Editing Pikachu

|image = {{tabber|title1=Pikachu|content1=[[File:Pikachu FireRed LeafGreen.png|300px]]|title2=Pikachu Libre|content2=[[File:Pikachu Libre.png|300px]]}}

|caption = [[File:PokemonSymbol.svg|50px|class=invert-dark]]<br>Official artwork of Pikachu from [[bulbapedia:Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions|''Pokémon FireRed'' and ''LeafGreen Versions'']] and [[bulbapedia:Cosplay Pikachu|Pikachu Libre]] from [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire|''Pokémon Omega Ruby'' and ''Alpha Sapphire'']].

|firstgame = [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Red and Green Versions|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Green Versions'']] (1996) {{Flag|Japan}}

|lastappearance = ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Detective Pikachu Returns}}'' (2023)

|gender = Varies

|artist = Atsuko Nishida<br>Ken Sugimori

REMINDER: Our Manual of Style states that all Pokémon are to use gender-neutral pronouns.

'''Pikachu''' ({{ja|ピカチュウ|Pikachū}}, ''Pikachu'') is a Mouse Pokémon from the {{uv|Pokémon}} series. It debuted in the series' [[bulbapedia:Generation I|first generation]], and is considered part of the "[[Fighter#"Perfect-attendance crew"|perfect-attendance crew]]" throughout the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series. Similarly to [[Mario]] and [[Link]], Pikachu is one of the most well-known video game characters in the world, to the point of being the de facto mascot of the ''Pokémon'' series.

Pikachu was designed by graphic designer {{s|bulbapedia|Atsuko Nishida}} on the impetus of creating more "cute" Pokémon during development; the earliest Pokémon designed were fearsome beasts, such as {{s|bulbapedia|Rhydon}}. With this in mind, she originally based the design on {{s|wikipedia|daifuku}}, a Japanese sweet that is often crafted to resemble a rabbit (the basis of its long, rabbit-like ears). The creature's final design, including its ability to store electricity in its cheeks, is largely based upon squirrels, which Nishida had been obsessed with at the time. She coined the name "Pikachu" after the onomatopoeia "pika pika" (the sound of sparking electricity) and "chu chu" (the sound of a mouse's squeak). Lastly, lead artist {{s|bulbapedia|Ken Sugimori}} drew the final character artwork based on Nishida's dot sprite.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20190619230439/https://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/pikachu/</ref>

In the {{s|bulbapedia|core series}}, Pikachu is a relatively weak yet somewhat rare Pokémon that can be found early in the series' [[bulbapedia:Generation I|first generation]] of games: [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Red and Green Versions|''Pokémon Red'', ''Green'']] and [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|''Blue Versions'']]. Unlike certain Pokémon that had plot elements wrapped around them, such as [[Mewtwo]], Pikachu was simply a Pokémon that could be readily caught, evolved into a stronger form, and had no bearing on the story. According to programmer {{s|bulbapedia|Kōji Nishino}}, its unusual rarity was because he was personally fond of the design and wanted it to be difficult to find; however, this resulted in Pikachu becoming popular among players precisely due to its rarity.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20190826150841/https://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/pikachu/page_02.html</ref>

Soon afterwards, Pikachu's popularity led to its prominent appearance in the [[bulbapedia:Pokémon anime|''Pokémon'' anime]], where [[bulbapedia:Ash's Pikachu|a member of the species]] became the first Pokémon acquired by {{s|bulbapedia|Ash Ketchum}}, the anime's main character for 25 seasons. This, in turn, resulted in Pikachu becoming the main mascot of the series. To capitalize on its fame, it became a major focus of many ''Pokémon'' spin-offs, along with being the version mascot for ''{{s|bulbapedia|Pokémon Yellow Version}}'', a remake of ''Red'', ''Green'' and ''Blue Versions'' that is largely based on the anime. In keeping with the anime, [[bulbapedia:Red's Pikachu (game)|a Pikachu]] is the first Pokémon that [[bulbapedia:Red (game)|the player]] obtains, and its digitized cry from the previous versions is replaced with voiced soundbites provided by {{s|bulbapedia|Ikue Ōtani}}, Pikachu's voice actress from the anime, who also voices him throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series. Ikue Ōtani would also voice Pikachu in the core series ''Pokémon'' games from ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon X and Y}}'' up until ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}''.

Following ''Yellow Version'', Pikachu has since been featured in every core series game, and is usually associated with some new gameplay mechanic with each successive installment. It is also readily available to catch in all games within the core series, with the exception of those in the fifth generation ([[bulbapedia:Pokémon Black and White Versions|''Pokémon Black'' and ''White Versions'']] and [[bulbapedia:Pokémon Black and White Versions 2|''Pokémon Black'' and ''White Versions 2'']]). In ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire}}'', Pikachu gains the signature move [[Volt Tackle]], which can be learned by breeding a female Pokémon of the Pikachu line while holding the {{iw|bulbapedia|Light Ball}} introduced in ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Gold and Silver}}''. Volt Tackle became Pikachu's [[Final Smash]] beginning with ''Brawl''. ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Diamond and Pearl}}'' introduced the concept of {{iw|bulbapedia|gender differences}} with female Pikachu having a dent at the tip of their tails that makes it look like a heart. The female Pikachu's design is the basis for two of its [[alternate costumes]] in ''Ultimate'', one of which includes a {{s|bulbapedia|Cosplay Pikachu}} named Pikachu Libre, which was introduced in ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}'' and featured in ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Pokken Tournament}}''.

[[bulbapedia:Detective Pikachu (character)|A more anthropomorphic male Pikachu]], capable of speaking human language, appears as the main character in the ''Detective Pikachu'' sub-franchise. In the game, he is voiced by {{iw|wikipedia|Tōru Ōkawa}} in Japanese, and by {{iw|wikipedia|Kaiji Tang}} in English; in the ''{{iw|bulbapedia|Detective Pikachu|movie}}'' film, {{iw|wikipedia|Ryan Reynolds}} and Hidetoshi Nishijima provide the character's spoken dialogue in English and Japanese respectively, and Ōtani reprises her role to provide his traditional vocalizations in all languages. The end of the movie explains the origin of Detective Pikachu, relating to his two said voice actors' other character portrayal, Harry Goodman.

[[File:Pikachu SSBM.jpg|120px|thumb|Pikachu, as it appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''.]]

In line with the other playable characters, there are three Pikachu trophies obtained by defeating the single-player modes - a normal trophy from Classic Mode, and "Smash Red" and "Smash Blue" trophies from the Adventure and All-Star modes, respectively.

|name=Pikachu

|desc=It's safe to say that Pikachu is the most famous and popular of all Pokémon. It has electric pouches in both cheeks; when in danger, it shoots electricity at its enemies. Although Pikachu can evolve into Raichu by exposure to a Thunderstone, many trainers like Pikachu so much that they don't let it evolve.

|gamelist={{Trophy games|game1=Pokémon Red & Blue|release1=9/98}}

{{Trophy

|name=Pikachu

|image=Pikachu Trophy (Smash).png

|mode=Adventure

:Smash B: Skull Bash

 

|image=Pikachu Trophy (Smash 2).png

|mode=All Star

[[File:Pikachu SSBB.jpg|200px|thumb|Pikachu, as it appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''.]]

Pikachu returns as a starter character in ''Brawl''. Visually, Pikachu has barely changed at all from its ''Melee'' design, only being touched up slightly. While its position on the tier list isn't much of an improvement from ''Melee'', Pikachu is considered to have been [[buff]]ed in ''Brawl'', becoming more powerful and gaining many new techniques such as [[Quick Attack cancel]]ing and two [[chain grab]]s in exchange for mainly weaker knockback in its attacks. Pikachu is ranked 8th on the [[tier list]], placing it in the B tier. Like the rest of ''Brawl''{{'}}s cast, Pikachu possesses a [[Final Smash]], a new kind of special attack that debuted in ''Brawl''. In Pikachu's case, its Final Smash is its signature move in the Pokémon series, [[Volt Tackle]], which involves it generating a giant ball of electricity around itself that can be controlled by the player in order to slam into and/or shock the opponent.

|image=Pikachu - Brawl Trophy.png

|desc=A Mouse Pokémon. Its lightning-bolt tail and round cheeks are its trademarks. When danger draws near, it uses tiny electric pouches within its cheeks to discharge electricity. When it's really fired up, it unleashes electricity on its rivals. It's said to recharge when it's sleeping. It evolves into Raichu.

|gamelist={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1={{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Red/Blue}}|console2=DS|game2={{iw|bulbapedia|Pokémon Diamond/Pearl}}}}

}}

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! Fighter(s)

| {{uv|Pokémon}} series

[[File:Pikachu SSB4.png|thumb|Pikachu, as it appears in ''Super Smash Bros. 4''.]]

{{main|List of SSB4 trophies (Pokémon series)}}

|desc-ntsc=Recognized the world over, Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon that stores energy in its cheeks for use in battle. In Smash Bros., Pikachu is a well-rounded fighter with speedy, powerful electric attacks. Quick Attack can be used twice in a row if two directions are input, one after another.

|desc-pal=Pikachu is famous worldwide as the face of the Pokémon series. There's a lot of electricity stored in those rosy cheeks, and in this game, that allows for some devastating attacks, like Thunder Jolt. Tip: Input another direction after using Quick Attack to get a second burst. It's top-notch for recoveries!

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1=Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue|release1=09/1998|console2=GB|game2=Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition|release2=10/1999}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1=Pokémon Red/Blue|release1=10/1999|console2=GB|game2=Pokémon Yellow|release2=06/2000}}

}}

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|name=Pikachu (Alt.)

|image-3ds=PikachuAltTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=PikachuAltTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-3ds-ntsc=Pikachu's Thunder Jolt fires off a ball of electricity that bounces across the stage, getting weaker as it travels. It does more damage to enemies in the air. The default down special, Thunder, causes a lightning strike that both shocks opponents and turns Pikachu invincible for a split second.

|desc-wiiu-ntsc=Pikachu's Thunder Jolt fires off a ball of electricity that bounces across the stage, getting weaker as it travels. It does more damage to enemies in the air. The default down special, Thunder, causes a lightning strike that both shocks opponents and makes Pikachu invincible for a split second.

|desc-pal=Pikachu's Thunder Jolt fires off a ball of electricity that bounces across the stage, getting weaker as it travels. Airborne enemies will take extra damage from it and get launched further. The default down special, Thunder, causes a lightning strike that both shocks opponents and turns Pikachu invincible for a split second.

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1=Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue|release1=09/1998|console2=GB|game2=Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition|release2=10/1999}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=GB|game1=Pokémon Red/Blue|release1=10/1999|console2=GB|game2=Pokémon Yellow|release2=06/2000}}

[[File:Pikachu SSBU.png|thumb|Pikachu, as it appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.]]

Pikachu returns as a starter character in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''. For the first time in the series, Pikachu now has female variants to choose from via [[alternate costume]]s, one of which is {{iw|bulbapedia|Cosplay Pikachu}} wearing the Pikachu Libre attire. Pikachu received several changes and buffs in the transition to ''Ultimate'', including a new neutral aerial that acts similarly to {{SSBU|Mewtwo}}'s. Due to the significance of its buffs, Pikachu is considered to be one of the best characters in the game.

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Pikachu-Alt7 SSBU.png|Pikachu Libre, as she appears in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.

*Pikachu is the only playable Pokémon in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series to have a visible gender difference. Male Pikachu look like the one in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, while females have a heart shape at the tip of their tail. However, gender differences in the ''Pokémon'' series were introduced in {{s|bulbapedia|Generation IV}}, which debuted well after ''SSB'' and ''Melee'' did. As a result, and because its [[alternate costume]]s include hats commonly worn by male characters, the Pikachu in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series is commonly perceived as male. In addition, ''Ultimate'' gave it two distinctly female variants via alternate costumes. Even so, Pikachu is not listed under a specific gender, as Nintendo and its affiliates primarily use gender-neutral pronouns for all Pokémon, no matter a species' appearance/gender ratio or lack thereof.

*Pikachu is the only character to have only four alternate costumes in the first three ''Super Smash Bros.'' games. It has eight alternate costumes in ''SSB4'', just like every other character aside from [[Little Mac]] and the [[Mii Fighter]]s.