Pikachu

Pikachu

Primary artwork of Pikachu introduced in Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version

Appearances

Generation	Generation I
First game	Pocket Monsters Red Version and Pocket Monsters Green Version (1996, overall) Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version (1998, outside Japan)
First episode	"Pokémon - I Choose You!" (1997, Ash's Pikachu)

General information

Pronunciation	/pi.ˈka.chu/
Species origin	Mouse
Type	Electric
Ability	Static
Hidden Ability	Lightning Rod
Height	1'04" (0.4 m)
Weight	13.2 lbs. (6.0 kg)
Egg groups	Field Fairy
Gender	Male: 50% Female: 50%
Color	Yellow
Shape	8

Pokédex navigation

National Arbok ← 0025 → Raichu

Johto Generation II Pichu ← 022 → Raichu HeartGold / SoulSilver Pichu ← 022 → Raichu

Hoenn Generation III Pichu ← 156 → Raichu Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire Pichu ← 163 → Raichu

Sinnoh Pichu ← 104 → Raichu

Central Kalos Pichu ← 036 → Raichu

Alola Sun / Moon Pichu ← 025 → Raichu Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon Pichu ← 032 → Raichu

Galar Pichu ← 194 → Raichu Isle of Armor Pichu ← 085 → Raichu

Hisui Pichu ← 056 → Raichu

Paldea Pichu ← 074 → Raichu Kitakami Pichu ← 021 → Raichu

Pikachu is one of the first 151 Pokémon species. It first appears in the Generation I titles Pocket Monsters Red Version and Pocket Monsters Green Version, released as Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version outside of Asia. Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon. It is the first partner Pokémon used by trainers who start their journey in the Kanto region in Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!.

Pikachu has an evolution named Raichu, which it can evolve into by applying a Thunder Stone to it. Since Generation II, Pikachu has received a pre-evolved form named Pichu.

Pikachu is among the best known Pokémon, let alone a mascot representing the Pokémon franchise at large, which can be especially attributed to a certain Pikachu accompanying Ash throughout Pokémon the Series.

Etymology

The prefix of Pikachu's name is derived from the Japanese word ピカピカ (pikapika), an onomatopoeia for something sparkling, as well as pika. The suffix, "-chu", is derived from チューチュー (chuchu), another Japanese onomatopoeia, but for describing the sound of mice.

Biology

Pikachu is a small Pokémon whose morphology is based on a rodent. Although its name and category refer to a mouse, its cheeks are based on those of a squirrel, according to graphic designer Atsuko Nishida. Its body is yellow with two brown stripes on its back and at the base of its tail. The tips of Pikachu's ears are black, and both of its cheeks each have a large red circle. Pikachu has a tail shaped like a lightning bolt if it is male and a heart-shaped one if it is female.

Pikachu stores a large amount of electricity in the sacs on its cheeks. These seem to charge electrically at night while it sleeps. It occasionally releases electricity while half asleep, as if dreaming of delivering electric shocks. It sometimes releases small electric shocks when it first wakes up. Pikachu's cheeks can also be recharged by an electric shock delivered by another Pikachu. It is a very curious Pokémon, which is why it can often be seen near human settlements.

Pikachus live primarily in the forest, far from human settlements, where it can find berries, which it roasts with its electricity. Therefore, if you find a scorched berry lying on the ground, it is very likely Pikachu's work. It likes to live in groups, where it always keeps its tail up to keep watch. In this position, it can easily be struck by lightning, and if it feels threatened or disturbed, it will release all its stored electricity. The energy released by several individuals together is capable of generating thunderstorms.

Origin

In an interview on May 2, 2018, it is revealed that Pikachu was initially conceived as a daifuku. Atsuko Nishida was commissioned to design an "adorable" Pokémon, an Electric type with two evolved forms. She designed it directly in a pixel art program and started by thinking of an elongated daifuku. To try to make it more adorable, she added squirrel-like cheeks, since squirrels usually hide food in their cheeks, and a lightning-shaped tail for its Electric type. While the Game Boy lacks any color scheme, the Super Game Boy enabled them to use the color yellow to represent its Electric type.

The designers do not remember the origin behind the "-chu" suffix, but it had no relation to mice when they came up with the name. However, others on the team were guided by the idea that it was a mouse due to its name, and its final design ended up being that of a mouse.

Kōji Nishino, in charge of game design, liked Pikachu so much that he wanted few players to encounter it, hence its appearance rate in the games was very low.

Pikachu was originally going to have a second pre-evolved form named Gorochu, but it was later scrapped to maintain gameplay balance compared to other Pokémon.

Gender differences

Male	Female

Since the introduction of gender differences in Generation IV, female Pikachus have a curved cut at the end of their tail, giving it a heart-like shape, whereas male Pikachus have a straight end of their tail.

Pokédex descriptions

Core series

Gen.	Icon	Version	Entry
		RedBlue	When several of these POKéMON gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms..
		Blue (Japan)	Unknown.
		Yellow	It keeps its tail raised to monitor its surroundings. If you yank its tail, it will try to bite you.
		Gold	This intelligent POKéMON roasts hard BERRIES with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
		Silver	It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
		Crystal	When it is angered, it immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks.
		Ruby	Whenever PIKACHU comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it’s evidence that this POKéMON mistook the intensity of its charge.
		Sapphire	This POKéMON has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while PIKACHU sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.
		FireRed	It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
		LeafGreen	It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
		Emerald	It stores electricity in the electric sacs on its cheeks. When it releases pent-up energy in a burst, the electric power is equal to a lightning bolt.
		Diamond	It lives in forests with others. It stores electricity in the pouches on its cheeks.
		Pearl	If it looses crackling power from the electric pouches on its cheeks, it is being wary.
		Platinum	It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow PIKACHU that is in a weakened state.
		HeartGold	This intelligent POKéMON roasts hard BERRIES with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
		SoulSilver	It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
		Black	It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow PIKACHU that is in a weakened state.
		White	It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow PIKACHU that is in a weakened state.
		Black 2	It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow PIKACHU that is in a weakened state.
		White 2	It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow PIKACHU that is in a weakened state.
		Pokémon X	It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
		Pokémon Y	It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
		Omega Ruby	Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it's evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.
		Alpha Sapphire	This POKéMON has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while PIKACHU sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.
		Sun	A plan was recently announced to gather many Pikachu and make an electric power plant.
		Moon	It’s in its nature to store electricity. It feels stressed now and then if it’s unable to fully discharge the electricity.
		Ultra Sun	Its nature is to store up electricity. Forests where nests of Pikachu live are dangerous, since the trees are so often struck by lightning.
		Ultra Moon	While sleeping, it generates electricity in the sacs in its cheeks. If it’s not getting enough sleep, it will be able to use only weak electricity.
		PikachuEevee	This forest-dwelling Pokémon stores electricity in its cheeks, so you'll feel a tingly shock if you touch it.
		Sword	Pikachu: Pikachu that can generate powerful electricity have cheek sacs that are extra soft and super stretchy. Gigantamax Pikachu: Its Gigantamax power expanded, forming its supersized body and towering tail.
		Shield	Pikachu: When Pikachu meet, they'll touch their tails together and exchange electricity through them as a form of greeting. Gigantamax Pikachu: When it smashes its opponents with its bolt-shaped tail, it delivers a surge of electricity equivalent to a lightning strike.
		Brilliant Diamond	It lives in forests with others. It stores electricity in the electric sacs on its cheeks.
		Shining Pearl	If it looses crackling power from the electric sacs on its cheeks, it is being wary.
		Arceus	Possesses cheek sacs in which it stores electricity. This clever forest-dweller roasts tough berries with an electric shock before consuming them.
		Scarlet	When it is angered, it immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks.
		Violet	When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms.

Spinoffs

Icon	Game	Entry
	Stadium	Lives in forests away from people. It stores electricity in its cheeks for zapping an enemy if it is attacked.
	Stadium 2	Pokémon Gold inserted: This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard Berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat. Pokémon Silver version inserted: It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
	Pokémon GO	Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it's evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.
	Sleep	While sleeping, it generates electricity in its cheek sacs. Apparently, it may also discharge electricity while it dozes, as if firing off electric shocks in its dreams.
	New Snap	Pikachu build up electricity in their cheek sacs while they sleep. They’re also very curious—you’ll often see one playing at our research camp.

Ranger Browser entries

Icon	Game	Entry
	Ranger	Pikachu discharges energy to recharge the Styler's energy.
	Shadows of Almia	It attacks by blasting electricity from its body.
	Guardian Signs	It restores the Styler Energy.