Same dude. My love for Ash’s Pikachu was cemented when, as a kid, I watched Pikachu tank a lightning bolt and save Ash from a swarm of Spearow. Such a great episode and a memory that kid me will never forget, an invaluable lesson about friendship and love.
That episode made me beg my parents for Pokémon Red. Ha, and Pocket Pikachu now that I think about it - the Pokémon Tamagatchi.