Pikachu

Author: Bryan Lance

Considered to be the mascot of the Pokemon Franchise, the most popular Pokemon to ever exist. Pikachu is an electric Pokemon who is partnered with a Pokemon trainer named Ash, who is the main character in the Pokemon world. Pikachu is a rodent-like Pokemon who is short and chubby. Pikachu is a little over 1 foot tall and weighs just a little over 13 pounds. Pikachu is yellow in color with two brown horizontal stripes on his back. He has long pointed ears that have black tips. There are two red circles on Pikachu’s cheeks. These red circles double as a pouch that holds electricity. Pikachu has very short arms and a lightning bolt-shaped tail.

The ratio of male and female Pikachus is 50%. The female Pikachu has a v-shaped spot at the end of her tail. That’s how you can tell the difference between male and female Pikachus. Pikachus can usually be found in forested areas. These electric Pokemon live in groups. They have been known to cause electrical storms when grouped together. They communicate with each other by squeaking and shaking their tails. Their main diest is one that consists of mostly berries. Pikachus will zap the berries to make them tender enough to eat. A sure sign that Pikachus are near are patches of burnt grass. People have often found Pikachus eating telephone poles and electrical wires.

Pikachu’s Abilities

One of the abilities that Pikachu has is an ability called Static. All-electric- type Pokemon have this ability. When a Pokemon has the Static ability and is hit by a move that makes contact, there is a 30% chance that the attacking Pokemon will become paralyzed. This move can affect ground-type Pokemon. Another ability that Pikachu has is an ability called Lightning Rod. When used in battle the Pokemon with the ability Lightning Rod will draw in all electric-type moves. But instead of being hit by the electric moves the Pokemon with the ability will have its special moves boosted.

Pikachus Major Appearances

Pikachu made his first appearance in the very first episode of the Pokemon anime. The episode was called Pokemon, I Choose You. The episode was first released in Japan on April 1, 1997, and in the United States on September 8, 1998. In the episode, Ash Ketchum, who is the main character in the series is gifted a Pickachu from Professor Oak. Pikachu is the signature Pokemon of the Pokemon series and has appeared in almost every episode since its release. Pikachu is Ash’s best friend and is never returned back into a Pokeball.

Pickachu was in Pokemon movie Mewtwo Strikes Back, this was first released on July 18, 1998, and then in North America on November 12, 1999. It was the first Pokemon movie. In the movie, Mewtwo clones Ash’s Pikachu. The cloned Pikachu can be distinguished from the real one by the black markings on its ear. The cloned Pikachu was a lot more aggressive than the normal Pikachu. These defects occurred when Ash tampered with the cloning device during the cloning process.

In the episode, The Pi-Kahuna, which was first released in Japan on October 22, 1998, and in the United States on October 2, 1999, was the 64th episode in the Pokemon anime. In the episode, a Pikachu nicknamed Puka who belonged to a Pokemon trainer named Victor who lived on Seafoam Island. Puka was a blue-eyed Pikachu who saved Ash from drowning. Puka was able to sense that a tidal wave was approaching.

Pokemon Playing Cards

Pikachu has been on 161 different playing cards since the game's release. In the Base Set of the Pokemon playing cards, Pikachu has 40 HP and the abilities Gnaw and Thunder Jolt. When you use the ability Gnaw in battle, you deal out 10 damage to your opponent. When you use the ability Thunder Jolt you deal 30 damage to your opponent. You also have to flip a coin. If the coin lands on tails, Pikachu does 10 damage to himself.

In the Jungle expansion, Pikachu has 50 HP and the ability Spark. When you use the ability Spark in battle, you deal 20 damage to your opponent, also if your opponent has any benched Pokemon, you choose one of them and deal 10 damage to them.

In the Wizards Black Star Promos expansion, Pikachu has 60 HP and the abilities Growl and Thundershock. When you use the ability Growl in battle any Pokemon that attacks Pikachu and deals out any damage, the amount of that damage is lowered by 10. When you use the ability Thundershock in battle you deal out 20 damage to your opponent. Also, you get to flip a coin, if the coin lands on heads, your opponents Pokemon becomes paralyzed.

In the Neo Genesis expansion, Pikachu has 50 HP and the abilities Quick Attack and Agility. When you use the ability Quick Attack in battle you flip a coin. If the coin lands on heads the attack does 10 damage plus another 20 damage. If the coin lands on tails, the attack does 10 damage. When you use the ability Agility in battle you deal 20 damage to your opponent. You also flip a coin, if the coin lands on heads, during your opponents next turn, you prevent all attacks from doing any damage to Pikachu.

In the Expedition Base Set expansion, Pikachu has 50 HP and the abilities Lightning Tail and Tackle. When you use the ability Lightning Tail in battle you flip a coin, if the coin lands on heads, your opponents Pokemon becomes Paralyzed. When you use the ability Tackle in battle, you deal out 20 damage to your opponents Pokemon.

Pikachu is the most known and the most recognized Pokemon in the Pokemon series. This loveable Pokemon is Ahs’s best friend. And is one of the only Pokemon that doesn’t retreat back into a Pokeball when it is not battling., The Pokemon anime follows both Ash and Pikachu on their adventures together. This is probably the main reason why Pikachu is so famous. Although Pikachu is a small Pokemon, this electric-type Pokemon can pack a pretty big punch. And it has the ability to evolve into an even stronger Pokemon. Pikachu is definitely a Pokemon that you want to have on your team.