Maniacal Engineer
Mushy Emotionalist
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In the World of Pokémon, there lives a vast number and variety of amazing creatures to befriend and collect. Every week, we will be focusing on a single one of these Pokémon or evolutionary line and talking about what makes it special. This week's Pokémon of choice is the Pikachu, in honor of the 20th anniversary of the anime.
The series mascot, Pikachu is the original electric rodent, and appears on pretty much all official Pokémon merchandice.
Pikachu is very prominent in the anime, where he was Ash's first Pokémon. At first, the two of them didn't get along, with Pikachu refusing to obey Ash, but after Ash save Pikachu from a flock of wild Spearow, Pikachu gained a respect from Ash, and has traveled with him ever since. In the episode Electric Shock Showdown, Pikachu refused to evolve in order to defeat Lt. Surge's Raichu, and, ultimately, was able to prevail over its evolution using a combination of speed and outside of the box strategy.
Pikachu has also appeared numerous other times in the anime, notably under the ownership of Ritchie as well as in the episode The Pi-Kahuna. In that episode, the Pikachu, named Puka, had blue eyes and was able to sense the approaching tidal waves. Puka was revealed to have floated in from somewhere far away.
Pikachu has also had notable appearances in the Manga, and even has a manga based around his travels with Ash, The Electric Tale of Pikachu, which is an adaptation of the anime. Even in the Pokémon Adventures series, Pikachu appears as one of Red's main Pokémon, and in the Yellow chapter of that series, discovered that he can use Surf.
Pikachu has received a lot of attention in the games as well, both main series and otherwise. It was the player's first Pokémon in Pokémon Yellow Version, and was the first Pokémon which was able to follow around its trainer, as well as the first Pokémon for which happiness was observable. Other notable attention that Pikachu received in the main series games is cosplay Pikachu, appearing in ORAS, which had unique moves depending on which costume it wore, and the two exclusive Z-Moves that Pikachu received in Sun & Moon, Catastropika and 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. Pikachu is the only Pokémon to receive more than one exclusive Z-Moves. Pikachu were also distributed with in Sun & Moon wearing various caps based on the hats that Ash wore in the anime.
Outside of the main series games, Pikachu has been the star of both the Hey You, Pikachu! and Great Detective Pikachu games, and there was an event which gave away Pikachu wearing various costumes or disguises were given out in Pokémon GO.
In battle, the entire Pikachu family is considered to be glass cannons. With higher offensive stats and low defensive stats, Pikachu isn't going to be taking hits very well. However, starting in Gen II, the item Light Ball was introduced. In Gen II and Gen III, the Light Ball only doubled Pikachu's Special Attack, but starting in Gen IV it also doubled Pikachu's Attack stat. This makes Pikachu's attacks hit harder than even its evolution Raichu's attacks. With access to Special Attacks like Thunderbolt, Thunder, Volt Switch, Grass Knot, and Surf (via event), as well as support moves like Rain Dance and Nasty Plot, Pikachu can be a force to be reckoned with. Pikachu also has access to physical moves like Volt Tackle, Brick Break, and Nuzzle, and is good at spreading Paralysis with Nuzzle and its 90 Speed base stat.
Although there is a lot more than can be said of this electric rodent, due to its prominence in the franchise, I will cut things off here for the sake of brevity.
Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules.
Previous Pokémon of the Week
The series mascot, Pikachu is the original electric rodent, and appears on pretty much all official Pokémon merchandice.
Pikachu is very prominent in the anime, where he was Ash's first Pokémon. At first, the two of them didn't get along, with Pikachu refusing to obey Ash, but after Ash save Pikachu from a flock of wild Spearow, Pikachu gained a respect from Ash, and has traveled with him ever since. In the episode Electric Shock Showdown, Pikachu refused to evolve in order to defeat Lt. Surge's Raichu, and, ultimately, was able to prevail over its evolution using a combination of speed and outside of the box strategy.
Pikachu has also appeared numerous other times in the anime, notably under the ownership of Ritchie as well as in the episode The Pi-Kahuna. In that episode, the Pikachu, named Puka, had blue eyes and was able to sense the approaching tidal waves. Puka was revealed to have floated in from somewhere far away.
Pikachu has also had notable appearances in the Manga, and even has a manga based around his travels with Ash, The Electric Tale of Pikachu, which is an adaptation of the anime. Even in the Pokémon Adventures series, Pikachu appears as one of Red's main Pokémon, and in the Yellow chapter of that series, discovered that he can use Surf.
Pikachu has received a lot of attention in the games as well, both main series and otherwise. It was the player's first Pokémon in Pokémon Yellow Version, and was the first Pokémon which was able to follow around its trainer, as well as the first Pokémon for which happiness was observable. Other notable attention that Pikachu received in the main series games is cosplay Pikachu, appearing in ORAS, which had unique moves depending on which costume it wore, and the two exclusive Z-Moves that Pikachu received in Sun & Moon, Catastropika and 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. Pikachu is the only Pokémon to receive more than one exclusive Z-Moves. Pikachu were also distributed with in Sun & Moon wearing various caps based on the hats that Ash wore in the anime.
Outside of the main series games, Pikachu has been the star of both the Hey You, Pikachu! and Great Detective Pikachu games, and there was an event which gave away Pikachu wearing various costumes or disguises were given out in Pokémon GO.
In battle, the entire Pikachu family is considered to be glass cannons. With higher offensive stats and low defensive stats, Pikachu isn't going to be taking hits very well. However, starting in Gen II, the item Light Ball was introduced. In Gen II and Gen III, the Light Ball only doubled Pikachu's Special Attack, but starting in Gen IV it also doubled Pikachu's Attack stat. This makes Pikachu's attacks hit harder than even its evolution Raichu's attacks. With access to Special Attacks like Thunderbolt, Thunder, Volt Switch, Grass Knot, and Surf (via event), as well as support moves like Rain Dance and Nasty Plot, Pikachu can be a force to be reckoned with. Pikachu also has access to physical moves like Volt Tackle, Brick Break, and Nuzzle, and is good at spreading Paralysis with Nuzzle and its 90 Speed base stat.
Although there is a lot more than can be said of this electric rodent, due to its prominence in the franchise, I will cut things off here for the sake of brevity.
Here are some questions to consider to get conversation rolling. You don't have to answer all of them or any of them in your post as long as you're staying on topic and within global forum rules.
- Do you like or dislike this Pokémon? Why?
- How is this Pokémon in-game?
- How is this Pokémon in competitive play? Are there any interesting strategies you like to use for them?
- Do you like this Pokémon's representation in the anime? Are there any moments or qualities in particular you enjoy/dislike?
- How do you think this Pokémon would interact with our world?
- If given the power to, would you change anything about this Pokémon and if so, what would you change?
- Does Pikachu make for a good series mascot? If not, which Pokémon do you feel would be a better choice?
- Do you think that Pikachu receives too much attention?
- Pikachu's physical appearance has changed in the past 20 years. What do you think about Pikachu's newer appearance in comparison to it older appearance?
- Approximately 20 years after the episode The Pi-Kahuna aired, Pikachu from Alola was revealed to evolve into Alolan Raichu, which is based on a surfer. Do you like how Pokémon has resolved this mystery?
- What other 20 year old mysteries would you like Game Freak to resolve?
Previous Pokémon of the Week
Pokémon of the Week #1: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, & Venusaur
Pokémon of the Week #2: Scraggy & Scrafty
Pokémon of the Week #3: Gulpin & Swalot
Pokémon of the Week #4: Porygon, Porygon2, & Porygon-Z
Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet & Braviary
Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel & Weavile
Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow & Honchkrow
Pokémon of the Week #11: Houndour & Houndoom
Pokémon of the Week #12: Exeggcute & Exeggutor
Pokémon of the Week #13: Gastly, Haunter, & Gengar
Pokemon of the Week #14: Smoochum & Jynx
Pokémon of the Week #15: Beldum, Metang, & Metagross
Pokémon of the Week #16: Bidoof
Pokémon of the Week # 17: Deerling & Sawsbuck
Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax & Snorlax
Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, & Jumpluff
Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, & Shedinja
Pokémon of the Week #21: Pumpkaboo & Gourgeist
Pokémon of the Week #22: Mudkip, Marshtomp, & Swampert
Pokémon of the Week #23: Froakie, Frogadier, & Greninja
Pokémon of the Week #24: Rattata & Raticate
Pokémon of the Week #25: Mimikyu
Pokémon of the Week #26: Mareep, Flaaffy, & Ampharos
Pokémon of the Week #27: Delibird
Pokémon of the Week #28: Espeon
Pokémon of the Week #29: Rowlet, Dartrix, & Decidueye
Pokémon of the Week #30: Popplio, Brionne, & Primarina
Pokémon of the Week #31: Litten, Torracat, & Incineroar
Pokémon of the Week #32: Woobat & Swoobat
Pokémon of the Week #33: Vulpix & Ninetales
Pokémon of the Week #34: Mewtwo
Pokémon of the Week #35: Shellos & Gastrodon
Pokémon of the Week #36: Weedle, Kakuna, & Beedrill
Pokémon of the Week #37: Alomomola
Pokémon of the Week #38: Pidove, Tranquill, & Unfezant
Pokémon of the Week #39: Darkrai
Pokémon of the Week #40: MissingNo.
Pokémon of the Week #2: Scraggy & Scrafty
Pokémon of the Week #3: Gulpin & Swalot
Pokémon of the Week #4: Porygon, Porygon2, & Porygon-Z
Pokémon of the Week #5: Emolga
Pokémon of the Week #6: Rufflet & Braviary
Pokémon of the Week #7: Ditto
Pokémon of the Week #8: Wynaut & Wobbuffet
Pokémon of the Week #9: Sneasel & Weavile
Pokémon of the Week #10: Murkrow & Honchkrow
Pokémon of the Week #11: Houndour & Houndoom
Pokémon of the Week #12: Exeggcute & Exeggutor
Pokémon of the Week #13: Gastly, Haunter, & Gengar
Pokemon of the Week #14: Smoochum & Jynx
Pokémon of the Week #15: Beldum, Metang, & Metagross
Pokémon of the Week #16: Bidoof
Pokémon of the Week # 17: Deerling & Sawsbuck
Pokémon of the Week #18: Munchlax & Snorlax
Pokémon of the Week #19: Hoppip, Skiploom, & Jumpluff
Pokémon of the Week #20: Nincada, Ninjask, & Shedinja
Pokémon of the Week #21: Pumpkaboo & Gourgeist
Pokémon of the Week #22: Mudkip, Marshtomp, & Swampert
Pokémon of the Week #23: Froakie, Frogadier, & Greninja
Pokémon of the Week #24: Rattata & Raticate
Pokémon of the Week #25: Mimikyu
Pokémon of the Week #26: Mareep, Flaaffy, & Ampharos
Pokémon of the Week #27: Delibird
Pokémon of the Week #28: Espeon
Pokémon of the Week #29: Rowlet, Dartrix, & Decidueye
Pokémon of the Week #30: Popplio, Brionne, & Primarina
Pokémon of the Week #31: Litten, Torracat, & Incineroar
Pokémon of the Week #32: Woobat & Swoobat
Pokémon of the Week #33: Vulpix & Ninetales
Pokémon of the Week #34: Mewtwo
Pokémon of the Week #35: Shellos & Gastrodon
Pokémon of the Week #36: Weedle, Kakuna, & Beedrill
Pokémon of the Week #37: Alomomola
Pokémon of the Week #38: Pidove, Tranquill, & Unfezant
Pokémon of the Week #39: Darkrai
Pokémon of the Week #40: MissingNo.