Ash's Pikachu: Difference between revisions

|gender=Male<ref>First confirmed in ''[[DP142|Where No Togepi Has Gone Before!]]''.</ref>

|ability={{a|Static}}

|location=[[Professor Oak's Laboratory]]

|type1=Electric

Pikachu was used many times during the [[Silver Conference]]. In ''[[EP266|A Claim to Flame!]]'', he defeated [[Salvador]]'s {{p|Furret}}. In ''[[EP268|Tie One On!]]'', this good showing was followed by [[Vincent|Jackson]]'s {{p|Azumarill}}, but Pikachu was then defeated by Jackson's {{Shiny}} {{p|Magneton}}. In ''[[EP271|Playing with Fire!]]'', Pikachu was Ash's first Pokémon used in his battle against {{jo|Harrison}}, defeating his {{p|Kecleon}} before being defeated in turn by Harrison's {{TP|Harrison|Sneasel}}.

After saying farewell to Misty and Brock in ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later!]]'', Ash decided to only take Pikachu with him to [[Hoenn]], and left Pallet Town with him at the end of the episode. In [[EP274|the following episode]], while getting ready to depart for Hoenn by ship, Ash and Pikachu were attacked by Team Rocket, who used an electromagnet to stick Pikachu to it and drain his electricity. Eventually, thanks to some wild Pokémon and Officer Jenny, Pikachu was saved. The next day, Ash tried to wake Pikachu up, but he soon noticed that he was suffering from a severe illness caused by the electromagnet.

In ''[[AG089|A Scare to Remember!]]'', Pikachu developed amnesia after an attack by Team Rocket and their machine. Team Rocket took advantage of this and tricked Pikachu into joining them. He was then ordered to attack the group. Trying to get Pikachu back, Ash jumped on their balloon. Team Rocket ordered Pikachu to hit Ash with Thunderbolt, but this caused them to get blasted off while Ash and Pikachu fell in a river. As Ash protected him, Pikachu managed to regain his memory and got rid of Team Rocket once again.

In ''[[AG097|Gaining Groudon]]'', Ash and the group got on a submarine owned by [[Team Magma]], where they met Team Magma's leader [[Maxie]]. An explosion triggered by {{DL|Kyogre and Groudon (Ruby and Sapphire series)|Kyogre}} caused the [[Blue Orb]] to fly off Maxie's desk. Pikachu managed to catch the orb before Team Magma could regain it, but the orb then melted into Pikachu's body, greatly increasing his power but also making him lose control over himself. In [[AG098|the next episode]], Pikachu awakened {{DL|Kyogre and Groudon (Ruby and Sapphire series)|Groudon}} and aided it in its battle with {{p|Kyogre}}. Due to everyone's teamwork, {{p|Groudon}} was able to defeat Kyogre, causing the Blue Orb to emerge from Pikachu's body. Pikachu was then saved by Kyogre and later bade it and Groudon farewell.

In ''[[BW068|An Amazing Aerial Battle!]]'', Ash used Pikachu against [[Skyla]]'s {{p|Unfezant}} in his [[Mistralton Gym]] battle. After defeating Unfezant, Pikachu fought Skyla's last Pokémon, {{TP|Skyla|Swanna}}. Despite having a type advantage, Pikachu's Electric moves proved to be useless when Swanna used {{m|Aqua Ring}} to protect itself against them. Pikachu was ultimately defeated by a powerful combination of {{m|Hurricane}} and Brave Bird.

In ''[[BW069|Climbing the Tower of Success!]]'', Ash and Pikachu entered the [[Wishing Bell Festival]]. They managed to reach the final round, where they had to climb [[Mistralton Tower]] while protecting the flame of their {{p|Litwick}} candle. Despite Pikachu doing his best to protect the candle from a group of {{p|Pidove}}'s attacks, [[Stephan]]'s Litwick candle, which turned out to have been a real Litwick all along, blew out Ash's, causing Ash to end up in second place.

In ''[[BW107|Cameron's Secret Weapon!]]'', Pikachu went up against {{un|Cameron}}'s Pokémon, defeating {{p|Samurott}} and Swanna before being recalled. [[BW108|Later]], Ash sent Pikachu out to battle Cameron's newly-evolved {{TP|Cameron|Lucario}}, which had just defeated {{AP|Snivy}}, leaving him as Ash's last Pokémon. Despite the large amount of damage both Pokémon had taken, they still managed to continue battling. At the end of the fight, Lucario's Aura Sphere overpowered Pikachu's Electro Ball and him Pikachu out, thus eliminating Ash from the Vertress Conference and placing him in Top 8.

In ''[[BW112|Team Plasma's Pokémon Power Plot]]'', Pikachu battled wild Pokémon controlled by [[Colress]] to free them and stop [[Team Plasma]]. Impressed by Pikachu's power, Colress managed to gain control of Pikachu by attaching a receiver to his head, and he ordered him to attack Ash and the group. As Colress was increasing the power of the EM waves responsible for the mind control, Ash begged Pikachu to fight it off. During Pikachu's strenuous attempts to do so, the receiver overloaded and got destroyed, freeing Pikachu from Team Plasma's control.

In ''[[XY121|Seeing the Forest for the Trees!]]'', Pikachu was very worried after Ash left into the [[Kalos Route 20|Winding Woods]] alone, following his loss to [[Wulfric]], and spent most of the episode trying to find Ash. Eventually, Team Rocket tried to catch Pikachu, but when the despondent Pikachu tried to fend them off, they were underwhelmed by his power. After Ash returned at the end of the episode, an overjoyed Pikachu was able to quickly send Team Rocket blasting off.

In [[XY122|the next episode]], he participated in Ash's rematch against Wulfric and battled his {{p|Bergmite}}. After defeating it, Pikachu faced off against Wulfric's {{p|Avalugg}}. Despite Pikachu's attempt to strategy, he was ultimately knocked out.

During Ash and his classmates' travels in [[Ultra Deep Sea]] to rescue {{an|Lusamine}} in ''[[SM054|10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!]]'', Pikachu fought Lusamine, who had been fused with a {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Nihilego}}. Ash's Electrium Z mysteriously turned into a [[Pikashunium Z]], allowing the two to perform {{m|10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt}} for the first time. The Z-Move defeated Nihilego, allowing Lillie and {{an|Gladion}} to pull Lusamine free from its hold.

In ''[[SM076|A Battle Hand-Off!]]'', Ash used Pikachu in his trial battle at the {{OBP|Thrifty Megamart|Abandoned Site}}, where he battled Team Rocket and {{TP|Jessie|Mimikyu}}. Pikachu was left vulnerable to Mimikyu's Z-Move, {{m|Let's Snuggle Forever}}, but he protected himself with his newly learned {{m|Electroweb}}. Using his new move, Pikachu was able to trap Mimikyu, which allowed him and Ash to perform a Z-Move of their own. Ash's Electrium Z then turned into a Pikashunium Z again, allowing Pikachu to use 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt once more and defeat Mimikyu. This allowed Ash to qualify for [[Nanu]]'s grand trial.

[[SM101|Later]], at Dia's base, Pikachu and Ash trained and convinced Dia and Zeraora to join them. Pikachu and Zeraora engaged in another battle, which attracted the attention of Guzzlord. After the {{an|Ultra Beasts|Ultra Beast}}'s arrival, the group lured it to the [[Ultra Wormhole]] that it emerged from in the past. After trapping Guzzlord with Electroweb, Pikachu and Zeraora attacked the immobilized Ultra Beast in an attempt to send it back through the Ultra Wormhole but failed. However, after the Shiny Tapu Koko intervened, Ash and Dia were able to activate their Z-Rings and have Pikachu and Zeraora perform a double Gigavolt Havoc to successfully push Guzzlord into the wormhole. Afterwards, Pikachu and Zeraora had one more battle to create another dimensional rift, which took Pikachu and Ash back home.

In ''[[SM109|A Grand Debut!]]'', Ash used Pikachu in his [[Poni Island]] grand trial against [[Hapu]], where he went up against her {{p|Mudsdale}}. Despite the type disadvantage and Mudsdale's {{a|Stamina}} Ability, Pikachu was able to overcome the obstacles when Musdale was splashed with seawater, allowing Pikachu to knock the Draft Horse Pokémon out with Gigavolt Havoc. Afterwards, Hapu offered Ash a choice of type-specific Z-Crystals; Pikachu opted for a [[Steelium Z]], which Hapu awarded to Ash for his victory.

In ''[[SM142|A Full Battle Bounty!]]'', Ash chose to use Pikachu to battle Professor Kukui's {{p|Empoleon}} during Ash's {{wp|exhibition game|exhibition match}} against him. While the two Pokémon were equally matched, Pikachu was eventually caught in Empoleon's {{m|Whirlpool}}, causing him to get dizzy. To save Pikachu from being defeated, Ash withdrew him from the battle and sent out Melmetal to replace him.

In ''[[SM144|From Z to Shining Z!]]'', Ash sent Pikachu back into the battle as his final Pokémon to face Tapu Koko, who had taken the place of Kukui's sixth Pokémon in the match. When both Pokémon were evenly matched, Tapu Koko and its fellow deities restored Ash and Kukui's Z-Power, giving them a chance to use another Z-Move, since [[SM143|they already used up their Z-Moves for the match]]. Tapu Koko then handed Kukui a [[Tapunium Z]], and it and Kukui started performing {{m|Guardian of Alola}}. During this, Ash's Electrium Z once again transformed into a Pikashunium Z, allowing Pikachu to counter with 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. The two Z-Moves clashed, with Pikachu's attack eventually overpowering Tapu Koko's, defeating it and making Ash the winner of the exhibition match.

====''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''====

In ''[[JN007|Serving Up the Flute Cup!]]'', Ash used Pikachu as his second Pokémon in his battle against [[Hodge]] in the [[Battle Frontier Flute Cup]] finals, where he faced Hodge's {{p|Mightyena}}. Pikachu was fairly evenly matched against his opponent, but eventually, he was able to defeat Mightyena, ending the battle and giving the victory to Ash.

In [[JN039]], Pikachu was used in Ash's rematch against [[Bea]] at the [[Cianwood Gym]], where he went up against her {{p|Hitmontop}}. After slowing down Hitmontop’s movements with Electroweb, Pikachu was able to defeat him. Next, he went up against {{p|Grapploct}}, but was overwhelmed by its {{m|Octolock}} and got defeated soon after.

===Personality and characteristics===

{{bulbanews|Personality & Development: Ash's Pikachu}}

After Ash gained Pikachu's loyalty in ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', Pikachu became extremely loyal to Ash and has maintained this loyalty, and while he is not always immediately trusting of strangers, he is generally friendly to humans and Pokémon alike. He acted as a guardian and big brother to [[Misty's Togepi]], and has been seen meditating and even breaking up fights among other Pokémon, such as in ''[[PK01|Pikachu's Vacation]]''. In ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'', Pikachu, {{MTR}}, and Meowth's clone were the only Pokémon not to participate in the giant battle; Pikachu stood motionless as his [[Pikachutwo|clone]] repeatedly slapped his face. Contrary to his distrusting nature, Pikachu took a liking to Misty very early in the series, and he has retained this liking of Misty throughout the series, such as when he was very happy to see her in ''[[AG132|The Scheme Team]]'' and ''[[SM042|Alola, Kanto!]]''.

During the Hoenn saga, Pikachu [[AG089|temporarily developed amnesia]] and sided with {{TRT}} for a while. On several occasions, Pikachu has developed an "electric flu" causing him to become overcharged and extremely powerful. During these instances, Pikachu will sometimes accidentally let off electric outbursts which can be set off on anyone, including Ash. In all of these cases, Pikachu did not mean harm upon anyone.

As shown in a handful of episodes, the first being ''[[EP042|Showdown at Dark City]]'', Pikachu has a special fondness for ketchup, but he will eat and enjoy almost any other human or Pokémon food. In ''[[BW116|The Fires Of A Red-Hot Reunion]]'', Pikachu also displayed a fondness for orange juice. In ''[[SM104|That's Some Spicy Island Research!]]'', Pikachu was revealed to have a distaste for [[Poni Island]] radishes. A running joke in the anime also seems to be Pikachu using Thunderbolt at the beginning of each series to accidentally destroy a female companion's bike or unintentionally shock the companion herself. This has happened to {{an|Misty}}, {{an|May}}, {{an|Dawn}}, {{an|Iris}}, and {{an|Bonnie}}.

Pikachu, like his Trainer, is always happy to battle. He often tries his very best, but when he loses, he doesn't complain or feel bad about himself, especially when Ash reassures him. Ash and Pikachu are almost identical personality-wise, and thus are the perfect match for one another. Most others agree, except for [[Burgundy]], who in ''[[BW019|A Connoisseur's Revenge!]]'' said that Ash had a terrible relationship with all of his Pokémon, though this is more due to her inexperience in determining such relationships. Though rare, the two can still butt heads at times. When they first met, Pikachu would shock Ash with electricity out of vitriol. While being zapped by Pikachu still happens regularly for poor Ash, it's usually when he angers his buddy (such as when Ash rubs and pulls Pikachu's cheeks), or by accident (when Ash grabs Pikachu's tail by mistake).

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 ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]'', {{MTR}} remarked that Pikachu's power "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 that 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 {{DL|Brandon's Legendary titans|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 [[Gladion's 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.

The possibility of evolving into Raichu was first raised and discussed in the episode ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]''. After suffering a crushing defeat by [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]], Nurse Joy presented Ash with a Thunder Stone. Ash allowed Pikachu to decide, but he refused, having decided to become stronger as he is, and defeated Raichu by using superior speed. In the Sinnoh region, Pikachu [[DP074|battled]] another Raichu belonging to a trainer named [[Sho]]. The two were not only even matches in power but, unlike before, also in speed; ultimately Raichu used {{m|Hyper Beam}} to secure victory, a move Pikachu could not learn. At a Pokémon Center, Ash revealed that he kept the Thunder Stone he acquired in Vermilion City in case Pikachu changed his mind about evolving. Once again, Pikachu chose not to evolve and defeated Sho's Raichu in a rematch with a combination of speed, power, and spinning techniques learned from {{an|Dawn}}. During this event, {{TRT}} stole the Thunder Stone, as they also wanted Pikachu to stay as he is.

However, at times, Pikachu has lived up to his species' frail and brittle strengths, particularly in Gym battles, where he was defeated with relative ease by his opponent; for example, he was overpowered very easily by Lt. Surge's Raichu, [[Sabrina's Kadabra]], [[Blaine's Magmar]], [[Bugsy]]'s {{p|Scyther}}, [[Whitney's Miltank]], [[Chuck]]'s {{p|Poliwrath}}, [[Roark's Rampardos]], [[Fantina's Drifblim]], [[Cress]]'s {{p|Panpour}}, and [[Viola]]'s {{p|Surskit}}, despite having type advantages against Scyther, Poliwrath, Drifblim, Panpour, and Surskit. He also drew against [[Winona]]'s {{p|Pelipper}} and [[Norman]]'s {{p|Vigoroth}}, and struggled against [[Crasher Wake]]'s {{p|Floatzel}}. Furthermore, he has lost twice to [[Trip's Serperior]], as a Snivy in ''[[BW001|In the Shadow of Zekrom!]]'' and a Servine in ''[[BW010|A Rival Battle for Club Champ!]]'', despite Trip being a starting Trainer and recently having obtained Serperior. In addition, Pikachu tends to noticeably struggle when an opponent hinders his mobility in some fashion, such as when the aforementioned Panpour stopped Volt Tackle with a {{m|Mud Sport}} that covered the battlefield, when [[Burgh]]'s {{p|Leavanny}} impared his speed and accuracy by immobilizing his tail with {{m|String Shot}}, when the icy battlefield of Viola's Surskit threw him off balance in the first battle, or when [[Wulfric]]'s {{p|Bergmite}} prevented him from using Quick Attack by numbing his legs with {{m|Icy Wind}}.

Pikachu is also the only one of Ash's Pokémon to accompany him to the [[Hoenn]], [[Unova]], [[Kalos]], and [[Alola]] regions, and was intended to be the only Pokémon to accompany him to [[Sinnoh]] before {{AP|Aipom}} was discovered to have stowed away on the ship Ash was taking. Up until the capture of [[Dawn's Pachirisu]], Pikachu was the only {{type|Electric}} Pokémon in the anime owned by a main character.