Surfing Pikachu: A Wave-Riding Icon in the Pokémon World
Pikachu, the iconic Electric-type Pokémon, is known for its cuteness and powerful electric abilities. However, one of the most surprising and enduring variations of Pikachu is Surfing Pikachu, a unique form that has captured the hearts of fans for decades. This article explores the history, appearances, and cultural impact of Surfing Pikachu across various Pokémon media.
The Origins of a Wave Rider
Surfing Pikachu made its first splash in 1998 with appearances in the original Pokémon Stadium game for Nintendo 64 and Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition. In Pokémon Stadium, players could teach their Pikachu the move Surf as a reward for winning a tournament. Pokémon Yellow featured the Pikachu’s Beach minigame at the Summer Beach House on Route 19.
In the original Game Boy version of Pokémon Yellow, this required players to have a Pikachu that knows Surf (which would have likely been transferred in from Pokémon Stadium) in their party, but in the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console release, the player only needs their Pikachu partner to accompany them into the Beach House. This fun, side-scrolling diversion has Pikachu performing tricks on rolling waves to earn points.
Surfing Pikachu in Video Games
Over the years, Surfing Pikachu has made numerous appearances in Pokémon video games:
- Pokémon Snap: In the first stage of the original Pokémon Snap, players could lure a Pikachu to a surfboard with Pokémon Food.
- Pokémon GO: Surfing Pikachu was the star of Pokémon GO’s very first Community Day in 2018, where Pikachu caught during the event knew the exclusive move Surf.
- Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: Another surfing minigame appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, though the player shoots the tube on the back of a Mantine and not Pikachu. However, if you manage to earn the high score in the game’s four Mantine Surf courses, you’ll receive a Surfing Pikachu as a reward.
- Pokémon Yellow: The surfing Pikachu was featured in a minigame exclusive to Pokémon Yellow, called Pikachu's Beach. This can only be activated in the original editions of the games by transferring a surfing Pikachu from other games. In the Virtual Console editions, only the player's partner Pikachu is required.
- Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: A Surfing Pikachu can be found in Yellow Forest, an event-only Pokéwalker course. This Pikachu, when caught, can be transferred to either Pokémon HeartGold or SoulSilver.
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: In celebration of Pokémon Day 2023, a Pikachu that knows Surf and has the Water Tera Type was released in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet via the Poké Portal News.
- Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire: In Pokémon Box Ruby & Sapphire, after 1499 Pokémon are stored the player will receive an Egg with a Pichu that knows ThunderShock, Charm and Surf.
Surfing Pikachu in the Anime
Surfing Pikachu made an early appearance in the Pokémon anime series. We first encounter a Surfing Pikachu in Pokémon the Series all the way back in the Season 2 episode “The Pi-Kahuna.” In this episode, Ash, Pikachu, and their friends meet Victor, a surfer who’s hoping to ride a gigantic wave called Humungadunga that rolls in only once every 20 years.
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Surfing Pikachu in the Trading Card Game
Surfing Pikachu has also made a significant splash in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), appearing in various forms and expansions.
- The first instance, illustrated by Toshinao Aoki, was originally released as a promo card in 2001 and then made its expansion debut in Platinum-Rising Rivals in 2009. The card has only one attack-Surf, of course-which requires two Water Energy and does a mere 30 damage.
- In 2021, the Celebrations expansion featured Surfing Pikachu as both a Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX, illustrated by aky CG Works. Surfing Pikachu V may still only know Surf, but the attack now hits for a more impressive 150 damage. The Dynamaxed Surfing Pikachu VMAX may appear to be struggling to balance on its comparatively tiny surfboard, but that won’t stop it from unleashing its Max Surfer attack. This move not only does 160 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon, but it also inflicts 30 damage on all their Benched Pokémon.
All Surfing Pikachu have the attack Surf, which notably has an cost that includes Water Energy. Since these cards are not named "Pikachu", Raichu cards usually cannot evolve from them. Celebrations introduced Surfing Pikachu V and Surfing Pikachu VMAX. Surfing Pikachu V can evolve into Surfing Pikachu VMAX. While Surfing Pikachu V still has Surf, the VMAX card instead has Max Surfer.
The 20th Anniversary Special Pack: M Slowbro-EX + Surfing Pikachu (Japanese: 20th Anniversary スペシャルパック「メガヤドランEX＋なみのりピカチュウ」 20th Anniversary Special Pack: MYadoranEX + Surfing Pikachu) was released on the same day as the Expansion Pack 20th Anniversary subset, September 16, 2016, in the buildup to the 20th Anniversary of the Japanese TCG. The pack features the Hermit Crab Pokémon Slowbro in both its regular and Mega Evolved forms as Pokémon-EX cards, its Spirit Link Item card, and a re-imagined version of the Surfing Pikachu promotional card originally released in 1997. All cards feature a layout reminiscent of those from the Original Era.
Surfing Pikachu in Other Media
Beyond video games and the anime, Surfing Pikachu has appeared in other Pokémon media, solidifying its status as a beloved variant:
- Pokémon Adventures Manga: In Volume 5 of Pokémon Adventures (Red and Blue)-or Volume 2 of the Pokémon Adventures Collector’s Edition-the Trainer Yellow teams up with Red’s Pikachu on a quest to rescue Red, who has gone missing.
- Pokémon Trading Card Game: Surfing Pikachu is an obtainable card in both Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!.
- PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure: The Surfing Pikachu appeared in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure.
- Detective Pikachu: Using the Pika Prompt while near the swimming pool on the S.S. Prime Treasure will reveal Detective Pikachu standing on a surfboard.
- Pokémon Pocket Monsters: In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, one of Red's rivals, Yellow, has a Pikachu with surfing skills.
Can Pikachu Learn Surf?
The ability for Pikachu to learn Surf has varied across different Pokémon games:
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- Pokémon Stadium: Surf can be taught to a Pikachu in either the original Japanese or international release of Pokémon Stadium.
- Pokémon Yellow: In the original Game Boy version of Pokémon Yellow, this required players to have a Pikachu that knows Surf (which would have likely been transferred in from Pokémon Stadium) in their party.
- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!: While no Pikachu can learn Surf in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! or Let's Go, Eevee!, in the former game, the player's Partner Pikachu can use the Secret Technique Sea Skim.
The Charm and Enduring Appeal
There’s no denying the inherent charm of seeing the always-adorable Pikachu shredding on a surfboard, so it’s no wonder that Surfing Pikachu has persisted for so long. The image of Pikachu riding a wave has become a symbol of fun and adventure in the Pokémon world.
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