Pikachu has physical aspects of several species of rodents, and its category suggests that it is based on a mouse. It is not particularly similar to the pika despite its name, but its long ears do resemble those of other members of Lagomorpha.
Pikachu was designed by Atsuko Nishida, a member of the core design team at Game Freak.
Pikachu is a combination of ピカピカ pikapika (onomatopoeia for sparkle) and チューチュー chūchū (the sound of squeaking).
No: 025
English Name: Pikachu
Japanese Name: Pikachu
Generation: 1
Type: Electric
Species: Mouse Pokémon
Abilities: Static, Lightning Rod (hidden ability)
Evolution: Pichu > Pikachu > Raichu
Pikachu is a short, chubby rodent Pokémon. It is covered in yellow fur with two horizontal brown stripes on its back. It has a small mouth, long, pointed ears with black tips, brown eyes, and two red circles on its cheeks. There are pouches inside its cheeks where it stores electricity. It has short forearms with five fingers on each paw, and its feet each have three toes. At the base of its lightning bolt-shaped tail is patch of brown fur at the base. A female will have a V-shaped notch at the end of its tail, which looks like the top of a heart. It is classified as a quadruped, but it has been known to stand and walk on its hind legs.
The anime has shown that Pikachu sometimes travel in groups. It raises its tail to check its surroundings, and is occasionally struck by lightning in this position. Living in forested areas, Pikachu is found foraging for berries it roasts with electricity to make them tender enough to eat. It has been observed eating and sometimes destroying telephone poles, wires, and other electronic equipment.
Pikachu is able to release electric discharges of varying intensity. Pikachu has been known to build up energy in its glands, and will need to discharge to avoid complications. It is also able to release energy through its tail, which acts as a grounding rod, as well as recharging fellow Pikachu with electric shocks. Pikachu can also electrify itself to use its signature move Volt Tackle. When threatened, it looses electric charges from its sacs, and a group can build and cause lightning storms. It is found mostly in forests, where a sure sign that Pikachu inhabits a location is patches of burnt grass.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
Pokemon Blue: When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
Pokemon Yellow: It keeps its tail raised to monitor its surroundings. If you yank its tail, it will try to bite you.
Pokemon Stadium: Lives in forests away from people. It stores electricity in its cheeks for zapping an enemy if it is attacked.
Pokemon Gold: This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
Pokemon Silver: It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
Pokemon Crystal: When it is angered, it immediately discharges the energy stored in the pouches in its cheeks.
Pokemon Stadium 2: This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard Berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
Pokemon Ruby: Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it’s evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.
Pokemon Sapphire: This Pokémon has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while Pikachu sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.
Pokemon Emerald: It stores electricity in the electric sacs on its cheeks. When it releases pent-up energy in a burst, the electric power is equal to a lightning bolt.
Pokemon FireRed: It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
Pokemon LeafGreen: When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could build and cause lightning storms.
Pokemon Diamond: It lives in forests with others. It stores electricity in the pouches on its cheeks.
Pokemon Pearl: If it looses crackling power from the electrical pouches on its cheeks, it is being wary.
Pokemon Platinum: It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
Pokemon HeartGold: This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat.
Pokemon SoulSilver: It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
Pokemon Black: It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
Pokemon White: It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
Pokemon Black 2: It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
pokemon White 2: It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state.
Pokemon X: It raises its tail to check its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose.
Pokemon Y: It has small electric sacs on both its cheeks. If threatened, it looses electric charges from the sacs.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Whenever Pikachu comes across something new, it blasts it with a jolt of electricity. If you come across a blackened berry, it’s evidence that this Pokémon mistook the intensity of its charge.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: This Pokémon has electricity-storing pouches on its cheeks. These appear to become electrically charged during the night while Pikachu sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.
Pokemon SUN: A plan was recently announced to gather many Pikachu and make an electric power plant.
Pokemon MOON: It’s in its nature to store electricity. It feels stressed now and then if it’s unable to fully discharge the electricity.
