Pikachu Pokémon Guide – Evolution, Stats, Moves, and More

pikachu
Nov 18, 2024 Reading time : 8 min

Hello! Pokémon fans! Welcome to Larvesta, where we cover and demystify everything related to the Pokémon universe. In today’s edition, we will be covering everything in-depth about Pikachu.

Pikachu is our beloved Pokémon and the face of the entire series. This Pokémon has been heavily promoted, whether in a movie or a video game. So, without further ado, let’s dive deep into everything you should know about Pikachu’s evolution, stats, moves, and more. 

Evolution of Pikachu

pikachu

There is a common misconception that Pikachu is the first in the evolution line, but this is not true. The first in the evolution chart is ‘Pichu’ which evolves into Pikachu when it reaches a high level of friendship with its trainer, and then Pikachu evolves into Raichu when exposed to a Thunder Stone. 

Pichu was first introduced in Generation 2. Before Generation 2, Pikachu was considered the base form, without any pre-evolution.

Origins and Lore of Pikachu

The name ‘Pikachu‘ is derived from the Japanese words ‘pika‘, which is a sound an electric spark makes, and ‘chu‘, which is the sound a mouse makes. The character was first made by Atsuko Nishida and Ken Sugimori. 

Pikachu’s look is simple yet distinctive, with yellow hair, large ears with black tips, red cheeks that store energy, and a lightning bolt-shaped tail. Ken Sugimori created it, and it first appeared in the 1996 Japanese edition of Pokémon Red and Green.

Pikachu was initially conceived as a small, chubby rodent, resembling a squirrel more than a mouse. This design evolved, and Pikachu became more streamlined and mouse-like, aligning better with its electric type and adopting the final design we know today.

Much like Pikachu harnesses electricity, the fire and bug-type Pokémon Volcarona can absorb solar energy from its wings to strengthen its fire-based attacks.

Biology and Behavior of Pikachu

Pikachu looks most like a rat or a squirrel and has a cuddly appearance. It is generally a pleasant Pokémon that enjoys having their tails massaged, particularly around the base. 

In the wild Pikachu’s are often seen playing and interacting with others from which it can be assumed that they are really social Pokémon. Additionally, Pikachu can form strong form with their Trainers which was the main crux of the show.

However, if intimidated or angered, this Pokémon gets violent. If someone pulls or walks on its tail, they are likely to bite or shock everyone in the nearby areas. Pikachu is only 1 foot 4 inches tall, making it one of the shortest Pokémon.

Pikachu In-Game Availability

The popularity of Pikachu can be determined by the fact that this Pokémon has appeared in every game except Pokémon Black and White. It can be found in:

These are some major locations in the game where you can find Pikachu. Pikachu can easily be caught by normal red and white Pokéballs, but to make catching more powerful and effective you feed berries or use Ultra balls.

Training and Battling Your Pikachu 

Pikachu is strong against Water, Flying, and other Electric-type Pokémon. Use Electric-type moves like Thunderbolt and Volt Tackle in battle.

Additionally, Pikachu’s high base speed allows it to strike first in many battles, making it useful for quick attacks and setting the pace of the fight. As a trainer, you should focus on training Pikachu’s Speed and Attack stats to make it a swift and hard-hitting attacker. 

Pikachu is inefficient against ground-type Pokémon, so in this scenario, it is better to shift to other Pokémon. Also, it doesn’t have a strong defense, so it may become vulnerable to attack-type Pokémon. 

Pikachu Moves and Abilities

Thunderbolt Move

Pikachu is known for its signature move, Thunderbolt, and other powerful Electric-type moves like Thunder and Volt Tackle. Since it moves quickly, it can attack an opponent from the start and deal a lot of damage. This makes it a very dangerous foe.

The main attack of Pikachu’s are: 

  • Thunderbolt: As mentioned above Thunderbolt is the signature move of Pikachu in which it delivers a powerful electric shock to the opponent which is highly effective. 
  • Quick Attack: Pikachu is known for its speed. Quick Attack is a fast and reliable move that allows Pikachu to strike before the opponent, often giving it the edge in battle.
  • Iron Tail: This move involves Pikachu hardening its tail like steel and smashing it into the opponent. It’s particularly effective against Rock, Ice, and Fairy-type Pokémon.
  • Volt Tackle: Volt tackle involves Pikachu charging towards the opponent with electric force. 
  • Electro Ball: This unique move power varies depending upon the opponent. In the Pokémon anime, Pikachu has used Electro Ball numerous times, often depicted as a fast-moving, glowing ball of electricity that Pikachu hurls at its opponent.

Here are the major stats of Pikachu:

HP35
Attack55
Defense40
Special Attack50
Special Defense50
Speed90

Competitive Usage

While Pikachu may not be the top choice in competitive battling due to its relatively low base stats, it can still be a viable option in certain formats. It has a decent base Speed stat, allowing it to out-speed many opponents. 

Pikachu’s finest ability is Lightning Rod, which can redirect all Electric-type attacks to itself and utilize them to strengthen its Special Attack. 

Pikachu’s Role in the Pokémon World

Pikachu is the main companion of Ash Ketchum, the protagonist of the Pokémon anime series. This connection has a significant impact on the show, with Pikachu appearing in almost every episode.

This Pokémon is available in almost every game, often being one of the first electric-type Pokémon players encounter. Due to its inferior battle skills when compared to fully grown Pokémon, Pikachu is not usually a preferred choice in competitive battles. However, with the right strategy, it could be a very lethal opponent.

Fan Community and Merchandise

Pokemon Go Poster

Let’s be honest, even a person who is not well-versed in the Pokémon universe knows about Pikachu. Being the face of the entire Pokémon universe, whether it is a live-action Detective Pikachu movie, Nintendo games, or any merchandise, Pikachu has always been in-front. 

Pikachu is often a central figure in these discussions, with fans sharing fan art, cosplay, and stories centered around their favorite electric-type Pokémon. The small yellow-furred Pokémon comes in a variety of merchandise, such as soft toys, plushies, action figures, statues, and more.

Trivia and Fun Facts

In the main TV show, Ash’s Pikachu is male, which could easily be found out, as female Pikachu have dents on their tail. Pikachu has the same level of popularity in Japan as Mickey Mouse in the United States. Kids are often amused by the character, and people get paid for wearing the Pikachu costume in amusement parks and malls.

The amazing feat that Ash’s Pikachu has achieved in the show is that he is the only Pokémon to defeat not one but two legendary Pokémon. In earlier designs, Pikachu was similar to Gyarados, which was later redesigned and we got an iconic, cute design. 

Pikachu may be one of Ash’s toughest Pokémon, but ketchup brings out its silly side too, as it sings a complete song about tomato sauce. In conclusion, Pikachu’s charm, versatility, and memorable moments have cemented its place as the most iconic Pokémon. 

From its early design evolution to its unique achievements in battles, Pikachu continues to captivate fans around the world, proving that it is more than just Ash’s loyal companion. Pikachu is a symbol of the enduring appeal of the Pokémon franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions
What type of Pokémon is Pikachu?

Pikachu is an electric type Pokémon.

Why didn’t Pikachu evolve into Raichu in the TV series?

Ash’s Pikachu didn’t want to evolve, which was seen in season 1, episode 14. Another reason is that when Pikachu evolves into Raichu, it becomes slower.

Why did Pikachu get famous?

Pikachu is considered as cutest Pokémon and the Pokémon is associated with the main character. In Pokémon Fire Red, Pikachu is a rare Pokémon and has always been considered as the face of the show.

Does Ash’s Pikachu die?

No, Ash’s Pikachu doesn’t die in the show.

Sources

Pikachu Pokédex – Pokémon

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