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Pichu

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"Pichu" redirects here. For the sportsperson, see Pichu (footballer).
Pichu
Pokémon series character
File:Pichu2.png
National Pokédex
Lanturn - Pichu (#172) - Cleffa
First gamePokémon Gold and Silver

Pichu (ピチュー, Pichū) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Pichu first appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adapations of the franchise. There have been multiple voice actors for Pichu. The two Pichu Brothers characters were voiced by Yumi Tōma and Satomi Kōrogi (who voiced Pichu in Super Smash Bros. Melee), while a spiky-eared Pichu from the film Arceus and the Jewel of Life was voiced by Shōko Nakagawa.[1]

Known as the "Tiny Mouse" species of the Pokémon series, are the pre-evolved version of Pikachu. Pichu made its debut appearence in Pokémon Gold and Silver and has since made appearences in the series. Ever since its introduction to the series, Pichu was seen as a sidekick like character towards Pikachu, being often seen in the spinnoff games alongside it in games like Pokémon Pinball. The Pokémon has been featured in Super Smash Bros. Melee where it was a playable character.

Design and Characteristics

Pichu was designed by Ken Sugimori, the artist for the Pokémon series. In an interview, Junichi Masuda noted that he and Ken Sugimori wanted to create a Pokémon to be the "next" Pikachu, but were initially having a difficult time creating a design that they felt would be as appealing. After long discussion, they decided to create a Pokémon that evolved into Pikachu,[2] and Sugimori developed Pichu as a result.[3] In the same interview, Masuda noted that Pichu was a Pokémon "close to his heart" due to the "well thought out" design process.[2]

They stand at 1'00" and weigh 4.4 lb. Their cheeks are pink, and they have small, plump bodies with short, jagged tails, and large ears. They are not skilled at storing electricity, so when amused or startled, they often discharge jolts of electricity strong enough to affect adult humans.[4][5] This lack of control becomes more stable as they grow older.[6] The electricity that they do manage to keep stored is limited by their small electrical pouches in their cheeks.[7] When the air is dry or on stormy days, they charge much more easily, leaving the sound of crackling static electricity emanating from them.[8] They play with each other by touching tails to set off sparks, which acts as a test of courage.[9] They run the risk of shorting each other out, and scaring themselves into a crying fit with the flash of sparks that emanates from them.[10] In the anime, it is said that a Pichu cannot use electric attacks without hurting itself. This is a feature not prominently featured in the games. Its helplessness is shown in the TCG series by the fact that it is a "Baby Pokémon" and that it cannot attack to do damage; its only move (in the EX Power Keepers edition) is "Cry for Help", which lets the user search his/her deck for an electric-type Pokémon and place it in his/her hand.

Appearances

In the video games

Pichu first appeared in Pokémon Gold and Silver, and is one of many pre-evolutions introduced into the series. Pichu can be obtained by breeding two Pikachu which will result in a Pokémon egg that will hatch into a Pichu. Pichu appears in the later installments of the series with the same purpose of being an egg Pokémon. In Pokémon Emerald, if two pikachus are left at the daycare with one holding a light ball, a Pichu egg will be created. Once hatching, the Pichu will know the unique move called Volt Tackle. At one point, a Nintendo GameCube game called Pichu Bros: Party Panic was in development but never released, featuring Pichu as the main character.[11] Instead, the game was integrated into Pokémon Channel as an important part of the story-line.[12] Pichu is featured in its own event for the release of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, as the "Pikachu Colored Pichu".[13] A "notched eared" Pichu that appeared in the movie Arceus and the Jewel of Life, appears in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver as an event Pokémon.[14]

Pichu appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee as an unlockable character who can be unlocked after beating event 37: Legendary Pokémon or alternatively, playing 200 vs matches. Pichu was a clone character whose moveset is very similar to Pikachu's. Pichu however was considered as one of the weaker characters in the game as it damages itself with a few percent damage each time it uses an electric attack. This quirk is likely influenced by the anime and its Pokédex information. In the sequel Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Pichu was downgraded to a trophy. Despite the fact that Pichu did not appear in Brawl, it's blue goggles (a costume from melee) makes an appearence as one of Pikachu's costumes. Pikachu knows the wall jump ability, a move which Pichu alone could perform in melee.

In the anime

Pichu as a species made its debut appearence in the episode "The Apple Corp" which involved Pichu that were eating the apples from a forest causing problems for the owner. The most recognizable of Pichu's appearences was the duo, the Pichu Bros who had made many appearences in the show. The Pichu Bros had episodes which revolved around them and their friends in the city. A Pichu with a notched ear appeared in the movie Arceus and the Jewel of Life.[14]

In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out Of The Gate!, Pichu is portrayed as Pikachu's younger brother and needs the help of the Go-Getters team to rescue him. He is found scared and alone in a cave.

In other media

Pichu appears in the Pokémon Adventures manga starting from the Gold and Silver chapters. It owned by the character Gold (who is based on the male protagonist from the Gold, Silver and Crystal games) and was obtained from the egg that red and yellow's pikachus had made.

Pichu is featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as a common card. Its helplessness is shown in the TCG series by the fact that it is a "Baby Pokémon" and that it cannot attack to do damage; its only move (in the EX Power Keepers edition) is "Cry for Help", which lets the user search his/her deck for an electric-type Pokémon and place it in his/her hand making Pichu more of a supporting character. However once a Pikachu card is available, Pichu is able to evolve into it and will become more useful as Pikachu is a basic Pokémon.

Pichu made a cameo appearance in Mario Party DS on a minigame (Hanger Management) on the grass skipping near the finish line.

Promotion and Reception

Series developer Junichi Masuda stated that Pichu is his favourite Pokémon and has stated that it is very close to his heart.[15] Ever since its debut, Pichu has been seen as more of a popular character, being featured alongside its evolution Pikachu in the anime and as well as in game series. Pichu has been featured heavily in Pokémon merchandise varying from toys to action figures.[16]

Pichu has been criticized by IGN, as they had described it as to turning off so many people from the Pokémon series due to its overall "kiddy appearence".[17]

References

  1. ^ Willis, John (2002). Screen World 2001. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 1557834792. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Padilla, Raymond (2009-03-17). "Junichi Masuda & Takeshi Kawachimaru Talk 'Pokémon Platinum', Particle Physics, Bridges, And More!". G4. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  3. ^ Harris, Craig (2009-02-23). "Pokémon Creators on Platinum". IGN. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  4. ^ Pokédex: Game Freak (2000-10-15). Pokémon Gold (Game Boy). Nintendo.
  5. ^ Pokédex: Despite its small size, it can zap even adult humans. However, if it does so, it also surprises itself.Game Freak (2000-10-15). Pokémon Silver (Game Boy). Nintendo.
  6. ^ Pokédex: It is still inept at retaining electricity. When it is startled, it discharges power accidentally. It gets better at holding power as it grows older. Game Freak (2005-05-01). Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo.
  7. ^ Pokédex: The electric pouches on its cheeks are still small. They cannot store much electricity yet. Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  8. ^ Pokédex: PICHU charges itself with electricity more easily on days with thunderclouds or when the air is very dry. You can hear the crackling of static electricity coming off this POKéMON. Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Ruby (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo.
  9. ^ Pokédex: It plays with others by touching tails and setting off sparks. This appears to be a test of courage. Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Pearl (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  10. ^ Pokédex: When PICHU plays with others, it may short out electricity with another PICHU, creating a shower of sparks. In that event, this POKéMON will begin crying, startled by the flash of sparks. Game Freak (2003-03-17). Pokémon Sapphire (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo.
  11. ^ "Pichu Bros. Party Panic". http://www.gamestats.com. 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2009-10-22. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Pokémon Channel". http://cube.ign.com. 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2009-10-22. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ http://pokesplash.net/gs/pichu.php
  14. ^ a b Sunain (2009-10-16). "Spikey Eared Pichu-Arceus and the Jewel of Life". http://www.pocketmonsters.net. Retrieved 2009-10-16. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/209340/pokemon-platinum-developer-interview-pt-2/
  16. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Pichu-Pokeball-Flip-out-Transform-Japanese/dp/B000OUWGQ2
  17. ^ http://faqs.ign.com/articles/379/379707p1.html#

External links

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