raikou:X:X

**deoxys** Mier Mar 03, 2010 5:37 am

Physiology

Raikou is a yellow tiger-like creature with black stripes that resemble lightning bolts and a white under-side. Raikou has a skinny, light-blue tail with a star-shaped formation at the end. Raikou appears to have a purple cape that is supposedly made of thunderclouds. Most of Raikou's face is white with a light-blue "X" on its face and a gray crest on its forehead. Raikou has red eyes and long fangs in its upper jaws that make its appearance similar to the sabre-tooth cat.
Gender differences

Raikou is a genderless species.
Special abilities

Raikou has the ability to shoot bolts of lightning from the rain clouds on its back. Raikou can also attack using its fangs and has limited psychic powers. Raikou has also shown an ability to create storm clouds from its cape, allowing it to fly, however this has only been seen in the Pokémon Adventures manga, whilst attacking Falkner.
Behavior

Raikou is normally distrustful of humans due to the fact that humans have tried to capture the Legendary Beast of Thunder for many centuries, though it has shown some friendship with those that just wish to help it. Raikou tends to show up either when there is a thunderstorm or when other Electric-type Pokémon are in danger.
Habitat
Grassland Pokémon

As a member of the legendary beast trio, Raikou is constantly on the move and seems to lack any set place where they show up.
Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Being an Electric Type Pokémon, Raikou tends to feed on electricity at most Powerplants and Storm clouds.
In the anime
Raikou in the anime
Major appearances
Raikou (Legend of Thunder)

Raikou appeared in the Pokémon Chronicles episode, The Legend of Thunder! where members of Team Rocket hunt down and attempt to catch Raikou.
Other

Raikou will make its first movie appearance alongside Celebi, and the other members of its trio in the thirteenth Pokémon movie, Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark. It is currently unknown what bearing its role will have on the plot.
Minor appearances

Raikou first appeared in Houndoom's Special Delivery. It was spotted by Togepi and a Houndoom before it disappeared.

The Mauville City Gym Leader Wattson owns many Raikou robots which he uses in his Gym.

Raikou made a small cameo at the opening of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Raikou also had a minor appearance in Dawn's Piplup's dream in Three Sides to Every Story!.
Pokédex entries
Episode ↓ Pokémon ↓ Pokédex ↓ Entry
The Legend of Thunder! Raikou Jimmy's Pokédex Raikou, the Thunder Pokémon. It is said to have descended to earth on a bolt of lightning.
This concludes the entries from the original series.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures

Raikou was awakened by Yellow along with its two counterparts, and the three raced around Kanto and Johto looking for Trainers to help them defeat the Masked Man to free Ho-Oh and repay the debt of the latter saving its life. Nearing the end of the chapter, Raikou eventually pairs up with Lt. Surge after encountering and escaping Falkner, and later Gold. Once Ho-Oh is freed and Pryce, the true identity of the Masked Man, is defeated, it once again roams the lands of Johto with Suicune and Entei.

Anabel also owns a Raikou in the Battle Frontier saga. It has been confirmed that it is the same Raikou as the one that befriended Gold, having caught it sometime before the Emerald chapter in Johto. Raikou is more powerful than any other Electric-type Pokémon in the manga because billowing thunder clouds follow it everywhere carried on its back, allowing it to perform powerful attacks, such as Thunder, more quickly and efficiently than regular Electric Pokémon. Strangely, despite clearly possessing sentient intelligence like its fellow beasts, it obeyed Anabel's commands to battle Emerald without question while she was under psychic control of Guile Hideout. After he is defeated and the Battle Frontier is saved, Raikou is seen interacting with Gold and Crystal, and has not appeared since.
In the TCG

Main article: Raikou (TCG)

Other appearances
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.
Game data
Pokédex entries
Gen Game Pokédex entry
I This Pokémon was not available in Generation I.
II Gold The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
Silver A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
Crystal This rough Pokémon stores energy in its body, then sweeps across the land, shooting off electricity.
Stadium 2 The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
III 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.
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.
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.
FireRed This Pokémon races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
LeafGreen The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
IV Diamond It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
Pearl It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
Platinum It is said to have fallen with lightning. It can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back.
HeartGold The rain clouds it carries let it fire thunderbolts at will. They say that it descended with lightning.
SoulSilver A Pokémon that races across the land while barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder.
Game locations
Gen Game Rarity Area
I This Pokémon was not available in Generation I.
II Gold Silver One Roaming Johto
Crystal One Roaming Johto
III Ruby Sapphire None Trade
Emerald None Trade
FireRed LeafGreen One Roaming Kanto (with Squirtle as starter)
Colosseum One Shadow Pokémon Laboratory (Shadow)
XD None Trade
IV Diamond Pearl None Trade
Platinum None Trade
HeartGold SoulSilver None Roaming Johto
Pal Park Mountain
In side games
Game Location
Pokémon Trozei! Random Agent Cards
Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red/Blue Rescue Team Lightning Field (30F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time/Darkness Concealed Ruins (B20F)*
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Sky Southeastern Islands (B12F-B24F; appears on random floor after accepting challenge letter)
Pokémon Ranger Fiore Temple
Stats
Base stats
Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
HP: 90
150 - 197 290 - 384
Attack: 85
81 - 150 157 - 295
Defense: 75
72 - 139 139 - 273
Sp.Atk: 115
108 - 183 211 - 361
Sp.Def: 100
94 - 167 184 - 328
Speed: 115
108 - 183 211 - 361
Total: 580 Other Pokémon with this total

* Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature.
* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature.

Pokéthlon stats
Speed
5/5 ★★★★★

Power
3/4 ★★★☆
Technique
4/4 ★★★★

Stamina
3/3 ★★★
Jump
3/3 ★★★

Total
18/19 ★★★

Type effectiveness
Weak to Resistant to Immune to Normal effectiveness

* Ground : 2×

* Flying : ½×
* Steel : ½×
* Electric : ½×

* Normal : 1×
* Fighting : 1×
* Poison : 1×
* Rock : 1×
* Bug : 1×
* Ghost : 1×
* Fire : 1×
* Water : 1×
* Grass : 1×
* Psychic : 1×
* Ice : 1×
* Dragon : 1×
* Dark : 1×

Learnset
By leveling up
Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
Level Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
Start Bite Dark Physical 60 100% 25 Tough 3

Start Leer Normal Status — 100% 30 Cool 2

8 ThunderShock Electric Special 40 100% 30 Cool 3

15 Roar Normal Status — 100% 20 Cool 2

22 Quick Attack Normal Physical 40 100% 30 Cool 2

29 Spark Electric Physical 65 100% 20 Cool 3

36 Reflect Psychic Status — —% 20 Smart 2

43 Crunch Dark Physical 80 100% 15 Tough 2

50 Thunder Fang Electric Physical 65 95% 15 Smart 3

57 Discharge Electric Special 80 100% 15 Cool 2

64 Extrasensory Psychic Special 80 100% 30 Cool 2

71 ThunderDP Electric Special 120 70% 10 Cool 2

71 Rain DancePtHGSS Water Status — —% 5 Tough 2

78 Calm Mind Psychic Status — —% 20 Smart 0
85 ThunderPtHGSS Electric Special 120 70% 10 Cool 2

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
By TM/HM
Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
TM Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
TM04 Calm Mind Psychic Status — —% 20 Smart 0
TM05 Roar Normal Status — 100% 20 Cool 2

TM06 Toxic Poison Status — 85% 10 Smart 2

TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special — 100% 15 Smart 1

TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status — —% 5 Beauty 2

TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150 90% 5 Cool 2

TM16 Light Screen Psychic Status — —% 30 Beauty 2

TM17 Protect Normal Status — —% 10 Cute 0
TM18 Rain Dance Water Status — —% 5 Tough 2

TM21 Frustration Normal Physical — 100% 20 Cute 2

TM23 Iron Tail Steel Physical 100 75% 15 Cool 2

TM24 Thunderbolt Electric Special 95 100% 15 Cool 2

TM25 Thunder Electric Special 120 70% 10 Cool 2

TM27 Return Normal Physical — 100% 20 Cute 2

TM28 Dig Ground Physical 80 100% 10 Smart 1

TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 80 100% 15 Smart 2

TM32 Double Team Normal Status — —% 15 Cool 2

TM33 Reflect Psychic Status — —% 20 Smart 2

TM34 Shock Wave Electric Special 60 —% 20 Cool 2

TM37 Sandstorm Rock Status — —% 10 Tough 2

TM42 Facade Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Cute 2

TM43 Secret Power Normal Physical 70 100% 20 Smart 2

TM44 Rest Psychic Status — —% 10 Cute 0
TM57 Charge Beam Electric Special 50 90% 10 Beauty 2

TM58 Endure Normal Status — —% 10 Tough 2

TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150 90% 15 Beauty 2

TM70 Flash Normal Status — 100% 20 Beauty 2

TM73 Thunder Wave Electric Status — 100% 10 Cool 2

TM77 Psych Up Normal Status — 100% 10 Smart 0
TM82 Sleep Talk Normal Status — —% 10 Cute 3

TM83 Natural Gift Normal Physical — —% 10 Cool 2

TM87 Swagger Normal Status — 90% 15 Cute 2

TM90 Substitute Normal Status — —% 10 Smart 1

HM01 Cut Normal Physical 50 95% 30 Cool 3

HM04 Strength Normal Physical 80 100% 15 Tough 3

HM06 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 40 100% 15 Tough 2

HM08 Rock Climb Normal Physical 90 85% 20 Cool 2

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
By tutoring
Generation IV
Other generation learnsets: II - III
Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP Contest Appeal
D P Pt HG SS Headbutt Normal Physical 70 100% 15 Tough 3

D P Pt HG SS Iron Head Steel Physical 80 100% 15 Tough 2

D P Pt HG SS Magnet Rise Electric Status — —% 10 Cute 2

D P Pt HG SS Mud-Slap Ground Special 20 100% 10 Cute 3

D P Pt HG SS Signal Beam Bug Special 75 100% 15 Beauty 2

D P Pt HG SS Snore Normal Special 40 100% 15 Cute 3

D P Pt HG SS Swift Normal Special 60 —% 20 Cool 2

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available.
Special moves
Pokémon Colosseum
Shadow moves Level 40+ Purified moves
Shadow Rush Shadow File:243.png Rain Dance Water
-- Leer Normal
-- Quick Attack Normal
-- Thunder Electric
Side game data
Pokémon Trozei!
Image:Trozeiani243.gif Rarity: Rare Image:Trozeiani243.gif
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
Body size: 1 Recruit Rate: 0.1% Friend Area: Sacred Field
Phrases
51%-100% HP I am the thunderbolt that races through the fields!
26%-50% HP I don't like this... My HP is cut to half?
1%-25% HP This is it... The power of lightning fails here...
Level Up I gained a level! May lightning bolts empower me!
Pokémon Ranger
Group: Electric Loops: 11 Minimum Experience: 500
Poké Assist: Image:Electricpa.PNG ( Electric ) Field Move: Image:Rechargefm.PNG Image:Rechargefm.PNG Image:Rechargefm.PNG (Recharge ×3) Maximum Experience: 600
"Raikou is a legendary Pokémon that dashes while dropping thunderbolts."
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness
Image:MDP243.png Body size: 2 Recruit Rate: 5% IQ Group: D

Evolution
Raikou
Does not evolve
Raikou
Electric

Sprites
Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II Gold Silver Crystal Back
Image:Spr_2g_243.png Image:Spr_2s_243.png Image:Spr_2c_243.gif Image:Spr_b_g2_243.png
Image:Spr_2g_243_s.png Image:Spr_2s_243_s.png Image:Spr_2c_243_s.gif Image:Spr_b_g2_243_s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Image:Spr_3r_243.png Image:Spr_3e_243.gif Image:Spr_3f_243.png Image:Spr_b_g3_243.png
Image:Spr_3r_243_s.png Image:Spr_3e_243_s.gif Image:Spr_3f_243_s.png Image:Spr_b_g3_243_s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Image:Spr_4d_243.png Image:Spr_4p_243.png Image:Spr_4h_243.png Image:Spr_b_g4_243.png
Image:Spr_4d_243_s.png Image:Spr_4p_243_s.png Image:Spr_4h_243_s.png Image:Spr_b_g4_243_s.png
Raikou For other sprites and images, please see Raikou images on Bulbagarden Archives.
Trivia
Raikou in Jimmy's Pokédex

* Raikou is the only Pokémon in the anime whose image on the anime Pokédex was of stylized art rather than Ken Sugimori's official artwork for it.
* In the 4Kids dub of the anime, Raikou's name is frequently mispronounced as rai-kuu, rather than rai-ko.
* Raikou is also the only legendary Pokémon that Ash hasn't encountered in the anime.
o However, he did see three mecha-Raikou inside Mauville Gym.
* Raikou is the only member of its trio not to be weak to another member of its trio. Entei is weak against Suicune and Suicune is weak against Raikou, but Raikou is not weak to either of them.
* In Pokémon Gold and Silver versions, Raikou is incorrectly depicted with short fangs and no cross as well as an orange cloud. This was fixed in Pokémon Crystal version.

Origin

Raikou is based on the 雷獣 raijū, a thunder demon of Japanese lore. In regards to physical build, it most closely represents Smilodon fatalis, a well-known but extinct species of wildcat, often (and incorrectly) referred to as a "saber-toothed tiger". Raikou is particularly based on the Thunder and Lightning gods of most cultures surrounding the world. The flowing purple mane on its back is likely meant to invoke the image of a cumulonimbus cloud, the cloud type most often associated with thunderstorms.
Name origin

The name in Japanese could be taken to mean 雷光, raikou, lightning. It could also be a combination of 雷 rai, thunder and 皇 kō, emperor. Its name may also come from 雷公 raikō ("thunder duke"), identical to the name of the Taoist deity Lei Gong.
In other languages

* German: Raikou
* French: Raikou
* Korean: 라이코 Raiko
* Chinese: 雷皇
raikou:X:X Spr_3e_243