If any Pocket Monster is the face of the Pokémon franchise, it’s Pikachu. The electric mouse has been a staple of the series ever since being introduced in Generation 1 in Pokémon Red and Blue/Green, going on to represent the series in crossovers such as Super Smash Bros. and in media such as the Pokémon anime and the live-action movie Detective Pikachu.
What might not be as well-known is that Raichu is a potential evolution of Pikachu, achieved by exposing the latter to a Thunder Stone. But in the original version of Pokémon, there was actually going to be a third form, one which radically departed from the cute mouse line many fans know and love.
Gorochu, I Choose You!
As revealed in an interview with the designers behind the original version of the games, Pikachu was initially going to have an evolution beyond Raichu called Gorochu. Though an official design of this creature was initially not known to exist, it was described as having visible fangs along with equally as intimidating horns. Finally, a data leak in 2019 allowed fans to get a glimpse of how the monster would have appeared as an in-game sprite.
This more ferocious final form fit in with the trends of starter Pokémon and other three-level evolution lines. For instance, the cute Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur eventually become the gigantic Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur, respectively, with their second forms falling somewhere between cute and powerful. Conversely, Pikachu itself was a starter Pokémon in both the anime series as well as Pokémon Yellow, a version of Red and Blue that was made to more closely mirror the show.
There was also ample space for Gorochu in the original Pokedex, as the duology of initial games was meant to have 190 Pokémon instead of just 151. The reason for its absence was described by franchise creator Ken Sugimori as an attempt to maintain balance, suggesting that this final form of the iconic mouse had immense power to back up its electric new look. Though it immediately brings to mind a certain Mortal Kombat character, the name Gorochu is actually a reference to goro-goro, a Japanese sound effect denoting the rumbling of thunder.
Could Gorochu Be Introduced in Future Games?
Throughout the years, classic Pokémon have gotten new evolutions and forms in the new games. For instance, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl gave Rhyhorn a third form, Rhyperior, while Mr. Mime was given both a pre-evolution and a recent new evolution in Mime Jr. and Mr. Rime. Thus, it’s not out of the question for Nintendo and Gamefreak to finally introduce Gorochu in an upcoming generation of the game.
The one thing that might keep this from happening is Pikachu’s own pre-evolution. Pokémon Gold and Silver introduced Baby Pokémon, which were new pre-evolutions of existing monsters. This included Pichu, the first form of Pikachu. Since Raichu already exists, it’s doubtful that Gamefreak would break their own rules and give a character a four-level evolution, even if that character is the mascot.
One possibility, however, is a Mega Evolution of Raichu which resembles Gorochu, or Gorochu as an alternate evolutionary path to Raichu. This would be similar to Politoed/Poliwrath and Gallade/Gardevoir, which are different forms that Poliwhirl and Kirlia, respectively. Gamefreak’s also shown that they’re willing to change the formula somewhat with region-specific variations, like the Alolan version of Raichu introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. With so many options, another evolution for Pikachu that honors the unseen beginnings of the franchise isn't too big of a stretch.