Raikou

Raikou (ライコウ Raikou) is an -type Legendary Pokémon. Raikou is part of the Legendary beast trio from the Generation II games.

Special Abilities
It has the Pressure ability which decreases the target's PP if they use that move on Raikou.

Behavior
It is a tiger-like creature, It carries rainclouds on its back which let it fire Thunderbolts at will. It descends with the lightning, and races across the land barking a cry that shakes the ground and 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.

Anime

 * Raikou appears in the episode 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 also makes a cameo appearance in the episode Houndoom's Special Delivery when Houndoom and Togepi blast him in the air.

Name
Its Japanese name means "Lord of Thunder".

Trivia

 * The collective term of Legendary Beasts continues to be the only CANON and sensible term to describe the trio, as they all have different traits regarding cats, dogs, and other animals. The popular term of "dogs" or "cats" were initiated in unofficial Gold and Silver Guidebooks respectively, and the dubbing company 4kids also made this conclusion; however neither term is truly correct when really taking a look at the origins of the trio.
 * Raikou resembles a saber-toothed tiger, obviously by its long fangs; and its stripes give it the attributes of a modern day tiger. Raikou is also partially based on the Japanese Thunder God, Raiju, who has been depicted in the forms of a tiger, monkey, cat, wolf, and weasel. It is said to have a roar like crashing thunder, as can be compared to the roar of a tiger, which can be heard from many miles away.
 * It is believed that Raikou, before it perished in the Burned Tower, was a Jolteon. This is supported by the fact that the Burnt Tower is in Ecruteak City, a city where Eevee and it's evolution forms are very popular. Also, its behavior is identical to that of a Jolteon, as it is commonly portrayed as a hyper-active and aggressive Pokemon.
 * The first three letters in its name most likely comes from the word Rai which means thunder in japanese.
 * It is the only one of the Legendary Beasts to have claws.
 * It is the only member of the Legendary Beasts to not appear in a movie from the Johto region, although it did appear in the the anime. A shiny Raikou also appeared as a main character in the movie Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
 * It is the only one of the Legendary Beasts not to have a movie or game dedicated to them.