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Rizon-Randomness — In Defense of Pikachu.
Published: 2014-10-27 15:04:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 1582; Favourites: 32; Downloads: 2
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If you have no interest in this I recommend not bother reading then. However. If you are bare in mind this is only how I have come to Interpret this. If I'm wrong or happen to misunderstand thing, please feel free to correct me.I've been wanting to do this for a while, so I figured now would be a good time. This is a topic I don't really get. Yes as the title will tell you I think the massive amount of Pikachu hate is a little too overexaggerated. Do I like Pikachu? Why yes I do, but I do prefer Raichu and other Pokemon.
However. I'm going to simply explain why I think Pikachu is a little too overexaggerated. People really only hate Pikachu because of his Deus Ex Machina in the Anime, as well as inconsistencies the anime presents him with. His over merchandising and saying his name.
First off I've got to say hating Pikachu for saying his name is the dumbest excuse I've heard of. You might as well not even like any Pokemon in that regard. I don't get this argument. Appearing more than any other still doesn't excuse this claim as it would be no different than playing any Pokemon voice sound clips for many hours.
As for his inconsistencies in the anime, I can agree with this claim, however. The anime is filled with many inconsistencies with the show itself as well as many of Ash's Pokemon as responsible for. Many of Ash's Pokemon have pulled many inconsistencies. As well as the anime itself. The Game series (the superior one in my opinion) Is set based on an RPG formula, Pikachu is well known for being one of the weakest Pokemon in terms of competitive play, but the anime treats him with Deus EX Machina. I really blame more of the advertisers and writers for that. Pokemon anime is based on marketing campains and such, its how most Pokemon even got their popularity. Pikachu is their mascot of course, so the attention is centered on such. However. I myself do agree Pikachu's constant beating legendaries and losing to level 5 is really bad writing at best.
People also say "Everyone knows it's actually not that good and easy to knock it out" If everyone knows that, then why is it overrated? No one praises Pikachu because of what it can do in battle, and the anime is not the standard for how useful a Pokémon can be in the games. You people just compare the two as if they are!
But when looking at the anime itself it's filled with inconsistencies in comparison to what the games RPG formula sets us with. Not just Pikachu's Deus Ex Machina. As the anime a lot of the time shows us a lot of mispronunciations, inconsistencies regard the combat style etc. Pikachu is just a victim of the anime poor presentation of it. With this being said I think comparing Pikachu's poor RPG based stats with the anime inconsistencies doesn't make any sense or to me, and isn't really a fair way to judge him. (though I could be wrong.)
As for Pikachu's overmarketing I don't really get this one. As much as I do agree with the Anime Deus Ex Machina Pikachu, I don't really see how being the mascot is any way to hate him. It just doesn't make sense. Many complain "He's shoved in our faces" So I guess any mascot such as Mario or Sonic is overrated despite being more preferences in characters many people have? Sonic and Mario also grew because of their mascot status, despite fanbases in each having different preferences in favorite characters. Pikachu is no different. That also would make Mickey Mouse overrated since he's everywhere at Disney World.
When looking at Pikachu, everybody knows he's bad in the games, with poor base stats, frailty in defenses and such. However what most people don't realize is the marketing for Pikachu actually helps offset is poor portrayal in the games. So how does that make Pikachu overrated if we already are aware of his bad treatment the games have for him? I think what most people don't get is in the games many Pokemon have set fanbases and really great standards set for them because the fans created as such. This comes from how well the work in the games based on Stats, movepulls, evolutions, abilities etc. But since Pikachu is known to be bad the marketers as such use this to actually take the criticisms people have for him.
The light Ball exist to boost Pikachu's stats giving him double Special Attack and Physical Attack stat to match is evolutionary form. If it outspeeds its gonna kill, combine that with Jolly nature, wow Pikachu is deadly. Which is why it's marketed toward him. Light Ball Pikachu is good. For those complaining "Why does only Pikachu get it?" If other Pokemon got it it takes away Pikachu's chances of becoming what you want him to be. Seriously people, Stop using your exaggerations to be so blind with everything you hate!
Also must I mention Surf Pikachu? If Pikachu has Light Ball it can help benefit the event Surfing Pikachu against Ground types. Which is another feature the added to thus improve Pikachu's gameplay.
They've taken notice of his bad experience in the game, and are based on trying to improve his frailty into a better competitive Pokemon. They also take note to the fact in X&Y games Pikachu's base stats were boosted from past games, as well as giving him new Cos Play game features to help further him improve his bad offset in the games. His overmarketing is really to basically help out the ideal problems people have of Pikachu within the games. Super Smash Bros also gives Pikachu's good parts such as being quick and agile and turned it into a pro of his, giving Pikachu in Smash Bros a really good impression with how the game express his good attributes from the games (mostly his speed)
As for his spin-offs, as I've already stated Pikachu isn't the best when you compare him into the actual games. The spin-offs are basically Pikachu's only way to actually shine, and therefore have it more expressed. While other Pokemon get this treatment in the already main games. Really this isn't much of an issue. The mascot argument still makes no sense to me.
People have turned this hate into a set trend they don't realize these details. Pikachu still is popular with what the media gives him. But other Pokemon are popular too, therefore making some of his hate exaggerated or just a trend. Besides I can think of more Pokemon who are actually overrated based on fanbases exaggerated portrayal. Rather than Pikachu's exaggerated trend. But tell me what do you guys think?
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Comments: 44
Mario Community was not toxic but Paper Mario Fandom is worse.
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It's strange that I love Pikachu, but loathe Charizard.
I can respect anyone who likes Charizard, but for me? I view it as overrated.
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Also don't get me started on Mimikyu; it's basically a representation of this following stamp. A lonely being who disguises as a Pikachu.
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The only reason people like the little guy is because it's the series mascot(and it's cute, although I definitely think that there are many cuter pokemon), it's overused in the franchise, Pikachu gets more privelages than most pokemon(such as an orb used to exclusively power itself up even though it has a stronger evolution, it also gets its anime call in G6), it is the most famous pokemon, it overshadows its stronger evolution, the anime(at least at some point) depicted the creature as FAR more powerful than it really is, and it's just treated like it's special.
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Why does being the mascot even matter in the long run? What I mean is would it make it difference if another Pokemon had the same position? If another Pokemon were to be in the same vote they would get the exact same treatment, that's like saying Mickey Mouse is overrated because he's all over themes of Disney or any other series mascot, despite more favorable choices. This would be the same if literally any Pokemon were mascot. Even if they were good, none of that would matter because of the marketing despite more favorable choices.
What I mean is, while this is an issue, it wouldn't matter in the long run if any other Pokemon were the same way as they would just get the same treatment either way.
I do like Pikachu yes, but I do like other Pokemon more such as Dragonite who's my favorite Pokemon. And I do agree there's way better options.
Okay it gets an item exclusive to it, I don't really see how this matters, other than in comparison to its evolution that wouldn't make it overrated since it would have to overpower every Pokemon unfairly to be consider unfair. Besides Pikachu is limited to just that item, while every other Pokemon get better items to better boost their status such as Choice Bands and Choice Scarfs, which do better than Pikachu's orb anyways, especially if they already have destructive stats. Plus without that item Pikachu is even more useless so the item doesn't make a difference in the long run other than just overshadowing its evolution, but that doesn't make it overrated.
Everyone knows Pikachu is bad in he games If everyone knows that, then why is it overrated? No one praises Pikachu because of what it can do in battle, and the anime is not the standard for how useful a Pokémon can be in the games.
Also people may like Pikachu for other reasons, he actually gets use in Super Smash Bros series, those games favor Pikachu's strengths from Pokemon.
Being famous has nothing to do with being overrated or the status of a character, being famous just means the character is well know, a person can be known, but not be popular. Plus other Pokemon are equally as known as Pikachu.
Honestly as of Gen 6 lots of Pokemon have been getting more things about them, not just Pikachu, sure Pikachu does have things marketed toward him, but a lot recently in gen 6 plenty of Pokemon have been getting good treatment too.
Sure the anime may have produced Pikachu as stronger, but the anime does this with literally every single un-evolved Pokemon who beat their evolved counterparts, which in the games is almost an impossible task. The anime's consistency with Pokemon logic is terrible in general and they do this with other Pokemon not just Pikachu, it's more of the inconsistency's fault of the matter Pikachu use to be "Deus Ex Machina."
I can think of plenty on instances where the anime Godmods pokemon that would pretty much not win any of the matches they were seen to do in the show, you can't compared the standards of the anime and games.
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You see though, Mickey Mouse isn't plastered on everything Disney. Disney doesn't treat Mickey Mouse like the best thing they ever had. I cannot say the same for Pikachu, as the yellow rodent is even Japan's mascot, plastered all over nearly everything pokemon, and don't get me started on the anime(I.E. Pikachu beating a Breloom, which resists electrical attacks). Hell, the thing is being put out as more powerful than Gardevoir in Pokken despite how weak it really is. Pikachu doesn't even make it on that many overrated lists that I've seen. I might have seen this thing on more favorite/popular lists than overrated. I could be wrong about how popular it is/how often it's considered overrated. Overrated might not be the word to describe Pikachu, or maybe Pikachu's just overrated in a different way that most other Pokemon. Either way, Pikachu is over-something if you ask me. Overused(not competitive-wise), over-privileged, over-exposed, something.
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Again the anime is not a standard to really judge any Pokemon compared to the games. You can't really compare them. The anime does this with nearly every Pokemon it shows. While Pikachu does have more exposer of this, other Pokemon are guilty too.
The anime is very inconsistent with how they handle how Pokemon is played out, as most scenarios that happen there do not happen in the games. The story driven narrative also gives the Pokemon more leeway to do things the game's set structure doesn't present them with. The anime is also very inconsistent with how moves work. How about in episode 3 where a Caterpie beat Ekans and Koffing, despite the fact Caterpie stands no chance against barely any Pokemon and a sting spill of poison would instantly KO it? Also String Shot doesn't work like that.
Or if you wanna use the Pika vs Breloom thing how about when the anime has a Chikorita take on Ash's Charizard, despite being quad weak to it, then later loses to a simple Hoot Hoot? Or how about when Dawn's Piplup lost to a Magikarp in the anime? When is a Magikarp going to dominate anything in an actual Pokemon battle? There's even an episode where a Seviper (Team Rocket's) uses Poison Tail on a Metagross and the Metagross took damage from it despite it resisting poison. There's also the time a Corsola one shotted a Gyarados with a simple Spike Cannon. I can name plenty more.
There's plenty of stuff like this one the anime where the have pre-evolutions take on legendaries and win. Pikachu also wins less battles as the series progresses.
Also that Gardevoir in Pokken fighters argument doesn't work as every Pokemon in that game are matched in skills. It's balanced to make every Pokemon compare with each other and it's structure doesn't compare to the games. Don't just compare Pika from the actual games to how he is in other games, because it doesn't function the same. That's like saying "He can beat such an such character in Smash Bros, but is weak in Pokemon" yet Smash Bros is completely different, the same with Pokken. Pikachu himself was even shown to be thrown around too, it's a fighting game, in every fighting game all characters have the ability to knock each other out. Gardevoir also knocked Pikachu out too. If you also wanna use that logic Machamp can also hit Gardevoir despite it being quad resistant to Machamp.
Or like how Machamp can physically hit Gengar when Gengar is completely immune to fighting attacks.
I wouldn't consider Pikachu overrated, as it's not the character's fault it's marketed the way it is. I would say the word to describe Pika is overexposed and over marketed. And for the merchandise, while he is on most of it, that's to represent that it's Pokemon. Kind of like how you'll find Mario on anything relating to Nintendo, even Mario's icon takes over Nintendo.
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I guess it is just the anime being stupid. Pikachu may get too much attention, but I mainly just like calling this little guy overrated rat. I even named my ORAS cosplay Pikachu "Overrated Rat" or something along those lines.
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Fair enough I guess. And yeah I can even agree Pikachu does get a bit too much handed to him. And yeah the anime is bad when it comes to representation.
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Yeah. It might not be in the top 10 overrated pokemon list, but I supposed it could be an honorable mention. Calling Pikachu overrated is like calling Mario overrated. Plenty of people(fans and non-fans) know them and they are very famous, but they're not THE most popular among the fan bases of their franchises. Look up Pikachu vs. Eevee or Pikachu vs. Charizard and you'll see which one is more liked by the fans. Similarly, you can find many people who like Luigi better than Mario.
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Yeah I completely agree, Pikachu isn't overrated at all. Even in the mascot term. He's just over marketed with stuff catering toward him. And yeah, I agree with the fame comment too.
And yeah I know. Usually Eevee and Charizard are more preferred choices over Pikachu. But tbh I can actually consider Charizard overrated.
And yeah, many people do prefer Luigi over Mario.
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I would say maybe a little overrated
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I think Pikachu saying his name is kinda cute, especially because it's got a great voice.
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I, personally, love Pikachu. Pikachu is, in all honesty, a lot more useful in the Mystery Dungeon games. Even OP at times. By the way. Would you mind if I use this as a profile stamp?
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My player character was Pikachu in Explorers of Sky.
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Same. I always get Pikachu first try for some reason. That's one reason why I have a Pikachu character... Of whom has a character sheet I need to finish and post.
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I once wrote a short fanfic about my Pikachu in Explorers of Sky. He's not exactly cute in terms of personality. He's actually a huge dick who never listens to his morality pet, Piplup. (Piplup was my partner in Explorers of Sky.)
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Cool. My partner is Treecko :3
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I don't mind at all. Go ahead.
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Awesome, I love this! 
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What do you think of it's fanbase?
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HOW CAN"T HE BE OVERRATED?He is one of the chracters like mario,sonic,kirbi attent to get attention from people,so ofcourse he will get many attention When a company made a game they need characters are use for entertain and attract people,so if more people get attention on it,so did the company get lots of money from them (Oh and i have shitty english so i may type something wrong )
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The thing is, what the fans don't realize is in the actual Pokemon games Pikachu isn't even the main focus, nor is is he even used that much. They bitch and say "other Pokemon need love too" What the hell do you think? I mean other Pokemon get love all the time in the games, the only reason Pikachu gets spinoffs dedicated to him is those are the only time he actually shines and gets to be the center.
It makes no sense really, I mean all their hatred for him comes from the anime, yet they compare the anime and the games as if they're the same thing. That's an unfair judgement. Also Pokemon has had a lot worse problems than Pikachu's Overpoweredness as I already explained.
It also pisses me off how Pikachu in Smash Bros 4 was nerfed due to people's bitching. When it wasn't the character's fault it was the players fault for not knowing how to avoid Thunder. >_>
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Finally a person make a stamp for him,thank youand I actually like pikachue ,its just i cant use him well in the super mainstream and smash bros 4,but i dont think people can use that us a defence of hating him He didnt even been one of the main used pokemon in the actual pokemon game the animes pikachue isnt that bad either
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Eh, I just don't like super mainstream Pokemon, like Umberon, Pikachu, Charizard, Greninja, etc
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Hmm. Why is that? o:
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I dunno. It's like, I always want to be unique.
Lemme evaluate that: I never let anyone else play as Yoshi in Mario Kart.
I will be Yoshi, and nobody else on teh same console.
We play Tekken, 1v1. I'm Lars. Nobody else can be Lars.
Duel me in Yugioh. You want to use Crystal Beast cards as well? Fine, I'm changing deck.
I always gotta be different to other players.
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Well canceling out other preferences doesn't seem the right way to be unique. Don't get me wrong I can totally see your reason and why you do that, you just want to use the character that nobody else uses because its a sense of relief and its basically a change of paste.
Don't get me wrong I can get behind your motives for that, but at the same time you can't really stop others from using what they want because you do. Others will have the same liking in characters as well. Also most people now don't even use Pikachu. Well unless they play Yellow. lol
But the point it you can't really choose player preferences. However I can agree too much of one character usage is annoying.
But I see what you mean. Unless I'm totally wrong here. If it's that case correct me.
But I see what you mean. I can be the same way on occasions.
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I get your point.
But I will be Yoshi and there is crap all you can do about it.
Also, anyone that uses Pikachu is just asking to get their asses kicked in battle XD
He's not terrible, but nowhere near the levels of my good Pokemon like Typhlosion,
Houndoom or Zoroark.
I like to stick with a certain character. I dunno why, like usual.
I just do. I like to pick a character that works like an avatar of sorts
for me, and then it feels weird when someone else uses them.
Again, you can say it's wrong. But I won't change.
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Nah I see what you mean it does make more sense now. Using a character because you feel it represents you is a nice way to use your character choices.
And, oh really now? I happen to use Yoshi myself. But I also love using Shy Guy and Rosalina as well.
And want to bet on that? My Pikachu will beat your whole team. (nah JK Please don't bet)
And not saying you have to change, perfectly fine to choose of your using. I can see it being weird and such.
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Aye. I pick a character and I learn them inside and out.
Take Lars in Tekken for example. There's what, 30-40 characters,
I pretty much solely use Lars. I also use Hworang, Lili and King, but a lot less.
With Lars though, I know his combos all around, memorised his 10-hit combo,
know his story, who he plays well against... And The other day I did 89-matches
in a row, so there's that.
Not for long you don't. *loads shotgun*
Pft. Boi, my team is Zoroark, Typhlosion, Trevanent, Malamar, Milotic and Noivern,
and I think I could probably flatten a Pikachu with Milotic. Namely because mine
knows an earth type move, but deal with it XD
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Not if mine if faster, with Light Ball, Volt Tackle for STAB and the right moves. XD Plus I have use of other teams as well. XD But please don't use that shotgun! o.o
And yeah I see what you mean. Well for me it takes a long time to learn stuff like that, because of my learning problems it does effect me when it comes to certain stuff like that. However. Once I do learn and memorize them I can be pretty effective as well. :3
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heheheheh. My Milotic, I bred it myself to have perfect IVS, and trust
me, this things defense and spec. defense are IMMENSE. It tanks supereffective
hits and barely even looses a quarter health sometimes. I'm not kidding.
That, plus Leftovers and Aqua Ring, makes him a very tough Milotic. Seriously,
you knock him down in one hit and I will be severely impressed.
I guess XD Fighting games are one of my best genres though, so if
we ever end up in a match, you better be ready for an ass-whoopin XD
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Okay I'm gonna stay away from your Milotic. ^^ Mkay, I don't want to face yours...
And well what is your best Genre then? I don't think I really have a best one. Oh wait, I'm best at RPGs. XD Well they are my favorite types. Then I like fighting/adventure. Also nah I try my best to either stay as far away from you, or use intelligence to try and make an outcome. :3
Well I'm no pro gamer, I play for fun, but I only get serious in games for fun and when the moment is needed.
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Yeah I agree. I mean Pikachu at least has a reason to be loved. Where as Charizard is only loved because of Nostalgia. Also Vaporeon is better than Umbreon. Well to me at least anyways.
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yeah I agree vaporeon and jolteon are way better then umbreon
and with charizard I also agree that people only love him because he is
from first gen and is based off a dragon.
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A TO THE FREAKING MEN BROTHER
I couldn't have said it better myself
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I agree. And thanks.
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