Ash’s Pikachu has several rivals, including Meowth and Eevee. But the biggest rivalry of them has been with Raichu. In the newest Pokémon anime, that clash continues.
There is a reason for this antagonism. Website Pokémon Amino explains: “Any Raichu would act as a rival towards it’s pre evolution form, Pikachu, and Raichu in the anime mostly appear to be [a] smug Pokémon, that enjoy seeing their pre evolution form struggle.”
Thus, we have this classic GIF from an old episode:
This is also why in the latest one both still get in each other’s grill.
https://twitter.com/embed/status/827384560878907393
https://twitter.com/embed/status/827096930975117314
The references to the earlier conflict are hardly subtle.
ピカチュウとライチュウよく喧嘩するなw pic.twitter.com/8Vz26LAu6Z
— 。 (@Ohe3U) January 26, 2017
1998年の映画思い出すななんか#anipoke pic.twitter.com/wZglVePqfG
— べっく@ピカソーコ管理人 (@pikachu25volt) February 2, 2017
While the animation is goofy-looking, the Pokémon Sun Moon anime continues to get more and more interesting for longtime fans.
Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.