Pikachu is the most recognizable Pokemon out there, serving as a mascot character for the franchise that even people who've never played the games or watched the anime can recognize. Ash might be the most famous Pikachu trainer in the series, but he's not the only one shown to have a Pikachu on their team.
We've seen a handful of trainers with their own Pikachus, aside from Ash's iconic traveling partner. These trainers and their Pikachu aren't all built the same, though. Here's a look at how all these Pikachu trainers stack up, taking into account their individual accomplishments as trainers and how well they've raised their Pikachus.
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Victor
Victor isn't a Pokemon trainer in the traditional sense. Though he and his Pikachu, Puka, are shown to have a close bond, Victor's goal isn't to become a Pokemon master. Victor and Puka don't even participate in battles as far as we know. This duo is more concerned with catching waves than they are with earning gym badges.
Victor and Puka spent years trying to surf the legendary Humungadunga wave. Though it isn't shown to do much in terms of combat, Puka does have a unique ability that no other Pikachu does. Puka can detect big waves, making it a great partner for a surfer like Victor. They might not be the strongest when it comes to traditional battles, but Victor and Puka still make a great team, and by the end of their episode in the original series, they manage to accomplish what they set out to do years ago.
Ritchie
Another character from the original series, Ritchie serves as one of Ash's rivals. Not only does he look very similar to him, but Ritchie also has a pretty similar team to Ash's. From a Charmeleon named Zippo, to a Butterfree named Happy, Ritchie and Ash definitely share some similarities as trainers. But the most notable thing they have in common is their Pikachus.
Like Ash, Rictchie's Pikachu is the strongest in his party. Sparky is distinguishable from Ash's and other Pikachus by the little scruffy bunch of fur on its head. In early appearances, it appeared to be pretty evenly matched with Ash's Pikachu. We don't see too much of Ritchie throughout the series, so it's tough to say just how strong Sparky got, but it's likely that it never managed to surpass Ash's Pikachu in terms of power.
Goh
Ash has had plenty of traveling companions throughout the years, and Goh might be one of the best. A talented trainer and member of Project Mew, Goh has caught over 100 Pokemon, proving to be one of the most productive and ambitious trainers Ash has ever traveled with. But the only one that matters for this list is one of the Pokemon he briefly shared with his traveling companion; Pikachu.
Goh only briefly had his Pikachu before a Team Rocket scheme forced her to use a Thunder Stone and evolve into Raichu. Racichu might not have been featured as much as some of Goh's other Pokemon, but she always seemed to be a decently strong member of his party. Even evolved, she didn't really match the strength of Ash's Pikachu, but she served as a reliable Pokemon for Goh regardless.
Professor Friede
Professor Friede plays a pretty large role in the new Pokemon Journeys series. As the leader of the Rising Volt Tacklers, Friede is an important part of the main cast. But as great as he is, the real show-stealer is his Pikachu. Effectively the new series' replacement for Ash's iconic Pikachu, Captain Pikachu, like its predecessor, isn't like most of its species.
Aside from some fun quirks like being "allergic" to being called cute, Captain Pikachu has shown itself to be an incredibly capable and powerful Pokemon. It's just as fun-loving and charismatic as its predecessor, but it hasn't quite surpassed the original just yet.
Ash
Ash was the face of Pokemon for a long time. Having been the main character of the anime series for over 20 years, millions of Pokemon fans around the world followed his journey to become a Pokemon Master. Ash is a great MC, but he wouldn't have been nearly as fun to watch without his Pikachu by his side.
Ash's Pikachu is a big reason why the Pokemon anime became as popular as it is today. When most people think of Pikachu, they're likely thinking of this little guy. The dynamic between Ash and Pikachu has carried the series, and the bond they formed throughout their journey allowed Ash's Pikachu to push beyond the limits of any other Pikachu in the series. It's safe to say that not only is Ash's Pikachu the strongest Pikachu we've seen in the anime, but it's probably one of the strongest non-legendary Pokemon in the anime.
Pokémon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1997 - 2023
- Network
- TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
Cast
-
Rica MatsumotoSatoshi (voice) -
Ikue OtaniPikachu (voice)
