Raikou

Raikou (Japanese: ライコウ, Hepburn: Raikou) (RYE-coo^[1]) is an Electric-type Legendary Pokémon that is part of the Legendary Beasts trio from Generation II.

Biology

Physiology

Raikou is a quadruped, yellow feline Pokémon with black stripes on its body sharing a resemblance to a saber-toothed tiger. Its iris is red in color with a black pupil. It has a purple mane on its back, with white fur around its face. It has a thin, light blue colored tail with a spark shaped figure at its tip. It has a black forehead plate, with a light blue muzzle in the shape of an 'X'. It has three claws on each of its feet.

Raikou had an ancestor in the past known as Raging Bolt.

Natural abilities

It has the Pressure ability which decreases the target's PP much more than usual if they use that move on Raikou. It can also have Volt Absorb as its other ability if obtained from the Dream World. Volt Absorb causes Raikou to be immune to all Electric-type moves. If Raikou is damaged by any other type of move and gets hit by an Electric-type move, its HP (Hit Points) will be restored rather than be decreased.

Behavior

Raikou is a Sabretooth Tiger-like creature. It carries rain clouds on its back which let it fire Thunderbolts at will. In the Pokédex, it states that it "descends with the lightning", and it "races across the land barking a cry that sounds like crashing thunder". While running, it stores up static electricity, then shoots off the excess. It is also said to help other Electric Pokémon if they are in danger.

Game info

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Raikou roams around Kanto if the player character's First partner Pokémon was Squirtle and they have beaten the Elite Four. In FireRed and LeafGreen, it is very hard to catch because it will flee unless your Pokémon out has the ability Shadow Tag. It appears at Level 50.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the player could get a Shiny Raikou at Gamestop on January 31 through February 6, 2011, which later was given out via Wi-Fi in late February 2011. You can also get it at Route 25, then the Burned Tower. It appears at Level 40 at both Route 25 and the Burned Tower.

Game locations

Locations
Version(s)	Area(s)	Rarity
Gold and Silver	Roaming Johto	One
Crystal	Roaming Johto	One
Ruby and Sapphire	Trade	None
FireRed and LeafGreen	Roaming Kanto (With Squirtle As your First partner Pokémon)	One
Emerald	Trade	None
Diamond and Pearl	Pal Park or Trade	None
Platinum	Pal Park or Trade	None
HeartGold and SoulSilver	Roaming Johto	One
Black and White	PokeTransfer or Trade	None
Black 2 and White 2	Transfer	None
X and Y	Transfer	None
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire	Trackless Forest (Requires Ho-Oh or Lugia in the party, First 20-minute interval of every hour)	One
Sun and Moon	Transfer	None
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon	Ultra Space Wilds (Rocky World; Ultra Sun only) Trade or Transfer (Ultra Moon)	One
Sword and Shield	Trade	None
SWSH The Crown Tundra	Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)	One
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl	Ramanas Park (requires Johto Slate) (BD Only)	One

Pokédex entries

Stats

Stats
HP	90
Attack	85
Defense	75
Sp. Atk	115
Sp. Def	100
Speed	115
Total	580

Learnset

Leveling

TM/HM

Breeding

Raikou learns no moves via breeding.

Tutoring

Sprites

Appearances

Anime

Raikou appears in the special The Legend of Thunder!, where it's captured by Team Rocket and then saved by Jimmy and his Typhlosion.

A Shiny Raikou, Entei, Suicune and a normal Celebi have a role in the movie Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

Raikou makes a cameo appearance in the episode Houndoom's Special Delivery when Houndoom and Togepi saw it blast it in the air.

Raikou also makes an appearance in the episode Three Sides to Every Story!, where it attacks Dawn and Piplup and ultimately ends up as a Pokémon in Piplup's dream.

• Raikou (The Legend of Thunder)
• Raikou (MS013)
• Raikou (MS020)

Trivia

• Learning Thunder at level 85, Raikou is the only Pokémon that learns Thunder latest of all those who learn it by leveling up.
• Raikou has the lowest base HP, but the highest base Sp.Atk and Speed by the legendary beasts.
• In Super Smash Bros., Raikou is one of the Pokémon that can be freed from Poké Balls. During this time, it uses the move Spark.
• Raikou has a paradox form known as Raging Bolt.

Origin

When asked about the basis behind Raikou's design, Muneo Saitō described the process to be difficult, as "Raikou took many twists and turns; there was even a blue thunder version with a drum on its back", but it eventually fell into a tiger-like design.^[2][3]

Raikou could also be based on a raijū, a legendary creature from Japanese mythology that is often associated with lightning and thunder. Its pronounced elongated upper canine fangs and nature as a Mythical Pokemon takes features from the extinct sabertooth tiger. Its purple cloud like mane and black helmet like crest contrasting with its yellow fur evokes the imagery of oncoming storm clouds darkening the horizon.

Etymology

Raikou is literally raikou (thunder in Japanese). It could also come from raijū.

Gallery

See also

• Pokémon.com Pokédex
• Legendary Pokémon data
• The Pokémon Database
• Pokémon Dream Pokédex data
• Psypokes Psydex data

v · d · e List of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
Generation I	Articuno Zapdos Moltres Mewtwo Mew[a]
Generation II	Raikou Entei Suicune Lugia Ho-Oh Celebi[a]
Generation III	Regirock Regice Registeel Latias Latios Kyogre Groudon Rayquaza Jirachi[a] Deoxys[a]
Generation IV	Uxie Mesprit Azelf Dialga Palkia Heatran Regigigas Giratina Cresselia Phione[a] Manaphy[a] Darkrai[a] Shaymin[a] Arceus[a]
Generation V	Victini[a] Cobalion Terrakion Virizion Tornadus Thundurus Reshiram Zekrom Landorus Kyurem Keldeo[a] Meloetta[a] Genesect[a]
Generation VI	Xerneas Yveltal Zygarde Diancie[a] Hoopa[a] Volcanion[a]
Generation VII	Type: Null Silvally Tapu Koko Tapu Lele Tapu Bulu Tapu Fini Cosmog Cosmoem Solgaleo Lunala Necrozma Magearna[a] Marshadow[a] Zeraora[a] Meltan[a] Melmetal[a]
Generation VIII	Zacian Zamazenta Eternatus Kubfu Urshifu Zarude[a] Regieleki Regidrago Glastrier Spectrier Calyrex Enamorus
Generation IX	Wo-Chien Chien-Pao Ting-Lu Chi-Yu Koraidon Miraidon Okidogi Munkidori Fezandipiti Ogerpon Terapagos Pecharunt[a]
^ a: Mythical Pokémon

v · d · e List of Generation II Pokémon
#001–025 (#152–176)	Chikorita Bayleef Meganium Cyndaquil Quilava Typhlosion Totodile Croconaw Feraligatr Sentret Furret Hoothoot Noctowl Ledyba Ledian Spinarak Ariados Crobat Chinchou Lanturn Pichu Cleffa Igglybuff Togepi Togetic
#026–050 (#177–201)	Natu Xatu Mareep Flaaffy Ampharos Bellossom Marill Azumarill Sudowoodo Politoed Hoppip Skiploom Jumpluff Aipom Sunkern Sunflora Yanma Wooper Quagsire Espeon Umbreon Murkrow Slowking Misdreavus Unown Wobbuffet
#051–075 (#202–226)	Girafarig Pineco Forretress Dunsparce Gligar Steelix Snubbull Granbull Qwilfish Scizor Shuckle Heracross Sneasel Teddiursa Ursaring Slugma Magcargo Swinub Piloswine Corsola Remoraid Octillery Delibird Mantine Skarmory
#076–100 (#227–251)	Houndour Houndoom Kingdra Phanpy Donphan Porygon2 Stantler Smeargle Tyrogue Hitmontop Smoochum Elekid Magby Miltank Blissey Raikou Entei Suicune Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Lugia Ho-Oh Celebi
See also	Generation I Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX
Generation II

v · d · e Johto Pokédex
Characters · Locations
New Pokédex #001–025 Chikorita Bayleef Meganium Cyndaquil Quilava Typhlosion Totodile Croconaw Feraligatr Pidgey Pidgeotto Pidgeot Spearow Fearow Hoothoot Noctowl Rattata Raticate Sentret Furret Pichu Pikachu Raichu Caterpie Metapod #026–050 Butterfree Weedle Kakuna Beedrill Ledyba Ledian Spinarak Ariados Geodude Graveler Golem Zubat Golbat Crobat Cleffa Clefairy Clefable Igglybuff Jigglypuff Wigglytuff Togepi Togetic Sandshrew Sandslash Ekans #051–075 Arbok Dunsparce Mareep Flaaffy Ampharos Wooper Quagsire Gastly Haunter Gengar Unown Onix Steelix Bellsprout Weepinbell Victreebel Hoppip Skiploom Jumpluff Paras Parasect Poliwag Poliwhirl Poliwrath Politoed #076–100 Magikarp Gyarados Goldeen Seaking Slowpoke Slowbro Slowking Oddish Gloom Vileplume Bellossom Drowzee Hypno Abra Kadabra Alakazam Ditto Pineco Forretress Nidoran♂ Nidorino Nidoking #101–125 Nidoran♀ Nidorina Nidoqueen Yanma Sunkern Sunflora Exeggcute Exeggutor Sudowoodo Wobbuffet Venonat Venomoth Scyther Scizor Pinsir Heracross Koffing Weezing Grimer Muk Magnemite Magneton Voltorb Electrode Aipom Snubbull Granbull Vulpix Ninetales #126–150 Growlithe Arcanine Stantler Marill Azumarill Diglett Dugtrio Mankey Primeape Meowth Persian Psyduck Golduck Machop Machoke Machamp Tyrogue Hitmonlee Hitmonchan Hitmontop Girafarig Tauros Miltank Magby #151–175 Magmar Smoochum Jynx Elekid Electabuzz Mr. Mime Smeargle Farfetch'd Natu Xatu Qwilfish Tentacool Tentacruel Krabby Kingler Shuckle Staryu Starmie Shellder Cloyster Corsola Remoraid Octillery Chinchou Lanturn #176–200 Seel Dewgong Lickitung Tangela Eevee Vaporeon Jolteon Flareon Espeon Umbreon Horsea Seadra Kingdra Gligar Delibird Swinub Piloswine Teddiursa Ursaring Phanpy Donphan Mantine Skarmory Doduo Dodrio #201–225 Ponyta Rapidash Cubone Marowak Kangaskhan Rhyhorn Rhydon Murkrow Houndour Houndoom Slugma Magcargo Sneasel Misdreavus Porygon Porygon2 Chansey Blissey Lapras Omanyte Omastar Kabuto Kabutops Aerodactyl Snorlax #226–250 Bulbasaur Ivysaur Venusaur Charmander Charmeleon Charizard Squirtle Wartortle Blastoise Articuno Zapdos Moltres Raikou Entei Suicune Dratini Dragonair Dragonite Larvitar Pupitar Tyranitar Lugia Ho-Oh Mewtwo Mew #251 Celebi Johto Pokédex #001–025 Chikorita Bayleef Meganium Cyndaquil Quilava Typhlosion Totodile Croconaw Feraligatr Pidgey Pidgeotto Pidgeot Spearow Fearow Hoothoot Noctowl Rattata Raticate Sentret Furret Pichu Pikachu Raichu Caterpie Metapod #026–050 Butterfree Weedle Kakuna Beedrill Ledyba Ledian Spinarak Ariados Geodude Graveler Golem Zubat Golbat Crobat Cleffa Clefairy Clefable Igglybuff Jigglypuff Wigglytuff Togepi Togetic Sandshrew Sandslash Ekans #051–075 Arbok Dunsparce Mareep Flaaffy Ampharos Wooper Quagsire Gastly Haunter Gengar Unown Onix Steelix Bellsprout Weepinbell Victreebel Hoppip Skiploom Jumpluff Paras Parasect Poliwag Poliwhirl Poliwrath Politoed #076–100 Magikarp Gyarados Goldeen Seaking Slowpoke Slowbro Slowking Oddish Gloom Vileplume Bellossom Drowzee Hypno Abra Kadabra Alakazam Ditto Pineco Forretress Nidoran♂ Nidorino Nidoking Nidoran♀ Nidorina Nidoqueen #101–125 Yanma Sunkern Sunflora Exeggcute Exeggutor Sudowoodo Wobbuffet Venonat Venomoth Scyther Scizor Pinsir Heracross Koffing Weezing Grimer Muk Magnemite Magneton Voltorb Electrode Aipom Ambipom Snubbull Granbull #126–150 Vulpix Ninetales Growlithe Arcanine Stantler Marill Azumarill Diglett Dugtrio Mankey Primeape Meowth Persian Psyduck Golduck Machop Machoke Machamp Tyrogue Hitmonlee Hitmonchan Hitmontop Girafarig Tauros Miltank #151–175 Magby Magmar Smoochum Jynx Elekid Electabuzz Mr. Mime Smeargle Farfetch'd Natu Xatu Qwilfish Tentacool Tentacruel Krabby Kingler Shuckle Staryu Starmie Shellder Cloyster Corsola Remoraid Octillery Chinchou #176–200 Lanturn Seel Dewgong Lickitung Lickilicky Tangela Tangrowth Eevee Vaporeon Jolteon Flareon Espeon Umbreon Horsea Seadra Kingdra Gligar Delibird Swinub Piloswine Mamoswine Teddiursa Ursaring Phanpy Donphan #201–225 Mantine Skarmory Doduo Dodrio Ponyta Rapidash Cubone Marowak Kangaskhan Rhyhorn Rhydon Murkrow Honchkrow Houndour Houndoom Slugma Magcargo Sneasel Misdreavus Porygon Porygon2 Chansey Blissey Lapras Omanyte #226–250 Omastar Kabuto Kabutops Aerodactyl Snorlax Bulbasaur Ivysaur Venusaur Charmander Charmeleon Charizard Squirtle Wartortle Blastoise Articuno Zapdos Moltres Raikou Entei Suicune Dratini Dragonair Dragonite Larvitar Pupitar #251–256 Tyranitar Lugia Ho-Oh Mewtwo Mew Celebi
See also	Kanto Hoenn Sinnoh Unova Hisui Kalos Alola Galar Paldea
Pokédex