10 Best Pikachu Battles in the Anime That Prove He Deserves to be the Franchise’s Mascot

Pikachu is the indisputable face of the Pokémon franchise, his image displayed on all manner of merchandise from blankets to lunchboxes. But Pikachu doesn’t just get this honor because he’s cute; the Electric Mouse Pokémon has proven time and time again in battle that he’s a force to be reckoned with, at least as far as the anime is concerned.

Ash and his Pikachu have had some incredible battles over the years, really pushing the envelope of what an unevolved Pokémon like Pikachu is capable of. He’s defeated Legendary Pokémon, Pokémon that no one has seen before, and even Mega Evolved Pokémon, truly putting him in a league of his own. It’s no wonder Team Rocket has spent over 20 years chasing him down, as they’ve been witness to a great many of these victories. Here are some of Pikachu’s greatest battle performances of all time from throughout the entire series.

10

Pikachu Battles Latios to a Draw

Episode: Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, “The Semi-Final Frontier!”

After an incredibly tense battle with Tobias’ first Pokémon, the Mythical Darkrai, the challenger for the Sinnoh League pulled out his next Pokémon, the Legendary Latios. Latios defeated Ash’s Swellow with relative ease in an aerial confrontation, bringing Ash down to his last Pokémon: Pikachu.

While Pikachu was facing an uphill battle, with Tobias still having 4 other Pokémon in waiting, he still battled Latios with all his might. Pikachu was at a type disadvantage, making the whole situation a rather bleak one. Pikachu manages to get on Latios’ back and deliver a killer Thunderbolt, and after getting knocked off, is able to power through the Legendary’s signature move, Luster Purge, to land a powerful Iron Tail. As the dust settles, it becomes apparent that Pikachu is down–but Latios is down with it. Given no one else even defeated Darkrai, Pikachu’s performance was amazing.

9

Pikachu Rapidly Defeats Silvally

Episode: Pokémon Sun & Moon, “Final Rivals!”

Ash initially began his Alola finals battle with Gladion by using his new Melmetal, and while Melmetal was able to deal some damage to Gladion’s Silvally, the mysterious Pokémon managed to defeat Ash’s Mythical with shocking ease. Ash decided not to hold back, and sent out Pikachu to finish the job.

Pikachu’s Quick Attack and Iron Tail both miss, and Pikachu narrowly dodges an Air Slash in retaliation before being cornered. Pikachu launched an Electroweb, which also missed, but thanks to Ash’s quick thinking, Pikachu was able to use the Electroweb to bounce back, providing a boost to his momentum that kept the speedy opponent from dodging, enabling him to land an Iron Tail and take out Silvally for good. Pikachu then survives to take on Gladion’s next Pokémon, Zoroark, with a clash of Z-moves, but is finally taken down alongside Zoroark.

8

Pikachu Stands Up to Metagross

Episode: Pokémon XY, “Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!”

Ash’s final round match with Alain in the Kalos League was a nailbiter, to be sure. Ash opened the battle with Pikachu against Alain’s Tyranitar, which immediately filled the stadium with a sandstorm. After dodging several dangerous attacks, Pikachu manages to land an Electro Ball on Tyranitar, knocking it out.

Pikachu was recalled until Alain pulled out his Metagross, at which time Ash sent the tired Pikachu back out. Despite its size, Metagross proves fast, using Agility to dodge Pikachu’s Thunderbolt. Pikachu takes three brutal hits back-to-back, but doesn’t give up. Once again, Pikachu gets on Metagross’ back and delivers a direct hit Thunderbolt, dealing serious damage. While Metagross is able to knock Pikachu off, Pikachu lands one more Iron Tail to finish the job, and even deals some big damage to Alain’s Charizard before being knocked out himself.

7

Pikachu Dominates Misty’s Mega Gyarados

Episode: Pokémon Sun & Moon, “When Regions Collide!”

When Ash and his classmates visited Kanto from the Alola region, Ash was reunited with Brock and Misty, who had each improved radically in the time since, now capable of utilizing Mega Evolution. Ash and Misty couldn’t help but have a little rematch for old times’ sake, and so Pikachu soon found itself face-to-face with Misty’s Gyarados.

Pikachu had the type advantage here for once, but still struggled against Misty’s masterful use of the massive Water-type Pokémon. Gyarados is able to stop a Thunderbolt with Hydro Pump, but Pikachu lands a Quick attack. Misty calls up rain with Rain Dance, and then uses Hurricane to block Pikachu’s further attacks, before Mega Evolving. Pikachu takes a direct hit from Hydro Pump, but is able to evade the follow-up Crunch. Pikachu manages to escape the Hurricane and together, Ash and Pikachu launch their Z-move, obliterating Mega Gyarados and winning the battle.

6

Pikachu Clears the Final Frontier (Brain)

Episode: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, “Pace – the Final Frontier!”

Ash’s battle against the last of the Frontier Brains, Brandon, was definitely one of Pokémon’s best episodes. It was a hard-fought battle which saw Ash’s Kanto starters make a return to the field, but eventually it all came down to Pikachu versus Brandon’s last Pokémon, the Legendary Regice.

The two Pokémon exchange their most powerful attacks, Thunderbolt and Blizzard, but each remains active. Pikachu manages to dodge its Ice Beam attacks, which freeze the battlefield solid, leaving Pikachu with a slippery surface to contend with. Pikachu is able to paralyze Regice with Thunderbolt, countering its advantage on the ice, but Pikachu is finally caught in an Ice Beam and frozen. Regice recovers with Rest, but Pikachu paralyzes it yet again; Pikachu gets frozen again, but breaks out with Iron Tail and finally lands a conclusive Volt Tackle, taking down Regice for good.

5

Pikachu Earns Ash His First Champion Win

Episode: Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, “Enter the Dragonite”

Ash’s challenge of the Orange League eventually brought him up against that region’s champion leader, Drake, and his incredibly powerful Dragonite. In a six-versus-six battle, Dragonite was able to take down three of Ash’s Pokémon–Squirtle, Tauros, and even Charizard. That meant it was all up to Pikachu.

Pikachu was already weakened from an earlier battle with a Ditto, so it was a particularly perilous battle, since one good attack would take Pikachu out. Dragonite managed to hit Pikachu into the air with its tail, and charged up a Hyper Beam in an attempt to finish the fight in one blow. Pikachu managed to evade Dragonite’s Hyper Beam and get atop its head, pulling off Ash’s favorite technique, the close-range Thunder. Dragonite struggled to shake Pikachu off, and soon it collapsed, giving Ash his first-ever champion-tier victory.

4

Pikachu Defeats the Island Guardian

Episode: Pokémon Sun & Moon, “From Z to Shining Z!”

After Ash’s victory in the Alola League, he must face his final challenge: Professor Kukui. As if that weren’t enough, Tapu Koko steps in as Kukui’s final Pokémon, and gives Kukui a Tapunium Z, allowing him to unleash Tapu Koko’s most powerful attack. Ash and Pikachu take on Kukui as seriously as ever, determined not to lose after coming this far.

Both speedy Pokémon, Pikachu and Tapu Koko are able to evade each other’s attacks with ease initially, but Pikachu manages to pin Tapu Koko with an Electroweb and deliver a Thunderbolt. Tapu Koko decides now is the time to use that Z-move, and Ash and Kukui agree to use their Z-moves together to see which is stronger. Ash’s Electrium Z turns into a Pikashunium Z thanks to the magic of the Island Guardians, and he and Pikachu unleash the 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt for the first time, countering Tapu Koko’s Z-move and eventually overpowering it, securing victory for Ash.

3

Pikachu Takes Out Mega Lucario Singlehandedly

Episode: Pokémon XY, “Showdown at the Shalour Gym!”

Ash and Pikachu were tasked with battling their new friend Korrina for the Rumble Badge, after helping her to master Mega Evolution. Korrina didn’t hold back, and while her first two Pokémon were easily defeated by Hawlucha and Fletchinder, Mega Lucario was able to take out both and still hold its own against Pikachu.

Each Pokémon battles cautiously, careful to block incoming attacks and remain defensive. Mega Lucario finally lands a kick on Pikachu, but as it goes flying backwards, Pikachu fires off a Thunderbolt, using the opportunity to land a guaranteed hit. Mega Lucario goes all in, landing an Aura Sphere, but Pikachu endures. Pikachu is able to negate the effects of Metal Sound with a Thunderbolt, and both Pokémon land an attack, although Lucario’s was a super-effective Bone Rush. Pikachu’s Electro Ball collides with Aura Sphere, and in the confusion, Pikachu fires off another Thunderbolt, taking down Mega Lucario.

2

Pikachu Defeats its Evolved Form

Episode: Pokémon: Indigo League, “Electric Shock Showdown”

“Electric Shock Showdown” is an iconic episode for a number of reasons, but most of all for Pikachu’s rematch against Lt. Surge and his Raichu, which had made fun of Pikachu for not being evolved like it was. Ash even considered evolving Pikachu, but Pikachu refused, stating that he wanted to win as he was, and not through evolution.

While Raichu had an advantage in terms of raw power, there was something that Pikachu had which Raichu lacked: speed. Raichu uses heavy-hitting moves like Body Slam, but can’t hit Pikachu with them, instead dealing recoil damage, helping to level the playing field. Raichu finally busts out an incredibly powerful Thunderbolt, destroying much of the gym, but as the dust settles, Pikachu can be seen standing on its tail, having used that to ground itself and avoid the attack. Ash orders a Quick attack, while Raichu misses with a Take Down, allowing Pikachu to hit first and knock out Raichu.

1

Pikachu Wins the World Championships

Episode: Pokémon Journeys, “Partners in Time!”

Ash’s entire battle with Leon is one of the best battles in Pokémon, but eventually it all comes down to their signature Pokémon: Charizard and Pikachu. While Leon can only use Gigantamax, Ash was allowed to use it in addition to a Z-move and a Mega Evolution.

Pikachu lands the first hit with a Quick Attack, but his attempt to follow up with Iron Tail fails. He’s able to catch Charizard’s Fire Blast with Electroweb, which is then followed by the collision between another Fire Blast and Thunderbolt. Pikachu gets a hit in with Iron Tail, but this turns out to have been a trap to draw Pikachu in for a close range Dragon Pulse, which it barely avoids. Pikachu is eventually struck by a Fire Blast which it can’t block, seemingly taking Pikachu down for good.

After remembering all its friends and struggles to get this far, Pikachu bravely gets back up, and he and Ash determine to finish this with the next attack. Pikachu and Charizard unleash Thunderbolt and Fire Blast once again, and the two Pokémon literally collide. Pikachu comes to in the Pokémon Center, where it’s revealed that Charizard fainted first, allowing Pikachu to secure the win and making Ash the Monarch of the World Coronation Series. The sheer stakes of this battle undoubtedly make it Pikachu’s best battle ever, proving he’s always deserved to be the face of the Pokémon franchise.