To celebrate the release of some exciting new Pikachu products on our site, it is only right that we focus this week’s blog on everyone’s favourite Pokémon!
Origins and Early Appearances
Pikachu has become a Japanese pop culture icon since its first appearance in the 1996 video games, Pokémon Red and Blue. Going on to become the mascot of Pokémon and Nintendo in its 25-year career.
For many of us, Pikachu was always a part of our lives growing up, from the video games, the anime series and the trading card game. The little yellow electric-type Pokémon has been a constant companion.
It was as the companion of Ash Ketchum in the anime series that Pikachu really came to the fore and has gone on to appear in almost every Pokémon game, show and film ever since.
Continued Legacy
Most recently, in the Detective Pikachu film in 2019, and Pokémon Sword and Shield, the latest in the video game series.
The Pikachu card remains one of the most popular in the trading card game, which has seen a revival in recent months. Some copies of Pikachu Pokémon cards can be worth over £10,000!
Pikachu also featured in the 2016 mobile game, Pokemon Go, which has been downloaded over a billion times worldwide!
Becoming a Meme
Nothing can truly be called an icon of the past 25 years without having been turned into a meme, and Pikachu has certainly achieved that!
Surprised Pikachu was one of the most popular memes of 2018, with fans latching on the nostalgia element of having one of their childhood favourites brought back into pop culture in such a big way.
Pokemon 25th Anniversary
And finally, Pokemon have just announced their plans for the 25th anniversary of Pokemon which takes places this year! We have already seen some sneak peeks at what is planned, and with Pikachu being #025 in the original Pokedex, we can be sure that Pokemon is going to throw an amazing party.
Thanks for reading, and let us know your thoughts on Pikachu and Pokemon in the comments below!
