Pikachu (SMF188's Version)

**Pikachu** is a fictional species of Pokémon in the *Pokémon* media franchise. Designed by Atsuko Nishida and Ken Sugimori, Pikachu first appeared in the 1996 Japanese video games *Pokémon Red* and *Pokémon Green* created by Game Freak and Nintendo, which were released outside of Japan in 1998 as *Pokémon Red* and *Pokémon Blue*. Pikachu is a yellow, mouse-like creature with electrical abilities. It is a major character in the Pokémon franchise, serving as its mascot and as a major mascot for Nintendo.

Pikachu is widely considered to be the most popular and well-known Pokémon species, largely due to its appearance in the *Pokémon* anime television series as the companion of protagonist Ash Ketchum. In most vocalized appearances Pikachu is voiced by Ikue Ōtani, though it has been portrayed by other actors, notably Ryan Reynolds in the live-action animated film *Pokémon Detective Pikachu*. Pikachu has been well-received by critics, with particular praise given for its cuteness, and has come to be regarded as an icon of Japanese pop culture.

## Background Music

* Pokémon Theme - Gotta Catch 'em All!(Instrumental) (2001-2013)
* Pokémon X and Y Title Screen (Anime rendition), composed by Junichi Masuda and Shota Kageyama (2014-present)

## History with the Parade (Jamal's Version)

**Flying Pikachu (2001-2005)**

Pikachu made its Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut in 2001, to celebrate Pokémon franchise's 5th anniversary.

The balloon measured at 30 feet tall, 65 feet long and 30.8 feet wide and was inflated with 13,200 cubic ft of helium and was flown down with 54 balloon handlers.

Pikachu toke it's first public test flight at Balloonfest 2001 alongside Big Bird and newcomer Jimmy Neutron.

When the balloon made it's official debut, it was a huge crowd-pleaser.

In 2002 it promoted the animated movie, *Pokémon 4Ever*.

Pikachu continued for 2003 to promote the television series *Pokémon Advanced*, and Pikachu continued once again in 2004.

The orginal Pikachu balloon, dubbed as "Flying Pikachu" would make its final appearance at the 2005 Parade to celebrate Pokémon's 10th anniversary in 2006 and the orginal Pikachu balloon was retired.

**Pikachu with Pokéball (2006-2013)**

However in 2006, Macy's decided to make a new Pikachu balloon to celebrate Pokémon's 10th anniversary, this time Pikachu is chasing after a Pokéball, the Pikachu balloon's cheeks lit up to represent the character's electrical abilities and powers.

The balloon measured at 53 feet tall, 40 feet long and 36 feet wide and inflated with 15,000 cubic ft of helium.

The second Pikachu balloon flew at Balloonfest 2006 alongside Snoopy as the Flying Ace andPucca.

The Pikachu and Pokéball balloons appeared once again at the 2007 Parade, not just that, Pikachu was on the 2007 Macy's Parade Snowglobe.

Pikachu appeared for next three years, but in 2010, Pikachu was joined by 14 foot tall sculptures of the legendary unova Pokémon, Reshiram and Zekrom to promote the new *Pokémon Black* and *Pokémon White* video games and Pikachu continued chasing after the Pokéball in the 2011 Parade.

Then Pikachu continued for the 2012 Parade, but it's ears were deflated and also Pikachu promised the video games *Pokémon Black 2* and *Pokémon White 2*, but however its ears were fixed after the parade ended.

The second Pikachu balloon made its final appearance at the 2013 Parade to promote the video games *Pokémon X and Pokémon Y*, after the 2013 procession, this Pikachu balloon along its Pokéball were retired.

**Pikachu with Snowman Pikachu (2014-2020)**

In 2014, a brand-new Pikachu balloon was created for the 2014 Parade, now featuring a red and green scarf with an adorable snowman Pikachu, the balloon's design was based off of an 2008 Pokémon center plush with the similar design.

The third Pikachu balloon measured at 53 feet tall, 36 feet long and 29 feet wide and flown down with 90 balloon handlers.

The balloon toke it's first public test flight at Balloonfest 2014 alongside many newcomers like Thomas the Tank Engine and Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger from Power Rangers.

When the balloon made it's official debut, the balloon was promoting the newly-released *Pokémon Omega Ruby* and *Pokémon Alpha Sapphire* video games.

Pikachu continued for the next two years including 2016 to promote *Pokémon Sun* and *Pokémon Moon*.

Then 2017 to promote the *Pokémon Ultra Sun* and *Pokémon Ultra Moon* video games.

The balloon continued for 2018 to promote the franchise's newly-released at the time, *Pokemon, Lets Go, Pikachu* and *Pokémon, Lets Go, Eevee* and in 2019 to promote the video games *Pokémon Sword* and *Pokémon Shield* and this Pikachu balloon would be retired after the 2020 Parade and the balloon appeared with several dancing pikachus to celebrate Pokémon's 25th anniversary in 2021.

**Pikachu & Eevee (2021-present)**

In 2021, a new Pikachu balloon was created to celebrate Pokémon's 25th anniversary, now Pikachu is joined by the adorable evolution Pokémon from the Kanto Region, that evolve into one of eight different Pokémon, Eevee.

The Pikachu & Eevee balloon measured at 34 feet, 48 feet long and 23 feet wide and flown down with 90 balloon handlers, by the way, the blades on their sleigh equal in length is longer than a semi trailer truck.

Pikachu & Eevee took their first public test flight appearance through Balloonfest 2021, alongside newcomers, Ada Twist' Scientist and Grogu and parade veteran, Ronald McDonald.

When Pikachu made it's 21st apperance and Eevee it's parade debut appearance, the balloon promoted the newly-released video games *Pokémon Brilliant Diamond* and *Pokémon Shining Pearl* and also, they celebrated the 25th anniversary of Pokémon.

Then in 2022, they appeared again to promote the newly-released video games, *Pokémon Scarlet* and *Pokémon Violet* and the championship games in 2023.

The dynamic Pokémon duo appeared for another flight in the 2023 Parade to delight many Pokémon fans of all ages and this was the first time, a giant character balloon has been the last giant character balloon for three straight parades.

The Pokémon duo would appear once again in the 2024 Parade, as one of the confirmed fictional character balloons in the lineup.