List of references to Pokémon in popular culture
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The peak of Pokémon's popularity has left its mark on popular culture. Due to its prominence as the mascot of the franchise, these references frequently feature Pikachu in some form.
References in TV and movies
- The South Park episode Chinpokomon parodies Pokémon and fad culture in general. The line of toys have additionally made cameos in many subsequent episodes. During the episode Kenny dies of an epileptic seizure as a reference to the banned episode EP038. The episode additionally heavily parodies the anime and video games to a lesser extent. Ash Ketchum and James are both parodied.
- Ling-Ling, one of the main characters of Drawn Together, is a direct parody of Pikachu. He mentions that one of his pastimes is giving children seizures.
- In an episode of Jackie Chan Adventures, a franchise called "Gnomekop" appears, which is, Pokémon plus the "G", spelled backwards. It also uses the slogan "Gotta collect 'em all", similar to Pokémon's Gotta Catch 'em All!
- Robot Chicken has done two sketches spoofing Pokémon.
- Hayate the Combat Butler features references to numerous anime and manga series, including Pokémon. Pikachu has made background cameos, the pet tiger has referenced Pikachu when assuming himself to be the mascot character and in one episode the cast travel on a plane based on ANA Flights. In the sixth episode, a framed image of a blue Pikachu can be seen near the beginning of the episode. The image was based on one of Pikachu's anime art. In some episodes, various sound effects and BGM make a reference to Pokémon.
- The Simpsons has an episode called Pokey Mom. Pokémon was also referenced in an episode in which the family is watching an episode of Kids Say the Darndest Things.
- Cosby: What do you like to play?
- Child: Pok-ee-mon!
- Cosby: Pok-ee-mon?! With the Pok-ee and the mon and the thing where the guy comes out of the thing...
- Pikachu has been seen in the Simpsons episode Bart vs. Lisa vs. The Third Grade in Bart's satellite TV-induced hallucination. The effects of EP038 are also experienced by the family in the episode Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo after they watch the local program "Battling Seizure Robots".
- In the couch gag of The Simpson episodes 'Tis the Fifteenth Season and Fraudcast News, Maggie was dressed up as a Pikachu.
- Homestar Runner featured a Pikachu in one of their toons titled "The Cheat Theme Song," starring a character who seems to be based off of Pikachu called "The Cheat."
- Two episodes of Johnny Test featured Tinymon, with a Tinydex, Tiny cubes that capture creatures, a character named Blast Ketchup, and the slogan "Gotta snatch 'em all!".
- A episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy had a trading card game called "Hoke mon". When Grim made the cards real, the event caused destruction of the city.
- An episode of The Norm Show had a parody of Pokémon when a boy named Tommy thought he was Ash. The skit featured actors dressed as the following Pokémon Squirtle, Pikachu, Butterfree, Charmander, and Meowth.
- In Dustin's fowl play, when Dustin is wondering what new job he should get, Socky asks are we going to become Pokémon trainers?
- Austin Powers in Goldmember features people in costumes of Charmander and Pikachu among those running from "not Godzilla" in the Tokyo scene. The deleted scenes also feature background appearances of Meowth and Celebi costumes, the Pikachu car and a Dragonite plushie.
- Parts of the insert song in part 3 of the popular flash cartoon series Charlie the Unicorn bear resemblance to the original PokéRap.
- In episode 3 of the second season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, two Pikachu masks, a purple Turtwig mask, a yellow Chimchar mask, and an orange Piplup mask can be seen.
- Lucky Star makes several references to Pokémon. In one of the episodes the characters go to a festival, and Kagami has trouble catching fish, as they just swim away from her. When she finally catches one, she shoutes "get da ze!", correctly tanslated to "Gotta catch 'em all!" In another episode, Konata states that she can name every Po**mon. In a third instance, Konata states that Kinkaku-ji is gold, but Ginkaku-ji isn't silver, referencing both Tin and Brass Towers, and Pokémon Gold and Silver. She also wonders if they're like Poké***, "with sapphire and ruby and stuff".
- In one episode of the anime Detective Conan, Ash, Misty and Brock make a cameo apearance as kids who were staying in a certain train station. However, the distinct facial features each possess, such as Brock's eyes, their hairstyles, etc., were slightly altered and switched between the three kids.
References in games
- In Yoshi's Story, the stages Stage 2-3 and Stage 2-4 are made out entirely out of newspaper clippings, the text Pikachu among others. So far, it has only been seen in one or two areas.
- In Mario Artist: Paint Studio, one of the official pictures shows somebody drawing a silhouette of Pikachu.
- In Animal Crossing, one of the random items a villager may ask players to collect is Pokémon Pikachu (but the model is actually Pokémon Pikachu Color)
In the Zelda series, the Ocarina of Time-introduced item Keaton Mask bears a strong resemblance to Pikachu. It is mentioned in the game that Keaton "has been really popular lately", possibly a reference to Pikachu's popularity. The item returned in Majora's Mask, with introduced the Keaton, where the mask is based on in the Zelda universe. It bears a strong resemblance, but this time to both Ninetales and Pikachu. The mask has a cameo in Wind Waker.
- In Super Mario Galaxy, there is a Poké Ball-shaped planet in the Buoy Base Galaxy. Inside it is a Power Star, which is needed to finish the level, possibly a reference to the Poké Ball's importance in the Pokémon games.
Other references
- In the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade there are hot air balloons of Pikachu and a Poké Ball.