Will Ash's Pikachu ever learn a new move?

If it is Lightning Strike (Which I highly doubt, but do show mild support for), it will only be a last resort-type move. I personally think it is either Return or Hidden Power (While it is shown to be a physical attack that Pikachu is using, Regigigas' HP was just weird in the Anime, so you never know). These are the most likely, but it could be Wild Charge or Volt change, for all we know.

Makbets said:

I think that Pikachu shouldn't learn any new Electric Type moves... Thunderbolt and Volt Tackle are awesome moves...
But quick attack should be replaced...

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Thunder should replace quick attack .

Pikachu's current moveset seems OK, but I dislike that due to having two Electric-type moves, it wastes a move slot.

-Anyway, Thunderbolt is nearly iconic with Pikachu, so that's pretty much guaranteed to stay.
-Volt Tackle is currently Pikachu's signature move, and said exclusivity of the move is apparently the main reason for the existence of Wild Bolt. So unless Volt Tackle becomes non-exclusive, that seems like it's staying as well. I'd hate for the new upcoming move to be Wild Bolt; it's terribly redundant for Pikachu's line and completely defeats the point of Volt Tackle's exclusivity.
-Iron Tail helps Pikachu trump Rock-type Pokemon, which Pikachu has difficulty battling with if they are part Ground-type as well. Plus, they spent quite a few episode focusing on Pikachu learning it and even bothered to enhance its animation in Best Wishes, so deleting it kind of detracts from the importance of those episodes. But it's a relatively new move and many Pokemon can learn it, so it has the chance of going.
-Quick Attack is learned by many Pokemon as well, but I feel that to this day it serves as a reminder of the episode Electric Shock Showdown, where Pikachu's speed was an integral part of Ash's tactics, to the point where Brock said something to the effect of "Lt. Surge evolved his Pikachu right when he got it, so it was unable to learn the speed attacks that it could only learn at the Pikachu stage". Since the episode tends to be a memorable one (as Ash's Pikachu trumped his evo) and is one of the main driving factors for the Team Rocket trio hounding Ash to this day, removing Quick Attack would be a very poor decision IMO.

So, I don't think Ash's Pikachu should learn a new move for a while, though Surf and Fly could be welcome changes for one-time-only events.
As for the rumored upcoming new move in Best Wishes that Pikachu will use, I'm liking the Lightning Strike theory, despite its exclusivity to Zekrom. Zekrom also has the signature move Cross Thunder at its disposal, and the anime has shared exclusive moves among Pokemon before as well (see Raticate learning [Hi] Jump Kick in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, a move previously exclusive to Hitmonlee). Ash and Pikachu can also devise improvised moves such as Thunder Armor again with little effect on Pikachu's "moveset", so there's always that option.

I already stated this on the Team Rocket/Plasma special thread but since this is the actual thread for Pikachu's new move I'll show it here as well.

The new move Pikachu learns in this special is "Electra Ball." As for the sparkling effect when Pikachu is running towards the fight, it COULD be a return of the whole "swallow/absorb a move and gain more power" (ie Grotle and Energy Ball) thing or it is part of the animation of Electra Ball, or something else entirely. Either way, Pikachu DOES learn Electra Ball.

Sweet first one to predix Electra Ball! Glad Pikachu is learning something new after all that time with the same moveset.

Kenshin5 said:

Sweet first one to predix Electra Ball! Glad Pikachu is learning something new after all that time with the same moveset.

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And it is entirely possible that this will only be an addition, and none of the other 4 moves will be replaced. The japanese anime already broke the whole 4 rule thing with Cilian and Dwebble thing (Dwebble uses 5 moves in it's first episode). Otherwise I can't really see which move they would replace...

Electra Ball huh? I can't seeing it replace any moves though. Pikachu will have 5 moves!

Oh, boo...the new move is Electro Ball? And the anime incarnation looks so similar to Energy Ball and Zap Cannon? :disappoin Why couldn't it be Lightning Strike for an awesome twist? And why is the power of a "thrown" electrical ball dependent on the Speed stats of the user and the target? IMO, such a mechanic would be more fitting for a physical move like Volt Tackle.

Having Electro Ball replace Volt Tackle would be a poor decision, as its only benefits are no HP loss and the potential extra 30-points in base power if the opponent is really slow.

Thunderbolt is nearly iconic with Pikachu, commonly being used to foil Team Rocket or attack any threatening Pokemon. Though Electro Ball has a potential 55-point gain when comparing to Thunderbolt's power, I don't think a replacement is justified.

Deleting Quick Attack or Iron Tail is an even worse decision. Why the heck would you need three different Electric-type moves? That nearly sets the user up for failure if the opponent sends out a Ground-type Pokemon. You can't always aim for the horn, Ash!

I'm hoping this Electro Ball deal is a one-time event, as Ash's Pikachu's moveset is fine as is, and I don't see any moves other than Grass Knot, Surf,or Fly that would be viable for inclusion.

I actually think Electro Ball will replace Thunderbolt. As signatory as Thunderbolt is, Electro Ball is equally long range, and to have three electric attacks out of four/five (two of them Special, no less)...that's the complete opposite of the meta-game they're pushing this generation.

Plus, if they play it against the speed cap, it might make for more interesting battles.

Yes he would have. Anime=/=games, 'member? They would have scrapped any hindrance to still make the battle go as it did. *DEM*

I think pikachu wont learn new moves, if it does, it might replace quick attack, also pikachu did know agility

Well this makes me want to see the episode more.