Pikachu variants
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
- Surfing on a Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, Gold, Silver, and Crystal will result in a different overworld sprite being used.
- The surfing Pikachu was featured in a minigame exclusive to Pokémon Yellow, called Pikachu's Beach. This can only be activated in the original editions of the games by transferring a surfing Pikachu from other games. In the Virtual Console editions, only the starter Pikachu is needed. The Surfin' Dude there apparently also has a surfing Pikachu.
- In the Generation II games, players may receive a Surf Pikachu doll via Mystery Gift; however, this item is very rare.
- Though surfing Pikachu isn't explicitly available in the Generation III games, it can be obtained by evolving the surfing Pichu hatched from an egg received from depositing 1,499 Pokemon into Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire.
- In the Generation IV games, a surfing Pikachu can be found in Yellow Forest through use of the Pokéwalker.
- Surfing Pikachu have been given out through event distributions.
- Players can obtain a Surfing Pikachu on Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon by beating the high score of "Big Boss" in Mantine Surfing, making this the first time one can be obtained without an event or transferring from a side series game.
- In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pikachu can learn Surf via TR04.
Side series
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 |
- If a Pikachu uses Surf in Pokémon Stadium (Japanese), Pokémon Stadium (English), Pokémon Stadium 2, Pokémon Colosseum, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, or Pokémon Battle Revolution, it will wield a pink surfboard. All of these games have certain requirements to get Surfing Pikachu or at least get a player's Pikachu to learn Surf (with the exception of Colosseum and XD)
- In the Japan-only Pokémon Stadium, if the player clears the Master Ball division of the L1-30 Division with a Pikachu in his or her party, the Pikachu can learn Surf.
- In the non-Japanese versions of Pokémon Stadium, if the player clears the Master Ball division of the Round 2 Prime Cup with all Pokémon selected directly from a Game Pak, not saving the game during the challenge (continues are permitted), and ensures Pikachu participates in the final battle (the Pikachu can come from any Generation I game), they will be able to teach that Pikachu Surf. This does not occur in the Japanese version of the game (this game is known as Pokémon Stadium 2 in Japanese).
- In Pokémon Battle Revolution, after defeating Pokétopia Master Mysterial the player can download a Surfing Pikachu onto a Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver game from the shop for free. It can be downloaded by multiple games, but no two Pikachu can be downloaded by a single card.
- All of Lt. Surge's Pikachu and Raichu in Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2 know Surf.
- In Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire, after 1499 Pokémon are stored the player will receive an Egg with a Pichu that knows ThunderShock, Charm and Surf. This Pichu, of course, can evolve into a Pikachu that knows Surf.
Spin-off games
- This Pikachu variant was later seen in Pokémon Snap, appearing at the Beach.
- The surfing Pikachu was also featured in Pokémon Dash in special courses.
- The surfing Pikachu appeared in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. By typing in a certain code, a green surfboard is unlocked, which can then be used by Pikachu so he can play Gyarados's Aqua Dash.
Region | Code |
---|---|
North America | 02970626 |
PAL | 84925064 |
Japan | 78872252 |
- A Surfing Pikachu doll can be bought from Shop 'N Squirtle in Pokémon Channel.
- Surfing Pikachu were made available for Pokémon GO's first Community Day event.
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
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 | Wizards Black Star Promos | 28 | Unnumbered Promotional cards | ||||
Unnumbered Promotional cards | |||||||
Pokémon Web | 025/048 | ||||||
Rising Rivals | 114/111 | Bonds to the End of Time | 089/090 | ||||
Evolutions | 111/108 | XY-P Promotional cards | 264/XY-P | ||||
Playing in the Sea Pikachu | 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:
- Surfing Pikachu (XY-P Promo 264)
Product image:
|
Flying Pikachu
Flying Pikachu is a Pikachu with balloons. With them, he is able to wield the move Fly.
In the games
Core series
- The flying Pikachu can be seen in the opening of Pokémon Yellow.
- The flying Pikachu can be found in the Pokéwalker's Yellow Forest.
- The flying Pikachu was given out through event distributions.
Spin-off games
- The flying Pikachu can be found in Pokémon Snap taking the name "Balloon Pikachu".
- This Pikachu variant was featured in Pokémon Dash in special courses.
- The flying Pikachu appeared in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. By typing in a certain code, a set of balloons are unlocked, which can then be used by Pikachu so he can play Pelipper's Circle Circuit and Salamence's Air Ace.
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
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
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 | Wizards Black Star Promos | 25 | Unnumbered Promotional cards | ||||
Unnumbered Promotional cards | |||||||
Rising Rivals | 113/111 | Bonds to the End of Time | 090/090 | ||||
Flying Pikachu | 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 Electric Meteor Mash |
Pikachu Belle Electric Icicle Crash |
Pikachu Pop Star Electric Draining Kiss |
Pikachu, Ph. D Electric Electric Terrain |
Pikachu Libre 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 Electric |
Hoenn Cap Pikachu Electric |
Sinnoh Cap Pikachu Electric |
Unova Cap Pikachu Electric |
Kalos Cap Pikachu Electric |
Alola Cap Pikachu Electric |
Partner Cap Pikachu Electric |
World Cap Pikachu 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Other
Games
Core series games
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
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 |
Initial Skill |
Alternate Skill(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu | Electric | 50 | 20 | Paralyze | Unity Power | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Angry |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Super Bolt | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Winking |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Swap++ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Sleeping |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Sleep Charm | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Fired Up |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Cross Attack+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Surprised |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Last-Ditch Effort | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Enamored |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Mind Zap | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Smiling |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Flash Mob | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Dizzy |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Barrier Bash++ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Happy |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Power of 4+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Spooky |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Block Smash+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Holiday |
Electric | 50 | 10 | Mega Boost+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Burn | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Swap++ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Power of 5+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | L-Boost | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Power of 5+ | Pyre | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Eject+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Kimono Boy |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Sleep Combo | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Kimono Girl |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Paralysis Combo | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Dragon Talon | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Costume |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Dragon Talon | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Three Force | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Quirky+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Damage Streak | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Counterattack+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Calm Down | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Hitting Streak+ | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Nap Time | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Final Effort | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Vitality Drain | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Prank | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | Downpour | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Celebration |
Electric | 50 | 5 | T-Boost | N/A | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Original Cap |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Stabilize+ | Hyper Bolt | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Hoenn Cap |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Rock Shot | Hyper Bolt | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Sinnoh Cap |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Block Shot | Hyper Bolt | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Unova Cap |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Barrier Shot | Hyper Bolt | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Kalos Cap |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Cloud Shot | Hyper Bolt | |
#016 | #0025 | Pikachu Alola Cap |
Electric | 60 | 5 | Shot Out | Hyper Bolt |
Pokémon GO
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♂ Electric |
Festive Pikachu♂ Electric |
Party Pikachu♂ Electric |
Ash Pikachu♂ Electric |
Witch Pikachu♂ Electric |
Summer Pikachu♂ Electric |
H.F. Pikachu♂ Electric |
Spring Pikachu♂ Electric |
Detective Pikachu♂ Electric |
Straw Hat Pikachu♂ Electric |
Winter Pikachu♂ Electric |
Pikachu♀ Electric |
Festive Pikachu♀ Electric |
Party Pikachu♀ Electric |
Ash Pikachu♀ Electric |
Witch Pikachu♀ Electric |
Summer Pikachu♀ Electric |
H.F. Pikachu♀ Electric |
Spring Pikachu♀ Electric |
Detective Pikachu♀ Electric |
Straw Hat Pikachu♀ Electric |
Winter Pikachu♀ Electric |
Anime
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
- 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
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 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 | Unnumbered Promotional cards | ||||||
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 | L-P Promotional cards | 079/L-P | |||||
Other
Snow Pikachu
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.
A picture of a snow Pikachu from Game Freak's website
Related articles
For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Pikachu.
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. |