Pikachu stays aboard Pokémon anime as Captain Pikachu

Iconic video game character won’t miss new show

Pikachu is one of the most iconic characters in the history of video games and anime, so fans were very sad when it seemed like the Pokémon brand’s mascot would depart from the stage together with its long-time partner, Ash, after they finally achieved their goal of winning the big prize at the world championship last year.

This goodbye is not as final as we first thought, however. The Pokémon Company announced on February 24, 2023, that Pikachu will also have a part to play in the upcoming anime series.

Captain Pikachu is the partner Pokémon of Friede, a professor who will assist the two main protagonists Liko and Roy on their adventures to discover the meaning behind the mysterious items in their possession.

Friede is a Pokémon professor and also looks like a dashing pilot / The Pokémon Company

The big question on everyone’s mind is, of course, whether Captain Pikachu is “our” Pikachu or simply some pretender wearing a captain’s hat. There is no official statement about that yet and we may have to wait for the show anyways to reveal the origins of this particular Pikachu.

“As the Pokémon world expands and evolves, fans will be able to embark on a new journey of action, adventure and friendship through the eyes of unique characters like Friede and Captain Pikachu when the next animated series begins premiering later this year,” commented Taito Okiura, vice president of marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “For 27 years, Pikachu has been synonymous with the Pokémon franchise, and we look forward to seeing this beloved Pokémon continue to have a significant presence in the animated series and remain an icon for the brand.”

We’re slowly getting more and more details on what the new series will look like. Aside from the protagonists and some tidbits about the story, we also know that new Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will be featured on the show.