Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- 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.
PATREON - / thomasgamedocs
TWITTER - / thomasgdocs
SOURCES
- web.archive.org/web/201807110...
- web.archive.org/web/201805042...
- www.polygon.com/2018/6/4/1742...
- nintendosoup.com/ken-sugimori...
- / 1126657377636212736
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 
Игры
I'm back!!!!! Needed a short break but now I have returned to the website know by many as "You Tube".
Feel free to check out my Twitter. I hear it's pretty great: twitter.com/ThomasGameDocs
Ok love you bye
welcome back
3rd
Ok
Hi
Welcome back!
He lost weight from spending all that time in the anime outside his pokeball.
Yes, every single Pikachu in existence.
Yup
Because ash made him use quick attack and agility too much.
that a good lore to cover up that design changes
Xd
My older sister has a plushie of Pikachu from the 90s and he’s so chubby. He sits in my room now and everyone always comments on how round he is lolll
Yes. *ruclips.net/video/h91fvPzyDxo/видео.html*
Wow
Aw heck naw ^^^
I also have one of those, idk what year it’s from though it was my sister’s
I have a keychain of that pikachu , I don’t know if it was my mother because I found it randomly in my house, but lots of people who see it in my school also point it out
I love you
I find old Pikachu much cuter. On the name itself, here in Iceland there was a bit of a controversy around the name Pikachu. Píka in Icelandic is a common term for the female downstairs cave, and atsjú is the sound you make when you sneeze. Parents weren't all too happy about that. :p
I am wheezing
😂 naw they called him cooch sneeze
The "fat" Pikachu looks like hamster
@@M3GG1RL an X hamster? ;)
Pikachu, the Queef pokemon.
I miss the old style shading on OG pokemon. I appreciate more saturated color, but the shading style was so unique.
I agree
In late 90's or early 2000 there was Pokedex application for Windows which used those old images. It was stats and skillset compendium for first Pokemon game. It was nice to see the differences between graphics from show / commercial.
"Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?"
Pressure of fame
Lmao
@sh3ail he had to lose some weight to get a role in the latest movie
Don't tell me Pikachu is bolemic
Underrated
This is so appropriate for this time 👌
Pikachu realized how popular he was and he wanted to loose weight to impress people
@Thx ❤ guys it a bot don’t click the link
Lol
XD
@Thx ❤ Yeah you are.
Or you're just annoying and extremely pushy o-o
And then when he saw the backlash over sword and shield he started eating more from depression and got fat again
I kind of like how earlier versions were more varied, it makes it seem more realistic in a way to have Pokemon of different shapes or sizes while keeping the same basic design.
Chonkachu will always be my number 1 pikachu design. Its quite sad they dont use all the designs in the anime/games to add a bit of variety to them.
The real reason is that Pikachu's doctors told him that if he wanted to still be around for his success in 20 years he had to lose the weight.
Lol
The character that had a catchphrase that is literally a sneeze
@Thx ❤ If you aren't a bot, respond with your favorite Spongebob quote.
@@metasteelgaming4373 bad news, it is a bot
@@BlueSusAmigosYT Crap
Peak achoo
Almost like how Darth Vader's catchphrase is literally breathing.
"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.
Chubby Pikachu is like an adorable mouse that you could hug
Even Pikachu's earlier appearances in the anime had him look quite a bit larger than he does now.
I love how Gigantamax Pikachu is chonkier, like how Giantamax Eevee is floofier.
Gigantamax Pikachu made me so happy as an old fan of the series. I think the sprite for Gen 2 has to be my favorite of all the designs though.
G-Max Pikachu (Deep voice): Pi! (Echo)
Most people: I think he wants to pee!
G-Max Pikachu: Ka!
Me: I don’t think he needs to use the bathroom! (Run)
G-Max Pikachu: Chuuuuu! (Does G-Max Volt Crash)
Fries everyone except me and the trainers.
Big Pikachungus
@@happyvocal yea
@@mikedbz8530 memes
I know people love chonky pikachu but considering it’s supposed to be an agile Pokémon it makes more sense for it to be slim lol
And at least we got throwback to og pikachu in gigantamax form lol
This is always some interesting things about designs that people tend to simplify them too much. I know a lot of Pokemon fans make their crackpot theories about stuff like the designs and how nowadays Pokemon designs are suppose to be marketable and need to be cute. But this explanation sounds reasonable and made a lot of sense. Pokemon is a multi media brand and many of their decisions can effect countless of other projects. So having the design of one of the Pokemon change in order for the anime yo use it better if it’s the main focus sounds pretty reasonable to me. It’s that first draft syndrome and sometimes you need to change the design bit by bit to fit your standards or be easier on the artist.
he got fit
went on a very healthy diet
He is on a strict keto diet
lol, I will edit this comment to whatever u want
VMax pikachu explains something else
in the anime he almost died by eating an apple, i sincerely think that this dude didnt go on a diet
@its fine wow shut up 🙃
You actually forgot that other design. The merchandise Pikachu, which haves a slightly smaller body and an oval-shaped head.
has*
You know, I was waiting for this to get mentioned too.
What the youtuber said was 2004 digital base, is the oval shaped Pikachu not close to that.
And, if I'm not wrong, the oval head Pikachu appears only in artwork(cards maybe?) and not really canon.
Anime one or 3D ones in games and the likes are nothing like the digital base pic RUclipsr has shown in this video.
@@gsreads no, that design has been used in official images a lot
Back in the 90s, Pikachu had crippling depression and a huge McDonald's addiction, sometimes going there 4 times a day. After being diagnosed as pre diabetic and given only 6 months to live Pikachu turned his life around and lost 200 pounds. He now remains in good health.
I just found your channel and I’m obsessed. Such great content, at a great pace, with great delivery and editing. 😊
whether he's skinny or chubby, he's always adorable!
Completely agreed! We love the yellow dude no matter his weight 💛
@@TwilightLuna16 helo
@@Pikachu-sc1yc why hello there
@@paulolsen2197 hi
Pikachu will always be my favorite pokémon
The changes make sense, but that old design is just so cute.
true
Pretty sure the answer is just because the one on the left is Red's Pikachu and the one on the right is Ashe's Pikachu. Pokemon aren't clones. I'm sure one can be a bit more of a chunky monkey then the other.
7:08 IS THAT A PIKACHU TAKING A SH*T????
You should do "Why doesn't sonic look like he used too?"
@Thx ❤ stop
Because funi mohawk greg martin designs, since Sega of America wanted to appeal more to their audience
"Why does Sonic have blue arms?"
Sega thought his design was too small and old since it was from the 1900’s, so they chose sonic to be a modern design or something like that
That would be hilarious lol
Absolutely obsessed with the Great Ace Attorney music you've chosen to sprinkle throughout the vid!!
Not seeing the courtroom while the music was playing had me tripping
5:35 the reason, fat Pikachu is hard to animate.
0:48 ironically he made the bug types the worst😂
Yeah, but the ones that are good are very good - I think.
well they aren't terrible as they have advantage over dark,pyshic,and grass but are weak to fire,flying and rock but even a little caterpe an easily survive rock throw from an onix
"Pikachu" was said so much, it doesn't sound like a thing anymore
It's called jamais vu. Where Deja Vu makes you feel like something new is recognisable, Jamais Vu makes something you know seem unrecognisable.
I've been wondering this my whole life, thanks for this!
OMYGOSH. You used the music from The Great Ace Attorney at 1:44!!! 👏🏼 I’m subscribing, you earned my respect (and the content js amazing too). 😁
Can you imagine being one of the devs on the Pokemon Red and Green team? One day, your odd video game project grows into such a massive phenomenon to the point where an animation studio even wants to write an entire anime and a completely separate artist wants to write an entire manga series based on it?
The Cards are definitely whats most popular. Id say not many people even know about the manga.
@@chrisbeach423 The games and the anime are the most popular, two years ago no one knew about the card game except the people that played it, it got a popularity surge recently cuz of the pokemon card thing that was going on around the internet but thats already dead
@@g76agi what are you talking about the cards were just as popular as the games and anime when pokemon was first starting off and there popularity today doesn't even come close to then. There was even two whole games made for the Gameboy based on the card game although one never released outside of Japan if I'm correct.
@@g76agi You must be young because the Pokémon card game was extremely popular during the turn of the millennium.
So much that they made an official video game of the card game for the GBC.
@@KaitouKaiju im not saying it was never popular, but now its not as popular as the video games or the anime, sure maybe a lot of people know it, but not many people still collect them, atleast to how many did before
I was wondering what happened to Thomas. Glad to know you're not dead!
He originally was based on a dumpling with ears, a tail, & facial features. When Game Freak found out he was going to be the main Pokémon on the TV show, they redesigned him to make him easier to animate; the "modern" design even appeared on a game guide for Red & Green, back in the 90's.
Thanks for uploading this video 🙂
I think it was smash 64 that really made him lose weight, I happened to be playing it earlier and noticed how different he was in Ultimate, now that you mention it!
His voice ingame changed as well. It went from an electric "chu!" sound, to the anime "pikachu!" he has now. I honestly miss the original, and I wish Gamefreak would add the option to change it back to it if you so want.
Actually don't mind Pikachu having the anime voice instead of the digital sound, just would've liked it to be used more through the games
An electrical-sounding noise got used for him in PLA, which has some incredibly interesting implications.
@@anhilo9716 I loved the inclusion of that! I wonder how many kids were confused when they heard Pikachu make electric sounds instead of "pika!".
I think it should be "Chu!"
...I mean, he's a rat, and rats sound like that...
@@bri1085 Wish granted. it's back to it's original sound in Scarlet and Violent.
Fat Pikachu will always have a special place in my heart
I would absolutely love seeing this kind of video on Silver the Hedgehog man
Love your work here
The legend finally returned!
@Thx ❤ you have no life
Chonk-achu the best design of Pikachu.
Guy: why does pikachu look different? Me: they hired new artists since old ones retired
0:01 …did you…not see the Pokémon Presents last month? Wyrdeer and Basculegion bring the total up to an even 900.
Simple
He went on a diet after eating nothing but ketchup for 20 years
I really don’t like that really simplified circular stylized look they do on various modern promotional stuff.
Right? The oval head just looks so weird.
Hello, I just wanted to say that your videos are interesting and I think the way you articulate words is very clear. English is not my first language, but I understand you perfectly!
Edit: I love the fact that you used The Great Ace Attorney soundtrack!
it’s like reverse flanderization where his features have gotten less drastic
Your outro piano music was so nostalgic! awesome piano skills my friend
4:20 people should rename it to thiccachu
I love the subtle choice of music at the end. Very sneaky.
I am not really a pokemon fan, but I do find pikachu just adorable, along with eevee aswell.
Finally getting into the masterpiece that is that great ace attorney OST I see 👀
"Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?"
Because he started doing drugs
RED used a POTION!
PIKACHU fainted!
Actually learned for the first time ever why Ken Sugimori created those water color designs for the Pokémon. Assumed all these years it was a hand in hand process with the pixel art, no one said anything about it being necessary for when color was being introduced, along with the super game boy he mentioned
I will always love Pikachu. The childhood memories are so strong with it, from the games to the Anime.
I even have one of the original "fat Pikachu" large plushies, though it's sadly without its flat fabric tail. =(
0:16 I was laughing so hard
5:08 this is literally false. clefairy was originally going to be the mascot of pokemon, however pikachu was chosen because it was more recognizable
Rest In Peace Ken Sugimori.
I know this is an old video, but I felt unnaturally high levels of serotonin listening to Thomas speaking with The Great Ace Attorney in the background
3:40 Mario straight up using t power to fly
I feel like Dedenne replaced the short-and-stoutness the original Pikachu design possessed...
I remember, sort if watching the anime of pokemon, I began loving Pikachu and his iconicness, it started to become my all time favorite pokemon.
Awesome content!
Chonkachu Is what I like to call the older version of Pikachu, especially when it's in its G-max form.
Another great video! As a fan of Pokémon I like how in depth this is. Despite following the series for 22 years I still learned something today!
@NS 317 because developers don't typically do that, to protect their IP
The Pikachu weight loss meme fits the evolution of cellphones very well.
Thomas Game Docs rocks the locks right off my door and keeps the good times rollin who remembers parents and teachers and too cool adults calling it that pika-mouse-thing
That's because since then Ash started losing every match he took part in and didn't have enough money to feed Pikachu, so he lost weight.
Most people call him: “Thicc Pikachu”. Thankfully he went to Weight Watchers. Bonus points for the movie reference.
Chonkachu
Thiccachu
The "Make it cuter!" thing reminded me of that Kylo Ren meme
Noice video Thomas Game Docs
From Chonkychu to Pikachu
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
That graphic of pikachu described as being from 2004 was actually used a couple years prior. It could be found on the pokemon website just before the Ruby/Sapphire release. When you'd select an "electric" theme for the site, it'd have that pikachu on the main page.
i love your use of tgaa ost
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
I was hoping for a mention of marketing/merchandise Pikachu, who has a very oval head. Look at anything Pikachu from the pokemon center stores and you'll see it
*The designer posing with the girl using the Pika Plush pictures makes me laugh to death*
Tank you for telling it to me ive seen The old version of pikachu on pokemon cards
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.
The drawers didnt improve with ashes recent designs lmao the og was alot better
Garfield developing weird human feet is a GREAT example. This reply is also a great example of sarcasm.
Or Spongebob considering that his design are more square. His early season design has a charm to it.
watch the video
The gen 1 sprites were pretty sus
So pikachu means sparklysqueak?
Now I FINALLY can comprehend why my memory of a different color end of tale comes from! I vividly remember a brown/or black tail at the end. It's just Shadow/lighting
This was an awesome video. Thanks. I always wondered about his design changes. #FatPikachuForever
I miss how chonky pikachu used to be lol.
I see you’ve finished the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles!
I didn't know Pikachu foot races were something I needed in my life, but now I know.
Pikachu's been hitting the gym. The Pokemon Gyms that is.
Ok next he will do 15 Videos with the title: "Why doesn't [instert Character here] look like he/she used to?" and then 15 Videos named "Why doesn't [insert Character here] feel like he/she used to?"
Pikachu
loved the usage of the great ace attorney music
Tomas: let me explain
Ad: ima end this man’s whole career
Ash made him do too many volt tackles and quick attack lol
I swear Pikachu used to have a thick black stripe at the end of its tail ( just like the ones on his ears )
Nope, he never had that, that's a common misremembering / Mandela effect. What he actually had was a brown stripe at the base of the tail, and his pre-evolution, Pichu, has a thick black stripe on the tip of its tail. People often conflate the two in their minds.
7:57
you gave me a jumpscare
Pikachu when he gigantamaxed: "Holy sh*t, im normal again"
TLDW: He ate 3 Flintstones vitamins and went to the gym once.
I honestly prefer the Sugemori art for not just Pikachu, but for a number of the pokemon. Another notable example is if you look close at the original art for Charmander, it has a little spike on its neck.
Vibing hard to these great ace attorney tracks while learning about the Chu!!!
Look at that chonkachu side profile from episode 1. So perfect!!!!!
I like the yellow pixel chubkachu too!!!