Pokémon: Why Pikachu Never Evolved
Pokémon’s Pikachu has not evolved over the franchise’s history in order to push himself as a Pikachu and to remain the face of the franchise.
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Ash’s Pikachu has avoided evolving for the entirety of Pokémon’s decades-long run – but why? The anime aired its first episode in Japan on April 1, 1997, and focused largely on Ash Ketchum’s quest to become a Pokémon master. Throughout this journey, his Pikachu resisted evolving despite having several opportunities to make the change.
The first of Ash’s Pokémon to evolve was his Caterpie in the episode “Ash Catches a Pokémon.” Caterpie made the decision to evolve into Metapod after a battle with Team Rocket and being inspired by a Butterfree he spotted flying above one night. Ash and the group welcomed this decision with open arms. While the dangers of evolving too quickly were covered in the anime, the process was not treated as a negative thing. So why didn’t Ash’s Pikachu eventually follow suit?
The official canon reason that Ash’s first Pokémon never evolved is simple: Pikachu has not wanted to evolve. This decision was first made clear in the season one episode “Electric Shock Showdown.” In this episode, Pikachu was initially beaten by a Raichu belonging to Lt. Surge and had to be sent to the hospital. After this defeat, Ash was given a Thunderstone that could have been used to evolve Pikachu. However, instead of letting his desire to win cloud his judgment, Ash asked Pikachu what he wanted to do. Pikachu – who was determined to win as he was – refused the stone.
This was said more explicitly in Pokémon Journeys. In the episode “Gotta Catch a What?!” Ash explained to his companion Goh that Pikachu wanted to get stronger as a Pikachu. While evolving into a Raichu would have increased Pikachu’s power significantly, it also wouldn’t have been true to who he is. Ash’s Pikachu, in all iterations, has wanted to prove himself. Pikachu’s choice not to evolve fits the narrative that he was enough without changing who he was. The message that someone could be great while remaining exactly who they were was an important one for the show, and one that stood out to young viewers.
The other main reason that Pikachu hasn’t evolved is that he has been a symbol of the franchise for decades. Ash’s Pikachu evolving into a Raichu would have been in many ways the loss of an icon. Pikachu has been one of the most consistently marketable characters in the world, alongside his Pokémon league champion trainer, Ash. Even those unfamiliar with the franchise have often had some experience with the character. Evolving Ash’s Pikachu would have meant changing the mascot for the franchise and as a result, losing marketability. Keeping Pikachu as a Pikachu has allowed the franchise to maintain its iconic branding.
Pikachu remaining as he is has allowed the Pokémon franchise to keep him as its face. It has also allowed the character to provide a moral lesson for plenty of viewers. While Ash’s Pikachu may not have evolved, in Pokémon Journeys, Goh did eventually evolve a Pikachu – allowing viewers who may have wanted to see the original Pikachu evolve some form of catharsis.
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