What do you think of Pikashipping?

[Trainer Lisa]

Pikashipping, the ship for Ash and Pikachu, is one of the main human and Pokemon ships of the anime (or well, it *should* be, but as far as Pokemon and human ships go, it's not very popular. Altoshipping seems to have taken over on BMGf as the most popular Pokemon and human ship).

Anyway though, besides being my favorite shipping in Pokemon, personally, I think Pikashipping is a great ship that is very prominant in the anime (even though most people probably don't notice the ship much at all).

I mean, Ash and Pikachu have been in every episode since the beginning so it makes sense that the two of them would have a great relationship.


Of course, Pikachu was Ash's first Pokemon, so it's obvious that he loves it and cares about it more than anything. They make such an amazing team in battle, as well.

And it is mainly my own belief that Pikachu is a female, and therefore it sort of has a crush on Ash (although, it's not quite as obvious as Chikorita/Bayleef's crush is). Pikachu's crush is more casual, so it's like Pikachu is saying, "I may appear to be 'just a good friend' to Ash, but in reality I love him very much and I couldn't bare to be seperated from him because of Team Rocket or anything else".

And also, the fact that Pikachu LOVES being on Ash's shoulder all the time is another thing that makes me believe she (he/it) has a crush on him.

I mean, if you think about it, how many times in the anime do you really see Pikachu just walking along side of Ash instead of being on his shoulder, backpack, or (occasionally) on top of his hat? Hardly ever. So, yeah, it does make sense when you think of it that way.


Anyway, that's basically the kind of idea I get whenever I think of Ash and Pikachu. ^^

So, what does everyone else think?

 

[FabuVinny]

Ash sees Pikachu as his best friend, more so than any of his human companions. However, I don't think their relationship goes beyond that. I have nothing against the ship, though, and there is plenty of canon evidence that the two are close. (For example, May softens her view on Ash because of the above scene.)

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Yeah, that's true, FabuVinny.

Ash really does see Pikachu as his best friend. ^^


And I love the fact that the two are so close in terms of friendship (even though I also believe it's more than just that, at least it is with Pikachu anyway).

 

[Kasumi]

I'm actually neutral about it. But I like how Ash and Pikachu are really close like FabuVinny said.

 

[Astinus]

PTL, I'll apologize in advance. I don't mean to go against everything you say.

And here I thought there was canon evidence of Pikachu being male. All the way back in "The Waterflowers of Cerulean City," when the Sensational Sisters are swiming, Pikachu blushes and gets dreamy-eyed. I don't really know about this. Perhaps Pikachu was just reminded of Misty? But what about the blushing? I don't really know, I'm just bringing it up.

This seems to me as if I should have a romantic relationship with my terrier dog. She's my first dog and can't bear to be seperated from me. She also likes to be carried, because it gives her the chance to have the physical contact with her all the time. Ash is just Pikachu's favorite human, much like I'm my dog's favorite.

And in the beginning, Pikachu liked to walk. In the end of episode twelve, "Here Comes the Squirtle Squad," Pikachu is shown to be skipping along on the road.

I see them as best friends. I see Ash caring for Pikachu because Pikachu is more animal and can not provide for itself in the world. Ash cares for Pikachu because it is another living thing, who has become his great friend.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Yes, I can definitely see your opinion of Pikashipping, Hanako Tabris......

But, I'm gonna ask you one simple question. Have they ever officially revealed Pikachu's gender in any episode of the anime?

The answer to that is no. So what that means is that Pikachu's gender, while it is highly debated, is actually very opinionated. And I think that the writers intended for us, the viewers, to decide for ourselves what gender Pikachu is. Unless, of course, they actually reveal its gender in an upcoming episode. That would be very interesting.

Anyway though, I must say that what you think about Pikachu's gender (which, I guess somewhat relates to this topic?) is pretty much what EVERYONE thinks about it, because nearly everyone believes that Ash's Pikachu is a male for the same reasons that you just gave me.


I am just here to point out that I think otherwise, and because of my belief that Pikachu is female, Pikashipping makes much more sense (in my opinion).

I basically like Pikashipping for exactly the same reasons that I like Altoshipping: 1. It's really cute. 2. It makes sense 3. It's a human and Pokemon shipping. I love it! ^_^


Also, on the note of Pikashipping, let me just point this out to everyone so people don't think I'm really weird or anything. In my opinion, I don't believe that Ash is in love with Pikachu or that he has a crush on Pikachu or anything like that. No, that is not what I think.

Other than the fact that Pikachu is his first Pokemon, Ash loves and cares for Pikachu just like he does for all his other Pokemon. Also, like FabuVinny said, Ash seems to think of Pikachu as his best friend, even more so than his human friends.

Anyway, I guess you could say this makes Pikashipping more like a one-sided ship. Because, like I said earlier, I highly believe that Ash's Pikachu is a female and that she has a crush on him (just like Chikorita/Bayleef did). However, Pikachu's crush isn't as obvious. You have to use subtle hints that they've given us in a few episodes. I have seen evidence of Pikashipping in many episodes.

*will post her evidence later*

 

[Kater]

in my oppinion all Pikashipping is, is a crazy ship, since thats Pikachus normal nature, so it seems.

 

[Lil Brother]

I'm tempted to say I hate it, but that's just mean and not very respectful to others' opinions! ^^ So, *votes for "I don't like it."*

I just go with the best friend thing. On both sides.

And I think it's pretty obvious that Pikachu's a male, but don't get on me about it.

EDIT: I just realized I don't like a single human/Pokemon ship or think one cute. XD Hehe. I didn't even know I didn't...

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Hehe, lol, Lil Brother.

XD



Well, Pokemon and Human ships aren't for everyone, that's for sure. ^^


Some people like them, some people don't.

And that's okay.

 

[Astinus]

I'm waiting for your list of evidence, PTL. To actually see what someone else can find that supports the one-sided love interest Ash's female Pikachu has would be interesting.

I'd just like to say that I don't hate human x Pokémon ships. In fact, I have one in a fic of mine. It's just that for years now, I have believed that Pikachu is male. But you are right. The animé has not directly stated Pikachu's gender, even after gender was introduced in the GSC days...

Bring on the evidence, PTL. I'll see what I think of them.

 

[Katsu Koneko]

Whoa..what long speeches.

Well I love Pikashipping and even made a club on Deviantart for them which is going smoothly.

I even made cute little avatars of a pic I found on the net for the two. ^^

Off topic - I love Altoshipping too. ^^

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Great avatars, Katsu Koneko!

I love those! ^^

I'm waiting for your list of evidence, PTL. To actually see what someone else can find that supports the one-sided love interest Ash's female Pikachu has would be interesting.

I'd just like to say that I don't hate human x Pokémon ships. In fact, I have one in a fic of mine. It's just that for years now, I have believed that Pikachu is male. But you are right. The animé has not directly stated Pikachu's gender, even after gender was introduced in the GSC days...

Bring on the evidence, PTL. I'll see what I think of them.

Okay, here's my evidence, Hanako Tabris.

*copied and pasted from the Pikachu Club*



Personally, I believe Ash's Pikachu is a girl for four main reasons:

1. Most people just automatically assume that Ash's Pikachu is a male, when there's really no proof of that in the anime at all, other than, like one episode way back in the first season.

2. Ash's Pikachu (in my opinion) seems to have a crush on Ash which is kinda like the one Chikorita/Bayleef had, only Pikachu's crush isn't that obvious (it seems like the only way you can tell that it loves Ash is because it's always on Ash's shoulder, lol).

3. It doesn't sound or act masculine, unlike some other Pikachu that have appeared on the show such as Sparky and Pooka (they've all had lower, much deeper voices, and they seemed like males). So, Pikachu's voice sounds like the exact opposite of that, very high, and it acts like a female.

4. Chikorita got jealous of Pikachu in the episode, "Chikorita's Big Upset", because Ash wanted to use Pikachu and return Chikorita. And since Chikorita is obviously a female, that means that Pikachu must be a female too. Otherwise, Chikorita wouldn't have gotten jealous of Pikachu.


Of course, that's just my opinion and my reasons/evidence to back it up.

So, I don't wanna start a really long, never-ending debate about Pikachu's gender.

I mean, since they haven't revealed Pikachu's gender yet in the show, none of us really know what its gender is, and we won't know until they do reveal its gender (that is, if they reveal it, I hope they do sometime).

Anyway, we're just speculating at what it could be. ^_^

 

[FabuVinny]

Generally, the writers don't feel it necessary to reveal the gender of a Pokémon anyway, unless it is particularly relevant to the plot such as the Luvdisc owned by Misty and Daisy.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Exactly.

Although, for some reason, some people (not everyone) seem way too convinced that Pikachu's a male, and won't leave it open to the fact that it could very well be a female. There's always that possibility. ^^


Anyway, about Pikachu's gender specifically, I think I know why the writers don't wanna reveal it......

Most likely, they feel that whether Pikachu is male or female should just be left to the viewers and fans themselves to decide. Also, that makes it much easier to relate to Pikachu, if its gender is really up to us. Am I right?

 

[Astinus]

Well, yeah. We can all speculate on Pikachu's gender...but this is actually the second time that I heard someone think that Pikachu is female.

As for the evidnece:

1.) It doens't seem like much evidence that Pikachu's slight dream-like face towards the Sensational Sisters is proof that it is male. However, saying that is like arguing with the small pieces of proof that shippers take in to support their ship.

2.) Baseing a crush on whether or not a free ride is given on a shoulder is iffy, in my opinion. Nor does it seem really strong for a romantic relationship. I just see it as Ash reserving that spot for his favorite Pokémon that can actually sit on his shoulder. Perhaps, in Pikachu's mind, it is more romantic. Like you said, it would be a one-sided relationship, as Ash does not know girls exist...

3.) Sparky had a more nasely voice than anything. Yes, Sparky's was deeper, but Pikachu's voice was deeper than that of the entire Pikachu herd. Mind explaining to me how Pikachu acts female?

4.) That kinda confuses me. I mean, couldn't you use that as evidence that the writers made Pikachu female? And Chikorita only got jealous because she wants to be Ash's favorite Pokémon, and be as close to him as Pikachu is, but that will never happen, because Pikachu was Ash's first Pokémon.

As to my opinion on Pikachu's gender, I believed that the rodent was male for eight years. It'll take a lot to change something that I've believed in for eight years. But you are making me wish to continue my studies of the Pokémon episodes, to see evidence of this one-sided ship.

*Of which I found. In comparing Chikorita to Pikachu, you find that those two Pokémon were the only ones on Ash's team to give him a kiss. It was the first episode for Pikachu, and multiple times for Chikorita/Bayleef.

 

[Unregistered]

I don't like it, Pikachu is Ash's buddy.

 

[1234567]

I've never really thought about it all that much, since I've not been able to see a human loving a pokemon that way until Pokemon Heroes came out and the idea opened up. Even then, though, I still have no solid opinion on Pikashipping itself. Not something I'd go out of my way to try to prove or disprove, as it could very well be canon, or we could just been reading into things too much. Who knows.

 

[FabuVinny]

I don't like it, Pikachu is Ash's buddy.

That's partly the point. A close friendship can turn into actual love. Ash does value Pikachu above everyone he's ever met including Misty and May.

 

[Joey]

That's actually the reason I hate this ship so much. Pikachu is Ash's best friend. They have a wonderful dynamic together. Why must that be ruined by bringing romance and/or sex into the relationship? What's so dang wrong with being just friends?

It's the same reason why I hate EdXAl from FMA so much.

 

[ImJessieTR]

Lol ... I have nothing against this ship ... but as to Pika's gender:

Someone said earlier that it could be revealed later. Hhm. Would love to see THAT episode:

Ash: Professor Oak! Pikachu is sick!
Prof Oak: Well, let's take a look ... WHOA! I didn't need to see that!

LOL...

How exactly could they reveal Pika's gender in a way that won't make us die laughing on the floor?

I always, by the way, assumed Pika was male, just because it has the same bravado that Ash does, like Bulbasaur/Charizard/Squirtle do ... and I think we all assume that they are male. However, the weird quizzical/disappointed looks Pika gives Chikorita during the inevitable sucking-up to Ash makes me wonder...