Pikachu variants

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: variants from Pikachu's Goodbye, images from Snap, Onemuri (Sleeping) Pikachu

There are many Pikachu variants found in the games, anime, manga, and TCG. The following are the main variants besides Shiny and gender differences.

Surfing Pikachu

Surfing Pikachu is a Pikachu with a surfboard. With this, it is able to wield the move Surf.

In the games

Core series

 
Pikachu surfing in Pikachu's Beach

Side series

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Clarify info on Japanese Stadium 2
 
Pikachu using Surf in Pokémon Battle Revolution

Spin-off games

 
Taking a snapshot of surfing Pikachu in Snap
Region Code
North America 02970626
PAL 84925064
Japan 78872252
  • A Surfing Pikachu doll can be bought from Shop 'N Squirtle in Pokémon Channel.
  • Surfing Pikachu were made available for Pokémon GO's first Community Day event.

In the anime

 
Surfing Pikachu in the anime
 
Puka in the anime

Puka is a Pikachu that seems to be based on this, making its only appearance in The Pi-Kahuna.

Ash's Pikachu later appeared riding a surfboard in The Mystery Menace and Expedition to Onix Island!.

In the manga

 
Yellow's surfing Pikachu in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the Yellow arc of Pokémon Adventures, Yellow was able to teach Pika the move Surf through the use of Substitute to create a surfboard.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, one of Red's rivals, Yellow, has a Pikachu with surfing skills. In The Fake Pikachu!!, he uses it in battle against Red's Pikachu.

In the TCG

Surfing Pikachu has been featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The following are cards named Surfing Pikachu.

Surfing 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.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Surfing Pikachu   Wizards Black Star Promos   28 Unnumbered Promotional cards    
      Unnumbered Promotional cards    
      Pokémon Web   025/048
Rising Rivals   114/111 Bonds to the End of Time   089/090
 


Flying Pikachu

 
Flying Pikachu as depicted in the TCG

Flying Pikachu is a Pikachu with balloons. With them, he is able to wield the move Fly.

In the games

Core series

Spin-off games

Region Code
North America 99930457
PAL 57429445
Japan 80373821

Appearance

       
Sprite from Yellow Sprite from Pokémon Puzzle Challenge Sprite from Pokémon Dash Artwork of Yellow Forest featuring a flying Pikachu

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In The Last Battle VII, Chuchu flew with Pika and their Egg, lifting them in the air by using balloons wrapped to her body.

In the TCG

Flying Pikachu has been featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The following are cards named Flying Pikachu.

Flying 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.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Flying Pikachu   Wizards Black Star Promos   25 Unnumbered Promotional cards    
      Unnumbered Promotional cards    
Rising Rivals   113/111 Bonds to the End of Time   090/090
Flying Pikachu         Unnumbered Promotional cards    
 


Cosplay Pikachu

In the games

Core series

Main article: Cosplay Pikachu

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the player will be able to receive a unique female Cosplay Pikachu, which has a black, heart-shaped mark near the end of its tail. This event occurs after the player takes part in their first Pokémon Contest Spectacular.

This particular Pikachu is able to be dressed up in five different costumes corresponding to each kind of Contest stat (Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness, and Toughness) and learn exclusive moves which are linked to these stats. Cosplay Pikachu can switch costumes anytime by going to any Contest Hall in the Hoenn region and talking to the Pokémon Breeder in the rightmost back room. This Pokémon Breeder can also remove the costume.

Unlike other Pikachu, Cosplay Pikachu is in the Undiscovered Egg Group, meaning it cannot breed. It also cannot evolve into Raichu.

Cosplay Pikachu
File:Spr 6o 025 C.png

 Electric 
Thunder Shock*
Pikachu Rock Star
 
 Electric 
Meteor Mash
Pikachu Belle
 
 Electric 
Icicle Crash
Pikachu Pop Star
 
 Electric 
Draining Kiss
Pikachu, Ph. D
 
 Electric 
Electric Terrain
Pikachu Libre
 
 Electric 
Flying Press

Pikachu in a cap

In the games

Core series

Main article: Ash's Pikachu → Pikachu in a cap

The first six cap-wearing Pikachu are event-exclusive Pokémon that debuted in Pokémon Sun and Moon, and are being distributed in celebration of the Pokémon anime's 20th movie, and by extension, the anime's 20th anniversary. Like Ash's Pikachu, these Pikachu are always male and cannot evolve. They also have access to the exclusive Z-Crystal, Pikashunium Z, and its Z-Move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.

A seventh Cap Pikachu, wearing the hat Ash wears in the twentieth movie, debuted in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. and is distributed via QR Code on a special Pokémon Ga-Olé disc. In America, it was distributed via a QR Code that was given to those who pre-order tickets for the 20th movie.

Original Cap
Pikachu
 
 Electric 
Hoenn Cap
Pikachu
 
 Electric 
Sinnoh Cap
Pikachu
 
 Electric 
Unova Cap
Pikachu

 
 Electric 
Kalos Cap
Pikachu
 
 Electric 
Alola Cap
Pikachu
 
 Electric 
Partner Cap
Pikachu
 
 Electric 

Other

Games

Core series games

 
Singing Pikachu
Singing Pikachu

A Pikachu that knows Sing was distributed to promote the new Japanese Pokémon anime ending theme which involved Pikachu singing. Artwork was released as well.

 
Pokémon World Championships 2011 Pikachu
Pokémon World Championships 2011 Pikachu

A special skating Pikachu wearing a hat is featured on official artwork for the Pokémon 2011 World Championships, including the promotional C-Gear skin.

Spin-off games

Pokémon Snap
  • Pikachu on a stump is a special Pikachu found on the Beach in Pokémon Snap. The player can encounter two Pikachu sitting on a set of stumps after forcing a wild Scyther out of tall grass.
  • Pikachu on a ball is another special Pikachu found in Pokémon Snap. In the Tunnel Pikachu will jump on top of a rolling Electrode if startled by the player, and playfully keep it rolling until the Electrode stops in a ditch and explodes, shocking the Pikachu.
  • Speed Pikachu is a special Pikachu found along the River in Pokémon Snap. Taking a picture of this Pikachu will cause it to use Quick Attack to dash across a small field, making it one of the hardest Pokémon to get a picture of.
  • Pikachu on Articuno is another special Pikachu found in the Cave in Pokémon Snap. After rescuing a Pikachu from a Zubat and having Articuno hatch by playing the Poké Flute, near the exit, Articuno will be seen flying towards the player with Pikachu on its back.
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure

In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, Pikachu uses a snowboard to play Empoleon's Snow Slide by using a code.

Pokémon Shuffle

Pokémon Shuffle has featured several variants of Pikachu throughout its life cycle. They are listed below.

Dex# NDex Icon Pokémon Type Level 1
Attack Power
Max
 
Initial
Skill
Alternate
Skill(s)
#016 #0025   Pikachu Electric 50 20 Paralyze Unity Power
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Angry
Electric 50 10 Super Bolt N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Winking
Electric 50 10 Swap++ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Sleeping
Electric 50 10 Sleep Charm N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Fired Up
Electric 50 5 Cross Attack+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Surprised
Electric 50 5 Last-Ditch Effort N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Enamored
Electric 50 10 Mind Zap N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Smiling
Electric 50 10 Flash Mob N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Dizzy
Electric 50 5 Barrier Bash++ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Happy
Electric 50 10 Power of 4+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Spooky
Electric 50 10 Block Smash+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Holiday
Electric 50 10 Mega Boost+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Burn N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Swap++ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Power of 5+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 L-Boost N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Power of 5+ Pyre
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Eject+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Kimono Boy
Electric 50 5 Sleep Combo N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Kimono Girl
Electric 50 5 Paralysis Combo N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 50 5 Dragon Talon N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Costume
Electric 60 5 Dragon Talon N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Three Force N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Quirky+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Damage Streak N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Counterattack+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Calm Down N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Hitting Streak+ N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Nap Time N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Final Effort N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Vitality Drain N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Prank N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 Downpour N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Celebration
Electric 50 5 T-Boost N/A
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Original Cap
Electric 60 5 Stabilize+ Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Hoenn Cap
Electric 60 5 Rock Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Sinnoh Cap
Electric 60 5 Block Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Unova Cap
Electric 60 5 Barrier Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Kalos Cap
Electric 60 5 Cloud Shot Hyper Bolt
#016 #0025   Pikachu
Alola Cap
Electric 60 5 Shot Out Hyper Bolt
Pokémon GO

Several variants of Pikachu have appeared in Pokémon GO wearing different hats. These variants are released for limited events. During the events, all wild Pikachu appear as the variant and Pikachu appear more commonly. Pichu and Raichu also have parallel variants. Variant Pichu can be obtained by hatching an Egg obtained during the event, and any variant Pichu or Pikachu that is evolved will retain its form.

  • Holiday Pikachu: first released for the Holiday Season event, from December 12, 2016, to January 3, 2016. It appeared again the next year, from December 21, 2017, to January 4, 2018, with the special move Present.
  • Pikachu wearing a party hat: first released for the Pokémon Day event, from February 26 to March 6, 2017. It appeared again the next year, from February 26 to 28, 2018, with the special move Present.
  • Pikachu wearing Ash's hat: first released for the Anniversary event, from July 6 to 24, 2017.
  • Pikachu wearing a witch's hat: first released for the Halloween event, from October 20 to November 2, 2017.

Anime

Pikachutwo

 
Pikachutwo
Main article: Pikachutwo

Pikachutwo was cloned from Ash's Pikachu, and battled against it in Mewtwo Strikes Back. Pikachutwo was also central to the plot of Mewtwo Returns. The fur on Pikachutwo's ears are colored similar to a Pichu's.

Puka

Main article: Puka

As mentioned above, Puka is a Surfing Pikachu that appeared in The Pi-Kahuna. Puka is at least twenty years old, having been first found on a beach on the Seafoam Islands by surfing enthusiast Victor shortly after he failed to conquer a large wave, "Humunga-Dunga". Puka is noticeably older than any other Pikachu seen in the anime, and has blue eyes rather than the regular dark brown eye color.

Sparky

 
Sparky
Main article: Sparky

Ritchie owns a Pikachu, nicknamed Sparky. It is distinguished from other Pikachu by a scruff of fur on the top of its head.

Blue Orb-possessed Pikachu

 
Blue Orb-possessed Pikachu

Ash's Pikachu was possessed by the Blue Orb in the anime in Gaining Groudon and The Scuffle of Legends. This caused his eyes to glow red and he became covered in markings similar to Groudon's.

TCG

Captain Pikachu

 
Captain Pikachu

Captain Pikachu depicts a Pikachu wearing a pirate hat. The following are cards named Captain Pikachu.

Captain 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.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Captain Pikachu         Unnumbered Promotional cards    
 


Shopping Pikachu

 
Shopping Pikachu

Shopping Pikachu depicts a Pikachu with a shopping basket. The following are cards named Shopping Pikachu.

Shopping 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.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Shopping Pikachu         L-P Promotional cards   079/L-P
 


Other

Snow Pikachu

Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:

As an April Fools' Day joke in 2008, Game Freak announced that it would move to the Arctic to help save snow Pikachu from polar bears. Game Freak's website was also changed to incorporate an image of a snow Pikachu, which was a snow sculpture.

Ash's Pikachu made a snowman in the shape of itself on the cover of Pikachu's Winter Vacation Soundtrack, which also appears in Pokémon Channel. In the Pokémon Dream World, a Snow Pikachu was featured as a piece of Décor in the Winter Catalogue 2011. During the Holiday 2014 promotion on the online Pokémon Center store, a Snow Pikachu was one of the special plushes.

The Pikachu balloon in the 2015 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade features a scarfed Pikachu holding a snow Pikachu in a Santa hat.

One Trading Card features a Snow Pikachu, being built by two Snorunt.

Related articles

For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Pikachu.

  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.