Which Pokémon became the franchise’s central mascot?

Pikachu became the central mascot of the Pokémon franchise.

Pikachu first appeared in Pokémon Red and Green and was designed by Atsuko Nishida, with the final design associated with Ken Sugimori. Its bright yellow body, red cheek sacs, and distinctive lightning-bolt tail made it easy to recognize in games, animation, merchandise, and advertising.

The television anime helped establish Pikachu as Pokémon’s public face. Rather than giving Ash one of the three game starters, the production team chose Pikachu because it could appeal broadly to different audiences and did not favor Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.

Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon and evolves into Raichu with a Thunder Stone. It is often confused with Ash’s individual Pikachu, but Pikachu is the species name; Ash’s partner is one particular member of that species.