Electabuzz is a slightly humanoid Pokémon with a few feline traits. It has antennae with bulbous tips where its ears should be, two long tufts of fur on top of its head, small eyes, and two large fangs in its upper jaw. It is covered in yellow fur with many black stripes. There is a large, lightning bolt-shaped stripe on Electabuzz's chest, a V-shaped stripe on its forehead, one stripe on its side, a thick stripe down its back, two bands on each leg, several broken bands on each arm, and many rings around its long tail. There are three clawed toes on each of its feet, two in front and one in back, and five fingers on each hand.
In the dark, Electabuzz will glow light blue from the electrical charges running across its body. It is constantly leaking more electricity than it consumes. Bearing near an Electabuzz will cause a human's hair to stand on end. Electabuzz often gathered groups around tall trees to wait for the upcoming storm. During torrential thunderstorms, Electabuzz will compete to find locations likely to be struck by lightning to absorb the electric power. Electabuzz is often used as an alternative to lightning rods because it is unharmed by the absorption of electricity. It is also capable of entirely nonverbal communication via electrical currents when near another of its species. Blackouts have been known to happen when groups of Electabuzz gather to consume electricity from power plants, they often get blamed for the occurring power outages. As a result, Ground-type Pokémon are kept around power plants to keep Electabuzz from raiding, although the blackouts are usually the fault of the electric companies, not Electabuzz. There is ongoing research on using Electabuzz to store away lightning until it is needed to be used later.
As demonstrated in the Pokémon the Series episode Showdown at Dark City, Electabuzz is sent into a rage by the color red. In battle, Electabuzz windmills its arms, apparently to add momentum to its punches. This method of battle seems ineffective, as opponents can escape in the meantime. Electabuzz typically resides near power plants and can cause blackouts in cities, though it can also be found in grasslands.
Evolution
Electabuzz evolves from Elekid and evolves into Electivire.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Major appearances
In Smells Like Team Spirit!, Paul's Elekid evolved into an Electabuzz during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition. In Lost Leader Strategy!, it was revealed that Paul had left his Electabuzz under the care of his brother, Reggie. It then returned to Paul's team after the events of Enter Galactic!. It was revealed to have evolved into Electivire in Casting a Paul on Barry!.
Other
Electabuzz debuted in Showdown at Dark City, under the ownership of Kaz. It is the Kas Gym's primary Pokémon and was used in the feuds that the Kas and Yas Gyms were having.
In Misty Meets Her Match, Rudy used an Electabuzz in his battle against Ash. It went up against Pikachu and won due to it being extremely resilient to most attacks thrown at it, not even requiring to evade any of them.
In Enter The Dragonite, Drake used an Electabuzz in his battle against Ash. It went up against Bulbasaur and Charizard, defeating the former before being defeated by the latter.
In Current Events, an Electabuzz was the head of security in an electric company's power station. It attacked Ash and his Chikorita, believing them to be intruders, but it was then captured by Team Rocket. However, it was later freed.
In A Promise is a Promise, Dr. Namba used an Electabuzz. It wore a headgear that made it angry and thus increased the power of its attacks. Despite this, it was defeated by Pikachu and Sparky with a double Thunder attack.
In Love, Pokémon Style, Macy used an Electabuzz in her Silver Conference battle against Ash. She uses it to cover her Fire-type team's weakness against Water types, but Ash countered her strategy by using Phanpy against Electabuzz, forcing Macy to recall it. It later fought against Totodile and Squirtle, defeating the former before losing to the latter.
In Saved by the Beldum, Jump used an Electabuzz during the first round of the Ever Grande Conference, where it was defeated by Morrison's newly evolved Metang.
In Betrayed, Bothered, and Beleaguered!, Tony used an Electabuzz to battle Ash's Riolu in the World Coronation Series, but it was defeated.
Minor appearances
In Riddle Me This, an Electabuzz performed for Gary and his entourage while they stayed at one of Cinnabar Island's hostels.
A Trainer's Electabuzz appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back and Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution.
In Pikachu Re-Volts, an Electabuzz was controlled by Cassidy and Butch via their Drowzee at Mandarin Island North.
A pink Electabuzz appeared in Team Rocket's fantasy in In the Pink.
In The Power of One, multiple Electabuzz sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.
In Pokémon Double Trouble, an Electabuzz was working out at the Kumquat Gym.
An Electabuzz appeared in a fantasy in The Rivalry Revival.
An Electabuzz appeared in a fantasy in The Double Trouble Header.
In As Clear As Crystal, an Electabuzz was affected by a crystal that gave a lake the ability to heal Electric-type Pokémon.
An Electabuzz appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In Dawn of a Royal Day!, a Coordinator's Electabuzz competed in the Battle Stage of the Arrowroot Contest.
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, an Electabuzz was on the Jubilife Reds team competing at the Pokémon Baccer World Cup. It briefly reappeared in Genesect and the Legend Awakened.
A student's Electabuzz appeared in The Guardian's Challenge!. It reappeared in the banned episode SM064.
A Trainer's Electabuzz appeared in Crystal-Clear Sleuthing!.
A Trainer's Electabuzz appeared in One Journey Ends, Another Begins...
Two Trainers' Electabuzz appeared in A Glaring Rivalry!. One of them reappeared in a flashback in A Masked Warning!.
In Pulling Out the Pokémon Base Pepper!, an Electabuzz pitched in a Pokémon Base game. It reappeared in a televised game in Night of a Thousand Poses!.
In I Choose You!, an Electabuzz fell under the control of Marshadow.
In Alola, Kanto!, an Electabuzz had its photo taken by Rotom.
A Trainer's Electabuzz appeared in Sours for the Sweet!.
In Securing the Future!, a Trainer's Electabuzz joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
Two Electabuzz appeared in A Crackling Raid Battle!.
A Trainer's Electabuzz appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP042
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Scyther and Electabuzz
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Ash's Pokédex
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Scyther and Electabuzz are both rare Pokémon. They are able to distinguish colors and become enraged by the color red.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP199
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Electabuzz
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Ash's Pokédex
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Electabuzz, the Electric Pokémon. Electabuzz is the evolved form of Elekid. With powerful electric currents constantly coursing through its body, Electabuzz appears to glow.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP052
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Electabuzz
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Electabuzz, the Electric Pokémon. An evolved form of Elekid. It appears near power generators, and because it eats electricity, it can cause blackouts.
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POKÉTOON
A Trainer's Electabuzz appeared in Blossom's Dream, where it helped protect a village from a Nidoking and a Nidoqueen.
- In English, the category "Electric Pokémon" is shared by Elekid, Electabuzz, and Kantonian Zapdos.
- In Japanese, Elekid has the category でんきポケモン Denki Pokémon (Electric Pokémon), while the other two Pokémon share the category でんげきポケモン Dengeki Pokémon (Electric Shock Pokémon).
- Magmar and Electabuzz seem to be counterparts; both evolve in a very similar way (first at level 30, then after being traded holding an item which has a name that ends with the suffix "-izer"), both have the same gender ratio (75% male, 25% female), and both are typically exclusive to one version of a pair of games. They both have similar status-inducing Abilities in Flame Body and Static, as well as the same Hidden Ability, Vital Spirit. Since Generation V, they also often learn similar moves at the same level. They even have the same special moves when purified in Pokémon XD: Follow Me and Cross Chop. Their evolutionary relatives were released in the same generation (Generation II and IV). Both also appear to be based on beings from Japanese mythology; Electabuzz has similarities to the oni and Magmar has similarities to the Karura.
- Electabuzz is the only member of its family not to have some physical relation to an AC power unit. Elekid's head is shaped like a power plug while Electivire's back pattern looks like a power socket.
Design variations
In its Pokémon Red and Blue artwork, Electabuzz has four fingers; however, it is typically depicted with five fingers in its sprites and artwork, as well as in the animated series. In Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, it is depicted with six fingers.
Origin
Electabuzz seems to be based on the Japanese oni, a horned ogre that wears tiger skin as clothing and sometimes have powers of thunder and lightning. Most notably Raijin, who is often depicted as an oni, is a god of lightning. Its tail resembles that of a tiger. Its horns may be based on Tesla coils.
Name origin
Electabuzz is a combination of electric and buzz (possibly referring to the humming sound of electricity).
Eleboo may be a combination of electric or エレキ eleki (electric) and ブンブン bunbun (buzz).