Raichu, as a Pikachu, first appeared in Gotta Catch a What?! living alongside a group of other Pikachu and Raichu. She discovered Goh, Ash, and Ash's Pikachu while Goh searched for a Pikachu to capture and quickly became friends with Ash's. While bonding, Goh threw a Poké Ball at her and successfully captured her. She proceeded to shock him with Thunderbolt after being called back out.
Soon after, she led the group to the Pikachu group, where they were revealed to be digging for Thunder Stones. She proceeded to dig one out and offered it to Ash's Pikachu, who adamantly refused it, though she continued to chase after him with it. After Ash explained to Goh that his Pikachu preferred to be just Pikachu, she stopped chasing him and gave the Thunder Stone to Goh, also wanting to remain a Pikachu. Right after, Team Rocket showed up and began stealing the Pikachu and Raichu, including Ash's. In order to save the other Pikachu, she told Goh to throw the Thunder Stone to her as she was sucked into the machine, evolving into Raichu in the process. The Evolution caused her to break the vacuum and alongside her fellow Raichu, proceeded to unleash a Thunderbolt that freed the Pikachu.
In Take My Thief! Please!, during a confrontation between Goh's Greedent and Morpeko, Raichu handed the two a large amount of Berries to calm them down. Goh took advantage of this to try to catch Morpeko, but failed. Later, Raichu was seen helping handing food to Goh's other Pokémon, including bringing some to his secluded Drizzile.
In Grabbing the Brass Ring!, Raichu joined Goh's Pokémon to help motivate the brass leader of Falinks when it became separated from its troops. Raichu offered everyone Berries and had them work together to act as a temporary replacement for the troops. During the attempts, Raichu used her tail to guide Goh's Cinderace into the group, who was having difficulties. Soon after, they found the missing Falinks.
In This Could be the Start of Something Big!, Raichu was seen helping out at a surprise party thrown by the Laboratory members for Goh and Ash to commemorate their departure.
Personality and characteristics
As a Pikachu, with Ash's PikachuRaichu feeding Goh's other Pokémon
In the daily life of Cerise Park, Raichu is the Pokémon responsible for feeding the other Pokémon that live there. Raichu is a very docile and friendly Pokémon; whenever she finds some Berries or items she offers them to other people and Pokémon, most notably for Pikachu. Even when they refuse, she is insistent on offering something to them. In Suffering the Flings and Arrows!, Raichu was the first Pokémon to interact with the newly caught Goh's Lilligant, offering her a Berry, proving to be quite receptive to new Pokémon arriving at the Laboratory. Raichu has a special affection for Ash's Pikachu, either interacting with him while eating, or giving items specifically to him.
Though she did not initially want to evolve after learning why Ash's Pikachu refused to, she eventually understood and respected his wishes. However, when Team Rocket stole the Pikachu, she decided to evolve into Raichu in order to free them. Later, Raichu's knowledge of Berries proved useful when Goh’s newly captured Suicune had been badly injured after an encounter with a gang of Pokémon Hunters.
Raichu is seen as a peacemaker, promptly resolving the conflict between Greedent and Morpeko. This is seen again later when she replenishes their food the next day, though Morpeko had already left the Cerise Laboratory. Raichu again uses this skill to help motivate a Falinks by guiding her teammates.
In celebration of the airing of JN100, the 100th episode of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, the animated series Twitter page launched a series of audio dramas. In the second one, Nighttime at the Sakuragi Park, Raichu is mentioned by Ash while sleeping together with Pansear and Panpour.[4]
Trivia
The Thunder Stone Pikachu used to evolve
Raichu's capture marks the first time a main character other than Ash has obtained a Pikachu.
