Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?

Look at Pikachu's design from 20 years ago, and he looks almost unrecognisable compared to his design in the modern Pokemon games. So what happened to this so-called "fat Pikachu"?

NOTE: I referred to Pikachu throughout this video as "he", since Ash's Pikachu is male. I am aware, however, that Pikachu is a species, not a specific character.

SOURCES

MUSIC
- "Kitchen Bossa" by Kazumi Totaka
- "Machinations and Deductions" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
- "Investigation" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
- "Ryunosuke Naruhodo - Overture to Resolve" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve
- "When" by Stephan Siebert
- "Prelude to Pursuit" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve
- "Jingle - Intermission (Resolve Version)" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve

Other music via Epidemic Sound

CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - PART 1: The original Pikachu
4:37 - PART 2: Pikachu's new design
8:49 - Outro

[ThomasGameDocs]

I'm Needed a short break but now I have returned to the website know by many as "You Tube".


Ok love you bye

[Shail]

"Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?"
Pressure of fame

[IBeDanz]

The character that had a catchphrase that is literally a sneeze

[PhantomDusclops]

You actually forgot that other design. The merchandise Pikachu, which haves a slightly smaller body and an oval-shaped head.

[muffin]

You should do "Why doesn't sonic look like he used too?"

[risingsunretro]

The changes make sense, but that old design is just so cute.

[Blood-PawWerewolf]

Chonk-achu the best design of Pikachu.

[ShinglesDoesntcare]

"Why doesn't Pikachu look the same?"


Because the original design was a toasted mochi which they changed to a jerboa. They streamlined the design to resemble more of a rodent appearance.

[yoshimoment]

7:08 IS THAT A PIKACHU TAKING A SH*T????

[prakharsinha]

Finally getting into the masterpiece that is that great ace attorney OST I see 👀

[Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

Pikachu's been hitting the gym. The Pokemon Gyms that is.

[barrybend]

We need Chonkychu as a pseudo shiny in the games.

[weirdfishesinrainbows]

Dynamax is actually the official term for supersizing mechanic, Gigantamax is actually the term for some special pokemon which when dynamaxed would have different designs and max moves like the mega mechanic from gen 6-7, to get gmax pikachu you need both pokemon let’s go pikachu and sword/shield on the same switch then in the wild area train station talk to a guy at the top left corner and he’ll give you a gmax pikachu

Note:if you have let’s go eevee instead of let’s go pikachu you’ll get a gmax eevee instead

[bloemkoolendestreetgang]

I was kinda expecting you to go over the weird shaped pikachu that is kinda the modern mascot for the pokemon channel and weird stuff like that, he also looks like that in the “pokemon generations” shorts

[JohnDoe-dofm]

I like old school pikachu, still have my little pikachu plastic toy that says "pika pika!"

[tracynottage]

I am not really a pokemon fan, but I do find pikachu just adorable, along with eevee aswell.

[Aurochhunter]

One word: “Evolution.”

Seriously though, most cartoon characters change over the years, as the animators drawing skills improve, and they draw the characters slightly differently, Garfield for example, or the Simpsons perhaps.

[johnjekyllson]

I see you’ve finished the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles!

[gadeonmusic]

I've been wondering this my whole life, thanks for this!

[heehokuzunoha]

I kind of grew up with both designs but as a kid I liked the slimmer Pikachu more. I thought it made him look more badass and less like a pet hamster but there's no denying that fat Pikachu is iconic!