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Pokémon TCG’s 30th Anniversary Fat Pikachu Revealed
Ken Sugimori has revealed an updated version of his original chubby Pikachu design for the Pokémon Trading Card Game’s 30th-anniversary set. The artwork revives the mascot’s rounder 1990s look, but has drawn mixed reactions from fans who feel its oversized head and slimmer body lack the balanced, cherubic proportions of the original.
Sugimori’s card is one of 30 Pikachu designs due to be released on 16 September, with The Pokémon Company revealing artwork gradually. Other highlighted cards include Shimari Yukichi’s berry-eating Pikachu, whose 28th-set card uses “Satisfied Spark”, and sowsow’s sad Pikachu holding a Friend Ball pillow, featuring “Lonely Gaze” and a defensive damage-reduction ability.
In short
- Updated “Fat Pikachu” divides fans over its proportions.
- The anniversary set contains 30 distinct Pikachu cards.
- The set is scheduled for release on 16 September.
Explained simply
Pokémon is a media franchise built around fictional creatures that people collect, train and trade. Pikachu, a small yellow creature, is its best-known mascot and has appeared in games, television, films and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
The card game lets players use cards featuring Pokémon and their abilities in matches. Ken Sugimori is a Japanese artist closely associated with the franchise’s original character designs, including Pikachu. Different artists have also drawn Pikachu in varied styles over the years, making changes to its familiar appearance a point of interest for collectors and fans.