Pikachu is Nintendo's primary mascot for the Pokémon franchise. The Electric-type Pokémon became the visual symbol of the series through the games, anime, merchandise, films, and promotional events.
Pikachu was designed by Atsuko Nishida and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first-generation games. In the anime, Ash Ketchum's Pikachu serves as the lead character's partner and usually travels outside its Poké Ball, making the species especially recognizable to television viewers.
Pikachu is not the first Pokédex entry—that is Bulbasaur—and it was not the mascot of only one game version. Its yellow color, distinctive red cheeks, and repeated “Pika-Pika” cry made it an effective cross-language emblem as Pokémon expanded worldwide.