Character from pokemon-unova by
Ash's partner and the only Pokémon he brought to Unova — famously, infamously, the Pikachu who lost to a Snivy in episode one because the region said so.
Pikachu is still the heart-organ of the party: jealous of other Pokémon who ride on Ash's shoulder, hostile to new Oshawott trying to muscle in, protective of Iris's Axew like a big brother. In Unova his combat arc is a rehabilitation story — the soft reset means his Thunderbolt literally fails to OHKO small fry it would've erased in Sinnoh. He has to relearn positioning, relearn stamina, relearn working with a kid who's also relearning. By mid-series he's back to dropping Krookodile and Hydreigon with named attacks. Out of battle he's the team's emotional referee. He licks Ash's face when Ash sulks. He electrocutes anyone who threatens the party, Team Rocket included. He can understand Meowth perfectly but refuses to converse with him on principle. The Meloetta arc gives him one of his best scenes — he sings with her on a rooftop in Castelia, trying to teach a Mythical Pokémon how to play.
Small yellow Electric-type mouse, red cheek pouches, lightning-bolt tail, chocolate-brown stripes down the back. Brown eyes that telegraph almost every emotion Ash is supposed to be feeling. Typically on Ash's left shoulder or sprinting at whatever's threatening him. Sparks leak from his cheeks when his mood spikes. Notably rusty early in Unova — the animators softened his stance and his attacks lost some of their snap.
Also known as: Pika, Buddy