Editing Pikachu (section)

==Critical reception==
Pikachu has been well received by reviewers; it was ranked as the "second best person of the year" by ''[[Time (magazine)|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]].<ref>{{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 (magazine)|Time]] |volume=154 |issue=24}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Pikachu has consistently been considered one of the most notable and influential anime, cartoon, and video game characters since its debut.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The character has been regarded as the Japanese answer to popular ''[[Disney]]'' mascot [[Mickey Mouse]],<ref name="Pikachu2">{{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}}</ref> with ''Polygon'' writer Tracey Lien noting that its ubiquity and iconic design helped endear it to audiences, allowing it to attain significant popularity.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> It was noted as being part of a movement of "[[Kawaii|cute]] [[capitalism]]".<ref name="Pokémon Capitalism3"/> 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.<ref name="BAFTA Iconic">{{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}}</ref>
[[File:Liam meets pikachu (14438634188).jpg|thumb|Pikachu has been a popular and enduring character since its debut, and is often described as one of the most iconic characters in the world.<ref name="BAFTA Iconic"/><ref name="Kotaku Powerful"/>]]
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.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=Time Magazine |pages=40 |isbn=978-1547865239}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":9" /> Pikachu's rarity in the games has been cited as part of the reason for its popularity.<ref name="nishida"/><ref name=":9" />

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.<ref name="Kotaku Powerful">{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":03">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":8" />

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=[[Time Magazine]] |pages=42 |isbn=978-1547865239}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> The hashtag "#ThankYouAshAndPikachu" trended on [[Twitter]] following the announcement of their departure.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Meanwhile, ''TIME Magazine''<nowiki/>'s Lisa Eadicicco felt its cute appearance coupled with the baby-like pronunciations of its own name led to it becoming an appealing design. She further stated that Pikachu's "well-written" appearance in the anime series led to Pikachu also having a strong personality, causing Pikachu to be seen not only as an object of cuteness, but also as a companion for fans.<ref name=":6" /> She believed its frequent appearances in promotional material for the series additionally helped to serve as an anchor for the series, with its presence helping to draw people into the wider world of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Why We Love Pikachu |magazine=Time Magazine |pages=43 |isbn=978-1547865239}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''TheGamer''<nowiki/>'s Stacey Henley cited similar sentiments, believing Pikachu's consistent presence in marketing had made it an uninteresting Pokémon and an ineffective mascot, disliking its consistent presence in games over other Pokémon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Henley |first=Stacey |date=2022-04-10 |title=Pokemon, I'm Bored Of Pikachu Now |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-bored-pikachu/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=August 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825140608/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-bored-pikachu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, a [[Ligand (biochemistry)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The name was inspired due to Pikachu's "lightning-fast moves and shocking electric effects".<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 (Chile)|Constitutional Convention]] of 2021–2022, and is known as [[Tía Pikachu|Aunt Pikachu (Tía Pikachú)]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> In July 2021 during the [[Group of Seven]] climate summit, a group of protestors dressed as Pikachu demonstrated on [[Gyllyngvase|Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> while in November 2021, a group of activists dressed up as Pikachu to protest Japan's refusal to reduce coal consumption at [[COP26]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> In 2016, the ''Pikachu'', also known as the ''Pokemonument'',<ref name="CNET">{{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=}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{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}}</ref> a fiberglass sculpture depicting Pikachu by an unknown artist, was installed in [[Lower Garden District]], a [[New Orleans]] neighborhood.<ref name=":1" /> Within a few days, the sculpture was vandalized by someone with a baseball bat, but repaired.<ref name="MacCash">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>