Editing Pikachu (section)

==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|''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'']] in 1998.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 [[Gameplay of Pokémon#Pokémon evolution|evolution]] via various means, such as exposure to specific items.<ref name="millenial"/> Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook |date=July 28, 2015 |publisher=[[Scholastic Inc.]] |page=5 |isbn=9780545795661}}</ref> 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.<ref name="millenial">{{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}}</ref>

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".<ref name="nishida">{{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 }}</ref> Pikachu evolves into [[Raichu]] through use of the game's "Thunder Stone" item.<ref name="gamesradar">{{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 }}</ref> Raichu was originally planned to evolve into a Pokémon species dubbed Gorochu, but this was cut due to [[ROM cartridge|cartridge]] space concerns.<ref name="nishida"/> Later in the franchise, Sugimori would create a Pokémon that evolved into Pikachu named [[Pichu]] to complete the trinity.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Pocket Games |title=Pokémon Breeding |page=46 |date=Winter 2001 |issue=5 |issn=1524-3567}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> Nishida developed the original Pikachu [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] using a single color identity chosen to work within the [[Super Game Boy]]'s hardware limitations.<ref name="nishida"/><ref name=EeveeDesigner>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="sugimori">{{cite book |pages=342–343 |language=Japanese |title=Ken Sugimori Works |publisher=Tankobon Softcover |date=January 2014 |isbn= 9784198638061}}</ref>

===Design===
<!-- Note: Pokémon heights are originally given in metric and converted to feet and inches for English-speaking audiences. -->
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.<ref name="zukan">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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,<ref name="gamefreak-AT"/> as the Pokémon [[Rattata]] already existed at this point in development she instead modeled the species after [[squirrel]]s. 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.<ref name="nishida"/>

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.<ref name="gamefreak-AT">{{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 }}</ref> 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".<ref name="koji">{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 [[Pokémon (TV series)|anime adaptation of the franchise]] where it made Pikachu easier to animate, and were adopted to the games for consistency.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The older design, nicknamed "Fat Pikachu" by fans of the series, was revisited in [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|''Pokémon Sword'' and ''Shield'']], where Pikachu received a special in-battle "Gigantamax" form resembling its original design.<ref name="FatPikachu2">{{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]]}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> This Gigantamax form was designed by James Turner,<ref name="giganta">{{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}}</ref> who served as art director for ''Sword'' and ''Shield''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

===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.<ref name=":5">{{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]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="time-12">{{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 (magazine)|Time]] |page=1 |volume=154 |issue=20}}</ref> 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 (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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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''."<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="time-12" /><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{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 }}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":8" /> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="nishida"/><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=Time Magazine |pages=41 |isbn=978-1547865239}}</ref>

===Voice===
For the vast majority of appearances [[Ikue Ōtani]] has voiced the character since it was introduced in the [[Pokémon anime|''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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=":3">{{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 }}</ref>

Ōtani has voiced the character in the main series video games, and also reprised the role for every installment of the [[fighting game]] [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] series ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''.<ref name=":3" /> 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|''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''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Abby Espiritu portrayed the role in the web series ''Pokémon: Path to the Peak.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/shorts/Pokemon-Path-to-the-Peak/Pikachu/|title=Pikachu|website=Behind The Voice Actors}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>