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.
Pikachu has sixteen alternate forms that fall into four groups: Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner
Pikachu, and Gigantamax Pikachu. Ordinary Pikachu can Gigantamax into Gigantamax Pikachu if it has the
Gigantamax Factor. Additionally, many other Pikachu variants have appeared in various media.
Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner Pikachu, and Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot
evolve. The Pikachu received at the beginning of Pokémon Yellow Version will refuse to evolve into Raichu
unless it is traded and evolved on another save file.
Pikachu is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise and one of Nintendo's major mascots. It is
also the game mascot and the player's first Pokémon in Pokémon: Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition and
Let's Go, Pikachu!, as well as in Pokémon Rumble Blast and Pokémon Rumble World, and has made
numerous appearances on the covers of spin-off games.
Contents
​ 1
​ Biology
​ 1.1
​ Forms
​ 1.1.1
​ Cosplay Pikachu
​
​ 1.1.2
​ Pikachu in a cap
​
​ 1.1.3
​ Partner Pikachu
​
​ 1.1.4
​ Gigantamax Pikachu
​
​ 1.2
​ Evolution
​
​ 2
​ Game data
​ 2.1
​ As the player
​
​ 2.2
​ NPC appearances
​ 2.2.1
​ In the core series
​
​ 2.2.2
​ In the spin-off games
​
​ 2.3
​ Pokédex entries
​
​ 2.4
​ Game locations
​ 2.4.1
​ In side games
​
​ 2.4.2
​ In events
​ [Link]
​ Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Original Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Hoenn Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Sinnoh Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Unova Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Kalos Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Alola Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Partner Cap Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ World Cap Pikachu
​
​ 2.4.3
​ In-game events
​ [Link]
​ Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Partner Cap Pikachu
​
​ 2.4.4
​ Wild Area News
​ [Link]
​ Pikachu
​
​ 2.4.5
​ Poké Portal News
​
​ 2.4.6
​ Pokémon Global Link promotions
​
​ 2.5
​ Held items
​
​ 2.6
​ Stats
​ 2.6.1
​ Base stats
​ [Link]
​ Generation I-V
​
​ [Link]
​ Generation VI onward
​
​ [Link]
​ Partner Pikachu
​
​ 2.6.2
​ Pokéathlon stats
​
​ 2.7
​ Type effectiveness
​
​ 2.8
​ Learnset
​ 2.8.1
​ By leveling up
​
​ 2.8.2
​ By TM
​
​ 2.8.3
​ By breeding
​
​ 2.8.4
​ By a prior Evolution
​
​ 2.8.5
​ By events
​
​ 2.8.6
​ TCG-only moves
​
​ 2.8.7
​ Animated series-only moves
​
​ 2.9
​ Side game data
​ 2.9.1
​ Pikachu
​
​ 2.9.2
​ Pikachu Libre
​
​ 2.9.3
​ Pikachu Pop Star
 ​
​ 2.9.4
​ Pikachu Rock Star
​
​ 2.9.5
​ Flying Pikachu
​
​ 2.9.6
​ Shaymin scarf Pikachu
​
​ 2.9.7
​ Pikachu, Ph. D
​
​ 2.9.8
​ Captain Pikachu
​
​ 2.9.9
​ Gigantamax Pikachu
​
​ 2.10
​ Form data
​ 2.10.1
​ Cosplay Pikachu
​
​ 2.10.2
​ Pikachu in a cap
​
​ 2.10.3
​ Partner Pikachu
​
​ 2.10.4
​ Gigantamax
​
​ 2.11
​ Evolution data
​
​ 2.12
​ Sprites
​ 2.12.1
​ Other sprites
​
​ 3
​ In animation
​ 3.1
​ Main series
​ 3.1.1
​ Major appearances
​ [Link]
​ Ash's Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Pikachutwo
​
​ [Link]
 ​ Puka
​
​ [Link]
​ Sparky
​
​ [Link]
​ Ashachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Cosplay Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Ash's Pikachu (M20)
​
​ [Link]
​ Goh's Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Captain Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Other
​
​ 3.1.2
​ Minor appearances
​
​ 3.1.3
​ Pokédex entries
​
​ 3.2
​ Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Animated Shorts
​
​ 3.3
​ Pokémon Origins
​ 3.3.1
​ Red's Pikachu
​
​ 3.3.2
​ Other
​
​ 3.4
​ Pokémon Generations
​ 3.4.1
​ Red's Pikachu
​
​ 3.5
​ Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer
​
​ 3.6
​ Pokémon: Twilight Wings
​
​ 3.7
​ POKÉTOON
​
 ​ 3.8
​ GOTCHA!
​
​ 3.9
​ Pokémon Evolutions
​
​ 3.10
​ Bidoof's Big Stand
​
​ 3.11
​ A Ripple in Time
​
​ 3.12
​ Pokémon Concierge
​
​ 3.13
​ The Journey of One Dream
​
​ 3.14
​ Biri-Biri
​
​ 4
​ In the manga
​ 4.1
​ Pokémon Adventures
​ 4.1.1
​ Major appearances
​ [Link]
​ Pika
​
​ [Link]
​ Chuchu
​
​ [Link]
​ Cosplay Pikachu
​
​ [Link]
​ Other
​
​ 4.1.2
​ Minor appearances
​
​ 4.1.3
​ Pokédex entries
​
​ 4.2
​ Pokémon Pocket Monsters
​
​ 4.3
​ The Electric Tale of Pikachu
​ 4.3.1
​ Pokédex entries
​
​ 4.4
 ​ Magical Pokémon Journey and Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪
​
​ 4.5
​ Pokémon Zensho
​
​ 4.6
​ Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
​
​ 4.7
​ How I Became a Pokémon Card
​
​ 4.8
​ Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
​
​ 4.9
​ Pokémon Newspaper Strip
​
​ 4.10
​ Ash & Pikachu
​
​ 4.11
​ Pokémon Battle Frontier
​
​ 4.12
​ Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl
​
​ 4.13
​ Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!
​
​ 4.14
​ Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon
​
​ 4.15
​ Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
​
​ 4.16
​ Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~
​
​ 4.17
​ Pokémon Horizon
​
​ 4.18
​ Pokémon Journeys
​
​ 5
​ In the TCG
​
​ 6
​ In the TFG
​
​ 7
​ Other appearances
​ 7.1
​ Pokkén Tournament
 ​
​ 7.2
​ Super Smash Bros.
​
​ 7.3
​ Detective Pikachu
​
​ 7.4
​ Pokémon UNITE
​
​ 7.5
​ The Strength of the Lightning
​
​ 7.6
​ Celestial
​
​ 8
​ Trivia
​ 8.1
​ Merchandise
​
​ 8.2
​ Real life
​
​ 8.3
​ Cultural impact
​
​ 8.4
​ Concept and development
​
​ 8.5
​ Origin
​ 8.5.1
​ Name origin
​
​ 9
​ In other languages
​
​ 10
​ See also
​
​ 11
​ References
​
​ 12
​ External links
​

Biology
 A Pikachu who has been accidentally partially swallowed by a Cramorant

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. 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.[1]
Pikachu is an 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.[2] 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.

Forms
Pikachu has sixteen additional forms that fall into four groups: Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, the partner
Pikachu, and Gigantamax Pikachu. Additionally, many other Pikachu variants have appeared in various media.

Cosplay Pikachu
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.

Cosplay Pikachu Pikachu Rock Star Pikachu Belle Pikachu Pop Star Pikachu, Ph.D Pikachu Libre

Pikachu in a 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.
Original Cap

Hoenn Cap

Sinnoh Cap
 Unova Cap

Kalos Cap

Alola Cap

Partner Cap

World Cap

Partner Pikachu
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.
 Partner Pikachu

Gigantamax Pikachu
As Gigantamax Pikachu, it becomes larger and chubbier, and its tail becomes longer with three red clouds
floating around it.
The Gigantamax phenomenon expands Pikachu's power and forms its massive body and tail. As a result, the
might of Gigantamax Pikachu's electricity is equal to that of a power plant; despite this, it is difficult to use to
power peoples' homes since it can only remain in this form for a short amount of time. All the electricity it
produces in its cheek sacs goes to its tail, enabling it to attack foes in battles with electric jolts as powerful as
lightning strikes.[3]
Gigantamax Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max Move G-Max Volt Crash.

Gigantamax Pikachu

Evolution
Pikachu evolves from Pichu and evolves into Raichu.
In Alola, it evolves into Alolan Raichu.
Cosplay Pikachu, Pikachu in a cap, Partner Pikachu, and Pikachu with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

→ ↗

Unevolved First Evolution Second

Evolution
Pichu Pikachu
Electric Electric Raichu
Electric
 ↘

Second
Evolution

Raichu
Alolan Form
Electric
Psychic

Game data

As the player
Main article: Pikachu (PokéPark)

Pikachu appears as the player character in both PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure and its sequel, PokéPark
2: Wonders Beyond. He falls down a mysterious tunnel one day with his friends Charmander, Chikorita, and
Piplup and ends up in the PokéPark. There, he goes on a quest to save the PokéPark from certain destruction.
He later travels to a new PokéPark, which is being threatened by the ever-expanding Wish Park. At the new
PokéPark, he meets Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, and they help to save it from danger.

NPC appearances

In the core series

■​ These notable Pokémon Trainers all use Pikachu:
■​ Lt. Surge uses a Pikachu in Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
■​ Red, who makes NPC appearances in Generation II, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2,
White 2, and Generation VII, owns a Pikachu, typically as his highest leveled
Pokémon. Usually, he represents the player from the Kanto-based games, particularly
Pokémon Yellow in which his first partner Pokémon was a Pikachu. Starting in
HeartGold and SoulSilver, Pikachu will always be holding a Light Ball when applicable.
■​ Wattson uses a Pikachu exclusively in his second rematch in Pokémon Emerald. In
subsequent battles, it has evolved into a Raichu.
■​ Trevor uses his Pikachu during the main story of Pokémon X and Y. In his second
battle against the player, it has evolved into a Raichu.
■​ Hau's main partner in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon is a Pikachu
who eventually evolves into an Alolan Raichu. It is first seen as a Pichu.
■​ Trace's main partner in Pokémon Let's Go, Eevee! is a Pikachu which later evolves
into a Raichu.
 ■​ The player's friend in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, either Rei or Akari (depending on
the player's gender), has a Pikachu. It is seen as their main partner and will often
appear outside its Poké Ball.
■​ The Poké Kid Trainer class is known to use Pikachu. In Pokémon Sword and Shield,
only male Poké Kids will use Pikachu as a parallel to the female Poké Kids, who use
Eevee.
■​ Ikue Ohtani, the voice of Pikachu, makes cameo appearances in Pokémon Gold, Silver, HeartGold
and SoulSilver (all as Picknicker Brooke), in X and Y (as Breeder Mercy), and in all Generation VII
games, where she owns a Pikachu. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Ikue is
the Master Trainer for Pikachu.
■​ Pikachu has appeared in the overworld in many titles as interactable NPCs.
■​ Several images of Pikachu show up in Totem Mimikyu's chamber, notably Ash's Pikachu and the a
Pikachu Pop Star.

In the spin-off games

■​ Pokémon Stadium: Pikachu stars in the mini-game "Thundering Dynamo" alongside Voltorb. This
mini-game involves charging up electric power.
■​ Hey You, Pikachu!: Pikachu stars alongside an unnamed child (who bears a striking resemblance
to Red) who was recently taught how to interact with wild Pokémon by Professor Oak. The boy
and Pikachu form a bond and go on many adventures together, and one day, Pikachu decides to
live with the boyhim.
■​ Pokémon Stadium 2: Pikachu can be used in "Pichu's Power Plant" if it is transferred from another
game.
■​ Pokémon Pinball: Pikachu serves as a Ball-Saver, but it will only work if the Lightning Meter is full.
■​ Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Pikachu has the same role as in Pokémon Pinball, but is
sometimes helped by Pichu. Pikachu also appears on the Catch 'Em Mode banner.
■​ Pokémon Channel: Much like Hey You, Pikachu!, this game focuses on a boy and a Pikachu
bonding through social interactions, such as going outside and talking to other Pokémon, and
watching TV together.
■​ Pokémon Pokopia: A Pikachu named Peakychu is a supporting character in the game.

Pokédex entries