Ash Ketchum is given Pikachu at the start of the Pokémon anime.
In the first episode, Ash arrives late at Professor Oak’s laboratory and misses the chance to choose one of the traditional starter Pokémon. Oak gives him Pikachu, an Electric-type Pokémon that initially refuses to cooperate and will not stay inside its Poké Ball.
Pikachu’s unusual independence creates the first major conflict in Ash’s journey. After Ash protects Pikachu from attacking Spearow, Pikachu recognizes Ash’s care and begins to trust him. Their partnership then becomes the emotional center of the television series.
Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are the three original starter choices in the first video games, which is why they are sometimes mistakenly named as Ash’s first Pokémon. Pikachu was chosen for the anime because the production team believed its design could appeal broadly to children and adults.