User:Landfish7/Overview/Pikachu: Difference between revisions

=Pikachu (Pokémon)=

[[File:Pikachu gender difference anime.png|thumb|250px|Pikachu's gender differences in the {{pkmn|anime}}]]

Pikachu is a short, chubby {{wp|rodent}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. 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 will have 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.

[[File:HOME845Go.png|thumb|200px|left|In the mouth of {{p|Cramorant}}]]

[[EP039|The anime]] has shown that {{pkmn2|wild}} Pikachu live in groups in {{DL|List of Pokémon by habitat|Forest Pokémon|forested areas}}. Pikachu communicate amongst themselves using squeaks and tail-shaking as friendly gestures. [[SM091|In the anime]], [[Alola]]n Pikachu are known to greet each other by sniffing one another and rubbing their tails together. Electricity can be used to receive and send messages with each other, as well as other {{t|Electric}} Pokémon species. It raises its tail to check its surroundings and is occasionally struck by lightning in this position. When groups grow, they can inadvertently cause lightning storms. Pikachu forage for {{Berries}}, which it roasts with electricity to make them tender enough to eat. A sure sign that Pikachu inhabits a location is patches of burnt grass. [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu|It has been observed]] eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment. By occasion, it can get unintentionally swallowed by {{p|Cramorant}}. While startled, it looks for ways to escape from the latter.

Pikachu charges itself while sleeping overnight, though stress and a lack of sleep can affect this. It is able to release electric discharges of varying intensity. Pikachu has [[EP030|been known]] to build up energy in its glands, which it will need to discharge to avoid complications. It is also able to release energy through its tail, which acts as a grounding rod, as well as recharging fellow Pikachu with electric shocks. Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are related to {{p|Pachirisu}}.

Pikachu and its [[Pikachu variants|variant]]s have several [[signature move]]s:

* Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move {{m|Volt Tackle}}.

* Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the [[Z-Move]] {{m|Catastropika}}.

* The partner Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moves {{m|Zippy Zap}}, {{m|Floaty Fall}}, and {{m|Splishy Splash}}, as well as the partner power {{m|Pika Papow}}.

* Gigantamax Pikachu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the [[G-Max Move]] {{m|G-Max Volt Crash}}.

===Concept and development===

Pikachu was designed by [[Atsuko Nishida]], a core designer at [[Game Freak]].<ref>[http://www.natsume.com/news/news_pdffiles/pid_129_HSBigNames0806.pdf Natsume: THE TALENT BEHIND HOMETOWN STORY]</ref><ref name=Pokemon.com /> Pikachu originally had a short, stout design during the initial release of {{g|Red and Green}}, but its design was altered for the {{pkmn|anime}} and subsequent entries of the games, becoming slightly taller and skinnier. According to [[Ken Sugimori]], Pikachu's design was altered to make animating its actions easier.<ref name=Pokemon.com /> Its Gigantamax form is a reference to its original rotund appearance.<ref name=Chunkachu > [https://twitter.com/JamesTurner_42/status/1559317105798811648 Tweet by James Turner (@JamesTurner_42).] Posted on August 15, 2022.</ref> Gigantamax Pikachu was designed by [[James Turner]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/JamesTurner_42/status/1559091292889497602 Tweet by James Turner (@JamesTurner_42).] Posted on August 15, 2022.</ref>

Pikachu also originally had a second-stage evolution named "Gorochu" (Japanese: '''ゴロチュウ''' ''Gorochū''), which would have had two horns and fangs.<ref>[https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/fukayomi/20180501-OYT8T50139/3/ Page 3 of Yomiuri interview] with [[Ken Sugimori]], [[Kōji Nishino]], and [[Atsuko Nishida]] (Japanese)</ref><ref name=SiliconEra>''[https://www.siliconera.com/pikachu-originally-second-evolution-called-gorochu-large-fangs-two-horns/ Pikachu Originally Had A Second Evolution Called ‘Gorochu’ With Large Fangs And Two Horns]'' — SiliconEra</ref> Sugimori stated that while there was nothing wrong with its appearance, it was nonetheless omitted from [[Pokémon Red and Green Versions]], as the staff found that the game balance was better without it, and the limited game space meant that some Pokémon originally designed to evolve twice were changed to evolve only once.<ref name=Pokemon.com>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211108083831/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu/ Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu - Pokemon.com] (archived)</ref>

[[Cosplay Pikachu]], [[Pikachu in a cap]], [[Partner Pokémon (game)|Partner Pikachu]], and Pikachu with the [[Gigantamax Factor]] cannot evolve.

|no1=172

|evo1={{Bag/s|Rare Candy|SV}} + {{Bag/s|Soothe Bell|SV}}<br>{{color2|000|Level|Level up}} with<br>high {{color2|000|friendship}}

|no2=025

|evo2a={{Bag/s|Thunder Stone|SV}}<br>{{color2|000|Thunder Stone}}<br>outside of {{color2|000|Alola}}

|no3a=026

|evo2b={{Bag/s|Thunder Stone|SV}} + [[File:Z-Ring SM.png|40px|link=Alola]]<br>{{color2|000|Thunder Stone}}<br>in {{color2|000|Alola}}

|no3b=026

[[Cosplay Pikachu]] appeared exclusively in {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}. It 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]].

|forme1=Cosplay Pikachu

|loc1=Normal

|forme2=Pikachu Rock Star

|loc2=Knowing {{mcolor|Meteor Mash}}

|forme3=Pikachu Belle

|loc3=Knowing {{mcolor|Icicle Crash}}

|forme4=Pikachu Pop Star

|loc4=Knowing {{mcolor|Draining Kiss}}

|forme5=Pikachu, Ph.D

|loc5=Knowing {{mcolor|Electric Terrain}}

|forme6=Pikachu Libre

|loc6=Knowing {{mcolor|Flying Press}}}}

[[Pikachu in a cap]] debuted as an event-exclusive Pokémon in [[Generation VII]]. It is always male and has eight variants, each wearing one of {{Ash}}'s [[Ash's hat|hats]] from the anime.

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Original.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Hoenn.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Sinnoh.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Unova.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Kalos.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Alola.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-Partner.png|100px]]

| style="{{roundy|96px}} border: 2px solid #{{electric color dark}}; background: #{{electric color light}}; width:96px; height:96px"| [[File:025Pikachu-World.png|100px]]

The {{ga|Partner Pokémon|partner}} Pikachu is the Pokémon the player [[starter Pokémon|starts with]] in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!|Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!]]. This Pikachu can be either gender, has higher base stats, and has access to [[move]]s that normal Pikachu do not.

====Gigantamax Pikachu====

When Gigantamaxed, Pikachu becomes larger and chubbier. Its tail becomes longer and becomes capable of storing all of the electricity it generates, causing it to glow a bright yellow and enabling it to become as powerful as a lightning strike. Three red clouds float around the tail. Its power is equal to that of 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.<ref>[https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/pokemon-galar-region/gigantamax-pikachu/ Gigantamax Pikachu | Official Website | Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield]</ref>

|loc1=[[File:Dynamax icon.png|link=Gigantamax]]<br>{{color2|000|Gigantamax|Gigantamax Factor}}

|forme2=Gigantamax Pikachu

|item1=Dynamax Band}}

[[File:Stadium025.png|thumb|Pikachu in Pokémon Stadium]]

* Pikachu is the only [[core series]] [[starter Pokémon]] with a pre-evolved form, though {{game|Yellow}} predates {{p|Pichu}} and Pichu is unobtainable in [[Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!|Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!]].

** Additionally, Pikachu is the only Pokemon with two exclusive [[Z-Move]]s.

* In {{game|Yellow}} and from [[Generation VI]] to {{pkmn|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}, Pikachu uses its [[cry]] from the {{pkmn|anime}} (voiced by [[Ikue Ohtani]]). Before Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, it was the only Pokémon to do so in core series games.

** The {{ga|Red's Pikachu|starter Pikachu}} in Yellow has unique voice clips in {{eng|Pokémon Stadium}} and {{pkmn|Stadium 2}}.

* Pikachu is the only core series starter Pokémon that does not have a 7:1 gender ratio.

* {{game|Black and White|s|Pokémon Black, White}}, {{game3|Black and White|Black 2, and White 2|s 2}} are the only core series games in which Pikachu cannot be obtained without transporting or through an event.

* Pikachu is the only not fully evolved Pokémon whose [[base stats]] increased in [[Generation VI]] as well as the only Pokémon to receive more than one stat increase: Defense and Special Defense.

* In the Japanese {{jap|Pokémon Stadium}}, Pikachu is the only usable Pokémon that is not fully [[Evolution|evolved]].

Pikachu's [[Gigantamax]] form is a reference to its earlier, more rotund design from [[Generation I|Generations I]] and {{gen|II}}.<ref name=Chunkachu />