Pikachu is obviously the most well-known Electric-type Pokémon in the anime, but it is easy to forget that there are actually several formidable and powerful Pokémon of the same type that deserve recognition and to be talked about in the same vein as the small electric mouse Pokémon.
With Ash having Pikachu in his team throughout his entire Pokémon journey, he therefore has no real need for another Electric-type in his party. This means that all the powerful Electric Pokémon he comes across either belong to his friends, rivals, gym leaders, or are wild encounters.
10 Sophocles's Vikavolt Takes A Charizard To Its Limit
In the Sun & Moon series, one of Ash's friends at the Pokémon School, Sophocles, comes into possession of a Vikavolt, after it evolves from a Charjabug. Vikavolt helped Sophocles to the second round of the Manalo Conference, putting in a great performance against Kiawe's Charizard before eventually being defeated.
Vikavolt is an example of an Electric-type Pokémon possessing Flying-type qualities and therefore having the Levitate ability, negating its main weakness to Ground-type moves. Vikavolt has an exceptional special attack stat and, despite its speed being poorly represented in the games, is a rather underrated Electric-type Pokémon.
9 Luxray Exploits Electric Terrain To Defeat Pikachu
The Gleam Eyes Pokémon Luxray is a strong and valued member of two Electric-type Gym Leaders, Volkner in Sinnoh, and Clemont in Kalos. In Diamond & Pearl, Volkner's Luxray defeats Ash's Pikachu, before eventually falling to his Infernape.
In X & Y, when Ash battled Clemont at the Lumiose Gym, Clemont's Luxray made an impressive comeback defeating Hawlucha and Pikachu by utilizing Electric Terrain, before losing to Ash's Goodra and a clever Rain Dance strategy to eliminate the Electric Terrain. If it had been introduced any earlier than Gen IV, then more Electric-type Gym Leaders would have no doubt used it, with it being one of the best and loyal Electric-types out there.
8 Zekrom Is Ominous & Mysterious
Zekrom, the Electric-Dragon Deep Black Pokémon, makes its first anime appearance at the start of the Black & White series where, upon arrival, it completely changes the mood and atmosphere. Ash's Pikachu is hit by a bolt of blue lightning which renders it unable to use its Electric-type moves until the reverse happens at the end of the episode to reset it. This instantly establishes Zekrom as a powerful and curious Electric-type Legendary Pokémon without even revealing too much or overstaying its welcome.
7 Thundurus Is A Destructive Force Of Nature
Along with its fellow Forces of Nature Pokémon, Tornadus and Landorus, Thundurus is a Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation V. Its Electric-Flying dual typing makes it similar to Zapdos in terms of battling, able to avoid its one main Electric-type weakness, Ground.
In "Unova's Survival Crisis," all three of the Forces of Nature are taken control of and used by Giovanni to wreak havoc, rampage, and display their true devastating power -- that is until they are freed by Meloetta.
6 Alolan Raichu Is Arguably The Best Alolan Variant Of A Pokémon
Raichu deserves its own recognition as a powerful Electric-type Pokémon, separately from its evolution counterpart Pikachu. Lt Surge's Raichu's weakness may well have been exploited, but it doesn't change the fact that it was still a powerful and difficult opponent for Ash. In most cases Raichu is a more powerful version of Pikachu, being its evolved form and all, though this doesn't correlate to Ash's Pikachu.
In the Sun & Moon series, the introduction of regional variants of Pokémon brings the cool and curious Alolan Raichu into the Pokémon universe. Its Electric and Psychic typing, along with it using its tail as a surfboard, make it a great addition to Hau's team and they give Ash a great battle at the Alolan Pokémon League.
5 Tapu Koko Plays A Big Role In Pikachu's Development
In the Sun & Moon series, Tapu Koko feels like a main and final boss throughout. It battles Ash and Pikachu at various stages to gauge their worth and potential, and even bestows a Z-Ring and Electrium Z upon Ash. Tapu Koko is not only one of the main reasons why Ash's potential as a Pokémon master is finally awoken in this series, but it is also essentially the end goal, being the final Pokémon that Ash battles in the Sun & Moon anime.
Tapu Koko is a mysterious island guardian Pokémon that possesses significant Electric and Fairy-type power, making it more than suitable enough to play this final boss role in which it teamed up with Professor Kukui to face Ash at the end of the Manalo Conference.
4 Zapdos Is An Unpredictable Threat
Along with the other two legendary birds, Articuno and Moltres, Zapdos always seems to be the subject of Team Rocket's attentions and bad intentions when it appears in the anime, and this is no real surprise. Not just a Legendary Pokémon, Zapdos is also a rare Electric-Flying dual type.
In Pokémon Journeys, Ash, Goh, and Team Rocket battle a Zapdos in a Raid Battle, but despite weakening it somewhat, it's just too powerful and still not weak enough for Goh to catch it.
3 Zeraora Is Somewhat Underused In The Anime But Impressive Nonetheless
Zeraora, the Thunderclap Pokémon, is only seen in the movie The Power Of Us and two anime episodes, "Battling The Beast Within" and "Parallel Friendships." Whenever it does appear, its strength and power are on display for all to see, making it one of the most captivating Pokémon in the series.
In the anime, Ash and Pikachu meet a mysterious trainer called Dia and his Zeraora in a parallel world, where Zeraora first saves the heroes from a powerful Guzzlord before training and befriending Ash and Pikachu. Zeraora's presence alone, regardless of its powerful moveset, is enough for it to be considered one of the most mysterious and powerful Electric-types in the anime.
2 Electivire's Strength Is Frequently On Display
The evolved form of Electabuzz introduced in the fourth generation, Electivire is given a strong showing throughout the anime. It belongs to a variety of strong trainers and almost always causes issues for Ash and his friends.
Arguably two of Ash's most fierce rivals, Gary and Paul, are both seen using an Electivire, causing problems for Ash's Pikachu and Infernape respectively. Its combination of powerful Electric attacks and ferocious physical prowess makes it an intimidating opponent every time it is faced in battle. The final Gym leader of Sinnoh, Volkner, and Kiawe's nemesis in the Sun & Moon series, Viren, both also have their own Electivire.
1 Pikachu Is Undoubtedly The Best Electric-Type In The Anime
Pikachu is by far the best Electric-type Pokémon in the anime, thanks in full to Ash's own Pikachu. Being featured heavily throughout all 8 generations and over 20 seasons of the beloved anime series, Pikachu has grown from being a novice's relatively weak Pokémon to a powerhouse despite its size.
Ash's Pikachu is now at the stage where it cannot be viewed as a true underdog, despite still fighting like it at times. Its Thunderbolt is arguably one of the most powerful and devastating moves in the whole Pokémon universe and means that no matter who they are battling, Ash and Pikachu always stand a chance.