Snap, Onemuri (Sleeping) Pikachu

There are many Pikachu variants found in the games, anime, manga, and TCG. The following are the main variants besides Shiny forms and gender differences.

Surfing Pikachu

Surfing Pikachu is a Pikachu with a surfboard. With this, it is able to wield the move Surf.

In the games

Core series

File:Pikachu Beach.png
Pikachu surfing in Pikachu's Beach

Side series

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Clarify info on Japanese Stadium 2
Pikachu using Surf in Pokémon Battle Revolution

Spin-off games

Taking a snapshot of surfing Pikachu in Snap
Region Code
North America 02970626
PAL 84925064
Japan 78872252

In the anime

Surfing Pikachu in the anime
Puka in the anime

Puka is a Pikachu that seems to be based on this, making its only appearance in The Pi-Kahuna.

Ash's Pikachu later appeared riding a surfboard in The Mystery Menace and Expedition to Onix Island!.

In music

A surfing Pikachu is mentioned in the Exciting Pokémon Relay.

In the manga

Yellow's surfing Pikachu in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the Yellow arc, Yellow was able to teach Red's Pika the move Surf through the use of Substitute to create a surfboard.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, one of Red's rivals, Yellow, has a Pikachu with surfing skills. In The Fake Pikachu!!, he uses it in battle against Red's Pikachu.

In the TCG

The following is a list of cards mentioning or featuring Surfing Pikachu in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Surfing Pikachu
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Surfing Pikachu Lightning Wizards Black Star Promos   28 Unnumbered Promotional cards    
      Unnumbered Promotional cards    
      Pokémon Web Uncommon 025/048
Rising Rivals Rare Holo 114/111 Bonds to the End of Time Ultra-Rare Rare 089/090
Evolutions Rare Secret 111/108 XY-P Promotional cards   264/XY-P
Playing in the Sea Pikachu Lightning       SM-P Promotional cards   392/SM-P
 


Merchandise

20th Anniversary Special Pack: M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu

The 20th Anniversary Special Pack: M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu (Japanese: 20th Anniversary スペシャルパック「メガヤドランEX+なみのりピカチュウ」 20th Anniversary Special Pack: MYadoranEX + Surfing Pikachu) was released on the same day as the Expansion Pack 20th Anniversary subset, September 16, 2016, in the buildup to the 20th Anniversary of the Japanese TCG. The pack features the Hermit Crab Pokémon Slowbro in both its regular and Mega Evolved forms as Pokémon-EX cards, its Spirit Link Item card, and a re-imagined version of the Surfing Pikachu promotional card originally released in 1997. All cards feature a layout reminiscent of those from the Original Era. The special pack also comes with 3 Expansion Pack 20th Anniversary booster packs.

Promotional cards:

Product image:

20th Anniversary Special Pack M Slowbro-EX Surfing Pikachu.jpg
20th Anniversary Special Pack:
M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu
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The Sneak-Peek Tins


Flying Pikachu

Flying Pikachu as depicted in the TCG

Flying Pikachu is a Pikachu with balloons. With them, he is able to wield the move Fly.

In the games

Core series

Spin-off games

Region Code
North America 99930457
PAL 57429445
Japan 80373821
  • A flying Pikachu can be seen in the opening of Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, along with a Pichu.
  • A flying Pikachu was added to Pokémon GO and was available during the GO Fest 2020 Weekly Challenge: Skill event from July 3, 2020 to July 8, 2020. This Pikachu cannot evolve and can be Shiny.

Appearance

Flying Pikachu Yellow.png Flying Pikachu Puzzle Challenge.png Flying Pikachu Dash.png Yellow Forest jp art.png GO025Fly.png
Sprite from Yellow Sprite from Pokémon Puzzle Challenge Sprite from Pokémon Dash Artwork of Yellow Forest featuring a flying Pikachu Sprite from Pokémon GO

In the manga

Flying Pikachu as depicted in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In The Last Battle VII, Chuchu flew with Pika and their Egg, lifting them in the air by using balloons wrapped to her body.

In the TCG

Flying Pikachu has been featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The following are cards named Flying Pikachu.

Flying Pikachu
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Flying Pikachu Lightning Wizards Black Star Promos   25 Unnumbered Promotional cards    
      Unnumbered Promotional cards    
Rising Rivals Rare Holo 113/111 Bonds to the End of Time Ultra-Rare Rare 090/090
Flying Pikachu Lightning       Unnumbered Promotional cards    
 


Cosplay Pikachu

Main article: Cosplay Pikachu

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the player will be able to receive a unique female Cosplay Pikachu, which has a black, heart-shaped mark near the end of its tail. This event occurs after the player takes part in their first Pokémon Contest Spectacular.

This particular Pikachu is able to be dressed up in five different costumes corresponding to each kind of Contest stat (Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness, and Toughness) and learn exclusive moves which are linked to these stats. Cosplay Pikachu can switch costumes anytime by going to any Contest Hall in the Hoenn region and talking to the Pokémon Breeder in the rightmost back room. This Pokémon Breeder can also remove the costume.

Unlike other Pikachu, Cosplay Pikachu is in the Undiscovered Egg Group, meaning it cannot breed. It also cannot evolve into Raichu.

Cosplay Pikachu
File:Spr 6o 025 C.png

 Electric 
Thunder Shock*
Pikachu Rock Star
025Pikachu-Rock Star.png
 Electric 
Meteor Mash
Pikachu Belle
025Pikachu-Belle.png
 Electric 
Icicle Crash
Pikachu Pop Star
025Pikachu-Pop Star.png
 Electric 
Draining Kiss
Pikachu, Ph. D
025Pikachu-PhD.png
 Electric 
Electric Terrain
Pikachu Libre
025Pikachu-Libre.png
 Electric 
Flying Press

Pikachu in a cap

Main article: Pikachu in a cap

The first six cap-wearing Pikachu are event-exclusive Pokémon that debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon, and are being distributed in celebration of the Pokémon anime's 20th movie, and by extension, the anime's 20th anniversary. Like Ash's Pikachu, these Pikachu are always male and cannot evolve. They also have access to the exclusive Z-Crystal, Pikashunium Z, and its Z-Move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.

A seventh Cap Pikachu, wearing the hat Ash wears in the twentieth movie, debuted in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and is distributed via QR Code on a special Pokémon Ga-Olé disc. In America, it was distributed via a QR Code that was given to those who pre-order tickets for the 20th movie.

An eighth Cap Pikachu, wearing the hat Ash wears in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, debuted in an update of Sword and Shield.


Original Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-Original.png
 Electric 
Hoenn Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-Hoenn.png
 Electric 
Sinnoh Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-Sinnoh.png
 Electric 
Unova Cap
Pikachu

025Pikachu-Unova.png
 Electric 
Kalos Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-Kalos.png
 Electric 
Alola Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-Alola.png
 Electric 
Partner Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-Partner.png
 Electric 
World Cap
Pikachu
025Pikachu-World.png
 Electric 

Partner Pikachu

Main article: Partner Pokémon (game)

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, the player starts their journey with a Partner Pikachu. Though it cannot evolve, it has higher stats than a regular Pikachu and can be taught special moves related to other common Pikachu variants.

025Pikachu.png
Pikachu
 Electric 
Static
Hidden: Lightning Rod
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
35 55 40 50 50 90
025Pikachu LG.png
Pikachu
Partner
 Electric 
Static
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
45 80 50 75 60 120

Gigantamax Pikachu

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, a Gigantamax form was introduced for Pikachu. It can be obtained in one of three ways:

  • If the player has a Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! save on their Nintendo Switch, they can recieve a Gigantamax Factor Pikachu from a man inside the Wild Area Station at the Meetup Spot in the Wild Area.
  • Gigantamax Pikachu was also available via a Wild Area News event between May 12 and May 18, 2020.
  • As of the release of The Isle of Armor, any normal Pikachu can obtain a Gigantamax Factor if they consume a bowl of Max Soup.

Gigantamax Pikachu has exclusive access to the G-Max Move G-Max Volt Crash.

025Pikachu.png
Pikachu
 Electric 
Static
Gigantamax Factor
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
35 55 40 50 50 90
025Pikachu-Gigantamax.png
Pikachu
Gigantamax Pikachu
 Electric 
Static
HP Atk Def SpA SpD Spe
35 55 40 50 50 90

Other

Games

Core series games

Singing Pikachu
Singing Pikachu

A Pikachu that knows Sing was distributed to promote the new Japanese Pokémon anime ending theme which involved Pikachu singing. Artwork was released as well.

Pokémon World Championships 2011 Pikachu
Pokémon World Championships 2011 Pikachu

A special skating Pikachu wearing a hat is featured on official artwork for the Pokémon 2011 World Championships, including the promotional C-Gear skin.

Spin-off games

Pokémon Snap
  • Pikachu on a stump is a special Pikachu found on the Beach. The player can encounter two Pikachu sitting on a set of stumps after forcing a wild Scyther out of tall grass.
  • Pikachu on a ball is another special Pikachu found near the Tunnel. A sole Pikachu will jump on top of a rolling Electrode if startled by the player, and playfully keep it rolling until the Electrode stops in a ditch and explodes, shocking the Pikachu.
  • Speed Pikachu is a special Pikachu found along the River. Taking a picture of this Pikachu will cause it to use Quick Attack to dash across a small field, making it one of the hardest Pokémon to get a picture of.
  • Pikachu on Articuno is another special Pikachu found in the Cave. After rescuing a Pikachu from a Zubat and having Articuno hatch by playing the Poké Flute, near the exit, Articuno will be seen flying towards the player with Pikachu on its back.
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure

In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, Pikachu uses a snowboard to play Empoleon's Snow Slide by using a code.

Pokémon Shuffle

Pokémon Shuffle has featured several variants of Pikachu throughout its life cycle. They are listed below.

Dex# NDex Icon Pokémon Type Level 1
Attack Power
Max
Raise Max Level
Initial
Skill
Alternate
Skill(s)
#016 #0025 Shuffle025.png Pikachu Electric 50 20 Paralyze Unity Power
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Angry.png Pikachu
Angry
Electric 50 10 Super Bolt N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Winking.png Pikachu
Winking
Electric 50 10 Swap++ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Sleeping.png Pikachu
Sleeping
Electric 50 10 Sleep Charm N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025FiredUp.png Pikachu
Fired Up
Electric 50 5 Cross Attack+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Surprised.png Pikachu
Surprised
Electric 50 5 Last-Ditch Effort N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Enamored.png Pikachu
Enamored
Electric 50 10 Mind Zap N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Smiling.png Pikachu
Smiling
Electric 50 10 Flash Mob N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Dizzy.png Pikachu
Dizzy
Electric 50 5 Barrier Bash++ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Happy.png Pikachu
Happy
Electric 50 10 Power of 4+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Spooky.png Pikachu
Spooky
Electric 50 10 Block Smash+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Holiday.png Pikachu
Holiday
Electric 50 10 Mega Boost+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeCharizard.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Burn N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeMagikarp.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Swap++ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeGyarados.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Power of 5+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeShinyGyarados.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 L-Boost N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeHo-Oh.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Power of 5+ Pyre
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeLugia.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Eject+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025KimonoBoy.png Pikachu
Kimono Boy
Electric 50 5 Sleep Combo N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025KimonoGirl.png Pikachu
Kimono Girl
Electric 50 5 Paralysis Combo N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeRayquaza.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Dragon Talon N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025CostumeShinyRayquaza.png Pikachu
Costume
Electric 60 5 Dragon Talon N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025BeachWalk.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Three Force N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025PastryChef.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Quirky+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Artist.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Damage Streak N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025MushroomHarvest.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Counterattack+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025YearsEnd.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Calm Down N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025LionDancer.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Hitting Streak+ N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025ChildrensDay.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Nap Time N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Graduate.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Final Effort N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Intern.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Vitality Drain N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025Kotatsu.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Prank N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025RainySeason.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Downpour N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025SummerFestival.png Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 T-Boost N/A
#016 #0025 Shuffle025O.png Pikachu
Original Cap
Electric 60 5 Stabilize+ Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025 Shuffle025H.png Pikachu
Hoenn Cap
Electric 60 5 Rock Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025 Shuffle025S.png Pikachu
Sinnoh Cap
Electric 60 5 Block Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025 Shuffle025U.png Pikachu
Unova Cap
Electric 60 5 Barrier Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025 Shuffle025K.png Pikachu
Kalos Cap
Electric 60 5 Cloud Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025 Shuffle025A.png Pikachu
Alola Cap
Electric 60 5 Shot Out Hyper Bolt
Pokémon GO
050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Costumes since 2020

Several variants of Pikachu have appeared in Pokémon GO wearing different hats. These variants are released for limited events. During the events, all wild Pikachu appear as the variant and Pikachu appear more commonly. Pichu and Raichu also have parallel variants. Variant Pichu can be obtained by hatching an Egg obtained during the event, and any variant Pichu or Pikachu that is evolved will retain its form.

  • Holiday Pikachu: first released for the Holiday Season event, from December 12, 2016, to January 3, 2017. It appeared again the next year, from December 21, 2017, to January 4, 2018, with the special move Present, and once again the next year, from December 18, 2018 to January 2, 2019.
  • Pikachu wearing a party hat: first released for the first Pokémon Day event, from February 26 to March 6, 2017. It appeared again the next year, from February 26 to 28, 2018, with the special move Present. It returned once more the following year for the third Anniversary event, from June 28 to July 6, 2019, this time exclusively through photobombs in the GO Snapshot feature.
  • Pikachu wearing Ash's hat: first released for the first Anniversary event, from July 6 to 24, 2017. It appeared again for the second April Fools' Day event nearly two years later, from April 1 to 2, 2019, this time exclusively through photobombs in the GO Snapshot feature.
  • Pikachu wearing a witch's hat: first released for the second Halloween event, from October 20 to November 2, 2017. It appeared again the next year, from October 23 to November 7, 2018.
  • Summer Style Pikachu: first released for the second Anniversary event, from July 6 to 31, 2018.
  • H.F. cap Pikachu: first released for the H.F. Custom Tie-In event, from October 5 to 7, 2018.
  • Pikachu wearing a flower crown: first released for the third Pokémon Day event, from February 26 to 28, 2019.
  • Pikachu wearing a detective hat: first released for the Detective Pikachu tie-in event, from May 7 to 17, 2019, exclusively through photobombs in the GO Snapshot feature. While this Pikachu can evolve into Raichu, unlike the other variants, no equivalent Pichu exists.
  • Pikachu wearing a straw hat: first released for the One Piece tie-in event, from July 22 to 29, 2019. This variant cannot evolve into Raichu and no equivalent Pichu exists.
Pikachu
GO025.png
 Electric 
Festive Pikachu
GO025F.png
 Electric 
Party Pikachu
GO025P.png
 Electric 
Ash Pikachu
GO025O.png
 Electric 
Witch Pikachu
GO025H.png
 Electric 
Summer Pikachu
GO025S.png
 Electric 
H.F. Pikachu
GO025C.png
 Electric 
Spring Pikachu
GO025G.png
 Electric 
Detective Pikachu
GO025D.png
 Electric 
Straw Hat Pikachu
GO025L.png
 Electric 
Winter Pikachu
GO025B.png
 Electric 
Pikachu
GO025f.png
 Electric 
Festive Pikachu
GO025Ff.png
 Electric 
Party Pikachu
GO025Pf.png
 Electric 
Ash Pikachu
GO025Of.png
 Electric 
Witch Pikachu
GO025Hf.png
 Electric 
Summer Pikachu
GO025Sf.png
 Electric 
H.F. Pikachu
GO025Cf.png
 Electric 
Spring Pikachu
GO025Gf.png
 Electric 
Detective Pikachu
GO025Df.png
 Electric 
Straw Hat Pikachu
GO025Lf.png
 Electric 
Winter Pikachu
GO025Bf.png
 Electric 


Anime

Pikachutwo

Pikachutwo
Main article: Pikachutwo

Pikachutwo was cloned from Ash's Pikachu, and battled against it in Mewtwo Strikes Back. Pikachutwo was also central to the plot of Mewtwo Returns. The fur on Pikachutwo's ears are colored similar to a Pichu's.

Puka

Main article: Puka

As mentioned above, Puka is a Surfing Pikachu that appeared in The Pi-Kahuna. Puka is at least twenty years old, having been first found on a beach on the Seafoam Islands by surfing enthusiast Victor shortly after he failed to conquer a large wave, "Humunga-Dunga". Puka is noticeably older than any other Pikachu seen in the anime, and has blue eyes rather than the regular dark brown eye color.

Sparky

Sparky
Main article: Sparky

Ritchie owns a Pikachu, nicknamed Sparky. It is distinguished from other Pikachu by a scruff of fur on the top of its head.

Blue Orb-possessed Pikachu

Blue Orb-possessed Pikachu

Ash's Pikachu was possessed by the Blue Orb in the anime in Gaining Groudon and The Scuffle of Legends. This caused his eyes to glow red and he became covered in markings similar to Groudon's.

TCG

Captain Pikachu

Captain Pikachu

Captain Pikachu depicts a Pikachu wearing a pirate hat. The following are cards named Captain Pikachu.

Captain Pikachu
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Captain Pikachu Lightning       Unnumbered Promotional cards    
 


Shopping Pikachu

Shopping Pikachu

Shopping Pikachu depicts a Pikachu with a shopping basket. The following are cards named Shopping Pikachu.

Shopping Pikachu
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Shopping Pikachu Lightning       L-P Promotional cards   079/L-P
 


Other

Snow Pikachu

Bulbanews
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:

As an April Fools' Day joke in 2008, Game Freak announced that it would move to the Arctic to help save snow Pikachu from polar bears. Game Freak's website was also changed to incorporate an image of a snow Pikachu, which was a snow sculpture.

Ash's Pikachu made a snowman in the shape of itself on the cover of Pikachu's Winter Vacation Soundtrack, which also appears in Pokémon Channel. In the Pokémon Dream World, a Snow Pikachu was featured as a piece of Décor in the Winter Catalogue 2011. During the Holiday 2014 promotion on the online Pokémon Center store, a Snow Pikachu was one of the special plushes.

The Pikachu balloon in the 2015 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade features a scarfed Pikachu holding a snow Pikachu in a Santa hat.

One Trading Card features a Snow Pikachu, being built by two Snorunt.

Related articles

For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Pikachu.

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