Raichu

The Mouse Pokémon
#026 - Raichu
Pre-Evolve	Pikachu
Debut	Pokémon: Red Version Pokémon: Green Version
Species Info
Type	+
Height	0.8 m (2'07")
Weight	30.0 kg (66.1 lbs.)
Color	Yellow
Gender Ratio	1♂ : 1♀
Ability	Static
Hidden Ability
Egg Group	Fairy / Ground
Icon		Sprite
		File:026sprite.png
Footprint
30px
Base Statistics
Hit Points	60	Speed	100
Attack	90	Sp. Attack	90
Defense	55	Sp. Defense	80
Training Info
Catch Rate	075	Hatch Steps	2,560
Base Exp.	122	Effort Points	Spe
Happiness	70		Spe
To Lv.100	Normal		Spe

Kanto #	Johto #	Hoenn #	Sinnoh #
< 026 >	< 023 >	< 157 >	< 105 >
Unova #	Johto (IV) #

Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu appearing in various Pokémon games. It evolves from a Pikachu upon exposure to a Thunder Stone.

Information

Raichu is a powerful electrical Pokémon that can build up high amounts of electricity, as its electrical attacks can reach up to 10,000 or 100,000 volts. If too much electricity is stored, its behavior is more aggressive due to increased stimulation of its muscles. Its tail works as a ground to protect itself from its own electricity, as it expels electrical attacks through the tail. Both of Raichu's ears stand up when the electric pouches in its cheeks are full charged, and when excessively charged Raichu will plant its tail in the ground to discharge electricity, charring nearby ground. Conversely, when its pouches run empty it will raise its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.

Raichu's electrical abilities have been said to even be able to knock out an Indian elephant through careless contact. It usually exudes a weak electrical charge at all times which allows it to glow in the dark slightly.

Gen		Game	Pokédex entry
I		Red	Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
		Blue
		Yellow	When electricity builds up inside its body, it becomes feisty. It also glows in the dark.
		Stadium	Its electrical attacks may reach 10,000 volts. It discharges electricity from its tail, so it is not harmed by its own power.
II		Gold	When its electricity builds, its muscles are stimulated, and it becomes more aggressive than usual.
		Silver	If the electric pouches in its cheeks become fully charged, both ears will stand straight up.
		Crystal	If its electric pouches run empty, it raises its tail to gather electricity from the atmosphere.
III		Ruby	If the electrical sacks become excessively charged, Raichu plants its tail in the ground and discharges. Scorched patches of ground will be found near this Pokémon's nest.
		Sapphire	This Pokémon exudes a weak electrical charge from all over its body that makes it take on a slight glow in darkness. Raichu searches for electricity by planting its tail in the ground.
		Emerald	If it stores too much electricity, its behavior turns aggressive. To avoid this, it occasionally discharges excess energy and calms itself down.
		FireRed	Its electric charges can reach even 100,000 volts. Careless contact can cause even an Indian elephant to faint.
		LeafGreen	Its long tail serves as ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
IV		Diamond	It turns agressive if it has too much electricity in its body. It discharges power through its tail.
		Pearl	It can loose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing foes several times its size.
		Platinum

Appearances

Mainstream Games

Raichu can only be caught in the wild in Red and Blue, where it can be found in the Cerulean Cave. In Blue Version it can also be found in the Power Plant.

Other Games

In Pokémon Pinball as well as Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, Raichu is obtained by evolving Pikachu. Raichu also appears in Pokémon Puzzle League as one of Lieutenant Surge's Pokémon. Raichu also appears in Pokémon Stadium, Pokémon Stadium 2, Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

In Pokémon Channel, Raichu is found in the Viridian Forest on clear mornings and clear evenings. In Pokémon Trozei!, Raichu is found in Secret Storage 8 and Mr. Who's Den. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon it is only obtained by evolving Pikachu while in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Time, Raichu can be found in the Sky Stairway.

In Pokémon Ranger, Raichu is found in the Sekra Mountain Range and the Fiore Temple, while in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, Raichu is found in The Ice Lake, Almia Castle and Volcano Cave. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Raichu appeared at Sophian Highway, Mt. Sorbet, Canal Ruins, Oblivia Ruins and Thunder Temple. Raichu also appears in Pokémon Rumble, where it appears in Silent Forest.

Other Appearances

In Other Media

• Raichu have appeared throughout the Pokémon anime, although the most notable episode to feature a Raichu would be the episode based around Ash's gym leader battle with Lt. Surge, where a Raichu was his only Pokémon. However, Ash was eventually able to overcome it with his Pikachu. Several episodes have dealt with Ash being tempted to evolve his Pikachu into a Raichu, but he has never gone through with it. Volkner was also shown to have a Raichu, but he does not use it in his battle with Ash.
• In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Raichu appears as Lt. Surge's main Pokémon throughout the series, although he rarely uses it in actual battle.

Trivia

• Raichu's name is a combination of "rai", which is Japanese for thunder, and "chu", from the Japanese onomatopoeia "chuchu" which represents squeaking.