Pikachu

Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type Pokemon introduced in Generation I. It is the most recognizable Pokemon in the franchise and serves as the official mascot of The Pokemon Company. Pikachu is known for its ability to store electricity in its cheek pouches and discharge it as powerful attacks.

Basic Information

Taxonomy

Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia (fictional)
• Phylum: Pokemonata
• Class: Electrica
• Order: Rodentia
• Family: Pikachudae
• Genus: Pikachu
• Species: P. electricus

Name Origin

Biology

Physical Description

Pikachu is a short, chubby rodent Pokemon covered in yellow fur. Its back has two brown stripes, and its large ears have black tips. Pikachu has a small mouth, brown eyes, and two red circles on its cheeks which are actually pouches for storing electricity. Its forearms are short with five small fingers, while its feet have three toes each. It has two horizontal brown stripes on its back.

Sexual Dimorphism

Behavior

• Habitat: Forests, power plants, and areas with high electrical activity
• Diet: Omnivorous; berries, vegetables, and occasionally insects
• Social Structure: Often found in small groups
• Activity Pattern: Diurnal (active during day)

Pikachu raises its tail to check its surroundings and is occasionally struck by lightning in this pose. When several Pikachu gather, their electricity can build and cause lightning storms.

Electricity Generation

Pikachu generates electricity through specialized organs in its cheek pouches:

Intelligence

Pikachu demonstrates high intelligence:

• Can understand human speech
• Shows complex emotions
• Capable of problem-solving
• Can operate simple machinery

Base Stats

Evolution

Evolution Line

Pichu (Baby) → Pikachu → Raichu
    ↓              ↓          ↓
High Friendship  Thunder    Regular/
                 Stone      Alolan

Evolution Refusal

In the anime and some games, Pikachu notably refuses to evolve into Raichu, preferring to remain in its current form. This is depicted as:

• A personal choice showing Pikachu's independent nature
• Desire to prove itself without evolving
• Deep bond with Ash Ketchum in the anime

Abilities

Standard Abilities

Static

Hidden Ability

Lightning Rod

Moves

Level-Up Moves (Generation IX)

Signature Moves

Volt Tackle

Notable TM/HM Moves

Held Items

Light Ball

Special Forms

Cosplay Pikachu (ORAS)

Exclusive to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire:

Partner Pikachu (Let's Go)

Gigantamax Pikachu

Cap Pikachu Forms

Special Pikachu wearing Ash's caps from different series:

Competitive Battling

Strengths

• High Speed stat
• Light Ball doubles offensive stats
• Useful support moves (Thunder Wave, Nuzzle)
• Lightning Rod for Double Battles

Weaknesses

• Very low base stats without Light Ball
• Frail defenses
• Single type offers limited coverage
• Outclassed by Raichu and other Electric-types

Common Strategies

Smogon Tier History

In Popular Culture

Franchise Mascot

Pikachu was selected as the franchise mascot early in Pokemon's history:

• 1998: Featured prominently in Western marketing
• 1999: ANA Boeing 747-400 "Pokemon Jet" featuring Pikachu
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Giant Pikachu balloon since 2001
• Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Ambassador Pokemon

Notable Pikachu

Ash's Pikachu

Detective Pikachu

Merchandise

Pikachu is the most merchandised Pokemon:

Recognition

• Time Magazine: "Best of 1999" second most influential person (fictional)
• IGN: Top 25 Anime Characters (2009)
• Cultural Icon: Recognized worldwide, even by non-fans

Anime Appearances

Main Series

Films

Pikachu Outbreak

Annual event in Yokohama, Japan:

Breeding

Egg Information

Inherited Moves

Notable egg moves:

Trivia

• Pikachu was not initially planned as the mascot; Clefairy was considered
• Pikachu's design was created by Atsuko Nishida and finalized by Ken Sugimori
• Pikachu was voiced by Ikue Otani in Japanese since 1997
• The Pikachu balloon in Macy's parade is 54 feet tall
• Pikachu has appeared in every Smash Bros. game
• A real beetle species was named Pokemonas pikachu

Related Pokemon

See Also

• Pokemon Main Page
• Pokemon Species Index
• Electric Type
• Charizard
• Eevee