What's so special about Ash's Pikachu?

[arronishere]

The only reason Team Rocket consider it special is because they don't want to admit they are incompetente so it must the strongest pokemon ever.

[Lion Demon]

It probably has perfect IV's of 31 in everything... that's why team rocket need it!

[Pokemon Trainer SonicLife]

The reason Ash's Pikachu is so special is because Since Ash Ketchum is the main character and his Pikachu is the Pokemon mascot, Everyone loves him want wants him.

Also because Red is Ash's counterpart and has A Pikachu, So many people want it.

[Hencenomore]

The answer is found in all three mediums combined : TCG, Videogame and Anime. The TCG deals with energy management and chaos management, the videogame deals with strategy and stat management, and the anime deals with real life style improvisation and bonding.
First,From the TCG perspective, Pickachu's attacks would be defined as being powerful as the number of energy cards are attached to it. In anime terms and videogame terms, it's how long did pikachu have to charge. According to the TCG, higher level mons take longer to charge and attack, thus allowing quick weaklings or speedy glass cannons to knock them out. This is definitely seen in the anime.
Second, from the anime, since the anime has real-life-like settings, just as in real life if you don't do something for awhile, lose concentration or confidence, you will lose some efficiency. In a similar way, Pikachu's potential is great, but whether he or Ash is able to use it is another story.
Third, the anime mentions aura (chi?) as a source of power,etc. So there is some in-story mechanics that we don't fully understand.
But in a story where little penguins can summon tidal waves in the middle of the desert, the oddities of a certain pikachu shouldn't be surprising nor of concern.

[duh]

Nothing is really special about Pikachu. Just because Team Rocket thought so doesn't mean it's true.

[Lareon]

Friendship between ash pikachu

[CliveKoopa]

There is absolutely nothing special whatsoever about Ash's Pikachu. It is just another Pikachu and should be treated as such by the likes of Team Rocket.

[DoctorDark]

Nothing except for the fact that its been through a lot along with Ash ketchum and is the mascot of pokemon in everything from toys, games, movies, and shows.

[jamesjessie]

In Unova's Survival Crisis, after failing their evil plot, Giovanni and his team leave by their spaceship. This is exactly what Jessie says to James on the spaceship.

Jessie says, "There is no doubt. That is one special Pikachu." James replies, "Yes."

I believe that Ash's Pikachu is the most special one of all.

[EnragedSwalot]

What do you mean by the question? Why does everyone love/hate him or what sets him apart from other pikachus?
Ah, I'll answer both.
As for the first one, its the first Pokemon brought to the west... I think, but even if it wasn't, it was the first starter for Ash, and Ash and his Pikachu made Pokemon popular in the first place.
As for question two,
Nothing. His Pikachu isn't special at all.

[Chriiis]

His Pikachu is only special because of Team Rocket being fortunate enough to see the moments where it shows off some crazy power(that Pokemon Center explosion waaay back is probably a good example). Other than that I can't think of why they would find it so special.

[Fallen Icarus]

Um.... nothing. Nothing at all.
It just has some problems with pokeballs and evolving.
(oh and it can learn volt tackle without being born with it)
Team rocket is just really weak.