Who finalized Pikachu's design for the Pokémon games?

Ken Sugimori finalized Pikachu's design for the Pokémon games.

Atsuko Nishida developed the original Pikachu design after lead designer Ken Sugimori asked female Game Freak staff to help create more appealing cute Pokémon. Nishida also developed the original Pikachu sprites.

Sugimori finalized the design, making him distinct from Nishida, who is credited with creating Pikachu. This division of credit is a common source of confusion when discussing the character's origins.

Pikachu was designed to be an Electric-type Pokémon with a friendly, pet-like appearance. Its success as a mascot helped shape the anime, merchandise, trading cards, and promotional identity of Pokémon during its first three decades.