Pikachu looking worried in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu.
By
Chris Carter
Published 38 minutes ago
Chris is A Gaming Editor at ScreenRant. He has been a professional writer since 2009, and has written for top TV, comics, movie, and video game outlets like Engadget, Polygon, Destructoid, and more. He brings with him an expertise in every game genre, no matter how niche or mainstream.
You may know him as the former Managing/Reviews Editor of Destructoid, where he published hundreds of game reviews across every genre, including MMOs, sports games, and Metroidvanias.
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Pokémon is a runaway success that can't be stopped, and Pikachu has a front row seat. Other than a few early drawings and some similar-looking variants (mostly in Pokémon GO), the design of Pikachu has remained pretty much the same in most media, up until recently.
Over on Reddit, fans are vigorously debating the new Pikachu redesign, with many in favor of it, and others wondering what implications there are for the entire Pokémon species.
Pikachu Just Got Its First Big Redesign In Years
What Fans Are Calling "Force Ghost Pikachu"
Peakychu in Pokemon Pokopia
Although it isn't a mainline game, Pikachu is getting its first new form since the series began. Shockingly, The Pokémon Company casually introduced this seemingly ghostly new form in their latest showcase for Pokémon Pokopia, and fans have questions. Dubbed "Peakychu" by the publisher itself, this form of Pikachu is ghost-like in nature, combining both pale and lightning motifs.
Players are calling this "Force Ghost Pikachu" after the Star Wars Force Ghost aesthetic, and they're just excited to see something different. As Worldly_Society_2213 points out: "In fairness, this is the first time we've had a variant of Pikachu that is clearly distinct from the original and not just a Pikachu wearing clothes or maybe getting a new move. All the others have clearly been Kantonian Pikachu at the core."
Other users are keen to call it "Mega Mimikyu," which is still a distinct possibility, once we're able to get the game into our hands and see for ourselves. Other monikers include "Dead Ghost Pikachu," and "Mimikyu Getting Its Wish."
User TLKv3 is wondering what this means for the Pokémon world in general, based on what we've seen of Pokopia so far: "I'mma put my tinfoil hat on for this one: Pokopia takes place in post-apocalyptic Kanto. This happened because this game is set in an alternate timeline where AZ firing the Weapon 3000 years ago was a success and did wipe out all Human life and a substantial portion of Pokémon life."
Pokémon Fans Are Impressed
The New Forms Are A Hit
Mosslax in Pokemon Pokopia
Sentiments around the new form are generally positive, but Pikachu wasn't the only one who got a distinct redesign. Snorlax will sport a new Mosslax form in Pokémon Pokopia, and there's also Smearguru, a different form of Smeargle. Even though Pokopia is a Game Key Card available only in digital form, these forms alone are already building a lot of intrigue.
Wherever Pokémon goes next, Pikachu will follow. He's an iconic fixture of the franchise and will remain with it forever. That's why this redesign is such a big deal: The Pokémon Company, even in a spinoff game, is potentially poised to remix the series, down to the details.
Pokémon Pokopia
Like Life Simulation Simulation Released March 5, 2026 Developer(s) Koei Tecmo, Game Freak Publisher(s) Nintendo, The Pokemon Company Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Pokemon Number of Players Single-player - other players can visit your base via the internet. Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date March 5, 2026
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