Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?

Подписаться 577 тыс.

Просмотров 1,3 млн

50% 1

Look at Pikachu's design from 20 years ago, and he looks almost unrecognisable compared to his design in the modern Pokemon games. So what happened to this so-called "fat Pikachu"?
NOTE: I referred to Pikachu throughout this video as "he", since Ash's Pikachu is male. I am aware, however, that Pikachu is a species, not a specific character.
PATREON - / thomasgamedocs
TWITTER - / thomasgdocs
SOURCES
- web.archive.org/web/201807110...
- web.archive.org/web/201805042...
- www.polygon.com/2018/6/4/1742...
- nintendosoup.com/ken-sugimori...
- / 1126657377636212736
MUSIC
- "Kitchen Bossa" by Kazumi Totaka
- "Machinations and Deductions" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
- "Investigation" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
- "Ryunosuke Naruhodo - Overture to Resolve" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve
- "When" by Stephan Siebert
- "Prelude to Pursuit" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve
- "Jingle - Intermission (Resolve Version)" from The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles 2: Resolve
Other music via Epidemic Sound
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - PART 1: The original Pikachu
4:37 - PART 2: Pikachu's new design
8:49 - Outro

Игры

Опубликовано:

27 май 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 1,8 тыс.

@ThomasGameDocs 2 года назад

I'm back!!!!! Needed a short break but now I have returned to the website know by many as "You Tube". Feel free to check out my Twitter. I hear it's pretty great: Twitter.com/ThomasGameDocs Ok love you bye

@brodown64 2 года назад

welcome back

@Linx9214 2 года назад

3rd

@Cliffordlonghead 2 года назад

@ricardopurnell3923 2 года назад

@JokeURL 2 года назад

Welcome back!

@ender7278 2 года назад

He lost weight from spending all that time in the anime outside his pokeball.

@ivythay4259 2 года назад

Yes, every single Pikachu in existence.

@rikustorm13 2 года назад

Yup

@yellowthenerd 2 года назад

Because ash made him use quick attack and agility too much.

@ShiroCh_ID 2 года назад

that a good lore to cover up that design changes

@rayquazafan1258 2 года назад

@KazukiP 2 года назад

My older sister has a plushie of Pikachu from the 90s and he’s so chubby. He sits in my room now and everyone always comments on how round he is lolll

@Chkprofilename 2 года назад

Yes. *ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h91fvPzyDxo.html* Wow

@chocainewithouth4497 2 года назад

Aw heck naw ^^^

@OmNom1206 2 года назад

I also have one of those, idk what year it’s from though it was my sister’s

@EmbodimentOfEpicity 2 года назад

I have a keychain of that pikachu , I don’t know if it was my mother because I found it randomly in my house, but lots of people who see it in my school also point it out

@DiscontinuedChannelProbably 2 года назад

I love you

@rodholseth6354 2 года назад

I find old Pikachu much cuter. On the name itself, here in Iceland there was a bit of a controversy around the name Pikachu. Píka in Icelandic is a common term for the female downstairs cave, and atsjú is the sound you make when you sneeze. Parents weren't all too happy about that. :p

@saynotop2w 2 года назад

I am wheezing

@L0rdOfThePies Год назад

😂 naw they called him cooch sneeze

@M3GG1RL Год назад

The "fat" Pikachu looks like hamster

@pyroflare7774 Год назад

@@M3GG1RL an X hamster? ;)

@byzantiphile7630 Год назад

Pikachu, the Queef pokemon.

@Under-Kaoz Год назад

I miss the old style shading on OG pokemon. I appreciate more saturated color, but the shading style was so unique.

@jonnyphotoz Год назад

I agree

@paweka9149 Год назад

In late 90's or early 2000 there was Pokedex application for Windows which used those old images. It was stats and skillset compendium for first Pokemon game. It was nice to see the differences between graphics from show / commercial.

@hazzard_destroyer 2 года назад

Pikachu realized how popular he was and he wanted to loose weight to impress people

@tyranttracergaming 2 года назад

@Thx ❤ guys it a bot don’t click the link

@gustavrepa7109 2 года назад

Lol

@outsider9149 2 года назад

@sushirolle24 2 года назад

@Thx ❤ Yeah you are. Or you're just annoying and extremely pushy o-o

@nintenerd4070 2 года назад

And then when he saw the backlash over sword and shield he started eating more from depression and got fat again

@Sh3ail 2 года назад

"Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?" Pressure of fame

@robloxaccountant7086 2 года назад

Lmao

@anexplosion9763 2 года назад

@sh3ail he had to lose some weight to get a role in the latest movie

@rso823 2 года назад

Don't tell me Pikachu is bolemic

@Bom.3d 2 года назад

Underrated

@reneissemoore 2 года назад

This is so appropriate for this time 👌

@petersaysthings 2 года назад

I kind of like how earlier versions were more varied, it makes it seem more realistic in a way to have Pokemon of different shapes or sizes while keeping the same basic design.

@darronb248 2 года назад

Chonkachu will always be my number 1 pikachu design. Its quite sad they dont use all the designs in the anime/games to add a bit of variety to them.

@sepnot 2 года назад

The real reason is that Pikachu's doctors told him that if he wanted to still be around for his success in 20 years he had to lose the weight.

@blueberrryy 2 года назад

Lol

@copperfish8816 2 года назад

I love how Gigantamax Pikachu is chonkier, like how Giantamax Eevee is floofier.

@happyvocal 2 года назад

Gigantamax Pikachu made me so happy as an old fan of the series. I think the sprite for Gen 2 has to be my favorite of all the designs though.

@mikedbz8530 2 года назад

G-Max Pikachu (Deep voice): Pi! (Echo) Most people: I think he wants to pee! G-Max Pikachu: Ka! Me: I don’t think he needs to use the bathroom! (Run) G-Max Pikachu: Chuuuuu! (Does G-Max Volt Crash) Fries everyone except me and the trainers.

@BagOfMagicFood 2 года назад

Big Pikachungus

@jaydenrossgarcia6435 2 года назад

@@happyvocal yea

@jaydenrossgarcia6435 2 года назад

@@mikedbz8530 memes

@michelleguillemette5733 2 года назад

"Why doesn't Pikachu look the same?" Because the original design was a toasted mochi which they changed to a jerboa. They streamlined the design to resemble more of a rodent appearance.

@Mokamon99 2 года назад

Back in the 90s, Pikachu had crippling depression and a huge McDonald's addiction, sometimes going there 4 times a day. After being diagnosed as pre diabetic and given only 6 months to live Pikachu turned his life around and lost 200 pounds. He now remains in good health.

@cobalt_carbon_potassium1478 2 года назад

The character that had a catchphrase that is literally a sneeze

@metasteelgaming4373 2 года назад

@Thx ❤ If you aren't a bot, respond with your favorite Spongebob quote.

@BlueSusAmigosYT 2 года назад

@@metasteelgaming4373 bad news, it is a bot

@metasteelgaming4373 2 года назад

@@BlueSusAmigosYT Crap

@Tristan777y 2 года назад

Peak achoo

@Peter_1986 2 года назад

Almost like how Darth Vader's catchphrase is literally breathing.

@Flareboxx 2 года назад

Even Pikachu's earlier appearances in the anime had him look quite a bit larger than he does now.

@jacobfoxfires9647 2 года назад

This is always some interesting things about designs that people tend to simplify them too much. I know a lot of Pokemon fans make their crackpot theories about stuff like the designs and how nowadays Pokemon designs are suppose to be marketable and need to be cute. But this explanation sounds reasonable and made a lot of sense. Pokemon is a multi media brand and many of their decisions can effect countless of other projects. So having the design of one of the Pokemon change in order for the anime yo use it better if it’s the main focus sounds pretty reasonable to me. It’s that first draft syndrome and sometimes you need to change the design bit by bit to fit your standards or be easier on the artist.

@c0rnflak346 2 года назад

Chubby Pikachu is like an adorable mouse that you could hug

@SuperWiiBros08 2 года назад

he got fit went on a very healthy diet

@jokitheboki 2 года назад

He is on a strict keto diet

@FurretAnimationsIsEpic 2 года назад

lol, I will edit this comment to whatever u want

@zyro1020 2 года назад

VMax pikachu explains something else

@deathlessman01 2 года назад

in the anime he almost died by eating an apple, i sincerely think that this dude didnt go on a diet

@cond.oriano9146 2 года назад

@its fine wow shut up 🙃

@PhantomDusclops92 2 года назад

You actually forgot that other design. The merchandise Pikachu, which haves a slightly smaller body and an oval-shaped head.

@wohao_gaster7434 2 года назад

has*

@valeriaorraca1844 2 года назад

You know, I was waiting for this to get mentioned too.

@gsreads 2 года назад

What the youtuber said was 2004 digital base, is the oval shaped Pikachu not close to that. And, if I'm not wrong, the oval head Pikachu appears only in artwork(cards maybe?) and not really canon. Anime one or 3D ones in games and the likes are nothing like the digital base pic RU-vidr has shown in this video.

@djkleb7645 2 года назад

@@gsreads no, that design has been used in official images a lot

@V.U.4six 2 года назад

I know people love chonky pikachu but considering it’s supposed to be an agile Pokémon it makes more sense for it to be slim lol And at least we got throwback to og pikachu in gigantamax form lol

@stinerivera2543 2 года назад

5:35 the reason, fat Pikachu is hard to animate.

@paulolsen2197 2 года назад

whether he's skinny or chubby, he's always adorable!

@TwilightLuna16 2 года назад

Completely agreed! We love the yellow dude no matter his weight 💛

@Pikachu-sc1yc 2 года назад

@@TwilightLuna16 helo

@paulolsen2197 2 года назад

@@Pikachu-sc1yc why hello there

@Pikachu-sc1yc 2 года назад

@@paulolsen2197 hi

@DekuWolf64 2 года назад

Pikachu will always be my favorite pokémon

@PinkieOats 2 года назад

Absolutely obsessed with the Great Ace Attorney music you've chosen to sprinkle throughout the vid!!

@bruh-moment_6989 2 года назад

Not seeing the courtroom while the music was playing had me tripping

@yoshimoment3045 2 года назад

7:08 IS THAT A PIKACHU TAKING A SH*T????

@stillbuyvhs 2 года назад

He originally was based on a dumpling with ears, a tail, & facial features. When Game Freak found out he was going to be the main Pokémon on the TV show, they redesigned him to make him easier to animate; the "modern" design even appeared on a game guide for Red & Green, back in the 90's.

@aurafox1 2 года назад

Can you imagine being one of the devs on the Pokemon Red and Green team? One day, your odd video game project grows into such a massive phenomenon to the point where an animation studio even wants to write an entire anime and a completely separate artist wants to write an entire manga series based on it?

@chrisbeach423 2 года назад

The Cards are definitely whats most popular. Id say not many people even know about the manga.

@g76agi 2 года назад

@@chrisbeach423 The games and the anime are the most popular, two years ago no one knew about the card game except the people that played it, it got a popularity surge recently cuz of the pokemon card thing that was going on around the internet but thats already dead

@fungi265 2 года назад

@@g76agi what are you talking about the cards were just as popular as the games and anime when pokemon was first starting off and there popularity today doesn't even come close to then. There was even two whole games made for the Gameboy based on the card game although one never released outside of Japan if I'm correct.

@KaitouKaiju 2 года назад

@@g76agi You must be young because the Pokémon card game was extremely popular during the turn of the millennium. So much that they made an official video game of the card game for the GBC.

@g76agi 2 года назад

@@KaitouKaiju im not saying it was never popular, but now its not as popular as the video games or the anime, sure maybe a lot of people know it, but not many people still collect them, atleast to how many did before

@muffin8460 2 года назад

You should do "Why doesn't sonic look like he used too?"

@TheRobot13 2 года назад

@Thx ❤ stop

@rapappathepepper3996 2 года назад

Because funi mohawk greg martin designs, since Sega of America wanted to appeal more to their audience

@Insill 2 года назад

"Why does Sonic have blue arms?"

@chocainewithouth4497 2 года назад

Sega thought his design was too small and old since it was from the 1900’s, so they chose sonic to be a modern design or something like that

@jorgem.9690 2 года назад

That would be hilarious lol

@mattdeegan7300 Год назад

I just found your channel and I’m obsessed. Such great content, at a great pace, with great delivery and editing. 😊

@megadeth_9611 2 года назад

0:48 ironically he made the bug types the worst😂

@livingdeadfitness1528 2 года назад

Yeah, but the ones that are good are very good - I think.

@levilouislaelsvideos8225 2 года назад

well they aren't terrible as they have advantage over dark,pyshic,and grass but are weak to fire,flying and rock but even a little caterpe an easily survive rock throw from an onix

@risingsunretro 2 года назад

The changes make sense, but that old design is just so cute.

@mysticalgaming7386 Год назад

true

@dcbandit 2 года назад

His voice ingame changed as well. It went from an electric "chu!" sound, to the anime "pikachu!" he has now. I honestly miss the original, and I wish Gamefreak would add the option to change it back to it if you so want.

@bri1085 2 года назад

Actually don't mind Pikachu having the anime voice instead of the digital sound, just would've liked it to be used more through the games

@anhilo9716 2 года назад

An electrical-sounding noise got used for him in PLA, which has some incredibly interesting implications.

@dcbandit 2 года назад

@@anhilo9716 I loved the inclusion of that! I wonder how many kids were confused when they heard Pikachu make electric sounds instead of "pika!".

@but_heres_the_homestuck Год назад

I think it should be "Chu!" ...I mean, he's a rat, and rats sound like that...

@mariowalker9048 Год назад

@@bri1085 Wish granted. it's back to it's original sound in Scarlet and Violent.

@DarkNaomi 2 года назад

Fat Pikachu will always have a special place in my heart

@TrvisXXIII 2 года назад

Actually learned for the first time ever why Ken Sugimori created those water color designs for the Pokémon. Assumed all these years it was a hand in hand process with the pixel art, no one said anything about it being necessary for when color was being introduced, along with the super game boy he mentioned

@Mitzi_DelverVRC 2 года назад

"Pikachu" was said so much, it doesn't sound like a thing anymore

@Aukejorrit 2 года назад

It's called jamais vu. Where Deja Vu makes you feel like something new is recognisable, Jamais Vu makes something you know seem unrecognisable.

@James89227 2 года назад

I think it was smash 64 that really made him lose weight, I happened to be playing it earlier and noticed how different he was in Ultimate, now that you mention it!

@AngelRodriguez-ml9nh 2 года назад

OMYGOSH. You used the music from The Great Ace Attorney at 1:44!!! 👏🏼 I’m subscribing, you earned my respect (and the content js amazing too). 😁

@microbot675 2 года назад

I love the subtle choice of music at the end. Very sneaky.

@professatristan3223 2 года назад

I was wondering what happened to Thomas. Glad to know you're not dead!

@crankylink13 2 года назад

The legend finally returned!

@maccamachine 2 года назад

@Thx ❤ you have no life

@roberthansen5399 2 года назад

it’s like reverse flanderization where his features have gotten less drastic

@Davanthall 2 года назад

0:01 …did you…not see the Pokémon Presents last month? Wyrdeer and Basculegion bring the total up to an even 900.

@Blood-PawWerewolf 2 года назад

Chonk-achu the best design of Pikachu.

@dripfoe9569 2 года назад

Your outro piano music was so nostalgic! awesome piano skills my friend

@lunanote-cassettemeower 2 года назад

The Pikachu weight loss meme fits the evolution of cellphones very well.

@NevesThaMenace 2 года назад

Pretty sure the answer is just because the one on the left is Red's Pikachu and the one on the right is Ashe's Pikachu. Pokemon aren't clones. I'm sure one can be a bit more of a chunky monkey then the other.

@JoshuaDZ 2 года назад

4:20 people should rename it to thiccachu

@ethatope9099 2 года назад

Simple He went on a diet after eating nothing but ketchup for 20 years

@gadeonmusic Год назад

I've been wondering this my whole life, thanks for this!

@MrMarinus18 17 дней назад

5:17 I also think they wanted one with a bold primary color. The 3 starters have that with Charmander being red, Squartle being blue and Balbasaur being green. Pikachu was bright yellow which really stands out hard.

@prakharsinha4822 2 года назад

Finally getting into the masterpiece that is that great ace attorney OST I see 👀

@Jamie052290 2 года назад

I really don’t like that really simplified circular stylized look they do on various modern promotional stuff.

@Mr110074 2 года назад

Right? The oval head just looks so weird.

@MysteriouslyMilitant 2 года назад

Rest In Peace Ken Sugimori.

@tracynottage356 2 года назад

I am not really a pokemon fan, but I do find pikachu just adorable, along with eevee aswell.

@xyborg3252 2 года назад

3:40 Mario straight up using t power to fly

@Pandasu28 2 года назад

"Why doesn't Pikachu look like he used to?" Because he started doing drugs

@deathlessman01 2 года назад

RED used a POTION! PIKACHU fainted!

@curtisgordon7379 2 года назад

Guy: why does pikachu look different? Me: they hired new artists since old ones retired

@brockdanoob9746 Год назад

Pikachu when he gigantamaxed: "Holy sh*t, im normal again"

@Game_Boy5000 2 года назад

0:16 I was laughing so hard

@TheMarshmallowMushroom 2 года назад

I feel like Dedenne replaced the short-and-stoutness the original Pikachu design possessed...

@illiterate.platypus 2 года назад

I would absolutely love seeing this kind of video on Silver the Hedgehog man Love your work here

@michaelneal7377 Год назад

Thanks for uploading this video 🙂

@goldmemberpb 2 года назад

Chonkachu Is what I like to call the older version of Pikachu, especially when it's in its G-max form.

@isaaccollins4533 2 года назад

I remember, sort if watching the anime of pokemon, I began loving Pikachu and his iconicness, it started to become my all time favorite pokemon.

@221victoria 2 года назад

Hello, I just wanted to say that your videos are interesting and I think the way you articulate words is very clear. English is not my first language, but I understand you perfectly! Edit: I love the fact that you used The Great Ace Attorney soundtrack!

@DJB0X3R 2 года назад

Most people call him: “Thicc Pikachu”. Thankfully he went to Weight Watchers. Bonus points for the movie reference.

@miimiiandco.8721 2 года назад

Chonkachu

@elethcovers 2 года назад

Thiccachu

@LunarWingCloud 2 года назад

Another great video! As a fan of Pokémon I like how in depth this is. Despite following the series for 22 years I still learned something today!

@LunarWingCloud 2 года назад

@NS 317 because developers don't typically do that, to protect their IP

@fnafgachafan1644 2 года назад

that's like asking why the t rex doesn't look like how he used to

@leafcaller3301 2 года назад

I know this is an old video, but I felt unnaturally high levels of serotonin listening to Thomas speaking with The Great Ace Attorney in the background

@ineedanactualdisplayname 2 года назад

Dynamax is actually the official term for supersizing mechanic, Gigantamax is actually the term for some special pokemon which when dynamaxed would have different designs and max moves like the mega mechanic from gen 6-7, to get gmax pikachu you need both pokemon let’s go pikachu and sword/shield on the same switch then in the wild area train station talk to a guy at the top left corner and he’ll give you a gmax pikachu Note:if you have let’s go eevee instead of let’s go pikachu you’ll get a gmax eevee instead

@afro025 2 года назад

5:08 this is literally false. clefairy was originally going to be the mascot of pokemon, however pikachu was chosen because it was more recognizable

@ty_sylicus 2 года назад

I will always love Pikachu. The childhood memories are so strong with it, from the games to the Anime. I even have one of the original "fat Pikachu" large plushies, though it's sadly without its flat fabric tail. =(

@raynmanshorts9275 Год назад

"She doesn't like to show her face in interviews." As adorable as the Pokemon she designed.

@mewverse3765 2 года назад

That's because since then Ash started losing every match he took part in and didn't have enough money to feed Pikachu, so he lost weight.

@YOEL_44 2 года назад

From Chonkychu to Pikachu

@Obi-Wan_Kenobi 2 года назад

Pikachu's been hitting the gym. The Pokemon Gyms that is.

@barrybend7189 11 месяцев назад

We need Chonkychu as a pseudo shiny in the games.

@Aurochhunter 2 года назад

One word: “Evolution.” Seriously though, most cartoon characters change over the years, as the animators drawing skills improve, and they draw the characters slightly differently, Garfield for example, or the Simpsons perhaps.

@MrSkullMerchant 2 года назад

The drawers didnt improve with ashes recent designs lmao the og was alot better

@DoctorPhileasFragg 2 года назад

Garfield developing weird human feet is a GREAT example. This reply is also a great example of sarcasm.

@poweroffriendship2.0 2 года назад

Or Spongebob considering that his design are more square. His early season design has a charm to it.

@thornels 2 года назад

watch the video

@miimiiandco.8721 2 года назад

The gen 1 sprites were pretty sus

@bloemkoolendestreetgang450 2 года назад

I was kinda expecting you to go over the weird shaped pikachu that is kinda the modern mascot for the pokemon channel and weird stuff like that, he also looks like that in the “pokemon generations” shorts

@abbriesilvano5085 Год назад

i love your use of tgaa ost

@nuggiewuggiemusic 2 года назад

*The designer posing with the girl using the Pika Plush pictures makes me laugh to death*

@adam_roman 2 года назад

I was hoping for a mention of marketing/merchandise Pikachu, who has a very oval head. Look at anything Pikachu from the pokemon center stores and you'll see it

@grandmasteryoda5744 2 года назад

TLDW: He ate 3 Flintstones vitamins and went to the gym once.

@ghost_fueled_scarecrow 2 года назад

The "Make it cuter!" thing reminded me of that Kylo Ren meme

@grrrraffe 2 года назад

That graphic of pikachu described as being from 2004 was actually used a couple years prior. It could be found on the pokemon website just before the Ruby/Sapphire release. When you'd select an "electric" theme for the site, it'd have that pikachu on the main page.

@supremechaosbeing2696 2 года назад

So pikachu means sparklysqueak?

@littenfire3563 2 года назад

I miss how chonky pikachu used to be lol.

@roelinkabek9286 Год назад

Now I FINALLY can comprehend why my memory of a different color end of tale comes from! I vividly remember a brown/or black tail at the end. It's just Shadow/lighting

@NikLarson87 Год назад

I didn't know Pikachu foot races were something I needed in my life, but now I know.

@Celestial7Heavens 2 года назад

I miss when he was Chubby, had a warmer yellow color, and his voice sounded more babyish. Now he’s slim, his fur is lighter, and his voice sounds generic. Damm Japanese beauty standards! XD

@cuntyclown 2 года назад

That isn’t a warm tone, it’s a washed out tone. His yellow is now more vibrant. Washed out pastels are such a thing from the 90s. I prefer Pikachu’s old colour too.

@pikachuwolf6812 2 года назад

That makes sense cause as you get older you become skinnier and as babies we had more chubbier arms and leg and as kid we look more skinnier and having a more skinnier face so yeah your getting skinnier as you grow up

@johnjekyllson28 2 года назад

I see you’ve finished the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles!

@GoldeIsAwakened0918 2 года назад

Pikachu Old: a fatso Pikachu New: He's fine

@ImAHeroOnHiroin Год назад

Tomas: let me explain Ad: ima end this man’s whole career

@heehokuzunoha7757 2 года назад

I kind of grew up with both designs but as a kid I liked the slimmer Pikachu more. I thought it made him look more badass and less like a pet hamster but there's no denying that fat Pikachu is iconic!

@stevensteviepryde5888 Год назад

I honestly prefer the Sugemori art for not just Pikachu, but for a number of the pokemon. Another notable example is if you look close at the original art for Charmander, it has a little spike on its neck.