Pikachu#Cultural impact
{{Short description|Pokémon species}}
{{Other uses}}
{{good article}}
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{{Infobox character
| name = Pikachu
| image = Pokémon Pikachu art.png
| image_upright = 0.75
| caption = Pikachu artwork by Ken Sugimori
| series = Pokémon
| firstgame = Pokémon Red and Blue (1996)
| creator = Atsuko Nishida
| designer = {{ubl|Atsuko Nishida|Koji Nishino|Ken Sugimori (finalized)|James Turner (Gigantamax)}}
| voice = {{Collapsible list|title=Various|{{idp|
- Ikue Ōtani
- Kate Bristol (Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!{{--)}}
- Abby Espiritu (Pokémon: Path to the Peak{{--)}}
- Detective Pikachu:
- Ryan Reynolds (film, English)
- Kaiji Tang (video games and short, English)
- Hidetoshi Nishijima (film, Japanese)
- Tōru Ōkawa (video game, Japanese)
- Koichi Yamadera (Detective Pikachu Returns and short, Japanese)}}}}
| species = Pokémon
| lbl21 = Type
| data21 = Electric
}}
Pikachu ({{IPAc-en|audio=Pikachu Voice Line.ogg|ˈ|p|iː|k|ə|tʃ|uː}}; Japanese: {{lang|ja|ピカチュウ}}, Hepburn: {{Transliteration|ja|Pikachū}}) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise, and the franchise's mascot. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it was created by Atsuko Nishida at the request of lead designer Ken Sugimori, with the design finalized by Sugimori. Since Pikachu's debut, it has appeared in multiple games including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise. While Pikachu has been primarily voiced in media by Ikue Ōtani, other actors have also voiced the character including Kate Bristol, Ryan Reynolds, Kaiji Tang, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tōru Ōkawa, and Koichi Yamadera.
Classified as an Electric-type Pokémon, Pikachu is a large yellow mouse with a lightning bolt-shaped tail, and red sacs on its cheek which can generate large amounts of electricity. Originally designed to be the first part of a three-stage evolution line in Red and Blue, Pikachu evolves into Raichu through the use of a "Thunder Stone" item, with Raichu intended to be able to evolve into 'Gorochu'. However 'Gorochu' was removed due to cartridge space concerns, and a pre-evolution for Pikachu, Pichu, was later added in the sequel titles Pokémon Gold and Silver.
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 series protagonist Ash Ketchum. Pikachu has been well received by critics, with particular praise given for to its cute design, and it has been regarded as an icon of both the Pokémon franchise and Japanese pop culture as a whole.
Conception and development
Pikachu is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |title=Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All |magazine=Game Informer |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=December 25, 2016 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001192920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |url-status=live }} In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items. Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.{{cite book |title=Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook |date=July 28, 2015 |publisher=Scholastic Inc. |page=5 |isbn=9780545795661}} A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.{{cite book |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |first=Anne |last=Allison |date=May 2006 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520938991 |pages=192–197}}
Midway through Red and Blue{{'}}s development, lead designer Ken Sugimori felt that the game needed more "cute" Pokémon and was struggling to conceive of such designs. Attributing it to his male perspective, he brought in female Game Freak staff including Atsuko Nishida to join the development team. Tasked with developing the Pikachu species and its evolutionary line, she was given specific guidelines to work with, namely its role as an Electric-type Pokémon, that it evolved twice, and that the final evolution should "look strong".{{cite web |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/fukayomi/20180501-OYT8T50139/ |language=Japanese |website=Yomiuri |date=2 May 2018 |accessdate=22 January 2024 |script-title=ja:ピカチュウは大福? 初めて明かされる誕生秘話 |trans-title=Is Pikachu Daifuku? The Secret Story Behind its Creation Revealed for the First Time |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006195536/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/fukayomi/20180501-OYT8T50139/ |url-status=live }} English transcript of interview available at {{cite web |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu |website=Pokemon.com |date=26 July 2018 |accessdate=9 February 2024 |title=Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830165102/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu/ |archivedate=30 August 2020 }} Pikachu evolves into Raichu through use of the game's "Thunder Stone" item.{{cite web |first=Brett |last=Elston |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415055058/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-3/?page=4 |archivedate=April 15, 2015 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-3/a-20070820121621574095/g-2006100415372930075/p-4 |title=The Complete Pokemon RBY Pokedex, Part 3, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl DS Features |website=GamesRadar+ |date=2010-09-21 |accessdate=2010-09-25 |url-status=dead }} Raichu was originally planned to evolve into a Pokémon species dubbed Gorochu, but this was cut due to cartridge space concerns. Later in the franchise, Sugimori would create a Pokémon that evolved into Pikachu named Pichu to complete the trinity.{{cite magazine |magazine=Pocket Games |title=Pokémon Breeding |page=46 |date=Winter 2001 |issue=5 |issn=1524-3567}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/23/pokemon-creators-on-platinum |website=IGN |first=Craig |last=Harris |accessdate=2024-08-11 |date=2012-05-11 |title=Pokemon Creators on Platinum |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602124600/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/23/pokemon-creators-on-platinum |url-status=live }} Nishida developed the original Pikachu sprites using a single color identity chosen to work within the Super Game Boy's hardware limitations.{{cite web |last1=Morrissy |first1=Kim |title=Pokémon Designers Reflect on History of Eevee's Design |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-09-10/pokemon-designers-reflect-on-history-of-eevee-design/.136529 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=18 August 2020 |archive-date=2022-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126003606/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-09-10/pokemon-designers-reflect-on-history-of-eevee-design/.136529 |url-status=live }} Afterwards, the design was finalized by Sugimori who, towards the end of development, drew the promotional art of all the species to give them a unified look and make any last-minute changes.{{cite book |pages=342–343 |language=Japanese |title=Ken Sugimori Works |publisher=Tankobon Softcover |date=January 2014 |isbn= 9784198638061}}
=Design=
Standing {{convert|0.4|m|ftin}} tall, Pikachu is a bipedal rodent with long ears and feet but short arms. It has yellow fur, long pointed ears that end in black tips, red cheek sacs, and a tail shaped after a lightning bolt.{{cite web|url=https://zukan.pokemon.co.jp/detail/0025|title=ピカチュウ｜ポケモンずかん|trans-title=Pikachu {{!}} Pokédex|website=Pokemon.co.jp|publisher=The Pokémon Company|language=ja|access-date=2025-04-25}}{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403083712/http://guides.ign.com/guides/9846/page_122.html |archivedate=2012-04-03 |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/9846/page_122.html |title=Pokémon Details #025 Pikachu |website=IGN |accessdate=2024-09-12}} It has a black pattern on its back, as Nishida felt since this part of the character would face the player during gameplay, it "would be better to put something there rather than having it be perfectly smooth." While preliminary designs took inspiration from mice or rabbits, as the Pokémon Rattata already existed at this point in development she instead modeled the species after squirrels. Nishida stated in an interview that she was obsessed with squirrels at the time due to their "comical" movement, and had the idea to have Pikachu store electricity in their cheeks similar to how squirrels store food. Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri however chose to change the species to be a type of mouse when he was designing the setting.
Nishida was helped during the creation process by fellow developer Koji Nishino, who grew fond of Pikachu as a result and consistently encouraged the design to be made cuter, something she was happy to oblige.{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980613171213/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/pokemon/INTER/ATSUKO/INTER_AT.HTM |archivedate=1998-06-13 |title=Atsuko Nishida Interview |website=Game Freak |language=ja |accessdate=2024-09-12 |url=http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/pokemon/INTER/ATSUKO/INTER_AT.HTM }} Due to his fondness for Pikachu, he made it more difficult to find in the original games, joking he wanted to "keep it for himself".{{cite web |website=Game Freak |language=Japanese |title=Interview Mr. Nishino About...Pocket Monsters?! |url=http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/POKEMON/INTER/KABIN/INTER_KB.HTM |date=1997 |accessdate=2023-08-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19991003085623/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/POKEMON/INTER/KABIN/INTER_KB.HTM |archivedate=October 3, 1999 |url-status=dead }} Despite initial concerns that players would not be interested in seeking out Pikachu, Sugimori showed the design to the game's development team, where the character was instantly popular.{{Cite book |last=Dockery |first=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bqFdEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Pikachu%22+iconic+-wikipedia&pg=PT28 |title=Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught a Generation to Catch Them All |date=2022-10-04 |publisher=Running Press |isbn=978-0-7624-7951-1 |language=en |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912071043/https://books.google.com/books?id=bqFdEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Pikachu%22+iconic+-wikipedia&pg=PT28 |url-status=live }} Pikachu's design with the release of Red and Blue was initially pudgier in build, but in media and games that followed was changed over time to have a slimmer waist, straighter spine, and more defined face and neck. According to Sugimori, these changes originated from the anime adaptation of the franchise where it made Pikachu easier to animate, and were adopted to the games for consistency.{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2019-12-27 |title=Random: Why Pikachu Is No Longer As Chubby As It Once Was |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/random_why_pikachu_is_no_longer_as_chubby_as_it_once_was |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720132043/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/12/random_why_pikachu_is_no_longer_as_chubby_as_it_once_was |url-status=live }} The older design, nicknamed "Fat Pikachu" by fans of the series, was revisited in Pokémon Sword and Shield, where Pikachu received a special in-battle "Gigantamax" form resembling its original design.{{cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Miranda |date=January 13, 2019 |title=Fat Pikachu Is Back for Pokemon Sword and Shield Trailer and We're All Ec-Static |url=https://sea.ign.com/switch/154421/feature/fat-pikachu-is-back-for-pokemon-sword-and-shield-trailer-and-were-all-ec-static |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121210849/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/16/fat-pikachu-is-back-for-pokemon-sword-and-shield-trailer-and-were-all-ec-static |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |work=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Glennon |first=Jen |date=2019-10-16 |title='Pokémon Sword and Shield' adds Gigantamax Fat Pikachu, Butterfree and more |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/60171-pokemon-sword-shield-gigantamax-fat-pikachu-butterfree-eevee-gen1-kanto |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131826/https://www.inverse.com/article/60171-pokemon-sword-shield-gigantamax-fat-pikachu-butterfree-eevee-gen1-kanto |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |title=Fat Pikachu Is Back With Pokemon Sword And Shield Gigantamaxing |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fat-pikachu-is-back-with-pokemon-sword-and-shield-/1100-6470598/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131845/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fat-pikachu-is-back-with-pokemon-sword-and-shield-/1100-6470598/ |url-status=live }} This Gigantamax form was designed by James Turner,{{cite twitter |number=1559091292889497602 |user=JamesTurner_42 |title=Picked up this Moncolle Gigantamax Pikachu I designed Gigantamax Pikachu and I'm happy I'll now be able to put the big fellow on my shelf. |first=James |last=Turner |date=2022-08-15 |access-date=2024-09-16 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007222341/http://twitter.com/JamesTurner_42/status/1559091292889497602 |archivedate=2022-10-07|url=https://twitter.com/JamesTurner_42/status/1559091292889497602}} who served as art director for Sword and Shield.{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=2022-06-09 |title=Pokemon Sword and Shield art director leaves to form new indie studio |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/pokemon-sword-and-shield-art-director-leaves-to-form-new-indie-studio/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917015651/https://www.gamesradar.com/pokemon-sword-and-shield-art-director-leaves-to-form-new-indie-studio/ |url-status=live }}
=Localization and as a mascot=
Series director Junichi Masuda stated that Pikachu's name was one of the most difficult to create, due to an effort of wanting to make it appealing to both Japanese and American audiences.{{cite magazine |author=Noble, McKinley |date=2009-03-23 |title=Pokemon Platinum: Developer Interview! |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/209340/pokemon-platinum-developer-interview-pt-2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327224428/http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/209340/pokemon-platinum-developer-interview-pt-2/ |archive-date=2009-03-27 |access-date=2009-06-09 |magazine=GamePro}} The name is derived from a combination of two Japanese onomatopoeia: ピカ (pika), a sparkling sound, and チュー (chū), a sound a mouse makes.{{cite magazine |date=November 22, 1999 |title=The Ultimate Game Freak |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2040095,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501090040/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/pokemon6.fullinterview1.html |archive-date=2010-05-01 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |magazine=Time |page=1 |volume=154 |issue=20}} When localizing the games for the United States, Nintendo of America's staff initially proposed to redesign "cute" Pokémon in order to appeal to an American audience. According to Pokémon Company president Tsunekazu Ishihara, they had proposed to change Pikachu to look like "something like a tiger with huge breasts. It looked like a character from the musical Cats." Taken aback, he had asked them how it was supposed to be Pikachu, and in response they pointed to the character's tail. This suggestion was scrapped, and Pikachu used the same design in the west as it did in Japan.{{Cite magazine |last=Intreglia |first=Courtney Mifsud |date=2024-02-26 |title=The Path to Pokémon |url=https://time.com/6796536/history-origins-pokemon/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720132439/https://time.com/6796536/history-origins-pokemon/ |url-status=live }} However, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata recalled the events differently. At the time, Iwata was working at HAL Laboratory, and one of the localizers upon seeing the Pokémon designs stated "Something this cute can't be called a 'monster'", arguing monsters should be muscular and fearsome. As a result, the localization team drew up a muscular redesign of Pikachu for Iwata to submit to Game Freak. Iwata refused, stating his reaction was "There's no way we can show this to the people who made Pokémon."{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/events/081031qa/03.html |website=Nintendo |language=Japanese |script-title=ja:2008年10月31日(金)経営方針説明会/第2四半期(中間)決算説明会 |trans-title=Friday, October 31, 2008 Management Policy Briefing / Second Quarter (Interim) Financial Results Briefing |page=3 |accessdate=2024-09-20 |date=2008 |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926134252/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/events/081031qa/03.html |url-status=live }}
Initially considered alongside Clefairy as lead characters for franchise merchandising, Pikachu emerged as the mascot of the anime series due to its popularity amongst schoolchildren and appeal to both boys and girls.{{cite magazine |last1=Hillard |first1=Kyle |date=17 August 2017 |title=Pokémon{{'}}s Creators On the Anime: 'We Weren't Really Sure About It' |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/17/pokemons-creators-on-the-anime-we-werent-really-sure-about-it.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130144237/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/08/17/pokemons-creators-on-the-anime-we-werent-really-sure-about-it.aspx |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=6 November 2017 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |date=2021-04-28 |title=How Pikachu Became Pokémon's Mascot |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/pikachu-pokemon-mascot-history-nintendo/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222043902/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/pikachu-pokemon-mascot-history-nintendo/ |url-status=live }} Sugimori felt female players in particular were drawn to "cute" characters like Pikachu, stating in an interview with Famimaga 64 magazine "Some girls just collect 50 different Pikachu".{{cite magazine |magazine=Famimaga 64 |issue=11 |date=November 1997 |script-title=ja:「ポケモン」の今までとこれからを 熱く語る!! |trans-title=A Passionate Discussion About the Past and Future of Pokémon! |language=Japanese |pages=8–11}} The development team considered Pikachu to appeal to a larger demographic due to more closely resembling a "pet," believing that those buying merchandise would wish to have it in their home. Masakazu Kubo, a member of the anime's development team, stated that a "checklist" was involved in making the choice. He stated that their criteria required a warm design, a non-threatening color, a face that could convey emotion, a vocalization pronounceable by children, and a cute appearance, all of which Pikachu had.{{Cite book |last=Fung |first=Anthony Y. H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Htqw-BHJlnwC&dq=%22Pikachu%22+iconic+-wikipedia&pg=PA206 |title=Asian Popular Culture: The Global (Dis)continuity |date=2013-05-29 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-08995-6 |language=en |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912064941/https://books.google.com/books?id=Htqw-BHJlnwC&dq=%22Pikachu%22%20iconic%20-wikipedia&pg=PA206 |url-status=live }} Pikachu was additionally selected for the role due to the fact that picking one of Pokémon Red and Blue{{'}}s three starter Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle—would have created a "gap" with children who did not select the one used in the anime.{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=Time Magazine |pages=41 |isbn=978-1547865239}}
=Voice=
For the vast majority of appearances Ikue Ōtani has voiced the character since it was introduced in the Pokémon anime. Ōtani records new lines for many of Pikachu's reappearances, and stated that despite the similar dialogue "If you don't have a clear understanding of what you want to say in the scene and come up with a plan for your performance, you won't convey anything... Because, if there's the same nuance, then it would just be OK to use [previously] recorded material." In the anime series, Pikachu only speaks using its name.{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=2016-02-19 |title=People Used To Tease Pikachu's Voice Actress |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/02/people-used-to-tease-pikachus-voice-actress/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114113247/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/02/people-used-to-tease-pikachus-voice-actress/ |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU}} Initially, it was planned for Pikachu to slowly become more adept at human speech as the series progressed, but these plans were dropped during production of the series.{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |date=2023-03-14 |title=Pikachu Was Originally Supposed To Speak Like Meowth In Pokemon Anime |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pikachu-originally-supposed-speak-like-meowth-pokemon-anime/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715154255/https://www.thegamer.com/pikachu-originally-supposed-speak-like-meowth-pokemon-anime/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=2023-03-14 |title=Random: Pikachu Was Originally Going To Talk Like Meowth In Pokémon Anime, Says Director |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/03/random-pikachu-was-originally-going-to-talk-like-meowth-in-pokemon-anime-says-director |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720132055/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/03/random-pikachu-was-originally-going-to-talk-like-meowth-in-pokemon-anime-says-director |url-status=live }} Ōtani voices the role in all languages which is unlike other Pokémon voice actors, where the actor is different in each country's anime dub. Masuda stated Pikachu's voice was kept consistent across languages so its name would be universal across the world.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2016-08-24 |title=Sakurai had a ton of trouble gathering different Pokemon voices for Smash Bros. |url=https://www.destructoid.com/sakurai-had-a-ton-of-trouble-gathering-different-pokemon-voices-for-smash-bros/ |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926134302/https://www.destructoid.com/sakurai-had-a-ton-of-trouble-gathering-different-pokemon-voices-for-smash-bros/ |url-status=live }}
Ōtani has voiced the character in the main series video games, and also reprised the role for every installment of the fighting game crossover series Super Smash Bros.. Digitized recreations of her performance in the anime were used for Pikachu's appearance in Pokémon Yellow, and she later voiced the character from the 2013 games Pokémon X and Y until the 2022 game Pokémon Legends: Arceus. In all other appearances, Pikachu uses an in-game digitized "cry," a sound effect used to represent animal cries in the games. This cry had previously been used to represent Pikachu audibly in the main series games prior to X and Y.{{Cite web |last=Narita |first=Sayoko |date=2022-01-29 |title=Pokémon Legends: Arceus brought back Pikachu's original cry sound |url=https://automaton-media.com/en/news/20220129-9073/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=AUTOMATON WEST |language=en-US |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722191708/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/20220129-9073/ |url-status=live }} Other voice actors have voiced Pikachu in English. Kate Bristol briefly portrayed the role in Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, for a line of dialogue where Pikachu talks to Ash, with Bristol stating she attempted to emulate Ōtani's portrayal for the line.{{Cite news |last=Zhou |first=Naaman |date=2017-11-14 |title=Pokémon fans in shock as Pikachu speaks English in latest movie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/14/pokemon-fans-shock-pikachu-speaks-english-movie |access-date=2024-10-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Abby Espiritu portrayed the role in the web series Pokémon: Path to the Peak.{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/shorts/Pokemon-Path-to-the-Peak/Pikachu/|title=Pikachu|website=Behind The Voice Actors}} Espiritu stated that she initially assumed she was portraying Pikachu for a scratch tape before she learned she was portraying the role for the series.{{Cite twitter |number=1699147339347419390 |user=missabbyespirit |title=I am going to be so honest: When our director, Kathy Pilon, said, "Abby, we're gonna have you voice Pikachu," I *genuinely* thought the team just meant I was gonna voice him for the scratch track. Because there's no way, right?! Nope! They meant for the real thing ahhhhh!!! 😭🙏 |first=Abby |last=Espiritu |date=September 5, 2023 |access-date=October 12, 2024}}
Appearances
= In video games and anime =
Pikachu has appeared in all main series Pokémon video games except Pokémon Black and White and its sequel.{{Cite web |last=Sheperd |first=Kenneth |date=2023-05-22 |title=Only Three Pokémon Are Catchable In Every Game, But Not Pikachu |url=https://kotaku.com/only-three-pokemon-are-catchable-in-every-game-but-not-1850461272 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309215001/https://kotaku.com/only-three-pokemon-are-catchable-in-every-game-but-not-1850461272 |url-status=live }} Pikachu features prominently in the Pokémon anime series and films, which focus on the adventures of series protagonist Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu.{{cite book |last1=O'Melia |first1=Gina |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17416-3_5 |title=Japanese Influence on American Children's Television |date=12 July 2019 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-3-030-17416-3 |pages=115–146 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-17416-3_5 |access-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312000726/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-17416-3_5 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |url-status=live |s2cid=199270336}} Ash's Pikachu is initially disobedient, but after Ash saves it from a flock of Spearow, it warms up to Ash, and the pair become friends.{{Cite web |author=Kenneth Shepard |date=2023-09-05 |title=An Ode To Pokémon's Ash Ketchum |url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-anime-ash-ketchum-pikachu-final-episode-netflix-1850805389 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128030211/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-anime-ash-ketchum-pikachu-final-episode-netflix-1850805389 |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |access-date=2024-01-28 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} Ash journeys to train and capture Pokémon while the members of the villainous organization Team Rocket attempt to steal Ash's Pikachu.
The game Pokémon Yellow features a Pikachu, which is given to the player as their first Pokémon. Based on Ash Ketchum's Pikachu from the Pokémon anime, it refuses to stay in its Poké Ball, and instead follows the main character around on screen. The player character can speak to it, and it displays different reactions depending on how it is treated.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/20/pokemon-yellow-special-pikachu-edition |title=Pokemon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition |publisher=IGN |author=Craig Harris |date=October 19, 1999 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024083401/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/20/pokemon-yellow-special-pikachu-edition |url-status=live }}{{cite web| author=Shinn, Gini| title=Case Study: First Generation Pokèmon Games for the Nintendo Game Boy| year=2004| url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/htgg/sts145papers/gshin_2004_1.pdf| access-date=September 18, 2021| archive-date=March 7, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307200303/https://web.stanford.edu/group/htgg/sts145papers/gshin_2004_1.pdf| url-status=dead}} Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, which are inspired by Yellow, have Pikachu as a starter in one of its two versions.{{Cite web |last=Plagge |first=Kallie |date=May 29, 2018 |title=Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu And Let's Go Eevee Announced For Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-and-lets-go-eevee-announce/1100-6459249 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530041241/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-and-lets-go-eevee-announce/1100-6459249 |archive-date=May 30, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |website=GameSpot}} This starter Pikachu has access to several secret techniques and exclusive moves, which are used to progress throughout the game.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2018-11-15 |title=Should you choose Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu or Eevee? |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/15/18096952/pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-vs-eevee-what-to-buy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209123238/https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/15/18096952/pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-vs-eevee-what-to-buy |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=2021-03-19 |website=Polygon |language=en}} Seven forms of Pikachu, which wore caps belonging to Ash Ketchum across different seasons of the anime, were released in the games Pokémon Sun and Moon as well as their Ultra versions via special event distributions,{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Julia |title=Pokémon Sun and Moon players have one week to get Pikachu clad in Ash's original hat |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2017/9/19/16335526/pokemon-sun-moon-pikachu-ash-hat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206005655/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2017/9/19/16335526/pokemon-sun-moon-pikachu-ash-hat |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=2018-09-24 |work=Polygon}} with another round of distributions in Pokémon Sword and Shield additionally adding one with Ash's cap from Pokémon Journeys: The Series.{{Cite web |last=Craddock |first=Ryan |date=2020-11-27 |title=Pokémon Sword And Shield - All Ash's Pikachu Codes |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_-_all_ashrs_pikachu_codes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512194847/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_-_all_ashrs_pikachu_codes |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire introduced five new forms of Pikachu, labelled "Cosplay Pikachu" which wore different outfits and could be used in in-game competitions known as "Pokémon Contests."{{Cite web |last=Schmondiuk |first=Natalie |date=2022-06-22 |title=Does Pikachu Ever Have a Black Tail? |url=https://www.themarysue.com/does-pikachu-ever-have-a-black-tail-answered/ |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=The Mary Sue |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405131536/https://www.themarysue.com/does-pikachu-ever-have-a-black-tail-answered/ |url-status=live }} Pokémon Sun and Moon games also introduced two Z-Crystals exclusive to Pikachu, which allow Pikachu to use special, one-time use attacks that are more powerful than standard attacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/last-free-pikachu-for-pokemon-sun-and-moon-availab/1100-6454333/|title=Last Free Pikachu For Pokemon Sun And Moon Available Now For A Limited Time|last=Knezevic|first=Kevin|date=2017-10-24|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-24|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113142413/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/last-free-pikachu-for-pokemon-sun-and-moon-availab/1100-6454333/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Osborn |first=Alex |date=2017-03-13 |title=Pokemon Sun and Moon to Get Adorable Hat-Wearing Pikachu |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/13/pokemon-sun-and-moon-to-get-adorable-hat-wearing-pikachu |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113214259/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/03/13/pokemon-sun-and-moon-to-get-adorable-hat-wearing-pikachu |url-status=live }}
Outside of 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.{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=2023-12-12 |title=25 Years Ago, Nintendo Made a Terrible Pokémon Game That Was Ahead of Its Time |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/hey-you-pikachu-anniversary-25-years-nintendo |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131845/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/hey-you-pikachu-anniversary-25-years-nintendo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Shearon |first=Andrea |date=2021-06-27 |title=If We're Revisiting Old Pokemon Games, Hey You, Pikachu! Should Be Next |url=https://www.thegamer.com/hey-you-pikachu-modern-take-pokemon-snap/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926134329/https://www.thegamer.com/hey-you-pikachu-modern-take-pokemon-snap/ |url-status=live }} The game Pokémon Channel follows a similar premise of interacting with the Pikachu, though without the microphone.{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/05/pokemon-channel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304134120/http://cube.ign.com/articles/444/444446p1.html |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |title=Pokemon Channel |publisher=IGN |author=Mary Jane Irwin |date=December 4, 2003 |access-date=2010-12-09}} PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure{{Cite web |last=Henley |first=Stacey |date=2021-05-14 |title=After New Pokemon Snap, We Need New PokePark |url=https://www.thegamer.com/new-pokemon-snap-pokepark/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806004624/https://www.thegamer.com/new-pokemon-snap-pokepark/ |url-status=live }} and its sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond,{{cite web|title=PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Review (Wii)|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/pokepark_2_wonders_beyond|website=Nintendo Life|date=March 21, 2012|last=Walker|first=Joe|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113142413/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wii/pokepark_2_wonders_beyond|url-status=live}} features a Pikachu as the main protagonist.[http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nintendo-officially-announces-pokepark-wii/ Nintendo officially announces PokePark Wii] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018051159/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nintendo-officially-announces-pokepark-wii/ |date=October 18, 2012 }} Joystiq. Retrieved February 27, 2010. The game Detective Pikachu features a talking Pikachu who becomes a detective and helps the protagonist Tim Goodman solve mysteries.{{cite web |last=Philips |first=Tom |date=26 January 2016 |title=Bizarre Pokémon game Detective Pikachu is real, out next week in Japan |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-26-bizarre-pokemon-game-detective-pikachu-is-real-out-next-week-in-japan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111114137/https://www.eurogamer.net/bizarre-pokemon-game-detective-pikachu-is-real-out-next-week-in-japan |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |access-date=February 3, 2016 |work=Eurogamer}}
Pikachu appear the games Pokémon Snap{{Cite web |last=Madsen |first=Hayes |date=2024-03-21 |title=25 Years Ago, a Perfect Nintendo Spinoff Changed the Course of Pokémon History |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/pokemon-snap-retrospective-anniversary-spinoff |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=Inverse |language=en |archive-date=July 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708202112/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/pokemon-snap-retrospective-anniversary-spinoff |url-status=live }} and its sequel, New Pokémon Snap,{{Cite web |last=Hewitt |first=Phoebe Lily May |date=2021-05-12 |title=New Pokemon Snap: 10 Pokemon Encounters That Remind Us Of The Old Game |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-snap-encounters-similar-original-game/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513112822/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-snap-encounters-similar-original-game/ |url-status=live }} games where the player takes pictures of Pokémon for a score.{{Cite web |last=Tapsell |first=Chris |date=September 16, 2021 |title=The 20 best Pokémon games of all time |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/best-pokemon-games-20261 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113214259/https://www.eurogamer.net/best-pokemon-games-20261 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2021 |website=Eurogamer}} A Pikachu is one of the sixteen starters and ten partners in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series.{{Cite web |last=Lynn |first=Lottie |date=March 6, 2020 |title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Rescue Team DX: Pokémon personality quiz, answers and playable Pokémon explained |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-06-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-rescue-team-dx-personality-quiz-answers-playable-pokemon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113142415/https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-rescue-team-dx-personality-quiz-answers-playable-pokemon |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |website=Eurogamer}} Pikachu has appeared in all five Super Smash Bros. crossover fighting games as a playable character,{{Cite web |last=Meija |first=Ozzie |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Profiles: Pikachu |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/108464/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-pikachu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113214300/https://www.shacknews.com/article/108464/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-pikachu?amphtml=1 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |website=Shacknews|date=November 12, 2018 }} and in the Pokémon fighting game Pokkén Tournament, in both its normal form{{Cite web |last=Sato |date=2015-01-23 |title=Suicune, Gardevoir, and Pikachu Announced For Pokkén Tournament |url=https://www.siliconera.com/suicune-gardevoir-pikachu-announced-pokken-tournament/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131824/https://www.siliconera.com/suicune-gardevoir-pikachu-announced-pokken-tournament/ |url-status=live }} and as "Pikachu Libre", based on "Cosplay Pikachu" from Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2015-09-15 |title=Pokken Tournament 'Pikachu Libre' introduction trailer |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2015/09/pokken-tournament-pikachu-libre-introduction-trailer |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131830/https://www.gematsu.com/2015/09/pokken-tournament-pikachu-libre-introduction-trailer |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=McBride |first=Claire |date=2019-01-01 |title=Chosen One of the Day: Pikachu Libre |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/chosen-one-of-the-day-pikachu-libre |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=SYFY Official Site |language=en-US |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720132456/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/chosen-one-of-the-day-pikachu-libre |url-status=live }} Pikachu has also appeared in other games, such as Pokémon Unite,{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=June 28, 2021 |title=Pokémon Unite Is As Simple And Approachable As A MOBA Gets |url=https://kotaku.com/pokemon-unite-is-as-simple-and-approachable-as-a-moba-g-1847185517 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127051224/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-unite-is-as-simple-and-approachable-as-a-moba-g-1847185517 |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=Kotaku}} Pokémon Rumble World,{{cite web|title=Pokémon Rumble Developer Ambrella Has Been Acquired And Dissolved By Creatures Inc.|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/pokemon_rumble_developer_ambrella_has_been_acquired_and_dissolved_by_creatures_inc|website=Nintendo Life|date=February 8, 2021|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=December 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206034929/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/pokemon_rumble_developer_ambrella_has_been_acquired_and_dissolved_by_creatures_inc|url-status=live}} Pokémon Go,{{cite web|title=Pokémon Go adding new costumed Pikachu just for Okinawa islands of Japan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-21-pokemon-go-adding-new-costumed-pikachu-just-for-okinawa-islands-of-japan|website=Eurogamer|date=June 21, 2021|last=Phillips|first=Tom|access-date=July 13, 2021|archive-date=March 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317133101/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-21-pokemon-go-adding-new-costumed-pikachu-just-for-okinawa-islands-of-japan|url-status=live}} and Pokémon Café Mix.{{Cite web |last=Aitken |first=Lauren |date=2020-06-24 |title=Pokemon Cafe Mix Microtransactions: How to recruit Pikachu and get more Acorns |url=https://www.vg247.com/pokemon-cafe-mix-microtransactions-how-to-recruit-pikachu-get-more-acorns |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=VG247 |language=en |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720131904/https://www.vg247.com/pokemon-cafe-mix-microtransactions-how-to-recruit-pikachu-get-more-acorns |url-status=live }}
Following the anime season Pokémon Ultimate Journeys, which concludes the story of Ash and his Pikachu and retires them as main cast members, another Pikachu named "Captain Pikachu" was introduced as a major character in the follow-up series Pokémon Horizons, which featured an entirely new cast of characters. Ōtani portrayed the role of Captain Pikachu. 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".{{cite web |last1=Hazra |first1=Adriana |date=February 24, 2023 |title=New Pokémon Anime Announces New Characters Friede, Captain Pikachu |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2023-02-24/new-pokemon-anime-announces-new-characters-friede-captain-pikachu/.195278 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505211253/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2023-02-24/new-pokemon-anime-announces-new-characters-friede-captain-pikachu/.195278 |archive-date=May 5, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2023 |website=Anime News Network}}
=In other media=
File:Detective Pikachu Movie Development.webp
For the 2019 live action film Detective Pikachu, the titular character was portrayed by Ryan Reynolds.{{cite news |last1=Page-Kirby |first1=Kristen |title=Ryan Reynolds plays Pikachu in the new Pokémon movie. It's way better than it sounds. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/ryan-reynolds-plays-pikachu-in-the-new-pokemon-movie-its-way-better-than-it-sounds/2019/05/07/75036fa0-6c5c-11e9-be3a-33217240a539_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509223316/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/ryan-reynolds-plays-pikachu-in-the-new-pokemon-movie-its-way-better-than-it-sounds/2019/05/07/75036fa0-6c5c-11e9-be3a-33217240a539_story.html |archive-date=May 9, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web |last1=Richards |first1=Will |date=May 6, 2021 |title='Detective Pikachu' star says the film's sequel has been scrapped |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/film/detective-pikachu-star-says-the-films-sequel-has-been-scrapped-2935467 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113133830/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/film/detective-pikachu-star-says-the-films-sequel-has-been-scrapped-2935467 |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2021 |website=NME}} Reynolds performed the character's voice work, and also did motion capture for the character's face and movements. Due to Reynolds not being on set, co-star Justice Smith would often act his scenes out to an eyeline representing Pikachu, such as a puppet or a tennis ball.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Tracey |date=2019-05-17 |title='Detective Pikachu' director on how they made those realistic Pokémon |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-detective-pikachu-real-pokemon-list-20190517-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512213536/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-detective-pikachu-real-pokemon-list-20190517-story.html |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Pikachu's visual appearance in the film was built as if the character was an actual animal, with the visual effects team creating detailed skeletal and muscular systems for the Pokémon. They visited zoos and consulted animal experts in order to ensure Pikachu's movements were accurate to real world animals. Pikachu initially started with rabbit-like movement, but eventually evolved movement-wise to have characteristics of multiple species, namely those of marsupials and marmosets. Its eyes were inspired by those of the sugar glider. In order to ensure the design maintained a line between realism and uncanniness, Pikachu's fur frequently changed design. The team would often bring patches of fur to filming locations to see how the colors would respond to the area's lighting.{{Cite magazine |date=2019-05-07 |title=Here's How Detective Pikachu Brought Pokémon Into the Real World |url=https://time.com/5582906/detective-pikachu-pokemon-visual-effects/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305182653/https://time.com/5582906/detective-pikachu-pokemon-visual-effects/ |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-12 |magazine=TIME |language=en}} Hidetoshi Nishijima portrays Detective Pikachu's voice in the Japanese dub of the film.{{Cite web |title=ニュース{{!}}映画「名探偵ピカチュウ」公式サイト |url=https://meitantei-pikachu.jp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704084207/https://meitantei-pikachu.jp/ |archive-date=July 4, 2019 |access-date=2024-05-12 |language=ja}} Pierre Tessier voices the character in the French dub of the film.{{Cite web |last=JA |first=Par |date=2024-03-07 |title=La " voix " de Mario, de Ryan Reynolds, de Deadpool et de Détective Pikachu sera au Gamefest |url=https://www.lardennais.fr/id576669/article/2024-03-07/la-voix-de-mario-de-ryan-reynolds-de-deadpool-et-de-detective-pikachu-sera-au |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512231908/https://www.lardennais.fr/id576669/article/2024-03-07/la-voix-de-mario-de-ryan-reynolds-de-deadpool-et-de-detective-pikachu-sera-au |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Lardennais.fr |language=fr}} Ōtani voiced the character in a brief cameo appearance. This appearance was retained in all language versions barring the German dubbing of the film, which used a slightly deeper and more out of breath version of the dialogue.{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |date=2018-11-16 |title=So, Detective Pikachu's 'Pika Pika!' Is Voiced The Same In Every Version Of The Trailer... Except German |url=https://www.thegamer.com/detectivepikachu-german-voice/ |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926134254/https://www.thegamer.com/detectivepikachu-german-voice/ |url-status=live }}
Pikachu is featured in a 2021 Katy Perry music video, "Electric".{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2021-05-14 |title=Watch Katy Perry and Pikachu's new music video, 'Electric' |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/22435944/katy-perry-pokemon-music-video-electric-pikachu-pichu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113133826/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/22435944/katy-perry-pokemon-music-video-electric-pikachu-pichu |archive-date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=2021-06-15 |website=Polygon |language=en}} In the Pokémon Adventures manga, main character Red owns and uses a Pikachu.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Samantha |date=2023-11-18 |title=The Pokemon Manga Made Pikachu Even Stronger Than The Anime |url=https://screenrant.com/pokemon-manga-pikachu-stronger-anime/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127171654/https://screenrant.com/pokemon-manga-pikachu-stronger-anime/ |url-status=live }} Other manga series, such as Electric Tale of Pikachu,{{Cite web |last=Dockery |first=Daniel |date=2021-02-23 |title=Remembering 'Electric Tale of Pikachu,' Pokémon's first (and strangest) English manga |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/pokemon-electric-tale-of-pikachu-manga |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=SYFY Official Site |language=en-US |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108141506/https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/pokemon-electric-tale-of-pikachu-manga |url-status=live }} and Ash & Pikachu, feature Ash Ketchum's Pikachu from the anime series."[https://web.archive.org/web/20000510020712/http://www.vizkids.com/pokemon/news_interview.shtml Animerica Interview Toshihiro Ono]." VIZ Media. May 10, 2000. Retrieved on May 31, 2009. In Electric Tale of Pikachu, Ash gives him the name "Jean Luc Pikachu", a reference to Jean-Luc Picard from the Star Trek franchise.{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=George |date=2022-07-17 |title=Pokemon Fans Are Just Finding Out That Ash Once Named His Pikachu |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-ash-pikachu-name-manga/ |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726013236/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-ash-pikachu-name-manga/ |url-status=live }}
On February 27, 2024, La Poste (France) issued a stamp commemorating Pikachu.{{cite web|url=https://findyourstampsvalue.com/news/digest-new-stamps-of-france-2024-part-4|title=Digest: New Stamps of France, 2024, Part 4|publisher=findyourstampsvalue.com |date=February 27, 2024}}
Promotion and merchandise
File:Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2022 New York City (52522365552).jpg]]
As 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,{{Cite magazine |last=Staff |date=November 1999 |title=What's the Deal with Pokémon? |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |page=172 |issue=124}} and the renaming was repeated in 2018 by Mayor Michelle De La Isla with the release of the Pokémon Let's Go games.{{cite news |last1=Shank |first1=Tiernan |title=Topeka renamed "ToPikachu" for second time in 20 years |url=https://www.wibw.com/content/news/Topeka-will-change-to-ToPikachu-for-second-time-in-20-years-498381801.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202104212/https://www.wibw.com/content/news/Topeka-will-change-to-ToPikachu-for-second-time-in-20-years-498381801.html |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=1 February 2022 |work=WIBW}} Another promotional stunt, used to promote Pokémon
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.{{Cite web |last=Whitten |first=Sarah |date=2016-11-21 |title=World's most valuable Pokemon card sold at auction for more than $54,000 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/21/worlds-most-valuable-pokemon-card-sold-at-auction-for-more-than-54000.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114141245/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/21/worlds-most-valuable-pokemon-card-sold-at-auction-for-more-than-54000.html |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |access-date=2019-02-19 |website=CNBC}}{{cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zach |date=July 3, 2021 |title=The Top 10 Most Valuable Pokémon Cards In History |url=https://kotaku.com/the-top-10-most-valuable-pokemon-cards-in-history-1847225621/slides/11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922003015/https://kotaku.com/the-top-10-most-valuable-pokemon-cards-in-history-1847225621/slides/11 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=Kotaku}} Another card, sold in 2022, went for nearly a million dollars.{{Cite magazine |last=LeBlanc |first=Wesley |date=2022-11-18 |title=Rare Illustrator Pikachu Pokémon Card Sells For Nearly $1 Million |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2022/02/28/rare-illustrator-pikachu-pokemon-card-sells-for-nearly-1-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512221119/https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2022/02/28/rare-illustrator-pikachu-pokemon-card-sells-for-nearly-1-million |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-12 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}} For the franchise's 25th anniversary, The Pokémon Company announced special trading cards in 2021, each featuring 25 Pikachu drawn by 25 artists.{{cite web |author=Ash Parrish| date=July 14, 2021 |title=New Pokémon Card Shows 25 Pikachu Drawn By 25 Iconic Artists |url=https://kotaku.com/new-pokemon-card-shows-25-pikachu-drawn-by-25-iconic-ar-1847290467 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206173350/https://kotaku.com/new-pokemon-card-shows-25-pikachu-drawn-by-25-iconic-ar-1847290467 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=August 26, 2021 |work=Kotaku}} A promotion at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam featured exclusive Pokémon Cards of Pikachu wearing Van Gogh's grey felt hat. It was pulled from the exhibition due to safety concerns after scalpers mobbed the store when it came out.{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=2023-10-17 |title=Van Gogh museum withdraws Pokémon cards due to safety concerns |url=https://www.polygon.com/23920626/pokemon-van-gogh-museum-pikachu-card-availability |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512221121/https://www.polygon.com/23920626/pokemon-van-gogh-museum-pikachu-card-availability |url-status=live }} Several employees at the museum were suspended due to reported embezzlement of a large number of the cards.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-24 |title=Four Van Gogh Museum employees suspended after Pokémon exhibit chaos |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/four-van-gogh-museum-employees-suspended-after-pokemon-exhibit-chaos |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204131940/https://www.eurogamer.net/four-van-gogh-museum-employees-suspended-after-pokemon-exhibit-chaos |url-status=live }} The card was later restocked in an attempt to dissuade scalpers, who had been re-selling cards at high prices.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-04 |title=The Pokémon Company is re-stocking the infamous Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat card |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-pokemon-company-is-re-stocking-the-infamous-pikachu-with-grey-felt-hat-card |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204231632/https://www.eurogamer.net/the-pokemon-company-is-re-stocking-the-infamous-pikachu-with-grey-felt-hat-card |url-status=live }} The character has also been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King.{{cite web |author=Toby M |date=June 11, 2021 |title=McDonald's Japan releases trio of Pikachu-themed fruit desserts for summer |url=https://japantoday.com/category/features/new-products/mcdonald%E2%80%99s-japan-releases-trio-of-pikachu-themed-fruit-desserts-for-summer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928100654/https://japantoday.com/category/features/new-products/mcdonald%E2%80%99s-japan-releases-trio-of-pikachu-themed-fruit-desserts-for-summer |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=Japan Today}}{{cite news |date=June 1, 2003 |title=Restaurant chain entertainment promotions monitor, June 2003 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-3479164_ITM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719042420/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/search/?q=Restaurant%20chain%20entertainment%20promotions%20monitor,%20June%202003. |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=2009-06-30 |work=Entertainment Marketing Letter}}{{cite web |date=May 20, 2003 |title=Pokemon at Wendy's Promotion Begins! |url=http://pokemonelite2000.com/pastnews0503.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212014130/http://pokemonelite2000.com/pastnews0503.html |archive-date=2008-02-12 |access-date=2009-06-30}}
Pikachu and ten other Pokémon were chosen as Japan's mascots in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web |author=Salvador Borboa |date=March 12, 2014 |title=Pikachu Named Japan's Official Mascot In Brazil 2014 World Cup |url=http://soccerly.com/article/salvadorborboa/pikachu-named-japans-official-mascot-in-brazil-2014-world-cup |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112053817/http://soccerly.com/article/salvadorborboa/pikachu-named-japans-official-mascot-in-brazil-2014-world-cup |archive-date=November 12, 2017 |access-date=March 17, 2014 |publisher=The Beautiful Game LLC}} ANA Boeing 747-400 (JA8962) planes have been covered with images of Pokémon including Pikachu since 1998.Allison, Anne (2002) [http://web.mit.edu/cms/Events/mit2/Abstracts/AnneAllison.pdf The Cultural Politics of Pokémon Capitalism] Media in Transition 2: globalization and convergence {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419212425/http://web.mit.edu/cms/Events/mit2/Abstracts/AnneAllison.pdf|date=April 19, 2009}} In 2021, the first Pokémon Jet (Boeing 747-400D) featuring entirely Pikachu debuted.{{cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Japan Gets A New Pokémon Airplane And It's Glorious |url=https://kotaku.com/japan-gets-a-new-pokemon-airplane-and-its-glorious-1847163460 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226014358/https://kotaku.com/japan-gets-a-new-pokemon-airplane-and-its-glorious-1847163460 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=Kotaku}} As part of the intro for the first game of Major League Baseball's Tokyo Series in 2025, Pikachu entered the field wearing jerseys for the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/mlb/2025/03/18/mlb-tokyo-series-2025-dodgers-vs-cubs/82511597007/ | title=MLB Tokyo Series 2025: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers begin season vs. Cubs in Japan | website=USA Today }}
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.{{Cite magazine |date=1999-12-20 |title=The Best (and Worst) of 1999: The Best People of 1999 |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1220/1999bw.people.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303173742/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1220/1999bw.people.html |archive-date=2009-03-03 |access-date=2010-03-05 |magazine=Time |volume=154 |issue=24}} The book Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination stated that Pikachu greatly helped to sell the Pokémon franchise, being described as the "center of the Pokémon craze" in Japan while also emerging as a leading symbol of the series when it was released in the United States.{{Cite book |last1=Allison |first1=Anne |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |last2=Cross |first2=Gary |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0520245655 |publication-date=June 30, 2006 |pages=244–245 |language=English}} Pikachu has consistently been considered one of the most notable and influential anime, cartoon, and video game characters since its debut.{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=2009-10-04 |title=And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are...? |url=http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120726181420/http://m.kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |access-date=2009-09-12 |publisher=Kotaku}}{{cite web |author=Chris Mackenzie |date=October 20, 2009 |title=Top 25 Anime Characters of All Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/21/top-25-anime-characters-of-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616065002/http://movies.ign.com/articles/103/1036651p1.html |archive-date=June 16, 2012 |access-date=December 24, 2021 |publisher=IGN}}{{cite news |last=Marchiafava |first=Jeff |date=February 16, 2011 |title=Guinness Names Top 50 Video Game Characters Of All Time |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201201521/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2018 |newspaper=Game Informer}}{{cite magazine |author1=Lisa Eadicicco |author2=Alex Fitzpatrick |author3=Matt Peckham |date=June 30, 2017 |title=The 15 Most Influential Video Game Characters of All Time |url=https://time.com/4836507/influential-video-game-characters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206120912/https://time.com/4836507/influential-video-game-characters/ |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=May 25, 2021 |magazine=Time Magazine}} The character has been regarded as the Japanese answer to popular Disney mascot Mickey Mouse,{{Cite book |last=Tobin |first=Joseph |url=http://www.nordicom.gu.se/common/publ_pdf/87_Yearbook%202002.pdf#page=55 |title=Children, Young People and Media Globalisation |publisher=UNESCO |year=2002 |isbn=91-89471-15-6 |editor-last=Cecilla von Feilitzen |pages=53–67 |chapter=Pikachu's Global Adventure |issn=1403-4700 |access-date=2009-06-09 |editor-last2=Ulla Carlsson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612090042/http://www.nordicom.gu.se/common/publ_pdf/87_Yearbook%202002.pdf#page=55 |archive-date=2011-06-12 |url-status=dead |name-list-style=amp}} with Polygon writer Tracey Lien noting that its ubiquity and iconic design helped endear it to audiences, allowing it to attain significant popularity.{{Cite web |last=Lien |first=Tracey |date=2014-08-21 |title=Why Pikachu may soon be as iconic as Mickey Mouse |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2014/8/21/6051183/pikachu-pokemon-mickey-mouse |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233611/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/2014/8/21/6051183/pikachu-pokemon-mickey-mouse |url-status=live }} It was noted as being part of a movement of "cute capitalism". 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.{{Cite news |author=Ollie Reynolds |date=April 3, 2024 |title=Random: BAFTA's 'Iconic Game Characters' Poll Has Us Scratching Our Heads |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-baftas-iconic-game-characters-poll-has-us-scratching-our-heads |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404102422/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-baftas-iconic-game-characters-poll-has-us-scratching-our-heads |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |accessdate=April 8, 2024 |work=Nintendo Life}}
File:Liam meets pikachu (14438634188).jpg
Pikachu's resemblance to a cute pet was cited as making its design appealing. Its usage of the color yellow made it easy for children to recognize due to being a primary color. Additionally, the only other competing yellow mascot at the time was Winnie-the-Pooh, which helped Pikachu's popularity significantly.{{Cite book |last=Tobin |first=Joseph Jay |title=Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon |date=2004 |publisher=University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-3287-9 |pages=63–64}} The color yellow in its design was noted to give Pikachu a "softness" to its design, due to the color yellow's association with words such as "sunshine," "warmth," and "happiness," with Susan Napier, a professor at Tufts University, stating that Pikachu was part of "this very interesting and adventurous world, but it's also fundamentally very re-assuring."{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=Time Magazine |pages=40 |isbn=978-1547865239}} Napier additionally noted that unlike similar popular "{{lang|ja-Latn|kawaii}}{{-"}} mascots such as Hello Kitty, Pikachu did not lean towards a more masculine or feminine audience, leading to it becoming a more universal symbol. Pikachu's rarity in the games has been cited as part of the reason for its popularity.
Zack Zwiezen of Kotaku praised the simplicity of Pikachu's design, describing it as "possibly one of the most iconic characters on the planet" due to the design's appealing features and "instantly identifiable" design.{{cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zach |date=February 27, 2021 |title=Pikachu Gets More Powerful The More It Sleeps |url=https://kotaku.com/pikachu-gets-more-powerful-the-more-it-sleeps-1846370009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224190404/https://kotaku.com/pikachu-gets-more-powerful-the-more-it-sleeps-1846370009 |archive-date=December 24, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=Kotaku}} 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."{{cite web |last=Bashir |first=Dale |date=March 4, 2021 |title=The 25 Most Important Pokemon That Impacted the Franchise's History |url=https://sea.ign.com/pokemon/169418/news/the-25-most-important-pokemon-that-impacted-the-franchises-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921200318/https://sea.ign.com/pokemon/169418/news/the-25-most-important-pokemon-that-impacted-the-franchises-history |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=IGN}} The book 100 Greatest Video Game Characters noted that Pikachu's cute design and the emphasis on friendship in its various appearances across Pokémon media helped with making Pikachu a memorable character in the minds of fans.{{Cite book |last1=Banks |first1=Jamie |title=100 Greatest Video Game Characters |last2=Meija |first2=Robert |last3=Adams |first3=Aubrie |date=June 23, 2017 |publisher=Rowman and Littlefield Publishers |isbn=978-1442278127 |pages=150–151}} Matthew Byrd of Den of Geek noted that due to Pikachu's rarity in the original games, it led to rumors spread via word of mouth, which contributed to a large following behind the Pokémon in conjunction with its appearance in the anime, leading to it being a well-known yet hard to find figure. Its unique design and cute appearance were also noted to have aided with its popularity.
Pikachu's role in the anime has been subject of praise and analysis. Pikachu's friendship with Ash has been analyzed for its similarities to Aristotle's values of friendship, with the reciprocal friendship between the two being highlighted due to the equality between them being the reason for their success.{{Cite book |last=Evans |first=Monica |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ovDcDwAAQBAJ&q=%22Pikachu%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA77 |title=Videogames Studies: Concepts, Cultures, and Communication |date=2020-04-14 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-1-84888-059-7 |language=en |access-date=May 12, 2024 |archive-date=February 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214230034/https://books.google.com/books?id=ovDcDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Ash+Ketchum%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q=%22Pikachu%22%20-wikipedia&f=false |url-status=live }} The anime's expansion of Pikachu's character was described by professor and author Northrop Davis as humanizing Pikachu and making the Pokémon more appealing to audiences, as it allowed Pikachu to become a three-dimensional character with multiple character traits for audiences.{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=Time Magazine |pages=42 |isbn=978-1547865239}} Pikachu's personality was described by the book Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination as helping to emphasize not only Pikachu as a character, but also helping in making the anime series as a whole more widely popular, with the reciprocal nature of Pikachu's relationship with Ash in the vein of trainer and pet being appealing both to an older concept while still being futuristic in nature.{{Cite book |last1=Allison |first1=Anne |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |last2=Cross |first2=Gary |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0520245655 |publication-date=June 30, 2006 |pages=226–229}} Pikachu's departure from the anime was also met with positive responses, due to the fact that its departure alleviated concerns about how its strength would be handled as the series progressed.{{Cite web |last=Dockery |first=Daniel |date=2022-12-20 |title=Pokémon retired Ash and Pikachu at the perfect moment |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/23517302/pokemon-ash-ketchum-retired-protagonist-anime-game |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930213629/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon/23517302/pokemon-ash-ketchum-retired-protagonist-anime-game |url-status=live }} The hashtag "#ThankYouAshAndPikachu" trended on Twitter following the announcement of their departure.{{Cite web |author1=Hope Bellingham |date=2023-03-24 |title=Ash and Pikachu's 26-year-run with the Pokemon anime is done, and fans are sending their emotional farewells |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/ash-and-pikachus-26-year-run-with-the-pokemon-anime-is-done-and-fans-are-sending-their-emotional-farewells/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127203301/https://www.gamesradar.com/ash-and-pikachus-26-year-run-with-the-pokemon-anime-is-done-and-fans-are-sending-their-emotional-farewells/ |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}
Pikachu's voice has been analyzed for its ability to convey emotion despite only speaking one word, with children being able to determine the emotion of the character based on how the character sounds.{{Cite journal |last1=Dang |first1=Jianwu |last2=Li |first2=Aijun |last3=Erickson |first3=Donna |last4=Suemitsu |first4=Atsuo |last5=Akagi |first5=Masato |last6=Sakuraba |first6=Kyoko |last7=Minematsu |first7=Nobuaki |last8=Hirose |first8=Keikichi |date=2 June 2010 |title=Comparison of emotion perception among different cultures |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ast/31/6/31_6_394/_pdf/-char/ja |journal=Acoustical Science and Technology |pages=395 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |archive-date=October 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013192548/https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ast/31/6/31_6_394/_pdf/-char/ja |url-status=live }} The book Anime Impact: The Movies and Shows that Changed the World of Japanese Animation additionally analyzed how Pikachu's voice and inflections on a specific word allowed an animalistic character to be seen as a separate character and entity by the audience. It stated that it allowed them to become more familiar with Pikachu's character and grow more attached to it, allowing the audience to become properly invested with the franchise and the narrative.{{Cite book |last=Stuckmann |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tpUREAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Pikachu%22+anime+-wikipedia&pg=PT146 |title=Anime Impact: The Movies and Shows that Changed the World of Japanese Animation |date=2018-04-15 |publisher=Mango Media Inc. |isbn=978-1-63353-733-0 |language=en |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-date=September 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912064611/https://books.google.com/books?id=tpUREAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Pikachu%22+anime+-wikipedia&pg=PT146 |url-status=live }} Meanwhile, TIME Magazine
The multiple aspects of media featuring Pikachu, including its popularization in the anime, were described as helping elevate Pikachu's appeal to a wider audience.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-26 |title=ポケモンはなぜ世界的なコンテンツになれたのか.20年の戦略をふり返る |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2016/02/26/pokemon_n_9333014.html |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=ハフポスト |language=ja |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722191709/https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2016/02/26/pokemon_n_9333014.html |url-status=live }} However, Kotaku writer Patricia Hernandez criticized Pikachu's over-representation in Pokémon-related media, highlighting Pikachu's constant usage in marketing for the franchise. She stated that Pikachu's overuse detracted from other Pokémon in the series, while also criticizing the overuse for its lack of originality. She further compared it to Mimikyu- a Pokémon who mimics Pikachu in an attempt to be loved- stating that the reason for Mimikyu's popularity inherently lay in how much people were subconsciously aware of Pikachu's overuse.{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Fuck Pikachu |url=https://kotaku.com/fuck-pikachu-1688513390 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922070655/https://kotaku.com/fuck-pikachu-1688513390 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2021 |website=Kotaku}} TheGamer
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.{{cite news |date=2008-07-20 |title=Pikachurin, a dystroglycan ligand, is essential for photoreceptor ribbon synapse formation |url=http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v11/n8/abs/nn.2160.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151302/https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2160 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |access-date=2008-07-21 |publisher=Nature}} The name was inspired due to Pikachu's "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects".{{cite news |author=Levenstein, Steve |date=2008-07-24 |publisher=Inventor Spot |url=http://inventorspot.com/articles/lightningfast_vision_protein_named_after_pikachu_16170 |title=Lightning-Fast Vision Protein Named After Pikachu |access-date=2008-07-29 |archive-date=July 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711112534/http://inventorspot.com/articles/lightningfast_vision_protein_named_after_pikachu_16170 |url-status=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).{{Cite web |last=Anglesey |first=Anders |date=2021-05-17 |title="Aunt Pikachu" triumphs in Chile election to draft new constitution |url=https://www.newsweek.com/aunt-pikachu-triumphs-chile-election-draft-new-constitution-1592066 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921234446/https://www.newsweek.com/aunt-pikachu-triumphs-chile-election-draft-new-constitution-1592066 |archive-date=September 21, 2022 |access-date=2021-07-07 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} In July 2021 during the Group of Seven climate summit, a group of protestors dressed as Pikachu demonstrated on Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth,{{cite web|title='Nearly pasty point of no return': Pikachu, surfers and parades feature in colourful G7 climate protests|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/g7-protests-cornwall-st-ives-b1864671.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/g7-protests-cornwall-st-ives-b1864671.html |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Independent|last=Drury|first=Colin|date=June 21, 2021|access-date=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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/pikachu-protests-japans-refusal-to-reduce-coal-consumption-at-cop26-3088692|title=Pikachu protests Japan's refusal to reduce coal consumption at COP26|website=NME|date=November 5, 2021|access-date=December 9, 2021|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922013249/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/pikachu-protests-japans-refusal-to-reduce-coal-consumption-at-cop26-3088692|url-status=live}} In 2016, the Pikachu, also known as the Pokemonument,{{cite web |last1=Kooser |first1=Amanda |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Unofficial Pikachu Pokemonument statue erected in New Orleans |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/unofficial-pikachu-pokemonument-statue-erected-in-new-orleans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806031848/http://www.cnet.com/news/unofficial-pikachu-pokemonument-statue-erected-in-new-orleans/ |archive-date=August 6, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2016 |website=CNET |publisher=}}{{cite web |last=Bruner |first=Raisa |date=August 2, 2016 |title=This Mysterious Pokémon Go 'Pokemonument' Popped Up |url=https://time.com/4435332/pokemon-go-pikachu-monument/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029170226/http://time.com/4435332/pokemon-go-pikachu-monument/ |archive-date=29 October 2016 |access-date=3 February 2017 |website=Time Magazine}} a fiberglass sculpture depicting Pikachu by an unknown artist, was installed in Lower Garden District, a New Orleans neighborhood. Within a few days, the sculpture was vandalized by someone with a baseball bat, but repaired.{{cite news |last1=MacCash |first1=Doug |date=August 5, 2016 |title=Pokemon sculpture seemingly attacked with baseball bat |url=http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2016/08/pokemon_sculpture_seemingly_at.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808144036/http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2016/08/pokemon_sculpture_seemingly_at.html |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2016 |work=The Times-Picayune |publisher= |location=New Orleans |issn=1055-3053}} 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.{{cite web |date=September 25, 2016 |title=Mysterious Pokemonument statue sells for $2,000 at auction Sunday |url=http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_1b280f10-8341-11e6-b643-4fba7c7f2de3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203162451/http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_1b280f10-8341-11e6-b643-4fba7c7f2de3.html |archive-date=3 February 2017 |access-date=3 February 2017 |website=The Advocate}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{wiktionary|Pikachu}}
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/pikachu Pikachu] on Pokemon.com
- {{Bulbapedia}}
- [https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/pikachu/ Pikachu on Serebii]
{{Pokémon Generation 1|state=expanded}}
{{Pokémon}}
{{Super Smash Bros.}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Animated characters introduced in 1997
Category:Anthropomorphic mice and rats
Category:Characters created by Atsuko Nishida
Category:Characters in animated television series
Category:Fictional characters who can change size
Category:Pokémon introduced in generation I
Category:Super Smash Bros. fighters
Category:Television characters introduced in 1997
Category:Video game characters introduced in 1996
Category:Video game characters who can move at superhuman speeds
Category:Video game characters with electric or magnetic abilities