Pikachu is the central character of Pikachu's Rescue Adventure. He is an Electric-type Pokémon who travels with his trainer Satoshi and a small group of Pokémon companions. In the story, the group stops to rest and nap, and during that pause the young Togepi wakes up, wanders off, and tumbles down a slope. Pikachu is the first to realize that Togepi is missing and immediately sets out to find him. The search leads the group through a Diglett hole and into a hidden valley inhabited only by Pokémon, a place that contains a giant tree that once served as Pikachu's own former home.

Pikachu is alert, responsible, and caring. He reacts quickly when a companion disappears and takes charge of organizing the search. He approaches unfamiliar Pokémon and unknown terrain without hesitation, and he treats younger and smaller Pokémon with patience and gentleness. He is also sociable and cooperative, readily asking the valley's residents for assistance and working alongside Pokémon he has only just met. His playful and competitive nature shows through in his encounters with Meowth, whom he confronts with confidence.

His primary motivation is the safety and well-being of his friends. After Togepi is found in an Exeggcute nest, Pikachu learns that one of the six Exeggcute is missing, and he extends the same protective concern to these strangers, guiding the group on a new search for the lost member. When a powerful storm sweeps through the valley, he is determined to shield the Exeggcute nest and keep both the eggs and his companions out of danger.

Within the story, Pikachu serves as the leader and driving force of the rescue effort. He coordinates with his traveling friends, including Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Marill, Venonat, and Psyduck, and he relies on the guidance of Elekid, an old acquaintance who knows the valley well. His relationship with Togepi is that of a guardian watching over a small charge, while his bond with Elekid is rooted in a shared connection to the giant tree. His rivalry with Meowth provides a recurring source of conflict. Over the course of the adventure, Pikachu grows from a caretaker focused on one missing companion into a leader who accepts responsibility for an entire community of Pokémon.

His notable abilities are electric in nature. He can generate powerful electric attacks, most prominently Thunderbolt, which he uses to blast Meowth away during a dispute near a Gyarados. His electric power also proves useful when the storm strikes, and his quick reflexes, agility, and small frame allow him to move through the valley and reach places that larger Pokémon cannot. Equally important are his emotional strengths, including clear communication with other Pokémon, steady judgment under pressure, and a willingness to place himself at risk for the sake of others.