Japanese publication The Yomiuri Shimbun has spoken to the developers who worked on the original Pokemon back in 1996. They revealed that yellow Pokemon mascot Pikachu was inspired by a squirrel. As the publication notes, this is the very first time the designers have revealed the story behind Pikachu’s origin. The team say they were tasked with making a Pokemon that an electric-type and has two stages of evolution. Pokemon art illustrator Atsuko Nishida said that the character she initially created was “vertically long daifuku rice confection with ears.” She was then told it needed to look cuter and she designed a creature based on a squirrel which she wanted as a pet at the time.
“The name combines the words “pika,” an onomatopoeic term for flashing light, and “chu,” which has a cute sound. Although the character was not modeled after a mouse, Game Freak President Satoshi Tajiri called it a mouse character.”
“I hope people will feel closer to Pikachu by understanding the story behind its creation,” – Pokemon illustrator Atsuko Nishida
When you find out that Pikachu was inspired by a squirrel and not a mouse as most have thought. O_o But the difference is not so much so I guess it isn’t so surprising.
Some people call him a mouse Pokemon. So, I knew he was inspired by a squirrel until now. Because I knew his appearance was much cuter.
So apparently Pikachu in Japanese is known as the “Nezumi” Pokemon which can translate to mouse, but also translates to rodents in general. Translators assumed it was talking about the former.
Great, now I’ll never unsee it
Explains why it has a big upright tail that bends outwards at the top.
And here I thought it was inspired by the Pika rodent.
Oh well. Mice & squirrels are both rodents so it’s not too far off the mark.
Pingback: ผู้สร้างบอกต้นแบบตัว ปิกาจู มาจากตัวกระรอก - Bbestit.com
Pingback: Pokemon Designers & Illustrators Discussed Pikachu’s Origins | My Nintendo News