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pikachu
📅 Updated:2026-06-14
🕒 Created:2011-07-02
🆔 ID:1880
Description
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Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship and evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.
Pikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship and evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.
In Alola, Pikachu evolves into Alolan Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone.
Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner Pikachu, and Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.
Pikachu is a short, chubby rodent pokémon. It is covered in yellow fur with two horizontal brown stripes on its back. It has a small mouth, long, pointed ears with black tips, and brown eyes. Each cheek is a red circle that contains a pouch for electricity storage. It has short forearms with five fingers on each paw, and its feet each have three toes. At the base of its lightning bolt-shaped tail is a patch of brown fur. A female Pikachu has a "V"-shaped notch at the end of its tail, which looks like the top of a heart. It is classified as a quadruped, but it has been known to stand and walk on its hind legs; therefore, Pikachu is a facultative biped.
Pikachu stores electric energy using the small pouches in its cheeks in case it is attacked, so one might feel a small shock if it is touched. These pouches become electrically charged during the night as it sleeps, so a dozy Pikachu may occasionally discharge electricity after waking up. If it does not get enough sleep, it will not be able to release said electricity at its full power. When angered or threatened, Pikachu quickly unleashes the electric energy from its cheeks, which can reach the intensity of a lightning bolt. This also serves as a sign that it's wary, and it will feel stressed if it's unable to fully release the electricity. In Sparks Fly for Magnemite, Pikachu is shown to accumulate energy in its glands, which it will need to eject to avoid complications. When several Pikachu form a group, they are capable of causing thunder storms by building up electricity. If one Pikachu sees another one who is weakened and in need of help, it revitalizes it by recharging it with an electric shock. However, as seen with Peakychu, overusing this ability alters its physical structure, causing it to lose its ability to generate electricity and its fur to become pale, though it can still manipulate electricity from external sources. In Alola, a plan was recently announced to help build an electric power plant by gathering many Pikachu. If its cheek sacs are very soft and stretchy, this means that it can generate powerful electricity. As shown in pokémon Sleep, Pikachu is known to emit electricity through its cheeks while sleeping, perhaps because it's dreaming of firing electric shots.
Pikachu is a curious, playful, and intelligent pokémon who primarily eats fruits and roasts Berries with its electricity to make them tender enough to eat. However, it can end up accidentally burning them too much if it underestimates the intensity of its charge, as it has a tendency to blast new things it finds. In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, it is also depicted eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment. Pikachu raises its tail to monitor its surroundings and bites people who yank it, as it does not like having it pulled. While doing this, its tail is sometimes struck by lightning. Wild Pikachu live in forested areas away from people and with others of its kind in nests, as seen in the pokémon the Series episode Pikachu's Goodbye. Such forests are dangerous, though, as trees there are often struck by lightning. When Pikachu meet, their tails make contact and they exchange electricity through them to greet each other. Relatedly, in A Plethora of Pikachu!, it is shown that Pikachu from Alola are known to greet each other by sniffing one another and rubbing their tails together. In the pokémon Adventures manga, it is considered exceptionally rare, though it seems to be a quite common pokémon in other forms of media. Many Pokémon Trainers prefer Pikachu's cute appearance over Raichu's, which is why the latter is not commonly seen among them. Because of the popularity of Pikachu-themed merchandise, Mimikyu dresses itself in a Pikachu cloth in an effort to look less scary and make friends and appease its loneliness. Unfortunately, its creepy costume only ends up doing the opposite. By occasion, Pikachu can get unintentionally swallowed by Cramorant. While startled, it looks for ways to escape from the latter. Pikachu, along with Pichu and Raichu, is related to Pachirisu.
Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are the only known pokémon capable of learning the move Volt Tackle. It is also the only known pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Catastropika, as well as the only one who can use the Light Ball item.
See also:
- pokémon
- pokémon_(species)
- pichu
- spiky-eared_pichu
- ukulele_pichu
- pikachu
- Cosplay Pikachus (see forms)
- Pikachu in a Cap (see forms)
- gigantamax_pikachu
- pale pikachu (see forms)
- partner pikachu (see forms)
- pokémon_(species)
Pikachu Forms:
Pikachu has sixteen additional forms that fall into five groups: Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, Gigantamax Pikachu, and Pale Pikachu. Additionally, the partner Pikachu is considered as a form internally in the game data. Many other Pikachu variants have also appeared in various media.
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Left to right Cosplay Pickachu, Pikachu Rock Star, Pikachu Belle, Pikachu Pop Star, Pikachu, Ph. D, Pikachu Libre.
Left to right Cosplay Pickachu, Pikachu Rock Star, Pikachu Belle, Pikachu Pop Star, Pikachu, Ph. D, Pikachu Libre.
Cosplay Pikachu is always female, has a black heart-shaped spot at the end of its tail, and can be dressed in any of five outfits corresponding to the five Contest conditions: Cool, Beautiful, Cute, Clever, and Tough.
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Left to right Original Cap Pikachu, Hoenn Cap Pikachu(top right), Sinnoh Cap Pikachu(bottom middle), Unova Cap Pikachu(bottom right), Kalos Cap Pikachu(bottom left), Alola Cap Pikachu(top cap), Partner Cap Pikachu(bottom cap), World Cap Pikachu(right cap).
Left to right Original Cap Pikachu, Hoenn Cap Pikachu(top right), Sinnoh Cap Pikachu(bottom middle), Unova Cap Pikachu(bottom right), Kalos Cap Pikachu(bottom left), Alola Cap Pikachu(top cap), Partner Cap Pikachu(bottom cap), World Cap Pikachu(right cap).
Pikachu in a cap is always male and has eight variants, each wearing one of Ash Ketchum's hats from pokémon the Series. This form of Pikachu is somewhat rare and wears the hat of its partner, who is its Trainer. The cap is a bit loose because it is not the right size, but brims with memories of Pikachu and its Trainer's first encounter and is proof that they have traveled through many regions together.
Pikachu in a cap is the only known pokémon capable of using the Z-Move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, but cannot use Catastropika or Gigantamax.
Pikachu in a cap is the only known pokémon capable of using the Z-Move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, but cannot use Catastropika or Gigantamax.
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A particular Pikachu, named Peakychu, has a unique spin-off form called Pale.
A particular Pikachu, named Peakychu, has a unique spin-off form called Pale.
This unique Pikachu is named for its distinct grey-white color. Its heart-shaped tail is notably smaller than that of a regular Pikachu. The red electrical sacs are a light red, while the black tips of its tail are light grey. Its ears are constantly drooping, giving it a sad appearance. Additionally, Pale Pikachu's eyes are slightly larger than those of a typical Pikachu. Notably, Pale Pikachu's body can emit a peculiar glow.
This Pikachu's unusual coloration resulted from sharing its own electricity with sick friends. As a consequence, its physical structure changed, and Pale Pikachu became unable to generate its own electricity. However, it can still manipulate electricity if it receives enough charge from an external source. With sufficient electricity, Pale Pikachu can illuminate its surroundings.
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The partner Pikachu is the pokémon the player starts with in pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!. It can be either gender and has higher base stats than normal Pikachu. The partner Pikachu is not differentiated from standard Pikachu in pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s Pokédex, and it cannot be transferred to other games.
The partner Pikachu is the pokémon the player starts with in pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!. It can be either gender and has higher base stats than normal Pikachu. The partner Pikachu is not differentiated from standard Pikachu in pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!'s Pokédex, and it cannot be transferred to other games.
The partner Pikachu is the only known pokémon capable of learning the moves Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall, and Splishy Splash, as well as the partner power Pika Papow.
Additonal Notes:
Thumbnails of solo images for certain variants need to be added.
