Raikou (Pokémon)


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Raikou (Japanese: ライコウ Raikou) is an Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation II.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Along with and, it is one of the Legendary beasts resurrected by  after the burning of the Brass Tower. Of the three Legendary beasts, Raikou is said to represent the lightning strike which ignited the fire that consumed the Brass Tower.

Biology
Raikou is a quadruped, 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 covers its forehead, nose, and ears. Raikou has two long fangs that make its appearance similar to the. 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.

As seen in the anime, Raikou is able to fly by creating storm clouds. It 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 races across while barking cries that sound like thunder.

Raikou (The Legend of Thunder!)
Raikou appeared in The Legend of Thunder!, where Team Rocket members Attila and Hun attempted to capture the Legendary Pokémon.

Raikou (M13)
A Raikou appeared alongside  and the other members of its trio in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Other
A Raikou appeared at the end of Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Part Two).

Minor appearances
Raikou debuted in Houndoom's Special Delivery. It was spotted by and a  before it disappeared.

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

Raikou made a small cameo in the opening sequences of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

A Raikou briefly appeared in Dawn's Piplup's dream in Three Sides to Every Story!.

A Raikou appeared in I Choose You!, where it was briefly seen by, Verity, and Sorrel as they approached Mount Tensei. Before they could get a better look, it disappeared.

In Pokémon Generations
A Raikou appeared in Ecruteak City in The Reawakening, during a flashback about the creation of the legendary beasts.

In the movie adaptations
Raikou appeared in the of the fourth and final , Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Raikou appeared as a beam of light in Slugging It Out With Slugma. Its first real appearance was in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, where it along with Entei tests Falkner and were joined by Suicune in Really Raikou & Entirely Entei I, discussing about. It was revealed in a flashback in Hello, Lickitung, where it was awakened by along with its two counterparts, and the three raced around Kanto and Johto looking for s to help them defeat the Masked Man to free Ho-Oh and repay the debt of the latter for saving its life. Nearing the end of the chapter, Raikou eventually pairs up with Lt. Surge after encountering and escaping Falkner, and later. 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 and. later captures Raikou in the saga.

Super Smash Bros. Melee
When released from a Poké Ball, Raikou releases a powerful 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.

Trophy information
''These Thunder Pokémon travel near and far, blasting out electrified whirlwinds. They carry storm clouds on their backs, so they can produce lightning regardless of the local weather; it's even said that they descended to the earth with via lightning bolts. Their extreme quickness lends itself to flight, so they're very hard to capture.''

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Raikou appears as a trophy.

Trophy information
NA: ''Was that a bolt of lightning flashing by, on the ground instead of the air? Then it could have been Raikou. A rumble of thunder in the distance, but not a cloud in the sky? Sounds like Raikou's roar to us. It is said that this wild Pokémon perished in the Johto region once, but Ho-Oh was so filled with sorrow at the loss that Raikou was resurrected.''

PAL: ''If you see a bolt of lightning flash across the ground instead of from the sky, you may have just caught a glimpse of Raikou. And if you hear a peal of thunder that lasts longer than it should, that may be Raikou's roar. It's said that this wild yet majestic Pokémon once perished in the Johto region, but Ho-Oh, filled with sorrow, resurrected it.''

NPC appearances

 * : Raikou first appears alongside up on Revelation Mountain where they confronted  believing he turned  to stone but discovered  was responsible and was turned to stone. Raikou later helped the undefined and  escape from the Voidlands.

Pokédex entries

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Game locations

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In side games

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In events

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Side game data

















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Trivia

 * Raikou, along with and, was designed by Muneo Saitō.
 * 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.
 * Raikou's effort value yield of 1 Special Attack and 2 Speed is unique.
 * Raikou's number in the National Pokédex and the Johto Pokédex is the same: 243.

Origin
Raikou may be particularly based on the Thunder and Lightning gods of most cultures surrounding the world, mostly the 雷獣  (lit. thunder beast), a thunder demon of Japanese lore and is said to be Raijin's companion. It is said to be a creature that could take the form of a, , blue wrapped in lightning, and many other animals. Raikou is specifically based on its tiger form, while the Pokémon is based on its wolf form.

In terms of physical build, Raikou may be based on the , a well-known but extinct species of wildcat often referred to as a saber-toothed tiger. Its color and pattern scheme are reminiscent of that of a. The stripes that decorate Raikou's body also can be compared to zigzagging thunderbolts and perhaps even scars from claws. The white ruff around Raikou's face is akin to the 's thick fur around its neck. In the anime, Raikou is shown to be very agile, swift, stealthy, and a powerful attacker, just like a tiger. The gray "plate" atop its head may be similar to Entei's head ornament, being either a helmet or crown that signifies courage and power. The flowing purple mane on its back is likely meant to invoke the image of a, the cloud type most often associated with thunderstorms.

Name origin
Raikou could be taken to mean 雷光 raikou (lightning), which is also the inspiration for the name of, or it may be a combination of 雷 rai (thunder) and 皇 kō (emperor). It may also derive from 雷公 raikō (thunder duke), the on'yomi reading of, a Taoist/Daoist deity.

Related articles

 * Legendary beasts
 * Raikou (The Legend of Thunder!)
 * Legendary beasts (M13)
 * Raikou (Adventures)