Every Pikachu Trainer in the Pokemon Anime, Ranked

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Pikachu is arguably the most famous Pokémon, instantly recognizable even to those unfamiliar with the games or show. While Ash is well-known for his Pikachu, he isn’t the only trainer in the series to have one as a partner.

I’ve noticed a few trainers throughout the Pokémon world who have their own Pikachu, not just Ash. But these Pikachu and their trainers are all different! I decided to take a closer look at them, comparing what each trainer has achieved and how well they’ve cared for their Pikachu.

Victor

Victor isn’t your typical Pokémon trainer. While he shares a strong connection with his Pikachu, Puka, he isn’t focused on becoming a Pokémon master. In fact, they don’t seem to battle at all! Instead of collecting gym badges, Victor and Puka prefer to surf and enjoy the ocean.

Victor and Puka worked for years to surf the famous Humungadunga wave. While Puka isn’t a powerful fighter, it has a special talent – it’s the only Pikachu that can sense large waves, making it the perfect companion for a surfer like Victor. They may not be the strongest in battle, but Victor and Puka are a fantastic team, and after years of effort, they finally achieve their goal in the original series.

Ritchie

Ritchie is a returning character who acts as a rival to Ash. He’s strikingly similar to Ash, not just in appearance, but also in the Pokémon he uses – both have a Charmeleon and a Butterfree, for example. However, the biggest similarity between the two trainers is that they both have a Pikachu.

Like Ash’s Pikachu, Ritchie’s Pikachu, nicknamed Sparky, is the most powerful Pokémon on his team. Sparky is easily recognized by the small tuft of fur on its head. When they first appeared, Sparky and Ash’s Pikachu were fairly equal in strength. Because Ritchie doesn’t appear often in the series, it’s hard to know how strong Sparky ultimately became, but it probably didn’t become more powerful than Ash’s Pikachu.

Goh

Ash has traveled with many companions, and Goh ranks among the best. As a skilled trainer working on Project Mew, Goh has already caught over 100 Pokémon, making him one of Ash’s most driven and successful travel partners. However, what’s truly special for this particular story is a Pokémon Goh briefly shared with Ash: Pikachu.

Goh didn’t have his Pikachu for very long; a Team Rocket plot led to her evolving into Raichu using a Thunder Stone. While Raichu wasn’t always a focus, she was consistently a solid performer on Goh’s team. She wasn’t quite as powerful as Ash’s Pikachu, even after evolving, but Goh could always count on her.

Professor Friede

I’ve been watching the new Pokemon Journeys series, and Professor Friede is a really significant character. He leads the Rising Volt Tacklers and feels like a core member of the team. But honestly, his Pikachu is the one who really stands out! This Pikachu, nicknamed Captain Pikachu, is almost like the new version of Ash’s Pikachu – it’s special and definitely not your average Pikachu.

Captain Pikachu is a remarkably strong and skilled Pokémon, with a playful personality and a funny dislike of being called cute. While it’s just as charming and energetic as the original Pikachu, it’s still working to reach the same iconic status.

Ash

For over two decades, Ash was the central figure of the Pokémon anime, captivating millions of fans worldwide with his quest to become a Pokémon Master. While Ash is a fantastic protagonist, his adventures wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable without his loyal companion, Pikachu.

Pikachu, as Ash’s partner, is a huge part of why the Pokémon anime became so popular. When people picture Pikachu, they often think of this particular one. The close relationship between Ash and his Pikachu has been central to the show’s success, and their bond has allowed Ash’s Pikachu to become incredibly powerful – surpassing all others we’ve seen in the series. It’s fair to say that Ash’s Pikachu isn’t just the strongest Pikachu in the anime, but likely one of the strongest non-legendary Pokémon overall.

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2025-12-07 18:34