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{{Short description|Pokémon species, mascot of the Pokémon franchise}}{{Other uses}}{{pp-semi-indef}}{{pp-move-indef}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}}

factoids

Atsuko NishidaKen Sugimori (finalized)342–343 TITLE=KEN SUGIMORI WORKS DATE=JANUARY 2014, 9784198638061, Ikue ŌtaniHAL LABORATORY PUBLISHER=NINTENDO YEAR=1999, HAL LABORATORY > TITLE=SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE NINTENDO > SCENE=ENDING CREDITS, 0:26 IN, VOICE Detective Pikachu:Ryan Reynolds (Detective Pikachu (film)>film, English)Kaiji Tang (Detective Pikachu (video game) and short, English)Hidetoshi Nishijima (actor)>Hidetoshi Nishijima (film, Japanese)MOVIE-NEWS.JP>DATE=MAY 3, 2019TITLE=ニュース｜映画『名探偵ピカチュウ』公式サイトLANGUAGE=JAARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20200929095539/HTTPS://MOVIE-NEWS.JP/MEITANTEI-PIKACHU/2019/05/03/PIKACHU/, live, Tōru Ōkawa (Detective Pikachu video game, Japanese)Koichi Yamadera (Detective Pikachu Returns and short, Japanese) | motion_actor = | full_name = | nickname = | alias = | species = Pokémon| lbl21 = Type| data21 = Electric}}{{Nihongo foot|Pikachu|ピカチュウ|Pikachū|pronounced {{IPAc-ja|pi|ka|chū}}, {{IPAc-en|lang|ˈ|p|iː|k|ə|tʃ|uː}}|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a fictional species of the Pokémon media franchise. Designed by Atsuko Nishida and Ken Sugimori, Pikachu first appeared in the 1996 Japanese video games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green created by Game Freak and Nintendo, which were released outside of Japan in 1998 as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. Pikachu is a yellow, mouse-like creature with electrical abilities. It is a major character in the Pokémon franchise, serving as its mascot and as a major mascot for Nintendo.Pikachu is widely considered to be the most popular and well-known Pokémon species, largely due to its appearance in the Pokémon anime television series as the companion of protagonist Ash Ketchum. In most vocalized appearances Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Ōtani, though it has been portrayed by other actors, notably Ryan Reynolds in the live-action animated film Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Pikachu has been well-received by critics, with particular praise given for its cuteness, and has come to be regarded as an icon of Japanese pop culture.

Concept and design

File:Pikachu artwork for Pokémon Red and Blue.webp|thumb|upright=1|left|Pikachu as depicted in promotional artwork for Pokémon Red and Blue, its first appearance]]Pikachu is a fictional species of Pokémon created for the Pokémon franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the video games Pokémon Red and Blue for the Game Boy.MAGAZINE,weblink Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All, Game Informer, Hilliard, Kyle, December 25, 2016, January 22, 2024, October 1, 2023,weblink live, In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train creatures called Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution.BOOK, Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination, Anne, Allison, May 2006, University of California Press, 9780520938991, 192–197, During Red and Blue{{'}}s development, lead designer Ken Sugimori felt that the game needed more "cute" designs and sought the input of female Game Freak staff such as Atsuko Nishida to join the development team. Nishida was tasked with developing the Pikachu species and its evolutionary line with specific gameplay guidelines in mind: its role as an Electric-type, that it evolved twice, and that the final form "look strong". Originally Pikachu was intended to evolve into Raichu, and then Raichu into a Pokémon called "Gorochu."WEB,weblink Pikachu Originally Had A Second Evolution Called 'Gorochu' With Large Fangs And Two Horns, May 3, 2018, May 7, 2018, November 13, 2022,weblink live, WEB,weblink Don't Expect Pikachu's Lost Evolution, Gorochu, To Appear In A Pokemon Game, Knezevic, Kevin, 2018-10-15, GameSpot, en-US, 2018-10-16, November 13, 2022,weblink live, However, Gorochu was cut due to cartridge space concerns, leaving Raichu to be Pikachu's sole evolution through use of the game's "Thunder Stone" item.WEB, Brett, Elston,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150415055058weblink">weblink April 15, 2015,weblink The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 3, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl DS Features, GamesRadar+, 2010-09-21, 2010-09-25, live, According to series producer Satoshi Tajiri, the name is derived from a combination of two Japanese onomatopoeia: ピカピカ (pikapika), a sparkling sound, and チューチュー (chūchū), a sound a mouse makes. Developer Junichi Masuda noted Pikachu's name as one of the most difficult to create, due to an effort to make it appealing to both Japanese and American audiences.MAGAZINE,weblink GamePro, Pokemon Platinum: Developer Interview!, 2009-03-23, 2009-06-09, Noble, McKinley,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090327224428weblink">weblink 2009-03-27, Pikachu has resemblances to the Pika, which has been described as its "real-life counterpart".WEB, Miller, Ross, 2016-03-06, The Verge Review of Animals: pika vs. Pikachu,weblink 2024-04-05, The Verge, en, Pikachu was designed around the concept of electricity.WEB,weblink ja:『ポケットモンスター』スタッフインタビュー, Nintendo, ja, June 6, 2009, October 18, 2000,weblink dead, They are creatures that have short, yellow fur with brown markings covering their backs and parts of their lightning bolt-shaped tails. They have black-tipped, pointed ears and red circular pouches on their cheeks, which can spark with electricity.VIDEO GAME, Pokémon Diamond, Game Freak, Nintendo, 2007-04-22, Nintendo DS, They attack primarily by projecting electricity from their bodies at their targets.WEB,weblink Pokémon: Every Pikachu Look, Ranked from Worst to Best, August 31, 2020, October 6, 2021, October 6, 2021,weblink live, Within the context of the franchise, Pikachu can transform, or "evolve," into a Raichu when exposed to a "Thunder Stone."WEB,weblink Ash's Pikachu May Finally Evolve into Raichu in Pokémon Journeys, Screen Rant, August 24, 2020, October 6, 2021, October 6, 2021,weblink live, In Pokémon Gold and Silver, "Pichu" was introduced as an evolutionary predecessor to Pikachu.WEB,weblink Pokemon Premiere Reveals Pikachu's Emotional Evolution from a Pichu, October 6, 2021, September 22, 2022,weblink live, In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, gender differences were introduced; since those games, female Pikachu have an indent at the end of their tails, giving the tail a heart-shaped appearance.Initially considered alongside Clefairy as lead characters for franchise merchandising, Pikachu emerged as the mascot of the animated series due to its popularity amongst schoolchildren and appeal to both boys and girls,MAGAZINE, Hillard, Kyle, Pokémon's Creators On The Anime: 'We Weren't Really Sure About It',weblink 6 November 2017, Game Informer, 17 August 2017, en, November 30, 2022,weblink live, MAGAZINE, Time (magazine), Time,weblink December 24, 2021,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100501090040weblink">weblink 2010-05-01, November 22, 1999, 154, 20, 1, The Ultimate Game Freak, as well as their mothers. Pikachu resembled a familiar, intimate pet, and yellow is a primary color and easier for children to recognize from a distance. Additionally, the only other competing yellow mascot at the time was Winnie-the-Pooh.{{sfn|Tobin |2004|pp=63–64}} Pikachu's design has evolved from its once-pudgy body to having a slimmer waist, straighter spine, and more defined face and neck; Sugimori has stated these design changes originated in the anime, making Pikachu easier to animate, and were adopted to the games for consistency.NEWS,weblink Here's Why Pokemon Changed Fat Pikachu, Carvalho, Jared, Game Rant, December 25, 2019, January 21, 2021,weblink January 21, 2021, live, "Fat Pikachu" was revisited in Pokémon Sword and Shield, where Pikachu received a Gigantamax Form resembling its original design.NEWS,weblink Fat Pikachu Is Back for Pokemon Sword and Shield Trailer and We're All Ec-Static, Sanchez, Miranda, IGN, January 13, 2019, December 24, 2021,weblink January 21, 2021, live, NEWS,weblink Pokémon: The 5 Best Gigantamax Designs (& The 5 Worst), F, Matt, Game Rant, July 8, 2020, January 21, 2021,weblink January 21, 2021, live, NEWS,weblink GIGANTAMAX POKÉMON are coming to the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games!, My Nintendo, my.nintendo.com, October 18, 2019, January 21, 2021,weblink January 21, 2021, live,

Appearances

In the video games

Pikachu has appeared in all Pokémon video games, except Black and White, without having to trade.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121012011959weblink">weblink dead, October 12, 2012, Pikachu Pokemon – Pokédex, IGN, 2013-12-26, 2014-01-01, The game Pokémon Yellow features a Pikachu as the only available Starter Pokémon. Based on the Pikachu from the Pokémon anime, it refuses to stay in its Poké Ball, and instead follows the main character around on screen. The trainer can speak to it and it displays different reactions depending on how it is treated.WEB,weblink Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, IGN, Craig Harris, October 19, 1999, December 24, 2021, October 24, 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141024083401weblink">weblink live, WEB, Shinn, Gini, Case Study: First Generation Pokèmon Games for the Nintendo Game Boy, 2004,weblink September 18, 2021, March 7, 2022,weblink dead, An event in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver gave players access to a route on the Pokéwalker, which solely contained Pikachu which knew attacks that they were not normally compatible with, Surf and Fly.WEB,weblink Take a Pokewalk Through the Yellow Forest, IGN, Lucas M. Thomas, April 1, 2010, December 24, 2021, January 30, 2023,weblink live, Seven "Cap" forms of Pikachu, wearing caps belonging to Ash Ketchum across different seasons, were released across Pokémon Sun and Moon as well as their Ultra versions.NEWS,weblink Pokémon Sun and Moon players have one week to get Pikachu clad in Ash's original hat, Polygon, 2018-09-24, December 6, 2022,weblink live, These games also released two Z-Crystals exclusive to Pikachu.WEB,weblink Last Free Pikachu For Pokemon Sun And Moon Available Now For A Limited Time, Knezevic, Kevin, 2017-10-24, GameSpot, en-US, 2018-09-24, November 13, 2022,weblink live, {{Citation|last=Osborn|first=Alex|title=Pokemon Sun and Moon to Get Adorable Hat-Wearing Pikachu - IGN|date=March 13, 2017|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/13/pokemon-sun-and-moon-to-get-adorable-hat-wearing-pikachu|work=website|language=en|access-date=2021-03-19|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113214259weblink|url-status=live}}Pokémon Let's Go, which is based heavily on Yellow, has Pikachu as a starter in one of its two versions.WEB,weblinkweblink Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu And Let's Go Eevee Announced For Nintendo Switch, Plagge, Kallie, GameSpot, May 29, 2018, May 30, 2018, May 30, 2018, live, This starter Pikachu has access to several secret techniques and exclusive moves.NEWS,weblink Secret techniques, exclusive moves, and more revealed in latest Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! announcement, nintendo.com, September 9, 2019, January 21, 2021,weblink December 14, 2020, live, WEB, Frank, Allegra, 2018-11-15, Should you choose Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu or Eevee?,weblink 2021-03-19, Polygon, en, December 9, 2022,weblink live, In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pikachu gained access to a special Gigantamax form.WEB,weblink Gigantamax Pikachu is coming to 'Pokémon Sword' and 'Shield', Engadget, October 16, 2019, December 9, 2021, December 6, 2022,weblink live, Aside from the main series, Pikachu stars in Hey You, Pikachu! for the Nintendo 64; the player interacts with Pikachu through a microphone, issuing commands to play various mini-games and act out situations.Hey You, Pikachu! {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020183815weblink |date=October 20, 2012 }} Nintendo. Retrieved July 17, 2006. The game Pokémon Channel follows a similar premise of interacting with the Pikachu, though without the microphone.WEB,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120304134120weblink">weblink March 4, 2012, Pokemon Channel, IGN, Mary Jane Irwin, December 4, 2003, 2010-12-09, (PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure) and its sequel, (PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond),WEB, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Review (Wii),weblink Nintendo Life, March 21, 2012, Walker, Joe, July 13, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live, features a Pikachu as the main protagonist.Nintendo officially announces PokePark Wii {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018051159weblink |date=October 18, 2012 }} Joystiq. Retrieved February 27, 2010. Detective Pikachu features a talking Pikachu who becomes a detective and helps to solve mysteries.WEB,weblink Bizarre Pokémon game Detective Pikachu is real, out next week in Japan, 26 January 2016, Eurogamer, February 3, 2016, November 11, 2022,weblink live, Pikachu appear in almost all levels of Pokémon Snap and its sequel, New Pokémon Snap,WEB,weblink The 20 best Pokémon games of all time, Eurogamer, September 16, 2021, October 3, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live, games where the player takes pictures of Pokémon for a score. A Pikachu is one of the sixteen starters and ten partners in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series.WEB,weblink Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX: Pokémon personality quiz, answers and playable Pokémon explained, Lottie, Lynn, Eurogamer, March 6, 2020, October 9, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live, Pikachu has appeared in all five Super Smash Bros. fighting games as a playable character,WEB,weblink Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Profiles: Pikachu, www.shacknews.com, October 9, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live, including in Pokkén Tournament, along with "Pikachu Libre", based on "Cosplay Pikachu" from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.WEB,weblink Pikachu, Suicune, and Gardevoir announced for Pokkén Tournament, Destructoid, January 23, 2015, August 25, 2015, November 8, 2020,weblink live, WEB,weblink 'Pokkén Tournament' To Be Released On Wii U Next Year, 21 August 2015, Forbes, September 8, 2017, November 13, 2022,weblink live, Pikachu has also appeared in Pokémon Unite,WEB, Pokémon Unite Is As Simple And Approachable As A MOBA Gets,weblink Kotaku, Fahey, Mike, June 28, 2021, July 13, 2021, November 27, 2022,weblink live, Pokémon Rumble World,WEB, Pokémon Rumble Developer Ambrella Has Been Acquired And Dissolved By Creatures Inc.,weblink Nintendo Life, February 8, 2021, Craddock, Ryan, July 13, 2021, December 6, 2022,weblink live, Pokémon Go,WEB, Pokémon Go adding new costumed Pikachu just for Okinawa islands of Japan,weblink Eurogamer, June 21, 2021, Phillips, Tom, July 13, 2021, March 17, 2022,weblink live, and also puzzle games such as Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Battle Trozei, Pokémon Picross,WEB, Pokémon's spinoffs are the series at its most adventurous,weblink The Verge, Webster, Andrew, February 23, 2021, July 13, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live, and Pokémon Café Mix.WEB, More surprises in Pokémon Café Mix: Pikachu returns, new orders available, more,weblink Burch, Jennifer, Nintendo Wire, July 22, 2020, July 13, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live,

In the anime

File:Pokémon episode 1 screenshot.png|thumb|upright=1|Ash receiving his Pikachu in the first episode of the Pokémon anime, "Pokémon, I Choose You!Pokémon, I Choose You!The Pokémon anime series and films feature the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu. Ash journeys to train and capture Pokémon while the members of the villainous organization Team Rocket attempt to steal Ash's Pikachu.BOOK, O'Melia, Gina, Japanese Influence on American Children's Television, 12 July 2019, Palgrave Macmillan, 978-3-030-17416-3, 115–146, 10.1007/978-3-030-17416-3_5, 199270336,weblink 31 December 2022, March 12, 2024,weblink live, Other wild and trained Pikachu appear throughout the series, often interacting with Ash and his Pikachu. The most notable among these is Ritchie's Pikachu, {{Nihongo|Sparky|レオン|Reon|Leon}}.EPISODE, A Friend In Deed, Pokémon, Shōji Yonemura (writer), Various, November 20, 1999, (List of Pokémon: Indigo League episodes, Indigo League), 78, Like most other Pokémon, Pikachu communicates only by saying syllables of his own name. Ash's Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Ōtani in all versions of the anime. In Pokémon Live!, the musical stage show adapted from the anime, Pikachu was played by Jennifer Risser.WEB,weblinkweblink 2021-12-12, live, YouTube, www.youtube.com, 2020-01-09, {{cbignore}}Following Pokémon Ultimate Journeys, which concludes the story of Ash and his Pikachu, another Pikachu named "Captain Pikachu" was introduced as a major character in the followup series (Pokémon Horizons: The Series|Pokémon Horizons), also voiced by Ōtani. Taito Okiura, the vice president of marketing for The Pokémon Company International, stated that Pikachu would "continue to have a significant presence in the animated series and remain an icon for the brand".WEB, Hazra, Adriana, New Pokémon Anime Announces New Characters Friede, Captain Pikachu,weblink Anime News Network, May 5, 2023, February 24, 2023, May 5, 2023,weblink live,

In the live-action film

In the 2019 film Detective Pikachu, a detective Pikachu is voiced by Ryan Reynolds and Ōtani.NEWS, Page-Kirby, Kristen, Ryan Reynolds plays Pikachu in the new Pokémon movie. It's way better than it sounds.,weblink The Washington Post, June 12, 2021, May 9, 2019,weblink live, WEB, Richards, Will, 'Detective Pikachu' star says the film's sequel has been scrapped,weblink NME, June 12, 2021, May 6, 2021, November 13, 2022,weblink live, Pikachu is featured in a 2021 Katy Perry music video, "Electric".WEB, McWhertor, Michael, 2021-05-14, Watch Katy Perry and Pikachu's new music video, 'Electric',weblink 2021-06-15, Polygon, en, November 13, 2022,weblink live,

In other media

Pikachu is a prominent Pokémon in many of the Pokémon manga series. In Pokémon Adventures, main characters Red and Yellow both train Pikachu, which create an egg that Gold hatches into a Pichu. Other series, including Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Magical Pokémon Journey and Getto Da Ze also feature Pikachu. Other manga series, such as Electric Tale of Pikachu, and Ash & Pikachu, feature Ash Ketchum's Pikachu from the anime series."weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20000510020712weblink">Animerica Interview Toshihiro Ono." VIZ Media. May 10, 2000. Retrieved on May 31, 2009.Collectible cards featuring Pikachu have appeared since the initial Pokémon Trading Card Game released in October 1996, including limited edition promotional cards. One of these collectible cards was "Pikachu Illustrator", limited to about 20-40 printed in 1998, and was auctioned off for about $55,000 in 2016, and then $375,000 in 2021.WEB,weblink World's most valuable Pokemon card sold at auction for more than $54,000, Whitten, Sarah, 2016-11-21, www.cnbc.com, 2019-02-19, November 14, 2022,weblink live, WEB, The Top 10 Most Valuable Pokémon Cards In History,weblink Kotaku, Zwiezen, Zach, July 3, 2021, July 13, 2021, September 22, 2022,weblink live, For the franchise's 25th anniversary, The Pokémon Company announced special trading cards in 2021, each featuring 25 Pikachu drawn by 25 artists.WEB,weblink New Pokémon Card Shows 25 Pikachu Drawn By 25 Iconic Artists, Kotaku, July 14, 2021, August 26, 2021, December 6, 2022,weblink live, The character has also been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King.WEB, McDonald's Japan releases trio of Pikachu-themed fruit desserts for summer,weblink Japan Today, Toby M, June 11, 2021, July 13, 2021, September 28, 2022,weblink live, WEB, The Pojo – TCG Set Lists McDonald's Campaign Expansion Set,weblink 2008-06-04, August 2, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120802210624weblink">weblink live, WEB, Fastfoodtoys.Net Pokémon 2000 Toys,weblink 2008-06-04,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090129115403weblink">weblink 2009-01-29, dead, NEWS, Restaurant chain entertainment promotions monitor, June 2003,weblink June 1, 2003, Entertainment Marketing Letter, 2009-06-30, July 19, 2012,weblink" title="archive.today/20120719042420weblink">weblink live, WEB, Pokemon at Wendy's Promotion Begins!,weblink May 20, 2003, 2009-06-30,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20080212014130weblink">weblink 2008-02-12,

Legacy

Promotion and merchandise

File:TOYOTA ist Pikachu Car.jpg|thumb|upright=1|A Toyota IstToyota IstAs the mascot of the franchise, Pikachu has made multiple appearances in various promotional events and merchandise. In 1998, then Topeka, Kansas Mayor Joan Wagnon renamed the town "ToPikachu" for a day,MAGAZINE, Staff, November 1999, What's the Deal with Pokémon?, Electronic Gaming Monthly, 124, 172, and the renaming was repeated in 2018 by Mayor Michelle De La Isla with the release of the Pokémon Let's Go games.NEWS, Shank, Tiernan, Topeka renamed "ToPikachu" for second time in 20 years,weblink 1 February 2022, WIBW, February 2, 2023,weblink live, A "got milk?" advertisement featured Pikachu on April 25, 2000.WEB, 2000-05-25, Pikachu Guzzles Milk to Become Most Powerful Pokemon,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090306222559weblink">weblink 2009-03-06, 2008-07-29, Business Wire, A Pikachu balloon has been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade since 2001.WEB, The History Of Gaming Balloons In The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,weblink Kotaku, Fahey, Mike, November 24, 2016, July 12, 2021, November 27, 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141127041734weblink">weblink live, The original balloon was flown for the last time publicly at the Pokémon: Tenth Anniversary "Party of the Decade" on August 8, 2006, in Bryant Park in New York City,NEWS, Zappia, Corina, August 8, 2006, How Has Pokémon Not Died Yet?, NY Mirror, The Village Voice,weblink 2009-05-18, October 12, 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141012154315weblink">weblink dead, NEWS, Clark, Roger, August 8, 2006, Pokemon Mania Takes Over Bryant Park, NY1 News,weblink 2009-05-18,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090918192517weblink">weblink 2009-09-18, NEWS, Sekula, Anna, August 17, 2006, Gamers Crowd Bryant Park for Pokemon Tournament, BizBash, BizBash Media Inc.,weblink dead, 2009-05-18,weblink" title="archive.today/20120721113423weblink">weblink July 21, 2012, WEB, 2010-12-05, Pokémon Party of the Decade,weblink 2010-12-13, Bryantpark.org, September 6, 2009,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090906110631weblink">weblink live, and a new Pikachu balloon that chases a Poké Ball and has light-up cheeks debuted at the 2006 parade.NEWS, Whitt, Tom, 2006-05-23, Pikachu Soars as Trial Balloon for a Safer Macy's Parade, The New York Times,weblink 2008-07-29, December 10, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161210065344weblink">weblink live, In the 2014 parade, a new Pikachu balloon was wearing a green scarf and holding a smaller Pikachu snowman.WEB, LeBoeuf, Sarah, 3 November 2014, Holiday-Themed Pikachu Making Debut in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,weblink 27 November 2014, Defy Media, LLC, December 4, 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20141204230245weblink">weblink dead, As of 2021, the latest balloon is that of a Pikachu and Eevee together in a sled.WEB, Sheridan, Connor, Pikachu and Eevee look very cozy in their new Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float,weblink GamesRadar, October 18, 2021, 1 February 2022, December 26, 2022,weblink live, Pikachu and ten other Pokémon were chosen as Japan's mascots in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.WEB, Pikachu Named Japan's Official Mascot In Brazil 2014 World Cup,weblink Salvador Borboa, March 12, 2014, The Beautiful Game LLC, March 17, 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20171112053817weblink">weblink November 12, 2017, dead, ANA Boeing 747-400 (JA8962) planes have been covered with images of Pokémon including Pikachu since 1998. In 2021, the first Pokémon Jet (Boeing 747-400D) featuring entirely Pikachu debuted.WEB, Japan Gets A New Pokémon Airplane And It's Glorious,weblink Kotaku, Ashcraft, Brian, June 24, 2021, July 13, 2021, December 26, 2022,weblink live,

Critical reception

Pikachu has been well-received by reviewers; it was ranked as the "second best person of the year" by Time in 1999, who called it "the most beloved animated character since Hello Kitty". The magazine noted Pikachu as the "public face of a phenomenon that has spread from Nintendo's fastest selling video game to a trading-card empire", citing the franchise's profits for the year as "the reason for the ranking", behind singer Ricky Martin but ahead of author J.K. Rowling.MAGAZINE, 1999-12-20, The Best (and Worst) of 1999: The Best People of 1999, 154, Time (magazine), Time, 24,weblink 2010-03-05, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20090303173742weblink">weblink 2009-03-03, Pikachu has ranked 20th to 4th place in anime, cartoon character, and video game character polls since 2000.WEB, 2000-09-12, Gundam Tops Anime Poll,weblink 2008-11-10, Anime News Network, February 20, 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110220020326weblink">weblink live, TV Guide's 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time. Retrieved April 17, 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227092058weblink |date=December 27, 2005 }}WEB, Ashcraft, Brian, 2009-10-04, And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are...?,weblink 2009-09-12, Kotaku, July 26, 2012,weblink" title="archive.today/20120726181420weblink">weblink live, WEB,weblink Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time, IGN, Chris Mackenzie, October 20, 2009, December 24, 2021, June 16, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120616065002weblink">weblink live, NEWS,weblink Guinness Names Top 50 Video Game Characters Of All Time, Game Informer, Jeff, Marchiafava, February 16, 2011, February 2, 2018, February 1, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120201201521weblink">weblink live, In 2003, Forbes ranked Pikachu as the "eighth top-earning fictional character of the year" with an income of $825 million.WEB, Gisquet, Vanessa, Lagorce, Aude, 2003-09-25, Top-Earning Fictional Characters,weblink 2010-03-05, Forbes, November 2, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20121102174139weblink">weblink live, BOOK, Nintendo Power 250th issue!, 2010, Future US, South San Francisco, California, 40, 41, Nintendo Power, In 2004, the character dropped two spots to tenth on the list, taking in $825 million for a second straight year.WEB, Gisquet, Vanessa, Rose, Lacey, 2004-10-19, Top Characters Gross $25B,weblinkweblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20041023005203weblink">weblink dead, October 23, 2004, 2010-03-05, Forbes, The character has been regarded as the Japanese answer to Mickey MouseBOOK, Tobin, Joseph,weblink Children, Young People and Media Globalisation, UNESCO, 2002, 91-89471-15-6, Cecilla von Feilitzen, 53–67, Pikachu's Global Adventure, 1403-4700, amp, 2009-06-09, Ulla Carlsson,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110612090042weblink">weblink 2011-06-12, dead, and as being part of a movement of "cute capitalism".Allison, Anne (2002) The Cultural Politics of Pokémon Capitalism Media in Transition 2: globalization and convergence {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419212425weblink |date=April 19, 2009 }} Manga artist Hiro Mashima referred to Pikachu as "the greatest mascot character of all time!" when talking about adding these types of characters to series.WEB,weblink New York Comic-Con 2017: Q&A with Fairy Tail Creator Hiro Mashima, Anime News Network, October 6, 2017, October 8, 2017, July 2, 2022,weblink live, Zack Zwiezen of Kotaku praised the simplicity of Pikachu's design, describing it as "possibly one of the most iconic characters on the planet".WEB, Pikachu Gets More Powerful The More It Sleeps,weblink Kotaku, Zwiezen, Zach, February 27, 2021, July 13, 2021, December 24, 2022,weblink live, Dale Bishir of IGN described Pikachu as the most important Pokémon that impacted the franchise's history, and further stated that "Its irresistible cuteness, merchandising power, army of clones in every generation... if your mom calls every Pokémon 'Pikachu', then you know in your heart that it is the most important Pokémon of all time."WEB, The 25 Most Important Pokemon That Impacted the Franchise's History,weblink IGN, Bashir, Dale, March 4, 2021, July 13, 2021, September 21, 2022,weblink live, In 2019, Mitsuhiro Arita said that Pikachu and Charizard were "fan favourites" in Pokémon's design on the trading cards.WEB, "People come up to me and say that's still their favourite Pokemon card": Mitsuhiro Arita reflects on 20 years of Pokemon's strangest and most iconic designs,weblink GamesRadar+, James, Ford, West, Josh, September 5, 2019, September 24, 2021, December 25, 2022,weblink live, Lauren Rouse of Kotaku listed Pikachu as the best animal companions that are the real MVPs of video games, stating that "Pikachu symbolises one of the best animal-human friendships in pop culture history and it makes a damn good Pokémon to have in your roster."WEB, 7 Animal Companions That Are The Real MVPs Of Video Games,weblink Kotaku, Rouse, Lauren, June 24, 2021, July 13, 2021, July 11, 2021,weblink live, Time Magazine named Pikachu as one of the twelve most influential video game characters of all time, lauding its appearance as the "most recognizable and beloved sidekick in pop culture."MAGAZINE,weblink Lisa Eadicicco, Alex Fitzpatrick, Matt Peckham, The 15 Most Influential Video Game Characters of All Time, Time Magazine, June 30, 2017, May 25, 2021, December 6, 2022,weblink live, Conversely, Pikachu was ranked first in AskMen{{'}}s top 10 of the most irritating 1990s cartoon characters.WEB,weblink Top 10: Irritating '90s Cartoon Characters, Murphy, Ryan, AskMen, July 7, 2012, August 18, 2022,weblink dead, Similarly, in a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 48th best Pokémon, with the staff commenting "despite being the most recognized Pokémon in the world... Pikachu ranks surprisingly low on our top 100".WEB,weblink Pikachu – #48 Top Pokémon – IGN, IGN, 2012-06-26, July 24, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120724023909weblink">weblink dead, Kotaku writer Patricia Hernandez criticized Pikachu's over-representation in Pokémon-related media, saying: "it's hard not to be barraged by Pikachu's constant presence if you're a Pokémon fan, and it sucks."WEB, Hernandez, Patricia, Fuck Pikachu,weblink Kotaku, November 29, 2017, June 12, 2021, September 22, 2022,weblink live, In 2024, a poll conducted by BAFTA with around 4,000 respondents named Pikachu as the twelfth most iconic video-game character of all time.NEWS, Ollie Reynolds, Random: BAFTA's 'Iconic Game Characters' Poll Has Us Scratching Our Heads,weblink Nintendo Life, April 3, 2024, April 8, 2024,

Cultural impact

In 2008, a ligand believed to provide better visual acuity was discovered by the Osaka Bioscience Institute Foundation and named "Pikachurin", in reference to the nimbleness of Pikachu.NEWS,weblink Pikachurin, a dystroglycan ligand, is essential for photoreceptor ribbon synapse formation, Nature (journal), Nature, 2008-07-20, 2008-07-21, September 22, 2022,weblink live, The name was inspired due to Pikachu's "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects".NEWS, Levenstein, Steve, 2008-07-24, Inventor Spot,weblink Lightning-Fast Vision Protein Named After Pikachu, 2008-07-29, July 11, 2017,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170711112534weblink">weblink dead, In 2021, the Chilean independent politician Giovanna Grandón famously went to many protests during the 2019–2021 Chilean protests dressed in an inflatable Pikachu suit. She went on to be elected as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 2021-2022, and is known as Aunt Pikachu (Tía Pikachú).WEB, Anglesey, Anders, 2021-05-17, "Aunt Pikachu" triumphs in Chile election to draft new constitution,weblink 2021-07-07, Newsweek, en, September 21, 2022,weblink live, In July 2021 during the Group of Seven climate summit, a group of protestors dressed as Pikachus demonstrated on Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth,WEB, 'Nearly pasty point of no return': Pikachu, surfers and parades feature in colourful G7 climate protests,weblinkweblink May 26, 2022, subscription, live, The Independent, Drury, Colin, June 21, 2021, July 13, 2021, while in November 2021, a group of activists dressed up as Pikachu to protest Japan's refusal to reduce coal consumption at COP26.WEB,weblink Pikachu protests Japan's refusal to reduce coal consumption at COP26, NME, November 5, 2021, December 9, 2021, September 22, 2022,weblink live, In 2016, the Pikachu, also known as the Pokemonument,WEB, Kooser, Amanda, August 3, 2016, Unofficial Pikachu Pokemonument statue erected in New Orleans,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160806031848weblink">weblink August 6, 2016, August 6, 2016, CNET, CBS Interactive, WEB, This Mysterious Pokémon Go 'Pokemonument' Popped Up, August 2, 2016,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20161029170226weblink">weblink 29 October 2016, 3 February 2017, a fiberglass sculpture depicting Pikachu by an unknown artist, was installed in Lower Garden District, a New Orleans neighborhood.WEB, Embuscado, Rain, August 2, 2016, See Wild Photos of the Pokémon Go Statue That Appeared Overnight in New Orleans,weblink live,weblink August 8, 2016, August 6, 2016, Artnet, The {{convert|5|ft|m|adj=on}} statue of the Japanese icon was erected as an apparent tribute to Pokémon Go on July 31, 2016, in a decommissioned fountain along Terpsichore Street.NEWS, MacCash, Doug, August 5, 2016, Pokemon sculpture seemingly attacked with baseball bat, The Times-Picayune, Advance Publications, New Orleans,weblink live, August 6, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160808144036weblink">weblink August 8, 2016, 1055-3053, and was a fiberglass sculpture coated to look like bronze.BOOK, Macaluso, Laura A.,weblink Monument Culture: International Perspectives on the Future of Monuments in a Changing World, 2019-05-30, Rowman & Littlefield, 978-1-5381-1416-2, en, 2022-07-25,weblink 2022-07-25, live, Within a few days, the sculpture was vandalized by someone with a baseball bat, but repaired. Some two weeks after its placement, the "Pokemonument" was removed, and an online statement from the artist said that the artwork would be auctioned to benefit restoration of the park's fountains.WEB, Mysterious Pokemonument statue sells for $2,000 at auction Sunday, September 25, 2016,weblink live,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20170203162451weblink">weblink 3 February 2017, 3 February 2017,

See also

• Pikachu virus

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

Citations

{{Reflist}}

Bibliography

• Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, California: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999.
• Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. {{ISBN|0-439-15404-9}}.
• Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector's Edition: Prima's Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21, 2004. {{ISBN|0-7615-4761-4}}
• Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player's Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. {{ISBN|1-930206-50-X}}
• Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Player's Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. {{ISBN|1-930206-58-5}}
• BOOK, Tobin, Joseph Jay, 2004, Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon, Duke University Press, 978-0-8223-3287-9,

External links

{{wiktionary|Pikachu}}{{commons category}}

• Pikachu on Pokemon.com
• {{Bulbapedia}}
• Pikachu on Serebii

{{Pokémon Generation 1|state=expanded}}{{Pokémon}}{{Super Smash Bros.}}{{Authority control}}