Since the earliest episodes of the original anime adaptation of Pokémon, the series' characters and plot hinted toward the power and rarity of Ash's Pikachu. As the beloved sidekick protected and supported Ash throughout his quest to become the greatest Pokémon master, Pikachu was able to use his speed and electric abilities to save the day time and time again.
After defeating Team Rocket in Episode 2 of the series, the villainous trio proclaims that Ash's Pikachu is rare and unusual. While this could have been a false assumption driven by their shocking defeat, Team Rocket is not the only one in the series who alludes to Pikachu's uniqueness. Here's how Pikachu separates itself from others of its kind as one of the series' biggest stars.
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Pikachu's Power Difference Is Evident From the Beginning of the Pokémon Anime
The belief that there is something different about Ash's Pikachu begins in the very first episode of the Pokémon series. When Ash goes to pick his first Pokémon, Professor Oak warns him that there is a "problem" with Pikachu but never specifies what that problem is, leaving viewers to guess or figure it out for themselves. Some may argue that the problem with Pikachu is its initial temperament and disobedient attitude toward Ash, setting itself apart from other Pokémon by refusing to go into a Poké Ball. However, Professor Oak could have been alluding to something much bigger about Pikachu's origin and abilities.
Pikachu's unusual power becomes apparent when it ultimately overpowers a fully-evolved Raichu when Ash challenges Lieutenant Surge. When Pikachu loses to Raichu during their first battle, Team Rocket begins to question whether it's actually special or not. However, Pikachu defeats the Raichu in their second battle using agility that gives it superior speed. Despite Raichu's higher evolution, it still loses to Ash's Pikachu without it ever having to use the Thunderstone and evolve into a Raichu itself. After the battle, Team Rocket reaffirms that Ash's Pikachu is special.
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Team Rocket's Assumption That Pikachu Is Special Is Likely Correct
The difference between Ash's Pikachu and others of its kind is highlighted in the episode where they stumble upon a large group of wild Pikachu living deep within the forest. When Team Rocket captures hundreds of Pikachu in a net, it's Ash's Pikachu who bites through the net and challenges Team Rocket as the other Pikachu escape. The wild Pokémon rely upon Ash's Pikachu to save them, and they cheer him on as he returns to Ash's side instead of choosing to stay with its own kind in the forest. This decision also highlights Pikachu's determination to battle alongside Ash and follow a different path than many of its kind that roam free in the wild.
There are many theories as to why Ash's Pikachu is special and more powerful than others like it. If viewers can assume the show works similarly to the game's mechanics, Pikachu would have boosted its IVs and EVs when it killed an army of Spearow with one thunderbolt charged by the ongoing storm in Episode 1 of the series. Spearow are known for their speed EVs, which can explain Pikachu's uncanny speed and agility that helps it defeat more powerful opponents like Raichu. Pikachu also receives several power charges at the beginning of the Pokémon series. During the hospital fight with Team Rocket, Pikachu receives an electric charge from a swarm of helpful Pikachu, followed by a further charge from Misty's bike light. Later in the series, Pikachu receives an additional power-up when Brock's dad uses a watermill to supercharge it.
While the series never outright confirms what makes Pikachu special or rare, it's evident that it is more powerful and different from others of its kind. There is a possibility that Ash's Pikachu is maxed out at level 100 without evolving, explaining its dominance in Pokémon battles. After Team Rocket's initial belief that Pikachu defeated them only because it is extraordinary, it remains likely that their assumptions are true.
