Source:BulbapediaPikachu (Japanese: ピカチュウ Pikachu) is an Electric-type Pokémon (species). It evolves from Pichu via a high friendship level, and evolves into Raichu via use of a Thunder Stone. Pikachu in Alola will instead evolve into Alolan Raichu through this same method. Pikachu is a short, slightly chubbyrodent-like Pokémon. It is covered in yellow fur, and its ears are long and dipstick ears. It has a small mouth, brown eyes, and red cheeks. There are pouches inside its cheeks where it stores electricity. Its forearms are short, with 5 fingers on each paw, and its feet have 3 toes. It has two brown stripes back markings, and its tail is in the shape of a lightning bolt with a patch of brown fur at the base. Females are sometimes depicted with a V-shaped notch at the end of its tail, which looks like the top of a heart (note that for tagging purposes, this may not always be the case). It is classified as a quadruped, but it has been known to stand and walk on its hind legs. Pikachu is popularly known as the mascot of the Pokémon franchise and a major representative of Nintendo collective mascot. The Pokémon anime focuses on a character called Ash Ketchum, who has a Pikachu of his own as the first Pokémon he has ever caught, and the only one to travel with him to every region. This Pikachu is almost never seen being stored inside his Poké Ball, and instead chooses to sit on Ash's shoulder. He is shown to be far more powerful than other Pikachu, which becomes the reason that jessie_(team_rocket), james_(team_rocket) and meowth_(team_rocket) make it their goal to capture him for their boss, giovanni_(pokémon). Ash's Pikachu has also shown great talent in mimicking various Pokémon throughout the series, similarly to a Ditto. He has been seen refusing a Thunder Stone numerous times, wanting to get stronger in his current form. The Diamond & Pearl series episode Where No Togepi Has Gone Before confirmed him to be male.
