Ash's Pikachu: Difference between revisions

In general, {{p|Pikachu}} as a species are not particularly powerful, but Ash's Pikachu is a notable anomaly, overcoming odds in {{pkmn|battle}} numerous times. In ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', {{MTR}} remarked that Pikachu's power "far exceeds its evolutionary level". In ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]'', he defeated [[Brock's Onix]] with an {{type|Electric}} attack that triggered the sprinkler system causing Onix to be drenched in water, one of its weaknesses. Ash's Pikachu has also triumphed over some very powerful Pokémon who had previously defeated several of Ash's other Pokémon, such as {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}}'s {{p|Dragonite}}, {{ho|Tyson}}'s {{p|Metagross}}, and {{an|Korrina}}'s [[Mega Evolution|Mega]] {{TP|Korrina|Lucario}}. He was also the second Pokémon in the anime to defeat a legendary Pokémon in battle, defeating {{an|Brandon}}'s [[Brandon's Legendary titans#Regice|Regice]] to win the Brave Symbol in ''[[AG190|Pace - The Final Frontier!]]''. He later fought {{si|Tobias}}'s {{p|Latios}} to a draw in [[DP189|the semifinals]] of the [[Lily of the Valley Conference]], and defeated {{an|Gladion}}'s {{TP|Gladion|Silvally}} and the {{DL|Guardian deities (anime)|recurring Tapu Koko}} commanded by {{an|Professor Kukui}} in separate battles at [[Manalo Stadium]]. He has helped Ash win countless battles and [[Gym]] and {{pkmn|League}} matches.

Following their first encounter with him in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'' the Team Rocket trio made it their life's mission to capture Pikachu for their boss. Sometimes, they succeed with nets, cages, capsules or different devices, but most of the time their plans always failed by Ash and his friends or something else. Whenever Pikachu gets released from their trap and reunites with Ash, he sends Team Rocket blasting off with his {{t|Electric}} attacks. Most of the time, in this case, his Thunderbolt. Sometimes, Pikachu sends them away even when he didn't get stolen. On other occasions, he battles them with Ash.

Even with his high level of electrical power, Pikachu has not stopped learning new attacks. Upon learning that [[Roxanne]], the Rustboro Gym Leader used Rock types, Ash had Pikachu begin learning Iron Tail in ''[[AG013|All Things Bright and Beautifly!]]''. After training hard, Pikachu finally perfected it in ''[[AG016|The Winner by a Nosepass]]'', where he used it to defeat Roxanne's {{p|Nosepass}} and earn Ash his first Hoenn Badge. In addition to giving Pikachu an advantage over Rock types, Iron Tail has allowed Pikachu to defeat many other powerful opponents. In ''[[AG150|May's Egg-Cellent Adventure]]'', during a battle with Team Rocket, Ash ordered Pikachu to do a Quick Attack. Much to the surprise of Ash and his friends, the Quick Attack morphed into an imperfect {{m|Volt Tackle}} which sent Team Rocket blasting off. Upon mastering the move in ''[[AG155|The Green Guardian]]'', it became one of Pikachu's most distinctive techniques, to the point of garnering [[Paul]]'s interest, up until ''[[BW020|Dancing With the Ducklett Trio!]]'', in which Pikachu replaced it with Electro Ball. In ''[[SM076|A Battle Hand-Off!]]'', Pikachu learned {{m|Electroweb}} in place of Electro Ball, allowing him to not only trap opponents, but also use the move as a springboard to increase his mobility or as a shield to protect himself from damage. In addition to his repertoire of moves, Pikachu has used his Ability, {{a|Static}}, a few times in the anime, has an affinity for [[Z-Move]]s, and is capable of [[Gigantamax]]ing.