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Raichu(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is an Electric-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. It evolves from Pikachu using a Thunderstone. It gains a Psychic typing in Alola.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

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 is a circular yellow marking on each 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 long feet are tan with a circular orange pad in the center. On its back are two horizontal brown stripes. Its long, thin tail has a lightning bolt-shaped end. This lightning bolt is chipped on females. Raichu exudes a weak electrical charge from all its body and glows slightly in the dark.

Raichu's tail is used to gather electricity from the atmosphere, or it can be planted in the ground to search for electricity. It also protects Raichu from its own high voltage power. Raichu can store over 100,000 volts of electricity, enough to knock out a Copperajah. If Raichu's sacs are fully charged, its ears will stand straight up and its muscles become stimulated. However, it will become aggressive if it has stored too much electricity and stress. To keep from reaching this state, it discharges electricity through its tail into the ground. This leads to scorched patches near its nest. Being the result of evolution via Evolution stone, Raichu is rarely found in the wild, though they can be found in forests and woodlands. The main reason Raichu is rarely seen with Pokémon trainers is because people prefer the look it had as Pikachu.

Alolan Raichu[]

Alolan Raichu is Electric/Psychic. 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 while also getting a light shock. This is also thought to be connected to its Psychic abilities.

Alolan Raichu's origins were initially a mystery at the time. The people of Alola suggested it ate too many sweet and fluffy pancakes, especially those made with a secret Alolan recipe. However, researchers believe the change is related to Alolan Raichu's diet in general. It is also believed the weather and climate of the Alola region played a role in the transformation. Alolan Raichu is capable of unleashing star-shaped thunderbolts. It is also known by the name hodad.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team: Raichu is part of an unnamed rescue team which gathers at Pokémon Square just before the player and partner are able to access Magma Cavern.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Raichu, in its Alolan form, is a Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Origin and inspiration[]

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
Pokémon Yellow When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
Pokémon Stadium Its electrical attacks may reach 10,000 volts. It discharges electricity from its tail, so it is not harmed by its own power.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokémon Silver If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
Pokémon Crystal If its electric pouches run empty, it raises its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon Emerald If it stores too much electricity, its behavior turns aggressive. To avoid this, it occasionally discharges excess energy and calms itself down.
Pokémon FireRed Its electric charges can reach even 100,000 volts. Careless contact can cause even an Indian elephant to faint.
Pokémon LeafGreen Its long tail serves as ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond It turns aggressive if it has too much electricity in its body. It discharges power through its tail.
Pokémon Pearl It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
Pokémon Platinum Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokémon HeartGold When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokémon SoulSilver If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokémon White Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokémon Black 2 Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokémon White 2 Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
Pokémon Y It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
Pokémon 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.
Pokémon 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.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun It unleashes electric shocks that can reach 100,000 volts. When agitated, it can knock out even an Indian elephant.
Pokémon Moon It becomes aggressive when it has electricity stored up. At such times, even its Trainer has to take care to avoid being attacked.
Pokémon Ultra Sun As electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes more aggressive. One theory is that the electricity buildup is actually causing stress.
Pokémon Ultra Moon Because so many Trainers like the way Pikachu looks, you don't see this Pokémon very often.
Pokémon Let's Go
Pikachu
When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
Pokémon Let's Go
Eevee
When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high-voltage power.
Pokémon Shield f its electric pouches run empty, it raises its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond It turns aggressive if it has too much electricity in its body. It discharges power through its tail.
Pokémon Shining Pearl It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus It can discharge bursts of electricity exceeding 100,000 volts—a single strike with that amount of power would incapacitate one of the Copperajah of my homeland.
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet Its tail discharges electricity into the ground, protecting it from getting shocked.
Pokémon Violet If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.

Alolan[]

Title Entry
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun It only evolves to this form in the Alola region. According to researchers, its diet is one of the causes of this change.
Pokémon Moon It uses psychokinesis to control electricity. It hops aboard its own tail, using psychic power to lift the tail and move about while riding it.
Pokémon Ultra Sun It focuses psychic energy into its tail and rides it like it's surfing. Another name for this Pokémon is “hodad.”
Pokémon Ultra Moon When you rub its cheeks, a sweet fragrance comes wafting out. However, you'll also get a light shock!
Pokémon Let's Go
Pikachu
It loves pancakes prepared with a secret Alolan recipe. Some wonder whether that recipe holds the key to this Pokémon's evolution.
Pokémon Let's Go
Eevee
It loves pancakes prepared with a secret Alolan recipe. Some wonder whether that recipe holds the key to this Pokémon's evolution.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword It's believed that the weather, climate, and food of the Alola region all play a part in causing Pikachu to evolve into this form of Raichu.
Pokémon Shield This Pokémon rides on its tail while it uses its psychic powers to levitate. It attacks with star-shaped thunderbolts.

Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
Pokémon Red
Cerulean Cave
Pokémon Blue
Cerulean Cave, Power Plant
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Silver
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Crystal
Evolve Pikachu
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Sapphire
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Emerald
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon FireRed
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon LeafGreen
Evolve Pikachu
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Pearl
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Platinum
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon HeartGold
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon SoulSilver
Evolve Pikachu
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Poké Transfer
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Y
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Evolve Pikachu
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Evolve Pikachu
Pokémon Moon
Evolve Pikachu


Evolution[]

Pichu
Happiness.
Pikachu
Use Thunder Stone Thunder Stone
Raichu
PKMNSV172
PKMNSV025
PKMNSV026
Pichu
Happiness.
Pikachu
Use Thunder Stone Thunder Stone

in Alola

Raichu
PKMNSV172
PKMNSV025
PKMNSV026-A

Base Stats[]

Gen 1-5[]

Base Stats
HP 60
Attack 90
Defense 55
Sp. Attack 90
Sp. Defense 80
Speed 100
Total 475

Gen 6 onwards[]

Base Stats
HP 60
Attack 90
Defense 55
Sp. Attack 90
Sp. Defense 80
Speed 110
Total 485

Alolan[]

Base Stats
HP 60
Attack 85
Defense 50
Sp. Attack 95
Sp. Defense 85
Speed 110
Total 485

Moveset[]

Main article: Raichu/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
PKMNRG026
Red Blue
PKMNRB026
Yellow
PKMNY026
Gold
PKMNG026


PKMNG026-S

Silver
PKMNS026


PKMNS026-S

Crystal
PKMNC026


PKMNC026-S

Ruby Sapphire
PKMNRS026


PKMNRS026-S

Emerald
PKMNE026


PKMNE026-S

Fire Leaf
PKMNFRLG026


PKMNFRLG026-S

Diamond Pearl
PKMNDP026


PKMNDP026-S

Platinum
PKMNP026


PKMNP026-S

Heart Soul
PKMNHGSS026


PKMNHGSS026-S

Black White
PKMNBW026


PKMNBW026-S

Black 2 White 2
PKMNBW2026


PKMNBW2026-S

X Y
PKMNXY026


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File:PKMNXY026-S.png

Pikachu Eevee
PKMNLGPE026


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File:PKMNLGPE026-S.png

Sword Shield
PKMNSS026


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File:PKMNSS026-S.png

Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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File:PKMNBDSP026.png


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Legends Arceus
PKMNPLA026


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Scarlet Violet
PKMNSV026


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File:PKMNSV026-S.png


Renders
Sun Moon
PKMNSM026-A


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File:PKMNSM026-A-S.png

Pikachu Eevee
PKMNLGPE026-A


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File:PKMNLGPE026-A-S.png

Sword Shield
PKMNSS026-A


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File:PKMNSS026-A-S.png

Scarlet Violet
PKMNSV026-A


Image Needed
File:PKMNSV026-A-S.png


Reception[]

While early reactions from media outlets regarded it negatively in light of Pikachu's status as the franchise's main mascot, later examinations have been more favorable, showing a preference for its design. Due to it often being portrayed as Pikachu's rival in the anime adaptation of the series and in some games a form Pikachu refuses to evolve into, critics have claimed Game Freak painted the species in a negative light and overall damaged its reputation. This has led to further discussion on Game Freak's overemphasis on Pikachu, as well as varying interpretations of the themes in the rivalry, including concepts of self-identity and portrayals of youth in anime media.

External links[]

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