In our 4th Advent special about Pokémon GO it is all about Pikachu and what the friendship with its trainer Ash should teach us.
No Pokémon is as well-known as Pikachu. In every episode of the Pokémon anime, Ash’s companion appears and accompanies his trainer anew in each season.
No other bond between trainer and Pokémon is as strong as that between Ash and Pikachu. A friendship that has accompanied anime fans for decades.
The last Advent special in 2018 is meant to remind us once again of true friendship just before Christmas: We tell you the story of Ash and Pikachu.
How coercion turned into friendship
How Ash got Pikachu: Professor Oak distributed starter Pokémon to new Pokémon trainers. Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur were available as options. However, Ash overslept the distribution, so he arrived too late.
All the Pokémon were already gone, and Professor Oak could only give Ash one Pokémon: Pikachu.
Ash was initially not happy with Pikachu at all. It wouldn’t get caught and didn’t want to stay in the Pokéball. So Ash kept his Pikachu on a leash and walked off. The two did not get along, and Pikachu did not do what Ash wanted.
How the friendship was formed: When a Spearow attacked them, Pikachu began to defend itself. The Spearow then called for reinforcements, prompting Ash and Pikachu to flee. After the Spearow attacked again, Pikachu collapsed injured on the ground.
Ash picked Pikachu up and continued to flee from the Spearow, before eventually standing protectively in front of his Pokémon. Pikachu got back up and scared off the attackers with a powerful Thunder Shock, thus also protecting Ash. An eternal friendship began.
That’s why Pikachu never evolved: In all the episodes of the Pokémon anime, Pikachu never evolved into Raichu. Ash gave it the opportunity to evolve, but Pikachu refused. It wanted to prove to everyone that it is not stronger when it evolves into Raichu. It wanted to show that it is strong without evolving and did not evolve.
Pikachu never left Ash’s side during all that time. The two protected each other in numerous situations and experienced hundreds of adventures together. It is probably one of the closest friendships in anime.
Pikachu and Raichu in Pokémon GO
PokéDex entry: Whenever Pikachu encounters something new, it unleashes an electric shock. If you find a charred berry, this Pokémon has misjudged its electric charge.
Pikachu in Pokémon GO: Pikachu and Raichu are not of great significance in Pokémon GO. The stats of the Pokémon are weak. Raichu can reach a maximum of 2182 CP and can be used in the Super League, but it does not function as a solid attacker.
Pikachu as a Shiny: The first Community Day in January 2018 revolved around Pikachu. Even before that, you could find and catch Pikachu as a Shiny. Its evolution, Raichu, is of course also available in its shiny form.
Pikachu and its hat: In addition to the shiny Pikachus, since the first Christmas event in 2017, there have also been Pikachus with hats. Besides the Christmas hat, Pikachu can wear a party hat, a witch’s hat, Ash’s cap, a straw hat, and another cap.
The Alolan form of Raichu can also be caught in raids. Additionally, further hats for Raichu have been found in the code that are not yet available in the game.
What is the Advent Special? We at MeinMMO have provided you with a small story about a special Pokémon every Advent.
- On the 1st Advent, it was all about Meowth and why it can speak
- On the 2nd Advent, the sad story around Tragosso’s mask was told
- On the 3rd Advent, Charmander took the spotlight and showed us why we should respect Pokémon
