In an interview with Yomiuri Online, Pokemon designer Atsuko Nishida revealed that Raichu was originally meant to have an evolution named Gorochu; the form would've featured “fangs and horns,” with the name "Gorochu" being a pormonteau of "goro-goro" (a Japanese onomatopoeia for thunder) and "chu" (a Japanese onomatopoeia for squeaking, used in Pichu and Pikachu's names as well). However, Gorochu ended up being cut for balancing purposes, and Pikachu was eventually given a pre-evolution in Pokémon Gold & Silver in the form of Pichu.