Raichu, as aPikachu, first appeared inGotta Catch a What?! living alongside a group of other Pikachu and Raichu. She discoveredGoh,Ash, andAsh's Pikachu while Goh searched for a Pikachu to capture and quickly became friends with Ash's. While bonding, Goh threw aPoké Ball at her and successfully captured her. She proceeded to shock him withThunderbolt after being called back out.
Soon after, she led the group to the Pikachu group, where they were revealed to be digging forThunder Stones. She proceeded to dig one out and offered it to Ash's Pikachu, who adamantly refused it, though she continued to chase after him with it. After Ash explained to Goh that his Pikachu preferred to be just Pikachu, she stopped chasing him and gave the Thunder Stone to Goh, also wanting to remain a Pikachu. Right after,Team Rocket showed up and began stealing the Pikachu and Raichu, including Ash's. In order to save the other Pikachu, she told Goh to throw the Thunder Stone to her as she was sucked into the machine,evolving into Raichu in the process. The Evolution caused her to break the vacuum and alongside her fellow Raichu, proceeded to unleash a Thunderbolt that freed the Pikachu.
InTake My Thief! Please!, during a confrontation betweenGoh's Greedent andMorpeko, Raichu handed the two a large amount of Berries to calm them down. Goh took advantage of this to try to catch Morpeko, but failed. Later, Raichu was seen helping handing food to Goh's other Pokémon, including bringing some to his secludedDrizzile.
InGrabbing the Brass Ring!, Raichu joined Goh's Pokémon to help motivate the brass leader ofFalinks when it became separated from its troops. Raichu offered everyone Berries and had them work together to act as a temporary replacement for the troops. During the attempts, Raichu used her tail to guideGoh's Cinderace into the group, who was having difficulties. Soon after, they found the missing Falinks.
InThis Could be the Start of Something Big!, Raichu was seen helping out at a surprise party thrown by the Laboratory members for Goh and Ash to commemorate their departure.
Personality and characteristics
As a Pikachu, withAsh's PikachuRaichu feeding Goh's other Pokémon
In the daily life ofCerise Park, Raichu is the Pokémon responsible for feeding the other Pokémon that live there. Raichu is a very docile and friendly Pokémon; whenever she finds someBerries or items she offers them to other people and Pokémon, most notably forPikachu. Even when they refuse, she is insistent on offering something to them. InSuffering the Flings and Arrows!, Raichu was the first Pokémon to interact with the newly caught Goh'sLilligant, offering her a Berry, proving to be quite receptive to new Pokémon arriving at the Laboratory. Raichu has a special affection forAsh's Pikachu, either interacting with him while eating, or giving items specifically to him.
Though she did not initially want to evolve after learning why Ash's Pikachu refused to, she eventually understood and respected his wishes. However, whenTeam Rocket stole the Pikachu, she decided to evolve into Raichu in order to free them.Later, Raichu's knowledge of Berries proved useful when Goh’s newly capturedSuicune had been badly injured after an encounter with a gang of Pokémon Hunters.
Raichu is seen as a peacemaker, promptly resolving the conflict betweenGreedent andMorpeko. This is seen again later when she replenishes their food the next day, though Morpeko had already left the Cerise Laboratory. Raichu again uses this skill to help motivate aFalinks by guiding her teammates.
In celebration of the airing ofJN100, the 100th episode ofPokémon Journeys: The Series, the animated series Twitter page launched a series of audio dramas. In the second one,Nighttime at the Sakuragi Park, Raichu is mentioned byAsh while sleeping together withPansear andPanpour.[4]
Trivia
The Thunder Stone Pikachu used to evolve
Raichu's capture marks the first time a main character other thanAsh has obtained aPikachu.
