|
Raikou (JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Electric legendary Pokémon that made its first appearance in the second generation games Gold and Silver. It is a part of the Legendary beasts alongside Entei and Suicune.
It appears to be distantly related to the Paradox Pokémon Raging Bolt.
Physiology and Behavior[]
Raikou is a quadrupedal, yellow, tiger-like Pokémon with black stripes and a white underside. It has a thin, light blue tail with sharp angles and a spark-shaped formation at the end. Most of its face consists of thick, white fur and shorter yellow fur around its red eyes. Raikou's muzzle is a light blue "X" and it has a black faceplate with two bumps that cover its forehead, nose, and ears. Raikou has two long fangs that make its appearance similar to the saber-toothed cat. Its large claws each converge to form a single point and never retract. Extra fur hangs off its body in front of its thighs. Raikou has a mane across its back that resembles dull purple rain clouds and allows it to shoot bolts of lighting.
A proverb claims that Raikou descended from the sky with a lightning bolt. Raikou is able to fly by creating storm clouds. Raikou is shown to be distrustful of humans, though it may form some friendship with those who help it. Raikou tends to appear during thunderstorms and when other Electric-type Pokémon are in danger. Raikou is said to represent the speed of lightning and can control storm clouds at will. Raikou races across grasslands while barking cries that sound like thunder. Raikou's cries can also send shock waves in the air while shaking the ground at the same time.
Appearances[]
Main Pokémon games[]
Other Pokémon games[]
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon: Raikou first appears alongside Suicune up on Revelation Mountain where they confronted Krookodile believing he turned Entei to stone but discovered Nuzleaf was responsible and was turned to stone. Raikou later helped the player and partner escape from the Voidlands.
Super Smash Bros. series[]
Raikou appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee. When released from a Poké Ball, Raikou releases a powerful Spark attack that electrocutes any opponents that get caught in it. Raikou is the only Legendary beast that does not return in Super Smash Bros. Brawl onwards. However, it appeared as a Trophy or a Spirit.
Trophy descriptions[]
In the anime[]
Raikou in The Legend of Thunder!
Raikou was featured in The Legend of Thunder!
A Shiny Raikou appeared alongside the other members of its trio in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
A Raikou appeared at the end of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Part 2).
Origin and inspiration[]
In-game information[]
Pokédex entries[]
| Title | Entry |
|---|---|
| Second Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Gold | The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. |
| Pokémon Silver | A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder. |
| Pokémon Crystal | This rough Pokémon stores energy in its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity. |
| Third Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Ruby | Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down. |
| Pokémon Sapphire | Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down. |
| Pokémon Emerald | Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. Its roars send shock waves shuddering through the air and ground as if lightning bolts were crashing down. |
| Pokémon FireRed | This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder. |
| Pokémon LeafGreen | The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. |
| Fourth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Diamond | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Pokémon Pearl | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Pokémon Platinum | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Pokémon HeartGold | The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. |
| Pokémon SoulSilver | A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder. |
| Fifth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Black | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Pokémon White | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Pokémon Black 2 | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Pokémon White 2 | It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back. |
| Sixth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon X | The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. |
| Pokémon Y | The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning. |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby | Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down. |
| Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down. |
Game locations[]
| Title | Location(s) | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Gold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Silver | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Crystal | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Ruby | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon FireRed | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon LeafGreen | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Platinum | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon HeartGold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon SoulSilver | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sixth Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon X | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Omega Ruby | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ninth Pokémon generation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Scarlet | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pokémon Violet | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Base Stats[]
| HP | 90 |
| Attack | 85 |
| Defense | 75 |
| Sp. Attack | 115 |
| Sp. Defense | 100 |
| Speed | 115 |
| Total | 580 |
Moveset[]
Gallery[]
Sprites[]
Trivia[]
- Raikou is the only Pokémon in the anime whose image on the Pokédex was of stylized art rather than the series' character designer.
- Raikou's effort value yield of 1 Special Attack and 2 Speed is unique.
| Legendary Pokémon | |
|---|---|
| Generation I | Articuno • Zapdos • Moltres • Mewtwo |
| Generation II | Raikou • Entei • Suicune • Lugia • Ho-Oh |
| Generation III | Regirock • Regice • Registeel • Latias • Latios • Kyogre • Groudon • Rayquaza |
| Generation IV | Uxie • Mesprit • Azelf • Dialga • Palkia • Heatran • Regigigas • Giratina • Cresselia |
| Generation V | Cobalion • Terrakion • Virizion • Tornadus • Thundurus • Reshiram • Zekrom • Landorus • Kyurem |
| Generation VI | Xerneas • Yveltal • Zygarde |
| Generation VII | Type: Null • Silvally • Tapu Koko • Tapu Lele • Tapu Bulu • Tapu Fini • Cosmog • Cosmoem • Solgaleo • Lunala • Necrozma |
| Generation VIII | Zacian • Zamazenta • Eternatus • Kubfu • Urshifu • Regieleki • Regidrago • Glastrier • Spectrier • Calyrex • Enamorus |
| Generation IX | Wo-Chien • Chien-Pao • Ting-Lu • Chi-Yu • Koraidon • Miraidon • Okidogi • Munkidori • Fezandipiti • Ogerpon • Terapagos |