There are plenty of franchises that turn into universal successes, but the popularity and acclaim that the Pokémon series has achieved are on a whole other level. Over the years, Pokémon has been able to evolve from a quirky, yet addictive, video game into a franchise that appeases many different forms of media. The Pokémon anime series has become one of the most important branches of the franchise.
The anime’s take on the Pokémon universe is wildly entertaining and it’s helped to turn Ash’s Pikachu companion into a wildly recognizable mascot. Ash’s Pikachu is present for a lot of battles and he’s claimed many victories, but there are a handful of successes that shouldn’t have come to the Pokémon so easily, if at all.
10 Pikachu Finds An Unfair Loophole Against Blaine’s Rhydon
Some of the most exciting adventures from the Pokémon series are set during the earliest adventures in the Kanto and Johto region where Ash’s skills as a Pokémon trainer are at their most amateurish. All of Ash’s early Gym Battles amount to formative moments for the trainer, but Pikachu cheats the system to help take out Blaine’s Rhydon. Ash and Pikachu know that Electric-Type moves are basically useless against Rhydon. Pikachu cleverly circumvents this by directly striking Rhydon’s horn, which evidently is a spot of vulnerability. It’s treated like a clever strategy, but it doesn’t make any sense.
9 Pikachu’s Character-Building Win Over Sho’s Raichu Is Manipulative In The Worst Way
It’s always a thrilling moment in the Pokémon anime when one of Ash’s Pokémon evolves, but something that’s been explored since the earliest episodes is that Ash’s Pikachu seems to thrive in its current state and doesn’t need to become a Raichu. This premise is put to the test in a big way when Ash faces Sho, an Electric-Type trainer. Pikachu initially loses against Sho’s powerful Raichu, which prompts Pikachu to consider if he should finally evolve into a Raichu. Pikachu eventually wins without needing to evolve and it’s a comforting victory, but an emotionally manipulative one.
8 Weaknesses Aren’t Important Against Drake’s Dragonite
Ash is far from a perfect Pokémon trainer and he still has a lot to learn, but he’s been able to effectively use Pikachu’s Electric-type moves to his advantage when possible in battle. However, Pikachu and his arsenal of attacks are also inherently weak to several Pokémon types, including Dragon-Types. The Orange Islands League Hall of Fame pits Ash’s Pikachu against Drake’s Dragonite.
This Dragonite has already taken out three of Ash’s Pokémon without difficulty and Pikachu has previously received damage during a rough fight against a resourceful Ditto. Despite these factors, Pikachu is still able to beat Drake’s Dragonite.
7 Pikachu Resorts To Cheap Tricks To Beat Lucy’s Milotic In The Battle Pike
Milotic is one of the more elusive and powerful Pokémon to come out of Generation III. Pikachu has a natural advantage against this Pokémon, but this victory still feels like it’s more about sensationalism than what the series has previously established. Pikachu needs to fight against a Milotic during Ash’s tenure in the Battle Pike. Pikachu decides to use his Thunderbolt attack, but on himself, as a way to boost his own power. This works and it allows Pikachu to finish off Milotic with a powered-up Volt Tackle. This technically makes sense, but it’s not a tactic that’s repeated.
6 Pikachu Takes On Misty’s Mega Gyarados Without Difficulty
The Pokémon anime does an excellent job with a rotating cast of characters that accompany Ash throughout his adventures. Misty is one of the most beloved of Ash’s friends and the Pokémon Sun & Moon anime effectively uses the character. Ash and Misty put their skills to the test against each other and even though Misty uses a Key Stone to Mega Evolve her Gyarados, Ash’s Pikachu still defeats it. Pikachu uses Gigavolt Havoc and this is during a point in the anime where Pikachu’s new move is exciting and seems practically invincible, but in this case, it feels unearned.
5 Pikachu Somehow Conquers A Legendary With Brandon's Regice
Pikachu is far from the strongest Pokémon, but Ash has pushed his Pikachu to reach a special place. That being said, it’s still unlikely that Pikachu would be able to take down Legendary Pokémon with the abilities and defense that are at their disposal.
Nevertheless, there are a few occasions where Pikachu defeats a Legendary and the defeat of Brandon’s ferocious Ice-Type Regice is one of the more ridiculous. Pikachu struggles throughout the entire battle and is nearly disqualified because of the poor shape that he’s in. Miraculously, Pikachu finds the strength to win and earn Ash the Brave Symbol.
4 Pikachu’s Breakneck Blitz Shouldn’t Be Enough To Defeat Hala's Hariyama
It’s interesting to see how the later seasons of the Pokémon anime incorporate in some of the later concepts from the series, such as the advent of Z-Moves and Mega and Gigantamax forms. Ash’s time participating within Melemele Island’s grand trial is fraught with difficult trainers and some of Ash’s victories come more naturally than others. Ash uses Pikachu against Hala and her Fighting-Type Pokémon, Hariyama. Pikachu continually receives damage until he busts out his Breakneck Blitz attack. This is still a relatively fresh ability for Pikachu, but it’s not that groundbreaking of an attack, especially in this context.
3 Tobias' Latios Is A Legendary That Should Perplex Pikachu
Latios is a powerful Legendary Pokémon that Ash and Pikachu encounter in the feature films in addition to the series when they face Tobias. They're both aware of Latios' strength, which makes this battle even more intimidating. Latios' combination of Light Screen and Luster Purge should be enough to beat Pikachu, but he retaliates with a charged combo of Iron Tail and Volt Tackle. The blow takes out Pikachu along with Latios, but even this mutual destruction seems a step too far. At this point, Pikachu isn’t far enough to accomplish such a victory over a Legendary like this.
2 Ash And Pikachu Combine Every Trick In The Book To Beat Gladion's Silvally
Ash’s time in the Alolan League is quite suspenseful because it allows him to get closure over his recent rivalry against Gladion. Gladion launches the Legendary Pokémon, Silvally, against Pikachu. Ash uses Electroweb on a wall so that Pikachu can bounce off of it and generate a greater level of speed from his Quick Attack to outpace Silvally. He then finishes it off with a well-timed Iron Tail. Despite how the victory of a Pikachu over a Silvally seems impossible, this is at least a situation where Ash’s strategy makes sense and would help Pikachu overcome its natural limitations.
1 Ash Versus Professor Kukui's Tapu Koko
Arguably one of the biggest fights for both Ash and his Pikachu is also the climactic battle that helps cap off the Pokémon Sun & Moon chapter of the anime. Ash’s final battle against Professor Kukui results in Tapu Koko joining the Professor’s party. Tapu Koko’s Guardian of Alola attack transforms Ash’s Electrium into Pikashunium Z so he can perform 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. It’s still a close call, but Pikachu wins the exhibition match, which makes for an exciting ending, but you that feels more convenient than earned.