List of references to Pokémon in popular culture

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References to the Pokémon franchise are often made in other media. While Pikachu is a common target due to its prominence as the mascot of the franchise, other Pokémon, characters, and elements of the various Pokémon series are often lampooned.

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.
  • In Osmosis Jones, when Ozzy tries to stop Drix from leaving Frank's body, one of the germs carries a Pikachu, as a joke on allergies.
  • In one episode of Arthur Arthur Loses his Marbles, Muffy has fifty four Dopémon cards in a pack, in resemblance to Pokémon cards, and with one card a take on a Pikachu called 'Stinkachu.'
  • In the movie See Spot Run, James tells Gordon Smith that he had a nightmare of a Charizard trying to burn him, in resemblance to Ash's Charizard. James also tells him on what a Pokémon is, as a joke on some people not understanding.
  • 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!
  • 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.
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...
  • In Dustin's fowl play, when Dustin is wondering what new job he should get, Socky asks are we going to become Pokémon trainers?
  • In one episode of the anime Detective Conan, Ash, Misty and Brock make a cameo appearance 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.
  • In the 2003 movie, Bad Santa, one child asks "santa" for Pokémon.
  • In Codename: Kids Next Door a character in the background looks like Ash in the episode "Operation: A.R.C.H.I.V.E."
  • In episode 4 of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, when Abiru says Nozomu would look good with a tail, he was pictured with various tails including those that resemble the tails of Pikachu and Glameow.
  • In an episode of Brum some Pokémon plushies can be seen at a stall in a fairground.
  • In one episode of Fillmore!, a cheerleading coach instructs her team to build a human pyramid "as strong as a Geodude using its Harden attack".
  • In the final episode of the hospital drama ER, a patient says, "I am the Chosen One, I am Lugia."
  • In one episode of George Lopez, when George and Benny discuss ways to make money, the former suggests that the latter pretend to be a Pikachu in Mexico.
  • In the 17th episode of the Ghost Stories dub, the anime is referenced several times.
  • In the MAD series, in the "Grey's In Anime" skit, one of the doctors (who wears a hat similar to Ash's) throws a Poké Ball-esque object, and a Pikachu lookalike, known as "Chekaflu", shocks the patient as the doctor says "Clear!"
    • Another reference to Pokémon in the MAD series is the episode that features the rejected Pokémon skit. Among these is a punching mouse with huge arms and small feet. Ironically, its special attack is kicking. Another rejected Pokémon is a Teddiursa-like creature that looks as if it is made out of glass. Its special ability is being fragile. Another reject Pokémon is your Uncle Frank. His special attack is Confusion, (all he does is get confused and go stand in the corner). The final reject Pokémon was a Hoothoot-like Pokémon that was a dead-beat when it came to battling. When told how exciting battling was all it said was, 'Ehh', and shrugged its shoulders.
  • In some episodes of the Suite Life of Zack and Cody, a toy Poké Ball can be seen on a shelf in Zack and Cody's bedroom.
  • In an episode of the Suite Life on Deck, Woody can be seen reading a Pokémon book.
  • Pokémon has been mentioned multiple times on the Canadian sketch comedy series That's So Weird.

References in non-Pokémon 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, is seen. So far, it has only been seen in one or two areas.
  • In the Zelda series, the Keaton Mask introduced in Ocarina of Time bears a strong resemblance to Pikachu. It is mentioned in the game that Keaton "has been really popular lately", the game was released in 1998 when the fad level of Pokémon was still sharply on the rise. The item returned in Majora's Mask where wearing it in certain areas would lead to Keaton himself appearing, though this version of the character was revealed to be a kitsune. The mask also has a background cameo in Wind Waker.
  • In Harvest Moon 64, if the characters Karen and Kai were to marry and have a child, their child will be dressed in a Pikachu costume.
  • The Simpsons Game features "Sparklemon" in its Japanese level. Homer and Lisa must travel to three temples where they fight the Sparklemon in turn-based battles before they can collect them in a "capturing ball". The first two Sparklemon are based on Pikachu and Squirtle.

Other references

  • Parts of the insert song in part 3 of the popular flash cartoon series Charlie the Unicorn bear resemblance to the original Pokérap.

External links

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