Raichu
Encyclopedia
is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
and Game Freak
's Pokémon
franchise. Raichu is the evolution to Pikachu
, the mascot of the series. It was originally conceived by Game Freak
's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori
. Its name comes from the Japanese kanji "rai," meaning thunder, followed by chū, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia
for a mouse's squeak. It is the evolution of Pikachu
, and is only able to evolve if Pikachu is given a "Thunder Stone", an item that evolves select Electric Pokémon.
Known as the Electric Mouse
Pokémon, Raichu is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity in its body. First appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue
versions, Raichu later appears in subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. In the anime
, Raichu is used by Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City. Since it appeared in the Pokémon
series, Raichu has received generally positive reception. It has appeared in several pieces of merchandise, including plush toys, figurines, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game
.
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
. Its name comes from the Japanese kanji "rai," meaning thunder, followed by chū, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia
for a mouse's squeak.
Raichu, known as the Electric Mouse
Pokémon, is a taller form that Pikachu takes when a Thunder Stone is applied. Raichu is a rather small bipedal rodent
. It is able to run faster on all fours. Like Pikachu, from which it evolves, Raichu has long ears and feet, and stubby arms; both species also have two horizontal brown stripes on its back. Its long, thin tail has a broad, lightning bolt
-shaped end, which is smaller and blunted on females. Raichu is orange in color, with a white belly. Its paws are brown, as well as its toes, while the soles of its feet are tan colored. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outsides and yellow on the insides, and end in a distinctive curl at their bottom-most point. Unlike Pikachu, with its distinctive red circles, the cheek sacs of Raichu are yellow.
Although quite small in comparison to many other Pokémon, Raichu is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity in its body. Raichu, and its evolution family, Pichu and Pikachu, are the only known Pokémon that can learn Volt Tackle. Raichu is much more aggressive than Pikachu, especially if it has stored too much electricity in its body. It needs to discharge
this electricity through its tail into the ground. However, Raichu can sometimes be timid Pokémon, using Dig to hide or zapping people from fear. It will constantly electrocute objects, people, and Pokémon until its electricity level is back to normal. Raichu are found in forests and vibrant woodlands.
. It is the evolution of Pikachu
, and is only able to evolve if Pikachu is given a "Thunder Stone," an item that evolves select Electric Pokémon. In the follow-up, Pokémon Yellow, Raichu cannot be obtained by conventional means, as the Pikachu that players get refuses to evolve. It later appeared in several sequels, including Pokémon Gold and Silver
, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
, the Red and Blue remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
, and Pokémon Black and White
. Outside of the main series, Raichu has appeared in the Pokémon Pinball
games, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
games, and the Pokémon Ranger
games.
, Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City, has a Raichu that defeated Ash
's Pikachu with its sheer power. After discussing evolution with Pikachu to match Raichu's power (Pikachu refused to evolve), Ash used a strategy relying on Pikachu's speed to defeat Raichu the next day. Raichu also appeared causing trouble for Pikachu and co. in Pikachu's Vacation, along with Marill, Snubbull, and Cubone.
Lt. Surge has a Raichu in Pokémon Adventures
, which was first seen in Silph Co. but never participated in battles until fighting the Masked Man in his Mahogany Hideout, where it helped Surge break in and seemingly backed the mastermind into a corner, until his Houndour called upon dozens of wild Houndour to thwart Surge, instead.
series, Raichu has received generally positive reception. It has appeared in several pieces of merchandise, including plush toys, figurines, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game
. It was also included as part of a Burger King
Big Kids' Meal promotion. The Chicago Sun-Times
called Raichu an "old favorite." Loredana Lipperini, author of the book Generazione Pókemon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi, commented that Raichu was not as hugely popular as Pikachu
. Ryan Omega, author of the book Anime trivia quizbook: from easy to otaku obscure, episode 1, commented that Raichu "isn't that cute," commenting that this made clear why Ash would not want to evolve Pikachu. Pierre Bruno, author of La culture de l'enfance à l'heure de la mondialisation, compared the battle between Lt. Surge's Raichu and Ash's Pikachu to the Biblical story David and Goliath. IGN
commented that while Raichu was not as cute as Pikachu, it has other redeeming qualities. However, IGN editor “Pokémon of the Day Chick” noted that Raichu was “loved by many and despised by more,” though she clarified that the hatred for Raichu was nowhere near the hatred for Pikachu. She went on to describe it as “stupid-looking.” GamesRadar
editor Brett Elston commented that because of the high level of emphasis on Pikachu, it's “easy to forget Raichu even exists.”
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and Game Freak
Game Freak
is a Japanese video game developer that currently creates games exclusively for Nintendo. It has developed the Pokémon series of role-playing games and several other games.-History:...
's Pokémon
Pokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
franchise. Raichu is the evolution to Pikachu
Pikachu
is one of the species of Pokémon creatures from the 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...
, the mascot of the series. It was originally conceived by Game Freak
Game Freak
is a Japanese video game developer that currently creates games exclusively for Nintendo. It has developed the Pokémon series of role-playing games and several other games.-History:...
's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori
Ken Sugimori
is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon...
. Its name comes from the Japanese kanji "rai," meaning thunder, followed by chū, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia
Japanese sound symbolism
This article describes sound symbolic or mimetic words in the Japanese language. Most languages have such words; for example, "bang", "zap", "ding", "slither", "pop", etc. in English. Sound symbolic words occur more often in Japanese than in English—they are found in formal as well as vernacular...
for a mouse's squeak. It is the evolution of Pikachu
Pikachu
is one of the species of Pokémon creatures from the 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...
, and is only able to evolve if Pikachu is given a "Thunder Stone", an item that evolves select Electric Pokémon.
Known as the Electric Mouse
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
Pokémon, Raichu is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity in its body. First appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
versions, Raichu later appears in subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. In the anime
Pokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
, Raichu is used by Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City. Since it appeared in the Pokémon
Pokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
series, Raichu has received generally positive reception. It has appeared in several pieces of merchandise, including plush toys, figurines, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game
Pokémon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game based on the Pokémon video game series, first introduced in Japan in October 1996, then North America in December 1998...
.
Design and characteristics
Raichu was one of 150 different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken SugimoriKen Sugimori
is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon...
for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
. Its name comes from the Japanese kanji "rai," meaning thunder, followed by chū, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia
Japanese sound symbolism
This article describes sound symbolic or mimetic words in the Japanese language. Most languages have such words; for example, "bang", "zap", "ding", "slither", "pop", etc. in English. Sound symbolic words occur more often in Japanese than in English—they are found in formal as well as vernacular...
for a mouse's squeak.
Raichu, known as the Electric Mouse
Mouse
A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse . It is also a popular pet. In some places, certain kinds of field mice are also common. This rodent is eaten by large birds such as hawks and eagles...
Pokémon, is a taller form that Pikachu takes when a Thunder Stone is applied. Raichu is a rather small bipedal rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
. It is able to run faster on all fours. Like Pikachu, from which it evolves, Raichu has long ears and feet, and stubby arms; both species also have two horizontal brown stripes on its back. Its long, thin tail has a broad, lightning bolt
Thunderbolt
A thunderbolt is a discharge of lightning accompanied by a loud thunderclap or its symbolic representation. In its original usage the word may also have been a description of meteors, or, as Plato suggested in Timaeus, of the consequences of a close approach between two planetary cosmic bodies,...
-shaped end, which is smaller and blunted on females. Raichu is orange in color, with a white belly. Its paws are brown, as well as its toes, while the soles of its feet are tan colored. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outsides and yellow on the insides, and end in a distinctive curl at their bottom-most point. Unlike Pikachu, with its distinctive red circles, the cheek sacs of Raichu are yellow.
Although quite small in comparison to many other Pokémon, Raichu is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity in its body. Raichu, and its evolution family, Pichu and Pikachu, are the only known Pokémon that can learn Volt Tackle. Raichu is much more aggressive than Pikachu, especially if it has stored too much electricity in its body. It needs to discharge
Electrostatic discharge
Electrostatic discharge is a serious issue in solid state electronics, such as integrated circuits. Integrated circuits are made from semiconductor materials such as silicon and insulating materials such as silicon dioxide...
this electricity through its tail into the ground. However, Raichu can sometimes be timid Pokémon, using Dig to hide or zapping people from fear. It will constantly electrocute objects, people, and Pokémon until its electricity level is back to normal. Raichu are found in forests and vibrant woodlands.
In the video games
Raichu first appears in the first Pokémon video game, Pokémon Red and BluePokémon Red and Blue
Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...
. It is the evolution of Pikachu
Pikachu
is one of the species of Pokémon creatures from the 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...
, and is only able to evolve if Pikachu is given a "Thunder Stone," an item that evolves select Electric Pokémon. In the follow-up, Pokémon Yellow, Raichu cannot be obtained by conventional means, as the Pikachu that players get refuses to evolve. It later appeared in several sequels, including Pokémon Gold and Silver
Pokémon Gold and Silver
are the second installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. The games have dual-mode capabilities allowing them to also be played on earlier Game Boy models. They were first released in Japan in 1999 and to...
, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
are the third installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing games, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The games were first released in Japan in late 2002 and later released to the rest of the world in 2003 . Pokémon Emerald, a special edition version,...
, the Red and Blue remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
are enhanced remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Blue video games, which were released in 1996. The new titles were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance and have compatibility with the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, which originally came bundled with...
, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. With the enhanced remake Pokémon Platinum, the games comprise the fifth installment and fourth generation of the Pokémon series of RPGs...
, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
are enhanced remakes of the 1999 video games Pokémon Gold and Silver. The games are part of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, and were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS...
, and Pokémon Black and White
Pokémon Black and White
are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fifth generation of the Pokémon series of role-playing games...
. Outside of the main series, Raichu has appeared in the Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Pinball
is a pinball-based Pokémon spin-off video game for the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on April 14, 1999, and in North America on June 28, 1999. In it, the ball is a Poké Ball, and most of the objects on the table are Pokémon-related....
games, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
- Manga :*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky.-...
games, and the Pokémon Ranger
Pokémon Ranger
is an action/role-playing video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS video game console. The game was released at various dates, varying between continents. The game was first released in Japan on March 22, 2006 and was later released in North America and...
games.
In other media
In the animePokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
, Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City, has a Raichu that defeated Ash
Ash Ketchum
Ash Ketchum, known as for all appearances in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo. He was created by, and named after, Satoshi Tajiri as the protagonist of the anime and manga series, as well as on various merchandise related to the franchise...
's Pikachu with its sheer power. After discussing evolution with Pikachu to match Raichu's power (Pikachu refused to evolve), Ash used a strategy relying on Pikachu's speed to defeat Raichu the next day. Raichu also appeared causing trouble for Pikachu and co. in Pikachu's Vacation, along with Marill, Snubbull, and Cubone.
Lt. Surge has a Raichu in Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures, released in Japan as , is a Pokémon-related manga based on the video games. Satoshi Tajiri once stated that the Pocket Monsters Special series is closest to what he imagined the Pokémon world to be:...
, which was first seen in Silph Co. but never participated in battles until fighting the Masked Man in his Mahogany Hideout, where it helped Surge break in and seemingly backed the mastermind into a corner, until his Houndour called upon dozens of wild Houndour to thwart Surge, instead.
Reception
Since it appeared in the PokémonPokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
series, Raichu has received generally positive reception. It has appeared in several pieces of merchandise, including plush toys, figurines, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game
Pokémon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game based on the Pokémon video game series, first introduced in Japan in October 1996, then North America in December 1998...
. It was also included as part of a Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
Big Kids' Meal promotion. The Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
called Raichu an "old favorite." Loredana Lipperini, author of the book Generazione Pókemon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi, commented that Raichu was not as hugely popular as Pikachu
Pikachu
is one of the species of Pokémon creatures from the 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...
. Ryan Omega, author of the book Anime trivia quizbook: from easy to otaku obscure, episode 1, commented that Raichu "isn't that cute," commenting that this made clear why Ash would not want to evolve Pikachu. Pierre Bruno, author of La culture de l'enfance à l'heure de la mondialisation, compared the battle between Lt. Surge's Raichu and Ash's Pikachu to the Biblical story David and Goliath. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
commented that while Raichu was not as cute as Pikachu, it has other redeeming qualities. However, IGN editor “Pokémon of the Day Chick” noted that Raichu was “loved by many and despised by more,” though she clarified that the hatred for Raichu was nowhere near the hatred for Pikachu. She went on to describe it as “stupid-looking.” GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
editor Brett Elston commented that because of the high level of emphasis on Pikachu, it's “easy to forget Raichu even exists.”