As the mascot of the entire franchise, Pikachu is in the new Pokémon Horizons anime, but this one’s different from Ash’s iconic partner. This begs the question of who he is and why Pikachu is with Friede in Pokémon Horizons.
In this new anime, Pikachu is called Captain Pikachu, and that’s not just because he has a captain’s hat on. Aside from being Friede’s partner, this Pikachu also serves a vital role in the Rising Volt Tacklers.
Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for Pokémon Horizons, so proceed with caution.
Who Is Captain Pikachu in Pokémon Horizons?
Captain Pikachu or Cap as he’s often called, is the partner of Friede, the Rising Volt Tacklers’ commander.
His specialty isn’t only in battles though. As his name and captain’s hat imply, this Pikachu is the captain of the Brave Olivine, the Rising Volt Tacklers’ airship that serves as the group’s base.
While he’s not a talking variant like Detective Pikachu, Captain Pikachu is incredibly smart, as he is trusted enough by the crew to handle navigation duties when Friede isn’t there.
Of course, even if his main task is the ship's navigation, Cap is also powerful in battles. For instance, he was able to battle Amethio’s Ceruledge on equal terms. He can also battle without trainer commands.
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Why Is Pikachu with Friede in Pokémon Horizons?
As revealed in Pokémon Horizons episode 18, Captain Pikachu dreamt of flying by using his Volt Tackle move in the past.
At some point, he met Friede, and while Pikachu didn’t accept his friendship at first, the two became closer as time passed.
The two became close friends as Friede offered to help achieve Pikachu’s dream of flying. Pikachu’s dream also served as Friede’s inspiration to build the Brave Olivine, leading to the Rising Volt Tacklers’ formation.
Since then, Pikachu and Friede have become inseparable, and they serve as key pillars of the Rising Volt Tacklers.
Friede’s Pikachu vs Ash’s Pikachu: How Different Are They?
In the series, Captain Pikachu is shown to be close with Friede, though there have been many times that the two clashed and disagreed. Cap is also a responsible Pokémon who takes his responsibilities seriously.
Meanwhile, Ash’s iconic Pikachu is much goofier, with his many hilarious impressions. Despite this, Ash and Pikachu share a close bond similar to Friede and Cap.
You’ll see more of Captain Pikachu and Friede in Pokémon Horizons, which finally got an official English release in the US on March 7.
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