If you’re wandering around Akala Island in Pokémon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon, you’ve likely stumbled upon the Pikachu Valley. It’s a weird, adorable little sanctuary. You can’t miss it. It’s filled with yellow rodents just... hanging out. But there’s a specific NPC there, an Alolan woman standing near a trailer, who challenges you to the Pikachu quiz Ultra Sun players often struggle with if they aren't paying close attention to the Pokédex.
She isn't interested in your battle prowess. She wants to know if you actually know Pikachu. Like, really know him.
Most of us grew up with the anime, so we think we’re experts. We know the thunderbolts. We know the ketchup obsession. But the game’s internal logic is a bit more specific. If you mess up even one question, she makes you start the whole thing over. It’s frustrating. It’s slightly condescending. But the reward—the Pikachu Professor Tee—is one of those "prestige" items that completionists absolutely crave.
The Five Questions That Trip Everyone Up
The quiz consists of five questions. They aren't randomized. They are always the same, but the wording can be just tricky enough to make you second-guess yourself if you’re rushing.
First, she asks about the part of the body a Pikachu uses to send out electricity. This one is a gimme. Even if you've never played a game before, you know those bright red circles on its face aren't just for blush. They are the Cheek Pouches. If you pick "tail" or "ears," you’re already back at the start of the line.
Then things get a bit more technical. She’ll ask what a Pikachu provides when it’s discharging electricity. This is a bit of a lore deep-dive. While you might think "power" or "light," the specific answer they are looking for is Electricity. It feels redundant, right? It's a bit of a circular question, but that’s the internal logic of the Alolan quiz-master.
What’s the deal with the tail?
The third question is the one that actually tests if you’ve looked at the sprites. She asks about the difference between a male and a female Pikachu. This was a mechanic introduced way back in Generation IV (Diamond and Pearl), but it’s still a core part of the design. A female Pikachu has a Heart-shaped tail (or a notch at the end). The male has the classic flat-edged lightning bolt. Don't mix them up.
Question four asks about the evolution. It’s a trick of sorts because Alola has its own regional variant. But the question is simple: What is the evolved form of Pikachu? In this specific context, the answer is Raichu. Even though Alolan Raichu is a Psychic-type surfer dude, it's still Raichu.
Finally, the fifth question. This is the one that proves you’ve actually read the Pokédex entries in Ultra Sun. It asks how a Pikachu's fur is described. This isn't about color. It's about texture and property. The answer is Shiny. It’s a bit of a weird descriptor—you’d think "soft" or "yellow"—but the game insists that the fur is shiny because of the static electricity crackling through it.
Why This Quiz Actually Matters for Your Save File
Look, a t-shirt is a t-shirt. But the Pikachu quiz Ultra Sun offers isn't just about the clothing. It’s about the "Pikashunium Z."
Wait, I should clarify. You don't get the Z-Crystal directly from the quiz, but the quiz is part of the broader "Pikachu obsession" theme of that valley. If you have the Partner Cap Pikachu (the one from the movie event), you need to be in this valley to get the Z-Crystal that allows it to use 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt.
The quiz is basically the gatekeeper for the "Pikachu Professor" title. It’s flavor text. It’s world-building. It shows that in the world of Pokémon, these creatures aren't just weapons for 10-year-olds to throw at each other. They are subjects of intense academic study.
Honestly? The Pikachu Valley is one of the few places in the game that feels genuinely "Alolan." It’s laid back. It’s slightly useless but charming.
The Reward: More Than Just Pixels?
When you finish, you get the Pikachu Professor Tee. It’s a white shirt with a stylized Pikachu design. In the grand scheme of Ultra Sun fashion, it’s actually one of the better-looking items. If you’re trying to move away from the default floral patterns or the sporty tank tops, this is your best bet for a "scholar" look.
Avoiding the "Reset" Trap
If you're doing this for the first time, don't spam the A button.
The game is designed to punish impatient players. If you accidentally click the wrong answer because you were trying to skip the dialogue, you have to sit through the intro text again. It takes about 45 seconds of your life you'll never get back.
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- Talk to the lady near the trailer.
- Answer "Cheek Pouches."
- Answer "Electricity."
- Answer "Heart-shaped tail."
- Answer "Raichu."
- Answer "Shiny."
It’s that simple. But people still get it wrong because they think about the anime instead of the game's Pokédex. For instance, in some lore, Pikachu is described as having "soft" fur, but in the Alolan Pokédex, the emphasis is on the luster caused by the electric charge.
The Nuance of Pokémon Lore in Ultra Sun
It’s interesting how Game Freak chose these specific questions. They touch on anatomy, gender dimorphism, evolution, and biology.
It reminds me of the old quizzes in the Cinnabar Island Gym back in the Kanto days. It's a way to reward players who actually pay attention to the "flavor text." Most people ignore the Pokédex. They just want to see the "Caught" icon. But the Pikachu quiz Ultra Sun forces you to acknowledge that these digital monsters have specific biological traits.
It’s also a nod to how much the franchise has grown. Back in 1996, a female Pikachu didn't look any different. Now, it’s a core trivia point.
Step-by-Step Action Plan for Pikachu Valley
If you haven't done this yet, here is exactly what you need to do to maximize your time in this area of the map.
First, make sure you have a space in your inventory for new clothing. It’s rare to be "full," but it happens.
Second, if you happen to have the Event Pikachu, bring it in your party. There’s a special interaction with the Pikachu standing near the trailer that only triggers if you have the right one.
Third, take the quiz. Use the answers provided above. Don't overthink it.
Fourth, talk to the other Pikachu in the area. One of them will give you Pikanium Z if you have a Pikachu that knows Volt Tackle. This is arguably more important than the t-shirt, but hey, why not get both?
Finally, check the trailer itself. There’s some fun flavor text inside that expands on why this valley even exists. It’s basically a retirement home/resort for Pikachu.
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The Pikachu Valley isn't just a pit stop; it's a testament to the mascot’s staying power. Even in a game filled with Ultra Beasts and inter-dimensional travel, we still stop everything to answer five questions about a yellow mouse. It's a bit ridiculous. It's very Pokémon.
Go get your shirt. You've earned the right to call yourself a Professor, even if it's just in the eyes of one lady in a trailer on Akala Island.
Once you have the shirt, head over to the apparel shop in Heahea City or Konikoni City to equip it. It pairs surprisingly well with the casual shorts or the pleated skirts available in the Alolan boutiques. If you're going for a themed run, wearing the Pikachu Professor Tee while using a Pikachu-only team is the ultimate way to show off your dedication to the bit. Just remember that while you might look like a professor, you'll still have to deal with the actual gameplay challenges of the late-game trials, so don't let the fashion distract you from your team's EVs and IVs.
Keep your Pokédex open and your eyes peeled; Alola is full of these small, hidden interactions that make the world feel alive.