Summary
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Only 18 Gen 1 Pokémon have Alolan forms, including Raichu, but Pikachu never got one.
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Alolan's forms were inspired by the Hawaiian climate in the 7th generation games.
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Pokemon fans create their own regional forms for other regions such as Galar and Paldea.
AND Pokemon fan designed an Alolan form of the franchise's beloved mascot Pikachu and shared the original concept online. Many artists created their own regional forms Pokemon characters.
Introduced in the seventh generation games, Alolan forms are special variants of Pokémon found in the Alola region. Only 18 characters have ever received such an alternate design, all of which are Generation 1 Pokémon. Among them is the Electric-type Raichu, an evolved form Pokemon the franchise's iconic Pikachu. While the latter character does not have an Alolan form, new fan art has provided a look at what this Pikachu variant could look like if ever released.
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In a recent post on Pokemon subreddit, user HertzBurst showed off his Alolan Pikachu concept. This version of Pikachu, much like Raichu's official Alolan form, has a strikingly different color scheme, with the HertzBurst design swapping Pikachu's usual bright yellow fur for a much darker brown. Sharing the Electric/Psychic attributes of the Alolan Raichu, the fan art also has different secondary colors and more rounded features. Many artists have shared similar original designs in the past, including Reddit user SayuriKoopa, who made his own regional forms of the Pokemon Larvitar, Tinkatink, and Vanillite, among many others.
A Pokemon fan suggests an original Alolan form for Pikachu
Long-standing Pokemon Series developer Game Freak previously explained that Hawaii, with its abundance of sunshine and clear nights, inspired the tropical setting of the Generation 7 release. According to Game Freak director Shigeru Ohmori, the studio considered during development the possible living conditions of the Alolan forms if they existed in real life. He pointed out that the Alolan Exeggutor was designed with a significantly longer neck than its regular counterpart due to greater exposure to sunlight.
Other than Alola Pokemon regions also have their own special variants. Generation 8 Galar has Galar forms while current ninth generation Paldea base area has Paldean forms. Pokemon Legends: Arceuswhich takes place in a past version of Sinnoh known as Hisui, introduced Hisui forms. In total, there are currently 57 regional Pokémon variants, with Meowth and Tauros receiving two and three such forms, respectively.
Many fans are expecting the next game of this franchise, Pokemon Legends: ZAintroduce new evolutions or regional variants. The upcoming title, due for release on the Nintendo Switch sometime next year, will bring fans back to the setting of the sixth-generation Kalos games. Rumors suggest that the trailer for Pokemon Legends: ZA could fall before Pokemon the franchise celebrates its 29th anniversary in February 2025.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon includes games, television, movies, manga, merchandise, music and more.
- Created by
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Satoshi Tajiri
