It has been suggested that this article be moved to Ash's Pikachu (form). Please discuss whether or not to move it on its talk page.
Pikachu in a cap (Japanese: キャップをかぶったピカチュウPikachu wearing a cap) or Cap Pikachu are collective terms referring to the eight event male Pikachuvariants based on Ash's Pikachu, wearing the hatsAsh has worn throughout the anime's history.
The in-game item description of Pikashunium Z (including in games where this item is unobtainable) refers to this as "Pikachu in a cap" in Generations VII and VIII, or as "Pikachu wearing a cap" in Pokémon Scarlet, Violet, and HOME. The description of the Z-Move the Pikashunium Z allows access to, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, says that the move is used by "Pikachu wearing a cap"
In the Trading Card Game, the cards released relating to this set of event distributions all have the name "Ash's Pikachu".
Multiple press releases relating to the film describe the cards and the Pokémon as being: "Ash’s Pikachu wearing its Trainer’s hat".[1][2] This has also been used to describe them collectively, as in the phrase, "...six versions of Ash’s Pikachu wearing its Trainer’s hat, as seen throughout Pokémon animation, will be available for distribution...".[3]
The page for old event distributions on Pokémon.com calls a Partner Cap Pikachu by "Ash's Pikachu". [4] The Pokémon.com article for a later distribution for Pokémon Sword and Shield called them "Ash's Pikachu"[5] It also uses "Ash's Pikachu" to refer to all forms, as in "Use these steps, along with one of the above passwords, to receive each form of Ash’s Pikachu" and, "Also, please note that Ash’s Pikachu cannot evolve. Likewise, Ash’s Pikachu cannot be fed Max Soup..."[6]
The page for old event distributions on Pokémon.com for the original 2018 event calls some of these Pikachu forms as wearing a Hat instead of a Cap. For instance, it uses Pikachu (Hoenn Hat) and Pikachu (Kalos Hat). The ones for the Sword and Shield event are instead labelled Pikachu (Hoenn Cap) and Pikachu (Kalos Cap),[7]
In the core series games
The first six variations of Pikachu in a cap were introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon and were distributed to celebrate the Pokémon anime's twentieth anniversary and movie, I Choose You!. A seventh Cap Pikachu, Partner Cap Pikachu, debuted in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and an eighth, World Cap Pikachu, debuted in the Version 1.2.0 update of Pokémon Sword and Shield. World Cap Pikachu was released at the tail end of a set of distributions to celebrate the anime's timeslot move to Friday nights in Japan and the release of The Crown Tundra in October 2020.
In Japan, the Pikachu were distributed via single-use serial code to those who pre-ordered tickets to the twentieth movie, with one code per ticket. The Pikachu received depended on the date the player redeemed the code. The codes only worked on Japanese region games. The first time the player uses one of these serial codes, they also received a complimentary Pikashunium Z.
In American, PAL, and Taiwanese region games, the Pikachu were distributed through a single-use public serial code released via the Pokémon website and in a similar vein to the Japanese event—the Pikachu received depended on the date the player redeems the code. The first time the player uses one of these serial codes, they also received a complimentary Pikashunium Z.
The Partner Cap Pikachu debuted in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. In Japan, it was distributed via QR Code on a special Pokémon Ga-Olé disc. In the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, it was distributed via a QR Code that was given to those who attend screenings of the twentieth movie. This Pikachu did not come bundled with a Pikashunium Z, but a female Pikachu in the upper right corner of Pikachu Valley will give the player the Z-Crystal if they show her one of the Cap Pikachu.
Original Cap
This special Pikachu is based on Ash's Pikachu during the original series. The level of Pikachu corresponds to both the original series debuting in the first year of the Pokémon anime and the first movie in the original series being the first Pokémon movie overall. The Trainer ID number in Japan is based on the original air date in that country of the first episode in the original series, April 1, 1997, whereas the Western number is based on the air date of the episode in the United States, September 8, 1998.
Moves in bold can be taught again at the Move Reminder as a special move if forgotten.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is picked up from the deliveryman.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Sinnoh Cap
This special Pikachu is based on Ash's Pikachu during Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. In Japan, the level of Pikachu corresponds to both the debut of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl being during the tenth year of the Pokémon anime and the first movie in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl being the tenth Pokémon movie overall, whereas in Western games, the level of Pikachu corresponds to the debut of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl being during the ninth year of the Pokémon anime in the United States. The Trainer ID number is based on the original air date of the first episode in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, September 28, 2006, whereas the Western number is based on the air date of the episode in the United States, June 4, 2007.
Moves in bold can be taught again at the Move Reminder as a special move if forgotten.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is picked up from the deliveryman.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Unova Cap
This special Pikachu is based on Ash's Pikachu during Pokémon the Series: Black & White. In Japan, level of Pikachu corresponds to both the debut of Pokémon the Series: Black & White being during the 14th year of the Pokémon anime and the first movie in Pokémon the Series: Black & White being the 14th Pokémon movie overall, whereas in Western games, the level of Pikachu corresponds to the debut of Pokémon the Series: Black & White being during the 13th year of the Pokémon anime in the United States. The Trainer ID number is based on the original air date of the first episode in Pokémon the Series: Black & White, September 23, 2010, whereas the Western number is based on the air date of the episode in the United States, February 12, 2011.
Due to an error, PAL region copies of Pokémon Moon set to Spanish could receive Alola Cap Pikachu in place of this gift. It was fixed after 11 hours on October 10, 2017, but the erroneous gift could still be received due to a caching issue until October 12, 2017.
Moves in bold can be taught again at the Move Reminder as a special move if forgotten.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is picked up from the deliveryman.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Kalos Cap
This special Pikachu is based on Ash's Pikachu during Pokémon the Series: XY. The level of Pikachu corresponds to both the debut of Pokémon the Series: XY being during the 17th year of the Pokémon anime and the first movie in Pokémon the Series: XY being the 17th Pokémon movie overall. The Trainer ID number is based on the original air date of the first episode in Pokémon the Series: XY, October 17, 2013, whereas the Western number is based on the air date of the episode in the United States, January 18, 2014.
Moves in bold can be taught again at the Move Reminder as a special move if forgotten.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is picked up from the deliveryman.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Alola Cap
This special Pikachu is based on Ash's Pikachu during Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon. In Japan, the level of Pikachu corresponds to both the debut of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon being during the 20th year of the Pokémon anime and the first movie in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon being the 20th Pokémon movie overall, whereas in Western games, the level of Pikachu corresponds to the debut of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon being during the 19th year of the Pokémon anime in the United States. The Trainer ID number is based on the original air date of the first episode in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, November 17, 2016, whereas the Western number is based on the air date of the episode in the United States, December 5, 2016.
Due to an error, PAL region copies of Pokémon Moon set to Spanish could receive this gift early in place of the Unova Cap Pikachu. It was fixed after 11 hours on October 10, 2017, but the erroneous gift could still be received due to a caching issue until October 12, 2017.
This special Pikachu is based on Ash's Pikachu as he appeared in Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You. Unlike previous Cap Pikachu, this Pikachu's level corresponds to the 21st anniversary of the franchise as a whole. The Trainer ID number is based on the original air date of the movie, July 15, 2017, but unlike other Cap Pikachu, this ID was not adjusted for western releases.
This Pikachu was distributed exclusively for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon to players who scan a QR Code. The QR code itself can be scanned once the player reaches Akala Island. Once scanned, the player can pick up the Pikachu from a deliveryman at Pikachu Valley. Due to a bug, this Pikachu can be Shiny. Instead of checking its personality value against the Trainer ID and Secret ID of Pikachu's Original Trainer to prevent it from having a personality value that would make it Shiny, the game checks against the player's trainer data instead.
This Pikachu has a TSV of 1009, and as long as the player has a TSV that is not 1009, this Pikachu has a chance of being Shiny. If the player's TSV matches the Pikachu and is also 1009, this Pikachu can never be obtained as Shiny for that player. Shiny Partner Cap Pikachu are identical in appearance to normal Pikachu, (aside from playing the typical Shiny sparkle animation upon entering battle), as no Shiny model for Cap Pikachu are programmed into the game.
The American and PAL region QR Code was given away to players who attended Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!. The same QR Code can be used in both American and PAL region games.
All Pikachu in a cap were distributed via universal serial codes through the official Pokémon website in honor of Pokémon Journeys: The Series's timeslot change to Fridays in Japan. All codes expired November 30, 2020, at 6:59 a.m. PST. These iterations of Ash's Pikachu all share the same moveset, and can learn Volt Tackle from the Move Reminder.
Original Cap
Players could claim Original Cap Pikachu with the serial code P1KACHUGET. The serial code references the Japanese term often used for caught Pokémon in the anime, GETしたポケモンGot Pokémon.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Partner Cap
Players could claim Partner Cap Pikachu with the serial code 1CH00SEY0U. The code is a reference to the title of the twentieth movie in both Japanese and English languages, I Choose You!
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Hoenn Cap
Players could claim Hoenn Cap Pikachu with the serial code P1KAADVANCE. The code is a reference to the Japanese name of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, ポケットモンスター アドバンスジェネレーションPocket Monsters Advanced Generation.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Unova Cap
Players could claim Unova Cap Pikachu with the serial code P1KABESTW1SH. The code is a reference to the Japanese name of Pokémon the Series: Black and White, ポケットモンスターベストウイッシュPocket Monsters Best Wishes!.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Kalos Cap
Players could claim Kalos Cap Pikachu with the serial code KAL0SP1KA. Kalos Cap Pikachu was released early to coincide with the 7th anniversary of Pokémon the Series: XY in Japan — October 17, 2013.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
World Cap
Players could claim World Cap Pikachu with the serial code K1NP1KA1855. The code is a reference to Pokémon the Series's timeslot, which had been changed to Fridays at 6:55pm as of October 9, 2020. This slot is often referred to as a "golden", or primetime, slot. "Kin" is the Japanese word for gold.
Prior to the proper introduction of Pikachu in a cap, Ash's Pikachu was featured in several Pokémon Tretta pucks, based on its appearance in Pokémon the Series: XY. When the player used these pucks, Pikachu would appear in-game wearing Ash's Kalos hat. This Pikachu variant was featured in the following:
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Should we include old stage data here, or relegate it to the dedicated pages?
In Pokémon Shuffle, multiple Pikachu wearing Ash's hat are available.
Original Cap Pikachu was gifted to all players from June 13 to 27, 2017.
Hoenn, Unova, and Alola Cap Pikachu appeared in Great Challenge stages, and were available from June 13 to 20, 2017 (Hoenn), June 27, 2017 to July 4, 2017 (Unova), and July 11 to 18, 2017 (Alola).
Sinnoh and Kalos Cap Pikachu appeared in High-Speed Challenge stages, and were available from June 20 to 27, 2017 (Sinnoh) and July 4 to 11, 2017 (Kalos).
The Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola Cap Pikachu appeared in the Great Daily (fifth release), which lasted from August 29, 2017 to September 5, 2017.
Alola Cap Pikachu appeared in a Commemorative Event from November 7 to 14, 2017.
As of the game's final content update in February 2018, all 6 Pikachu are available in Pokémon Safari (Week 17) in the rotating schedule.
Original Cap Pikachu, initially referred to in the game as Pikachu wearing Ash's hat, appeared for a limited time during Pokémon GO's first anniversary from July 6 to 24, 2017. Unlike in the core series, these Pikachu could evolve into Raichu, would retain their caps after evolving, could be hatched as Pichu, and could be either gender. Pichu, Pikachu and Raichu wearing Ash's hat cannot be transferred to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! and Pokémon HOME (in extension—to Pokémon Sword and Shield).
Original Cap Pikachu was later again obtainable using the GO Snapshot feature from April 1 to 2, 2019, during which the player could spawn up to five of these Event Pokémon per day with the possibility of it being Shiny. Original Cap Pikachu was featured as the weekly Pokémon Spotlight Hour focus on October 13, 2020.[8]
Original Cap Pichu
Original Cap Pikachu♂
Original Cap Pikachu♀
Original Cap Raichu♂
Original Cap Raichu♀
World Cap Pikachu in Pokémon GO
On October 6, 2020, World Cap Pikachu was featured as the weekly Pokémon Spotlight Hour focus. Like the Original Cap Pikachu in this game, these Pikachu could be Shiny, male or female, and could evolve into Raichu. However, because these Pikachu were only found in wild encounters, Pichu wearing Ash's hat from Pokémon Journeys: The Series were not included.
In an event based on Pokémon Journeys: The Series from November 6 to 12, 2020 in Pokémon GO, several Pokémon based on Ash and Goh's catches appeared in the wild, including World Cap Pikachu.[9]
Partner Cap Pikachu appears as the Promotional disk Pikachu (Movie 2017). This disk was the method the Japanese region QR code for Partner Cap Pikachu was distributed.
Pikachu appears in Pokémon Mezastar as one of Ash's Pokémon. It appears as an opponent in the form of World Cap Pikachu during the first Double Chain set.
Pikachu briefly puts on Ash's hat whenever the two of them perform 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, as first seen in 10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!. In 10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!, the hat was blown off of Ash's head by power from the Pikashunium Z. Pikachu chased after the hat and picked it up, then wore the hat as it used the move. Later uses of 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon have Ash intentionally putting the hat on Pikachu before starting to attack.
In Finale!! The Battle Against the Other Dimension!, Sun, Kiawe, and their assistants were seen delivering boxes containing various designs of Ash's hat to Pikachu Valley, including the Original Cap, Hoenn Cap, Sinnoh Cap, Unova Cap, Kalos Cap, Alola Cap, and Partner Cap, likely as a reference to Pikachu in a cap.
Pikachu wearing one of Ash's hats were distributed as promotional cards relating to the release of I Choose You!. All of them are named Ash's Pikachu, making them Owner's Pokémon. Additionally, all of the attacks they have are either moves that Ash's Pikachu has used or have names that relate to the film in some manner.
Ash's Pikachu Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
The Ho-Oh-GX Special Jumbo Card Pack (Japanese: スペシャルジャンボカードパック「ホウオウGX」) was made available on July 1, 2017, in the buildup to the Japanese release of I Choose You! in cinemas. It comes packaged with a Jumbo print of Ho-Oh-GX, an Ash's Pikachu promotional card, and 3 packs each from the To Have Seen the Battle Rainbow and Darkness that Consumes Light expansions.
To promote the release of I Choose You! in cinemas, new card files and sleeves were made available to purchase from July 15, 2017.
Sleeves: Running concurrent with the Pikachu in a cap distributions, each of these sleeves feature Ash's Pikachu wearing one of Ash's hats from different periods in his adventures. All have muted colors and are presented like postcards complete with mock franking marks. Each pack contains 64 sleeves, and all variants were exclusive to Pokémon Centers.
Original Cap Pikachu Sleeves (Japanese: デッキシールド ぼうしをかぶったピカチュウ オリジナルCard Shield: Hat-wearing Pikachu: Original)
On November 4 and 5, 2017, several players who attended Pokémon, o filme: Eu escolho você! in movie theaters received a special Pikachu promotional card with the twentieth movie logo.
In Pokémon HOME, Cap Pikachu all take on a shared neutral pose based on its idle animation from the core series games, as opposed to other Pokémon with forms, which match their stock art if provided, or are made to match their base form if not.