Raichu’s legs and long tail are like those of a kangaroo rat.
Alolan Raichu is likely based on the concept of surfing Pikachu and the sport of surfing itself, which originated in Hawaiʻi. Its design appears to have been influenced by Puka, a surfing Pikachu that appeared in the anime. In the Pokémon Stadium series, Raichu rides on its tail when using the move Surf.
Raichu is a combination of 雷 rai (thunder) and チューチュー chūchū (the sound of squeaking).
No: 026
English Name: Raichu
Japanese Name: Raichu
Generation: 1
Type: Electric
Species: Mouse Pokémon
Abilities: Static > Lightning Rod (hidden ability)
Evolution: Pichu > Pikachu > Raichu
Raichu is a bipedal, rodent-like Pokémon. Raichu is covered in dark orange fur with a white belly. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outside, yellow on the insides, and end in a distinctive curl. There are circular yellow markings on its cheek where its electric sacs are, and it has a triangular, dark brown nose. Its arms and feet have patches of brown fur at the end, and the soles of its big feet are tan with a circular orange pad. On its back are two horizontal brown stripes. Its long, thin tail has a lightning bolt-shaped end. This lightning bolt is smaller on females. The tail is used to gather electricity from the atmosphere, or it can be planted in the ground to search for electricity. Its tail also serves to protect itself from its own power.
Raichu exudes a weak electrical charge from all its body and slightly glows in the dark, and is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity. However, it will become aggressive if it has stored too much electricity. To keep from reaching this state, it discharges electricity through its tail into the ground. This leads to scorched patches near its nest. If Raichu’s sacs are fully charged, its ears will stand straight up and its muscles become stimulated. Raichu is found in forests and woodlands. Like the two others in its evolutionary family, Raichu is able to learn Volt Tackle as a signature move.
In Alola, Raichu has lighter coloring and more rounded features. Its eyes are blue with yellow half-circles along the bottom. It has large yellow ears with an inner spiral toward the base and brown on the inside. These ears are thicker and less pointed than a standard Raichu’s ear. In addition to its white belly, Alolan Raichu has white markings on its paws with bright yellow lines between its digits. The stripes on its back have also turned white, and there is a small, white circular marking on each heel. The lightning bolt-shaped tip of its tail has rounded edges. By collecting its psychic power in its tail, it is able to ride it like a surfboard and float in the air. While its cheek sacs are still used to store electricity, rubbing them releases a sweet aroma. This is also thought to be connected to its psychic abilities. Raichu’s transformation in Alola into Alolan Raichu is a mystery, but the natives suppose that maybe it ate too many sweet, fluffy pancakes.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
Pokemon Blue: Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
Pokemon Yellow: When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
Pokemon Stadium: Its electrical attacks may reach 10,000 volts. It discharges electricity from its tail, so it is not harmed by its own power.
Pokemon Gold: When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokemon Silver: If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
Pokemon Crystal: If its electric pouches run empty, it raises its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.
Pokemon Stadium 2: When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokemon Ruby: If the electrical sacks become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon’s nest.
Pokemon Sapphire: This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu searches for electricity by planting its tail in the ground.
Pokemon Emerald: If it stores too much electricity, its behavior turns aggressive. To avoid this, it occasionally discharges excess energy and calms itself down.
Pokemon FireRed: Its electric charges can reach even 100,000 volts. Careless contact can cause even an Indian elephant to faint.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Its long tail serves as ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.
Pokemon Diamond: It turns aggressive if it has too much electricity in its body. It discharges power through its tail.
Pokemon Pearl: It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
Pokemon Platinum: Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokemon HeartGold: When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokemon SoulSilver: If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
Pokemon Black: Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokemon White: Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokemon Black 2: Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
pokemon White 2: Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokemon X: When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokemon Y: It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: If the electrical sacs become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon’s nest.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu plants its tail in the ground to discharge electricity.
Pokemon SUN: It unleashes electric shocks that can reach 100,000 volts. When agitated, it can knock out even an Indian elephant.
Pokemon MOON: It becomes aggressive when it has electricity stored up. At such times, even its Trainer has to take care to avoid being attacked.
