Pikachu

Note: this page refers to Pikachu in his appearances as an individual character (e.g. Pokémon Yellow). In the majority of Pokémon games Pikachu appears as a species. This concept page should be used to document the appearances of the Pikachu species.

Overview

Pikachu is an electric-type mouse Pokémon, and is the primary character officiated with the franchise, making it the most recognizable Pokémon.

Pikachu's name comes from the onomatopoetic word "pikapika" which translates to "sparkle", and "chuchu" which are the sounds small mice make.

Pikachu is the irresistibly adorable electric-mouse Pokémon, who's loyally lies upon his fellow friends Ash, Misty, Brock, with the inclusion Pokémon friends found along the way and a strong devotee to all the Pokémon-kind.

Like most Pokémon featured within the franchise, Pikachu is capable of communicating through repetitious syllabic sounds of their discovery names.

Along with the cast of the series, Pikachu is constantly being pursued by well-known members of the evil syndicate of crime, Team Rocket's Jessie and James along with their fellow Pokémon Meowth.

Origin

Pikachu's debut appearance as a developed character was in the Pokémon animated series. Pikachu is best known as one of the main protagonists within the animated Pokémon series.

Pikachu's popularity established when he partnered up with a human companion named Ash Ketchum as the unusual starter Pokémon of the Kanto Region, in the anime series of the same name. As Ash's choosing of Pokémon were all taken up, the alternative was chosen and thus given Pikachu in advance, leaving the young Pokémon Trainer with unbeknownst acknowledgement of the creature's prior nature.

Pikachu is one of the original 150 Pokémon seen in Pokémon Red and Blue, and is also the starting Pokémon in the Yellow Version.

Pikachu is registered as #25 in the National Pokédex.

Details

Characteristics and Abilities

In addition to electric abilities, Pikachu also has a high-level of agility and speed.

Physical Attributes

Pikachu is best known for its cute mouse appearance, its red cheeks, long ears, and tail shaped like a thunder-bolt. Pikachu is small enough to sit on top of the head of a human.

Pikachu is a petite, stocky mouse Pokémon that attributes a yellow overall tone of fur with linear brown markings covering its backs with the inclusion of a small extra pallet on the tail. It has black-tipped pointy ears and light red pouches on their cheeks, which store all its electrical charged bolts within the sacs. Its tails is shaped in the form of a lightning bolt.

Anime

Ash's Pikachu

Ash Ketchum has a Pikachu that he obtained as a first time Pokémon Trainer from Professor Oak at the beginning of his great adventure. The first episode of the anime premises on their relationship and first encounters. Ash's Pikachu is recognized for being a real pal to Ash, being frivolous with a disdain for being encapsulated in a Poké Ball.

This specific Pikachu has been in every episode of the series, not including side-episodic specials, refusing to trade its lovable factor for evolution in two prominent episodes. Pikachu is superlative in battle skills, as shown braving against the strongest of legendary Pokémon in the universe to tumultuous sized baddies and Pokémon alike.

Ash's Pikachu once had a centric episode about leaving the series in "Goodbye Pikachu!". Pikachu ultimately decided not to leave beside Ash and company, as their bond was too strong with the Pokémon.

Character Relations

Ash Ketchum

His very first Pokémon is an irregular starter Pokémon; Pikachu. He began his entire journey with a precociously unreasoning Pikachu, most likely due to high intelligence conditions for a Pokémon. Ash through out his journey has expressed great fond for his Pikachu, calling him his best pal. When Ash's stubborn side is shown, Pikachu at times may take the leeway choice.

Ash has met various people and Pokémon along the way, easily interacting and becoming friends with them. Ash has seeing capturing many Pokémon with the help of Pikachu, whether in combat or in cheer.

Misty

Misty met Ash and Pikachu after the events of borrowing a bike, which is later left charred in the wood by a surge caused by Pikachu. Since then, Misty follows Ash in his travels, being consistent with berating Ash of repaying her with a bike, while not involving Pikachu into the indecent. While on the adventure with Ash, she keeps the excuse to not stop following them in, though it is evident that she wants to keep traveling with the protagonist as she has become accustomed with Ash and Pikachu.

Misty is a prolific user with Pikachu, borrowing Ash's Pikachu at times and being a close friend to Pikachu.

Misty once became an entrant in the Princess Pokémon Tournament, a contest extended only to females, participating with Pikachu for the win.

Meowth

Meowth's position as a Team Rocket member doesn't always influence his nature with other characters or Pokémon when going on his personal travels. He has been seen having a Brawn-Vs.-Brain rivalry between Pikachu or a en-locked in the famous Cat-and-Mouse rivalry as Meowth's National Pokédex number is the reverse of Pikachu's, found at no. 52.

Special Appearance

Super Smash Brothers Series

Along with Nintendo favorites like Mario, Link, and Kirby, Pikachu is a mascot for the Super Smash Bros. series.

As a very agile and mobile playable character, Pikachu can be seen as the speedy type of the bunch.

Pikachu is available as a playable character in each of the Super Smash Bros.

games.

Just like the Pokémon games, Pikachu is quick and agile, with projectile attacks in the form of its electric abilities.

Pikachu's Moveset:

Pikachu's Popularity

In addition to being a playable character in Super Smash Bros., Pikachu has been seen in mainstream media through several outlets

• In order to promote the Pokémon games, Nintendo created a Volkswagon Beetle that looks like Pikachu.
• In the Comedy Central show Drawn Together, one of the main characters, Ling Ling, is based on Pikachu's character.
• Pikachu is one of the balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (since 2001). An updated version of the balloon has light-up cheeks and chases a Pokéball.
• According to TV Guide, Pikachu is the 15th greatest cartoon character of all time.

Fun Facts

• Pokémon Red/Blue and Green show a significant shading in Pikachu's underbelly. A factor that has not arisen again with the franchise.
• Pikachu is the first Electric-type Pokémon registered in the National Pokédex .
• Pikachu is the first starter Pokémon to not have one of the continuous attribute types of Grass, Fire, or Water; it is simply an Electric-type Pokémon.
• In 2008, Japanese researchers discovered and named a unique protein after Pikachu. The protein — Pikachurin — “plays a role in the efficient transmission of kinetic vision information from the eyes to the brain.”
• Pikachu is the highest trained Pokémon attributed to an out-on-field Trainer, found at Lv. 88. within HeartGold/SoulSilver.
• Pikachu is the smallest and lightest of all Game Version Mascots, due to its stance as a basic evolutionary Pokémon and a non-legendary.
• Pikachu's introductory game as a Pokémon starter, Pokemon Yellow, disengages its ability to progress with evolution.
• Pikachu is the only Game Version starter Pokémon to not have a 7:1 male to female gender ratio.
• Pokémon Yellow introduced Pikachu's anime voice cry specifically used for the special starter Pokémon.