Ash's Pikachu

In the first episode, Ash does shout "leave her alone." However, despite this, the gender of his Pikachu has remained a mystery.

Thorn wrote:

In the first episode, Ash does shout "leave her alone." However, despite this, the gender of his Pikachu has remained a mystery.

Actually it is debatable, though I do agree with SFG. There is many evidence pointing either way for said Pikachu's gender;

Generation I/ Series I evidence;

- (Like Thorn said; ) Very early on, Ash said "her" when refering to Pikachu, though due all Pokémon not having a gender at the time, this could merely either translation error, or a form of Non-gendered daughter referral, as you would a germ, or non-gendered creature. So it is merely circumstantial.

- In many parts of the animé (including the first movie,) Pikachu seems to be very motherly to Misty's Togepi. Though, this could be brought about with the episode when Togepi hatched, & Pikachu agreeing with Misty's request to take care of her, also.

- Once Richie appears, he has a Pikachu himself, named "Sparky". Almost everyone believes Sparky is male, as his voice & appears is more masculine to a point where you could possibly believe Ash's Pikachu to be female. This reading a lot into though, & isn't much to stand on.

- In the song "I choose you" from the Pokémon album "2 B a master" the lyrics go "Pi-ka-chu! ...I choose you! Because you are my brother!" this actually is the strongest evidence for Ash's Pikachu being male, but still doesn't prove it.

Generation III / Series IV evidence;

- In a Pokédex from Ruby, Sapphire & onwards, a Pikachu's gender difference become apparent, with a Female Pikachu having an almost heart-shape in the end of their tails, while Ash's Pikachu does not. Though, as this came about after the animé & Ash's Pikachu's first apperance, many don't count it as much evidence...

Generation IV / Series V evidence;

- Dawn's Buneary develops on obvious crush on Ash's Pikachu, & Dawn always tends to dress Buneary in female attire for contests, possibly leading us to believe Pikachu to be male & Buneary female, respectively... Though, including myself, many regard Dawn as pretty dumb, so she could be putting her Buneary in drag & not realising it. Which still leaves it open to what Pikachu's gender is.

Like I said though, I agree with SFG & believe Ash's Pikachu to be female...

Sorry for the double post, but, I JUST found conclusive proof that Ash's Pikachu is in fact male; The proof comes from Diamond & Pearl season, episode 142, "Where no Togepi has gone before", in which a Togepi uses the move Attract on Ash's Pikachu, Team Rocket's Meowth, Dawn's Piplup, Brock's Croagunk & Jessie's Yanmega. In which; Meowth, Pikachu, Piplup & Croagunk are all affected, but Yanmega is not.
We all know that Team rocket's Meowth is male, due to his voice tone, his mannerisms & the episode "Go west, young Meowth" where he is infatuated by a female Meowth before learning to talk. So, as Pikachu is also affected by said Togepi's move attract, he too is male...

Link; http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/DP142