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Pikachu

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Not to be confused with Pika.
Pikachu
pikachu.png
National Pokédex
Arbok - Pikachu (#025) - Raichu
Johto Pokédex
Pichu - Pikachu (#022) - Raichu
Hoenn Pokédex
Pichu - Pikachu (#156) - Raichu
Sinnoh Pokédex
Pichu - Pikachu (#104) - Raichu
Japanese namePikachu
Evolves fromPichu (from Pokémon Gold and Silver onwards)
Evolves intoRaichu
GenerationFirst
SpeciesMouse Pokémon
TypeElectric
Height1 ft 4 in (0.4 m)
Weight13.2 pounds (6.0 kg)
AbilityStatic

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachū) is one of the fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. As do all Pokémon, Pikachu fight other Pokémon in battles central to the anime, manga, and games of the series.[2] Pikachu is among the most recognizable Pokémon, due to the fact that a Pikachu is a central character in the Pokémon anime series. Pikachu is the most popular Pokémon,[3] and is regarded as the official mascot of the Pokémon franchise.

In the Pokémon franchise, Pikachu are often found in forests,[4] plains, and, occasionally, near mountains, islands, and electrical sources (such as power plants), on most continents throughout the fictional world. As an Electric-type Pokémon, Pikachu can store electricity in its cheeks and release it in lightning-based attacks.

Concept and creation

The name Pikachu is a portmanteau of the Japanese words pikapika, an onomatopoeia for electric sparkling, and chū, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a mouse's squeak.[citation needed] The name Pikachu refers to both the overall species, and to individual Pikachu within the games, anime, and manga series, including the one that is the Pokémon companion of the anime's main protagonist, Ash Ketchum.

Characteristics

Pikachu are designed as short, stocky, mice[5] Pokémon that have short, yellow fur with brown markings covering their backs and parts of their tails. They have black-tipped, pointy ears and light red circles on their cheeks, which are said to contain "electrical sacs".[4] Their tails are shaped in the form of a lightning bolt. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, gender differences were introduced for some Pokémon; a female Pikachu now has a "dent" at the end of its tail, giving it a heart-shaped appearance.

The Pokédex, in several games in the series, states that Pikachu forage for berries. In lieu of climbing trees,[6] they use small electrical bolts to release the berries from the tree, roasting them at the same time. For already fallen berries they use their electricity to roast and tenderize them. They are said to store electricity in their cheeks,[4] and by simply squeezing them they can discharge sparks, bolts, or other forms of electricity. Discharging sparks and thunderbolts may be a sign of wariness from the Pokémon. An inability to discharge electricity, as in the presence of a strong magnetic field, causes an illness with flu-like symptoms. Pikachu tend to gather in areas with high amounts of thunderstorm activity. When threatened, a group of Pikachu can generate an intense electrical output, and the electro-magnetic forces exerted by the resulting field can even produce a short-lived, localized thunder and lightning storms.

Pikachu evolve into Raichu via use of a Thunder Stone. However, it is somewhat common for trainers to choose not to evolve their Pikachu. For example, in Pokémon Yellow, using a Thunder Stone on a Pikachu makes it cry and refuse to evolve. Also, from the second generation of the Pokémon games onward, Pikachu has an evolutionary predecessor, Pichu, which evolves into Pikachu after establishing a close friendship with its trainer.

Appearances

File:Pokemon Yellow box.jpg
Pokémon Yellow, a variation of Pokémon Red and Blue, incorporating many qualities of the anime.

In the video games

In the video games, Pikachu is a typical low-level Pokémon usually found in Viridian Forest, and the Power Plant in the earlier games, or in the Safari Zone in the Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald versions. An item is introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver called the Light Ball, which, when given to Pikachu, doubles its Special Attack statistic. Pikachu also appears in Diamond and Pearl, by evolving Pichu, which is found in Trophy Garden.

The game Pokémon Yellow features a Pikachu as the representative Pokémon, featured on the box art and as the only starting Pokémon. Based on the Pikachu featured in the Pokémon anime, it refuses to stay in its Poké Ball, and follows the main character around on screen. The trainer can speak to it; it features many different reactions depending on how it is treated. Another game centered around Pikachu is Hey You, Pikachu! for the Nintendo 64.[7] The player interacts with Pikachu through a microphone, and can issue commands to play various mini-games and act out situations. The game Pokémon Channel follows a similar premise of interacting with the Pikachu, though without the microphone.[8] Pikachu is also one of the sixteen starters and ten partners in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games.

Pikachu has also appeared in Super Smash Bros.,[9] Super Smash Bros. Melee,[10] and Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a very agile and mobile playable character, equipped with Quick Attack, Thundershock, and Thunder. In Super Smash Bros. Melee,[10] Pikachu's Skull Bash move was introduced, and its Quick Attack ability was upgraded so that it did a small amount of damage to opponents. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl,[11] Volt Tackle is its Final Smash.[12] In the game's Adventure Mode, the Subspace Emissary, Samus Aran frees Pikachu from a machine sapping its electric energy, which alerts an army of R.O.B.s.

In the Pokémon anime

Ash Ketchum and Pikachu together in the pilot episode, "Pokémon, I Choose You!"

The Pokémon anime series and films feature the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu. They travel the various regions along with various friends, such as Misty, Brock, May, Tracey, and Dawn. Many other wild and trained Pikachu appear throughout the series, often interacting with Ash and his Pikachu. The most notable among these is Richie's Pikachu, Sparky. Like most other Pokémon, Pikachu communicates only by saying syllables in its own name. Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Otani in all versions of the anime, except in a number of English language episodes in which Rachael Lillis played the role; this occurred when another person overlapped Pikachu's voice.

In the first episode, Ash Ketchum receives his Pikachu from Professor Oak as a starting Pokémon given to all new trainers. At first, Pikachu largely ignores Ash's requests, shocking him frequently and refusing to be confined to the conventional method of Pokémon transportation, a Poké Ball. However, Ash puts himself in danger to defend Pikachu from a flock of wild Spearow, then rushes the electric mouse to a Pokémon Center. Through these demonstrations of respect and unconditional commitment to Pokémon, Pikachu warms up to Ash, and their friendship is formed. Soon after, Pikachu shows great power that sets it apart from others, which causes Team Rocket to constantly attempt to capture it in order to win favor from their boss, Giovanni.

In other Pokémon media

File:Baseset pikachu.JPG
Pikachu in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base set).

Pikachu is one of the main Pokémon used in most of the Pokémon manga series. In Pokémon Adventures, Red and Yellow both train a strong Pikachu. It is originally captured by Red, but after Red goes missing two years later, Yellow, along with her own Pikachu, Chu Chu, accompany it. It is also featured in series based on the anime, such as Electric Tale of Pikachu and Ash & Pikachu, and other series, such as Magical Pokémon Journey and Getto Da Ze.

Pikachu has been seen in at least thirteen incarnations in Pokémon Trading Card Game sets released in North America, and that number increases to twenty when limited edition promotional cards are included.[13]

Cultural impact

Background

Pikachu is the most well-known Pokémon, and is regarded as the official mascot of the Pokémon franchise. Pikachu is even regarded as the Japanese answer to Mickey Mouse[3] and as being part of a movement of "cute capitalism".[14] Pikachu are obtainable in all of the Pokémon video games to date, with a prominent role in Pokémon Yellow. The leading characters of many of the anime and manga series, including Pokémon Adventures, and Magical Pokémon Journey, have captured or befriended Pikachu.

The ANA Boeing 747-400 airplane painted with Pikachu and other Pokémon.

Pikachu, being the most famous of the Pokémon mascots, has made multiple appearances in popular culture. A "got milk?" advertisement featured Pikachu in 1999. In addition, a Pikachu balloon has been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since 2001.[15] Its appearance on May 22, 2006 during the morning rush hour was as part of a test examining parade balloon handling procedures.[16] The original balloon was retired following an appearance at the Pokémon Tenth Anniversary "Party of the Decade" on August 8 in Bryant Park in New York City,[citation needed] and a new Pikachu Balloon that chases a Poké Ball and has light-up cheeks debuted at the 2006 Parade.[citation needed]That balloon was chosen on an online survey at iVillage as the second-best balloon in the 2007 Parade.[17]

A picture of Pikachu has also been featured on the ANA Boeing 747-400 (JA8962), landing at London Heathrow Airport.[14] In 2002, Ash's Pikachu received fifteenth place in TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time.[18]

Ling-Ling, a character in the adult cartoon Drawn Together, is a parody of Pikachu.[19]

Notes

  1. ^ "Pokémon Franchise Approaches 150 Million Games Sold". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2006-02-28.
  2. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.
  3. ^ a b Tobin, Joseph. (2002) Pikachu's Global Adventure Children, Young People, and Media Globalisation, The UNESCO Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media
  4. ^ a b c Pokédex: It lives in forests with others. It stores electricity in the pouches on its cheeks. Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  5. ^ The in-game Pokédex of the Game Boy series (A copy of them from pokémondungeon.com) URL accessed on March 27, 2006.
  6. ^ "PokeZam.com - Episode 366 - Pokeblock, Stock and Berry". PokeZam.com.
  7. ^ Hey You, Pikachu! Nintendo.com URL Accessed July 17, 2006
  8. ^ Pokémon Channel IGN.com URL Accessed July 17, 2006
  9. ^ Smash Bros.com URL Accessed July 17, 2006
  10. ^ a b Super Smash Bros Melee. detstar.com URL Accessed July 17, 2006
  11. ^ Smash Bros. Dojo! Pikachu
  12. ^ Smash Bros. Dojo! Pikachu: Final Smash
  13. ^ EX Legend Maker set card list Pokebeach.com. URL Accessed October 15, 2006.
  14. ^ a b Allison, Anne (2002) The Cultural Politics of Pokemon Capitalism Media in Transition 2: globalization and convergence
  15. ^ Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Ncytourist.com URL Accessed July 17, 2006
  16. ^ Crecente, Brian (2006-05-22). "Giant Pikachu Runs Flights Through NYC". Kotaku. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
  17. ^ Voting Results
  18. ^ "TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time" Archives.cnn.com.. URL Accessed October 15, 2006.
  19. ^ Silverstein and Jeser Talk About 'Drawn Together'

References

  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5

Template:Pokémon anime characters

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