Рассказ про пикачу на английском

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachuu) is an Electric-type Pokémon which was introduced in Generation I. Pikachu is renowned for being the most well-known and recognizable Pokémon. Over the years, Pikachu has become so popular that it serves as the Pokémon franchise mascot. It is the Version Mascot and First partner Pokémon for the game Pokémon Yellow and its remake, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!. It is also well known from the anime, where Ash Ketchum, the protagonist, owns a Pikachu.

It evolves from Pichu when leveled up with high friendship and evolves into Raichu using a Thunderstone.

Biology

Physiology

Pikachu are small, and cute mouse-like Pokémon. They are almost completely covered by yellow fur. They have long yellow ears that are tipped with black. A Pikachu’s back has two brown stripes, and its large tail is notable for being shaped like a lightning bolt, yet its brown tip is almost always forgotten. Pikachu have short arms with five tiny fingers on forehands and three sharp fingers on their hind legs. On its cheeks are two circle-shaped red pouches used for storing electricity. They turn yellow and spark with electricity when it’s about to use an Electric attack, such as Thunderbolt. It has also been known to generate small surges of electrical energy in anger or for protection, like in the anime.

A female Pikachu looks almost exactly the same as a male, with the exception of her tail, which is rounded at the end and has an inward dent, giving it the appearance of a heart. However, in earlier anime episodes, and in the games prior to Generation IV, female and male Pikachu look identical.

As Gigantamax Pikachu, it becomes larger and chubbier (similar to its Generation 1 design). Its tail becomes longer and stores all of the electricity it generates, causing it to glow a bright yellow and enabling it to become as powerful as a Iightning strike. Its power is equal to that a power plant; however, it is difficult to use it in peoples’ homes since Pikachu can only remain in its Gigantamax form for a short time.

When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity can cause lightning storms.

A Shiny Pikachu is slightly orange.

In «A Plethora of Pikachu!», according to Pikala, the fur from Pikachu in the Kanto region sparkles in sunlight, while the Pikachu from Alola fur is silky smooth and shines in sunlight.

Behavior

Pikachu are usually friendly creatures that love to be cuddled. They love having their tails rubbed, especially at the base; they also like being stroked. However, if threatened or angered, this Pokémon can be quite aggressive. If someone pulls or steps on its tail, it is most likely it will bite or shock anyone in the area, including the one who pulled its tail.

However, in the anime and in the wild of the Kanto region they live in big groups deep in forests and are wary of humans.

In Kanto according to Ash in PJ035, Pikachu also greet one another by shocking them and sometimes they’ll gather up in big groups to search for Thunderstones so they can evolve.

The Pikachu that live in the Pikachu Valley in Alola in the anime, greet each other by sniffing one another and rubbing their tails together. Also, they can start duels with one another by sending electric signals and the winner is decided when the opponent’s tail is bitten.

Spceial abilities

Pikachu’s special ability is Static, which can cause paralysis in battle if hit by a physical move. In Pokémon Black and White’s Dream World, the Trainer receives a Pikachu with the Lightning Rod ability.

Pikachu are capable of learning Volt Tackle, a powerful Electric-type physical move exclusive to the Pikachu family of Pokémon.

Partner Pikachu is also capable to learning special moves: Zippy Zap, Floaty Fall, Splishy Splash, and the Partner Power, Pika Papow.

Z-Moves

Pikachu is one of the few Pokémon in Sun and Moon which have a special Z-Move dedicated to them.

The Z-Move Catastropika is Pikachu’s signature move. The move is activated by the Z-Crystal, Pikanium Z. Its base is Volt Tackle. Catastropika can be learned only by a Pikachu with Volt Tackle, and becomes unusable if Volt Tackle is forgotten or if the Pikachu evolves into Raichu.

The Z-Move 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt is Ash Pikachu’s signature move. The move is activated by the Z-Crystal, Pikashunium Z. Its base is Thunderbolt.

Pikachu, being an Electric-type, is capable of using the Z-Crystal, Electrium Z, to use the Z Move Gigavolt Havoc.

Gigantamax

Pikachu is one of the 32 Pokémon in Sword and Shield that can Gigantamax by having a special member from it species or, with The Isle of Armor Expansion Pass, using Max Soup on a Pikachu.

Gigantamax Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max Move, G-Max Volt Crash.

Evolution

Pikachu evolves into a Raichu by using a Thunder Stone. It evolves from Pichu when its happiness is maxed with the trainer in game. It will evolve into Alolan Raichu if using a Thunder Stone in the Alola region.

Game info

Game locations

Locations
Version(s)	Area(s)	Rarity
Red and Blue	Viridian Forest, Power Plant	Uncommon
Yellow	First partner Pokémon, Trade	One
Gold and Silver	Route 2	Common
Crystal	Route 2	Rare
Ruby and Sapphire	Safari Zone	Rare
FireRed and LeafGreen	Viridian Forest (uncommon if chosen Charmander), Power Plant	Rare
Emerald	Safari Zone	Rare
Diamond and Pearl	Trophy Garden	Common
Platinum	Trophy Garden	Common
HeartGold and SoulSilver	Route 2, Viridian Forest	Common
Black and White	Poké Transfer, Dream World	None
X and Y	Santalune Forest, Route 3	Rare
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire	Safari Zone or by winning your first Contest	Uncommon/One
Sun and Moon	Route 1, Hau’oli City (SOS Battle)	Rare
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	Route 1 (SOS Battle)	Common
Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!	First partner Pokémon (Partner Pikachu), Viridian Forest (Pikachu)	Rare (Partner Pikachu)
Sword and Shield	Route 4, Rolling Fields, Stony Wilderness Max Raid Battle: Giant’s Cap, Giant’s Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Motostoke Riverbank Meetup Spot (Gigantamax Pikachu; Gift) by talking to a girl if the player has save data of Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!	Common

Pokédex entries

Pikachu in a cap

Stats

Learnset

Leveling

TM/HM

By TR

Generation VIII
Machine	Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy	PP
TR01	Body Slam		Physical	80	100%	15
TR04	Surf		Special	?	100%	10
TR08	Thunderbolt		Special	90	100%	15
TR09	Thunder		Special	110	70%	10
TR12	Agility		Status	—	100%	10
TR20	Substitute		Status	—	100%	10
TR21	Reversal		Physical	80	100%	15
TR26	Endure		Status	—	100%	10
TR27	Sleep Talk		Status	—	100%	10
TR30	Encore		Status	—	100%	10
TR31	Iron Tail		Physical	80	100%	15
TR35	Uproar		Special	90	100%	10
TR68	Nasty Plot		Status	—	100%	10
TR77	Grass Knot		Special	?	100%	10
TR80	Electro Ball		Special	?	100%	10
TR86	Wild Charge		Physical	90	100%	15
TR90	Play Rough		Physical	90	90%	10
Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Breeding

To see the Egg Moves that Pikachu can learn, refer to Pichu.

Tutoring

Sprites

Side Game Data

Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
No.	Pokémon	Group	Field Move	Poké Assist
R-002		Pikachu	Electric		Recharge 3		Recharge
Capture Points*	On Sight**
645	No reaction.
Browser Entry
It attacks by blasting electricity from its body.
* — This is the amount of points required to capture the Pokémon (excluding boss Pokémon). ** — This is the reaction of the Pokémon when players approach it.

Super Smash Bros.

Pikachu has also appeared in all Super Smash Bros. Series games, with most of its main appearance is mostly males. Pikachu is a very agile and mobile playable character. In Super Smash Bros., Pikachu was considered the strongest playable character. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Pikachu’s Skull Bash move was introduced, and its Quick Attack ability was upgraded so that it did a small amount of damage to opponents. Pikachu has also once again appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a playable character, with its exclusive attack Volt Tackle as its Final Smash. If you look at the hat Pikachu and you look at the shiny above and the hat, you would notice it’s the Shiny Pikachu with Red’s Japanese hat.

Each of Pikachu’s alternate forms in Brawl and SSB4 can be seen as a tribute to different Pokémon games; The blue goggles come from Pokémon Colosseum and the red hat comes from the Kanto region games while the green headband comes from Pokémon Emerald. In the fourth title, one alternate form is that of Calem. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gives Pikachu its two female alternates, one is based on Moon, and another is the Libre cosplay which is known appearing in Pokken Tournament (DX).

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

Appearances

Anime

Main

• Ash’s Pikachu
• Goh’s Pikachu

Supporting

• Nurse Joy’s Pikachu
• Ritchie’s Pikachu

Minor

• Puka (Surflng Pikachu in the anime)
• Pikachutwo (a clonc)
• Pikachu (TB039)
• Exam instructor’s Pikachu
• Shopper’s Pikachu
• Travis’ Pikachu
• Aura Guardian’s Pikachu
• Ayumi’s Pikachu
• Mirror Ash’s Pikachu
• Pikachu (MS018)
• Frank’s Pikachu
• Spike
• Ash’s Pikachu (MS020)
• Boss
• Curly
• Pikachu (SM091)

• Mystery Dungecn Serics
  • Pikachu (Mystery Dungeon)
  • Pikachu (Gates to Infinity trailer)

Manga

In the Pokémon Adventures Manga, Red owns a Pikachu named «Pika» and Yellow also owns a Pikachu named «Chuchu».

Trivia

• Pikachu and Eevee are the only First partner Pokémon in the canon RPG games that deviates from the usual Grass, Fire, and Water-typings.
• Pikachu is the only Pokémon to have appeared in every episode, special, and movie in the series in some shape or form.
• Though Pikachu isn’t in the Unova Pokédex, an image of it can be found in a building in Castelia City before the National Pokédex is obtained, as well as on a billboard above the Castelia City Pokémon Center. There are also several Pikachu shaped hedges in Striaton City. Also, there is a giant Pikachu float next to the Nimbasa City Gym.
• In the game Pokémon Battle Revolution, Pikachu can use the HMs Surf and Fly.
• Starting from Pokémon X and Y, Ikue Ōtani provides the voice of Pikachu in the place of a cry.
• In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there are three variations of Pikachu. One has a headband similar to Brendan’s hat, one has a hat similar to Ash’s hat and another has goggles. The goggles variant is a reference to Pichu having an alt with goggles.
• Pikachu has appeared on more merchandise than any other Pokémon, including the limited edition N64, Game Boy Color, DS and 3DS consoles.
• In the 2011 Guinness World Records Book: Gamers Edition, Pikachu placed 20th in the «Top 50 VideoGame Characters of All Time.»
• Pikachu is the Japanese mascot for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
• It is the first Pokémon in Pokédex order to have a baby form.
• Pikachu and Meowth have inverse Pokédex numbers, 25 and 52. Coincidently, they are based on a cat and a rodent. Even more coincidently, Ash’s Pikachu and Team Rocket’s Meowth are rivals, like the popular cartoon, Tom and Jerry. (Ash and co. usually thwarting Team Rocket’s various crazy schemes.)
• Having a Pikachu hold a Light Ball will double its Special Attack and Attack stats, making its stats higher than its evolution, Raichu. Raichu also cannot hold a Light Ball unless it evolves from a Pikachu that is holding one
• Though not the first Pokémon created, Pikachu was the first Electric-type Pokémon created, conceived after the type was suggested to Sugimori and designed around the concept of electricity and the common symbol for lightning.
• Pikachu is one of Veronica Taylor’s favourite Pokémon.
• A protein is named after Pikachu, the name of the protein is «pikachurin».
• Pikachu is one of the 16 Pokémon to be made into a puppet in Japan.
• A 2002 Carl’s Jr toy features Pikachu playing the saxophone.
• There are two Pikachu-centric spin off games, Hey You, Pikachu! (N64) and Detective Pikachu (3DS).
• Pikachu was originally set to have a third evolution named Goruchu but, the idea was however scrapped.
• Pokémon Black and White and their sequels are the only games you cannot find Pikachu in the wild. Instead, you have to transfer one over from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl or Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• Pikachu was the only Pokémon until Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! to have its cry from the anime in the main RPG games. This was then reused for Eevee in the Let’s Go games and onwards.
• Special forms of Pikachu, such as Pikachu’s wearing hats, cannot evolve into Raichu
• The Partner Pikachu in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! is shiny locked. This means that your partner cannot be a Shiny Pokémon.
• Pikachu’s in-game cry for Generations II through V can be heard at 0:08 in the intro of Ed Sheeran’s «Celestial» music video. [1]
• When the Pokémon franchise was localized in the US, Nintendo wanted to redesign every known Pokémon back then, including Pikachu, to be more appealing to American children. Therefore, Pikachu was initially redesigned into a tiger with huge breasts. Fortunately, this idea had been scrapped.
• Pikachu ranked 7th, among all Pokémon, in the Pokémon of the Year 2021 poll by The Pokémon Company. It also ranked 2nd among all Kanto Pokémon.

Origin

Pokémon designer Atsuko Nishida stated that Pikachu was originally based on a squirrel, though it also shares similarities to a mouse. The stripes on the back and the lightning bolt tail were added as details in the appearance, and the black ear tips are the remnant of an earlier design resembling a daifuku, a small Japanese dessert.

Its Gigantamax form appears to be based on earlier depictions of Pikachu when it debuted in Pokémon Red and Green Version. During this time, its official artwork and sprites depicted it as fatter and rounder, though its Gigantamax form overall uses Pikachu’s modern design while using the body shape of its earlier appearance.

Etymology

Pikachu comes from two different onomatopoeia found in Japanese. These are pikapika (the sound of electricity sparkling) and chuchu (the sound of a mouse squeaking).

Gallery

See also

• Pokémon.com Pokédex
• Legendary Pokémon data
• The Pokémon Database
• Pokémon Dream Pokédex data
• Psypokes Psydex data

v · d · eFirst partner Pokémon
Kanto	Bulbasaur · Charmander · Squirtle · PikachuYP · EeveeE
Johto	Chikorita · Cyndaquil · Totodile
Hoenn	Treecko · Torchic · Mudkip
Sinnoh	Turtwig · Chimchar · Piplup
Hisui	Rowlet · Cyndaquil · Oshawott
Unova	Snivy · Tepig · Oshawott
Kalos	Chespin · Fennekin · Froakie
Alola	Rowlet · Litten · Popplio
Galar	Grookey · Scorbunny · Sobble
Paldea	Sprigatito · Fuecoco · Quaxly

v · d · eGigantamax Pokémon
Generation I	Venusaur · Charizard · Blastoise · Butterfree · Pikachu · Meowth · Machamp · Gengar · Kingler · Lapras · Eevee · Snorlax
Generation V	Garbodor
Generation VII	Melmetal
Generation VIII	Rillaboom · Cinderace · Inteleon · Corviknight · Orbeetle · Drednaw · Coalossal · Flapple · Appletun · Sandaconda · Toxtricity · Centiskorch · Hatterene · Grimmsnarl · Alcremie · Copperajah · Duraludon · Urshifu
Mega Evolution

v · d · eGeneration I Pokémon
Bulbasaur Ivysaur Venusaur Charmander Charmeleon Charizard Squirtle Wartortle Blastoise Caterpie Metapod Butterfree Weedle Kakuna Beedrill Pidgey Pidgeotto Pidgeot Rattata Raticate Spearow Fearow Ekans Arbok Pikachu Raichu Sandshrew Sandslash Nidoran♀ Nidorina Nidoqueen Nidoran♂ Nidorino Nidoking Clefairy Clefable Vulpix Ninetales Jigglypuff Wigglytuff Zubat Golbat Oddish Gloom Vileplume Paras Parasect Venonat Venomoth Diglett Dugtrio Meowth Persian Psyduck Golduck Mankey Primeape Growlithe Arcanine Poliwag Poliwhirl Poliwrath Abra Kadabra Alakazam Machop Machoke Machamp Bellsprout Weepinbell Victreebel Tentacool Tentacruel Geodude Graveler Golem Ponyta Rapidash Slowpoke Slowbro Magnemite Magneton Farfetch’d Doduo Dodrio Seel Dewgong Grimer Muk Shellder Cloyster Gastly Haunter Gengar Onix Drowzee Hypno Krabby Kingler Voltorb Electrode Exeggcute Exeggutor Cubone Marowak Hitmonlee Hitmonchan Lickitung Koffing Weezing Rhyhorn Rhydon Chansey Tangela Kangaskhan Horsea Seadra Goldeen Seaking Staryu Starmie Mr._Mime Scyther Jynx Electabuzz Magmar Pinsir Tauros Magikarp Gyarados Lapras Ditto Eevee Vaporeon Jolteon Flareon Porygon Omanyte Omastar Kabuto Kabutops Aerodactyl Snorlax Articuno Zapdos Moltres Dratini Dragonair Dragonite Mewtwo Mew
See also	Generation II · Generation III · Generation IV · Generation V · Generation VI · Generation VII · Generation VIII · Generation IX
Generation I

v · d · eEvolutionary Line

bananas include potassium.

Pikachu
Pokémon character
Pikachu, as depicted in promotional artwork for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
First appearance	Pokémon Red and Blue February 27, 1996
Designed by	Atsuko Nishida Ken Sugimori[1]
Voiced by	Ikue Ōtani[2][3] Other actors Ryan Reynolds (Detective Pikachu film, English) Kaiji Tang (Detective Pikachu video game, English) Hidetoshi Nishijima (Detective Pikachu film, Japanese)[4] Tōru Ōkawa (Detective Pikachu video game, Japanese)
In-universe information
Species	Mouse Pokémon National Pokédex Arbok ← Pikachu (#25) → Raichu
Gender	♂ Male / ♀ Female
Origin	Kanto (Generation I)
Type	Electric

Pikachu^[a] is a fictional species in the Pokémon media franchise. Designed by Atsuko Nishida and Ken Sugimori, Pikachu first appeared in the 1996 Japanese video games Pokémon Red and Green created by Game Freak and Nintendo, which were released outside of Japan in 1998 as Pokémon Red and Blue. Pikachu is a yellow, mouse-like creature with electrical abilities. It is a major character in the Pokémon franchise, serving as its mascot and as a major mascot for Nintendo.

Pikachu is widely considered to be the most popular and well-known Pokémon species, largely due to its appearance in the Pokémon anime television series as the companion of protagonist Ash Ketchum. In most vocalized appearances Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Ōtani, though it has been portrayed by other actors, notably Ryan Reynolds in the live-action animated film Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Pikachu has been well received by critics, with particular praise given for its cuteness, and has come to be regarded as an icon of Japanese pop culture.

Concept and design

Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Pokémon series began in Japan in 1996, and features several species of creatures called «Pokémon» that players, called «trainers», are encouraged to capture, train, and use to battle other players’ Pokémon or interact with the game’s world.^[5] Pikachu was one of several different Pokémon designs conceived by Game Freak’s character development team. Artist Atsuko Nishida is credited as the main person behind Pikachu’s design,^[6][7] which was later finalized by artist Ken Sugimori.^[8][9] According to series producer Satoshi Tajiri, the name is derived from a combination of two Japanese onomatopoeia: ピカピカ (pikapika), a sparkling sound, and チューチュー (chūchū), a sound a mouse makes.^[10] Despite its name’s origins, however, Nishida based Pikachu’s original design, especially its cheeks, on squirrels.^[11] Developer Junichi Masuda noted Pikachu’s name as one of the most difficult to create, due to an effort to make it appealing to both Japanese and American audiences.^[12]

Pikachu was designed around the concept of electricity.^[13] They are creatures that have short, yellow fur with brown markings covering their backs and parts of their lightning bolt-shaped tails. They have black-tipped, pointed ears and red circular pouches on their cheeks, which can spark with electricity.^[14] They attack primarily by projecting electricity from their bodies at their targets.^[15] Within the context of the franchise, Pikachu can transform, or «evolve,» into a Raichu when exposed to a «Thunder Stone.»^[16] Pikachu was originally planned to have a second evolution called Gorochu, which was intended to be the evolved form of Raichu.^[17][18] In Pokémon Gold and Silver, «Pichu» was introduced as an evolutionary predecessor to Pikachu.^[19] In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, gender differences were introduced; since those games, female Pikachu have an indent at the end of their tails, giving the tail a heart-shaped appearance.

Initially, both Pikachu and fellow Pokémon Clefairy were chosen to be lead characters for the franchise merchandising, with the latter as the primary mascot to make the early comic book series more «engaging». Production company OLM, Inc. suggested Pikachu as the mascot of the animated series after finding that Pikachu was popular amongst schoolchildren and could appeal to both boys and girls,^[20][10] as well as their mothers. Pikachu resembled a familiar, intimate pet, and yellow is a primary color and easier for children to recognize from a distance. Additionally, the only other competing yellow mascot at the time was Winnie-the-Pooh.^[21]

Pikachu’s design has evolved from its once-pudgy body to having a slimmer waist, straighter spine, and more defined face and neck; Sugimori has stated these design changes originated in the anime, making Pikachu easier to animate, and were adopted to the games for consistency.^[22] «Fat Pikachu»
was revisited in Pokémon Sword and Shield, where Pikachu received a Gigantamax Form resembling its original design.^[23][24][25]

Appearances

In the video games

Pikachu has appeared in all Pokémon video games, except Black and White, without having to trade.^[26] The game Pokémon Yellow features a Pikachu as the only available Starter Pokémon. Based on the Pikachu from the Pokémon anime, it refuses to stay in its Poké Ball, and instead follows the main character around on screen. The trainer can speak to it and it displays different reactions depending on how it is treated.^[27][28]

An event from April 1 to May 5, 2010, allowed players of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver to access a route on the Pokéwalker, which solely contained Pikachu which knew attacks that they were not normally compatible with, Surf and Fly.^[29] Both of these attacks can be used outside battles as travel aids. Seven «Cap» forms of Pikachu, wearing caps belonging to Ash Ketchum across different seasons, were released across Pokémon Sun and Moon as well as their Ultra versions.^[30] These games also released two Z-Crystals exclusive to Pikachu: Pikanium Z, which upgrades Volt Tackle into Catastropika, and Pikashunium Z,^[31] which upgrades Thunderbolt into 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt when held by a Cap form of Pikachu.^[32]

Pokémon Let’s Go, which is based heavily on Yellow, has Pikachu as a starter in one of its two versions, with the latter version using Eevee instead.^[33] This starter Pikachu has access to several secret techniques and exclusive moves.^[34][35] In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pikachu gained access to a special Gigantamax form.^[36]

Aside from the main series, Pikachu stars in Hey You, Pikachu! for the Nintendo 64; the player interacts with Pikachu through a microphone, issuing commands to play various mini-games and act out situations.^[37] The game Pokémon Channel follows a similar premise of interacting with the Pikachu, though without the microphone.^[38] Pikachu appear in almost all levels of Pokémon Snap and its sequel, New Pokémon Snap,^[39] games where the player takes pictures of Pokémon for a score. A Pikachu is one of the sixteen starters and ten partners in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series.^[40] PokéPark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure and its sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond,^[41] features a Pikachu as the main protagonist.^[42] Pikachu has appeared in all five Super Smash Bros. fighting games as a playable character,^[43] including in Pokkén Tournament, along with «Pikachu Libre», based on «Cosplay Pikachu» from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.^[44][45] Detective Pikachu features a talking Pikachu who becomes a detective and helps to solve mysteries.^[46] Pikachu has also appeared in Pokémon Unite,^[47] Pokémon Rumble World,^[48] Pokémon Go,^[49] and also puzzle games such as Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Battle Trozei, Pokémon Picross,^[50] and Pokémon Café Mix.^[51]

In the anime

The Pokémon anime series and films feature the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu. Ash journeys to train and capture Pokémon while the members of the villainous organization Team Rocket attempt to steal Ash’s Pikachu.^[52]

Other wild and trained Pikachu appear throughout the series, often interacting with Ash and his Pikachu. The most notable among these is Ritchie’s Pikachu, Sparky (レオン, Reon, Leon).^[53] Like most other Pokémon, Pikachu communicates only by saying syllables of his own name. He is voiced by Ikue Ōtani in all versions of the anime. In Pokémon Live!, the musical stage show adapted from the anime, Pikachu was played by Jennifer Risser.^[54]

In the live-action film

In the 2019 film Pokémon Detective Pikachu, a detective Pikachu is voiced by Ryan Reynolds and Ōtani.^[55][56] Pikachu is featured in a 2021 Katy Perry music video, «Electric».^[57]

In other media

Pikachu is a prominent Pokémon in many of the Pokémon manga series. In Pokémon Adventures, main characters Red and Yellow both train Pikachu, which create an egg that Gold hatches into a Pichu. Other series, including Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Magical Pokémon Journey and Getto Da Ze also feature Pikachu. Other manga series, such as Electric Tale of Pikachu,^[58] and Ash & Pikachu, feature Ash Ketchum’s Pikachu from the anime series.^[58]

Reception

Promotion

As the mascot of the franchise, Pikachu has made multiple appearances in various promotional events and merchandise. In 1998, then Topeka, Kansas Mayor Joan Wagnon renamed the town «ToPikachu» for a day,^[59] and the renaming was repeated in 2018 by Mayor Michelle De La Isla with the release of the Pokémon Let’s Go games.^[60] A «got milk?» advertisement featured Pikachu on April 25, 2000.^[61]

A Pikachu balloon has been featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 2001.^[62] The original balloon was flown for the last time publicly at the Pokémon: Tenth Anniversary «Party of the Decade» on August 8, 2006, in Bryant Park in New York City,^{[63][64][65][66]} and a new Pikachu balloon that chases a Poké Ball and has light-up cheeks debuted at the 2006 parade.^[67] In the 2014 parade, a new Pikachu balloon was wearing a green scarf and holding a smaller Pikachu snowman.^[68] As of 2021, the latest balloon is that of a Pikachu and Eevee together in a sled.^[69]

Pikachu and ten other Pokémon were chosen as Japan’s mascots in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.^[70] In August 2017, The Pokémon Company had partnered with Snap Inc. to bring Pikachu to the social media app, Snapchat.^[71] In December 2020, a 15-minute long ASMR video of Pikachu by The Pokémon Company was released.^[72] ANA Boeing 747-400 (JA8962) planes have been covered with images of Pokémon including Pikachu since 1998.^[73] In 2021, the first Pokémon Jet (Boeing 747-400D) featuring entirely Pikachu debuted.^[74] Pikachu has been made into several different toy and plush forms, as well as other items, including a robot Tomy Pikachu,^[75] figures,^{[76][77][78][79]} fishing lures,^[80] gaming setups,^[81] necklaces,^[82] hats,^[83] inflatable furniture,^[84] and wire loop games.^[85] In 2022, My Nintendo Japan released a Pikachu and Eevee cable holder.^[86]

Collectible cards featuring Pikachu have appeared since the initial Pokémon Trading Card Game released in October 1996, including limited edition promotional cards. One of these collectible cards was «Pikachu Illustrator», limited to about 20-40 printed in 1998, and was auctioned off for about $55,000 in 2016, and then $375,000 in 2021.^[87][88] For the franchise’s 25th anniversary, The Pokémon Company announced special trading cards in 2021, each featuring 25 Pikachu drawn by 25 artists.^[89] The character has also been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King.^{[90][91][92][93][94]}

Pikachu has been mentioned in a variety of media, including TV series Top Gear and Heroes.^[95][96] Pikachu has appeared several times on The Simpsons from 2002 to 2010.^{[97][98][99][100]}

Protests

The Chilean independent politician Giovanna Grandón famously went to many protests during the 2019–2021 Chilean protests dressed in an inflatable Pikachu suit.^[101] In July 2021 during the Group of Seven climate summit, a group of protestors dressed as Pikachus demonstrated on Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth,^[102] while in November 2021, a group of activists dressed up as Pikachu to protest Japan’s refusal to reduce coal consumption at COP26.^[103]

Biology

In 2008, a ligand believed to provide better visual acuity was discovered by the Osaka Bioscience Institute Foundation [ja] and named «Pikachurin», in reference to the nimbleness of Pikachu.^[104] The name was inspired due to Pikachu’s «lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects».^[105]

Critical response

Pikachu has been well received by reviewers; it was ranked as the «second best person of the year» by Time in 1999, who called it «the most beloved animated character since Hello Kitty». The magazine noted Pikachu as the «public face of a phenomenon that has spread from Nintendo’s fastest selling video game to a trading-card empire», citing the franchise’s profits for the year as «the reason for the ranking», behind singer Ricky Martin but ahead of author J.K. Rowling.^[106]

Pikachu has ranked 20th to 4th place in anime, cartoon character, and video game character polls since 2000. ^{[107][108][109][110][111]} In 2003, Forbes ranked Pikachu as the «eighth top-earning fictional character of the year» with an income of $825 million.^[112][113] In 2004, the character dropped two spots to tenth on the list, taking in $825 million for a second straight year.^[114] The character has been regarded as the Japanese answer to Mickey Mouse^[115] and as being part of a movement of «cute capitalism».^[73] Manga artist Hiro Mashima referred to Pikachu as «the greatest mascot character of all time!» when talking about adding these types of characters to series.^[116] Authors Tracey West and Katherine Noll called Pikachu the best Electric-type Pokémon and the best Pokémon overall. They added that if a person were to go around and ask Pokémon players who their favourite Pokémon was, they would «almost always» choose Pikachu. They also called Pikachu «brave and loyal».^[117]

Zack Zwiezen of Kotaku praised the simplicity of Pikachu’s design, describing it as «possibly one of the most iconic characters on the planet».^[118] Dale Bishir of IGN described Pikachu as the most important Pokémon that impacted the franchise’s history, and further stated that «Its irresistible cuteness, merchandising power, army of clones in every generation… if your mom calls every Pokémon ‘Pikachu’, then you know in your heart that it is the most important Pokémon of all time.»^[119] In 2019, Mitsuhiro Arita said that Pikachu and Charizard were «fan favourites» in Pokémon’s design on the trading cards.^[120] Lauren Rouse of Kotaku listed Pikachu as the best animal companions that are the real MVPs of video games, stating that «Pikachu symbolises one of the best animal-human friendships in pop culture history and it makes a damn good Pokémon to have in your roster.»^[121] Time Magazine named Pikachu as one of the twelve most influential video game characters of all time, lauding its appearance as the «most recognizable and beloved sidekick in pop culture.»^[122] Hobby Consolas also included Pikachu on their «30 best heroes of the last 30 years.»^[123] In 2021, Chris Morgan for Yardbarker described Pikachu as one of «the most memorable characters from old school Nintendo games»,^[124] while Rachel Weber of GamesRadar ranked him as second iconic video game character of all time, stating that «If Pokemon has a spokesperson, it’s the adorable and electrifying yellow fuzzball.»^[125]

Conversely, Pikachu was ranked first in AskMen‘s top 10 of the most irritating 1990s cartoon characters.^[126] Similarly, in a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 48th best Pokémon, with the staff commenting «despite being the most recognized Pokémon in the world… Pikachu ranks surprisingly low on our top 100».^[127] Kotaku writer Patricia Hernandez criticized Pikachu’s over-representation in Pokémon-related media, saying: «it’s hard not to be barraged by Pikachu’s constant presence if you’re a Pokémon fan, and it sucks.»^[128]

See also

• Pikachu (sculpture), New Orleans

Notes

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, California: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999.
• Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
• Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21, 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
• Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
• Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5
• Tobin, Joseph Jay, ed. (2004). Pikachu’s Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-0-8223-3287-9.

Further reading

• Ashcraft, Brian (July 28, 2021). «Japanese Fans Thought Olympians Were ‘Pikachu’ And ‘Raichu’«. Kotaku.

External links

• Pikachu on Pokemon.com
• Pikachu on Bulbapedia
• Pikachu on Serebii