Top 10 Characters that Should Be the Face of Pokemon Instead of Pikachu

Now, don't get us wrong - we all adore Pikachu. It's impossible to ignore the charm of the cute, yellow, electrifying creature who's been the franchise's poster child since its inception. But we all know the Pokemon world is filled with more than a thousand wonderfully unique creatures. Some of them are perhaps even equally, if not more, deserving to take center stage.

So, who could step into Pikachu's tiny, lightning-quick shoes? Is it the fiery Charizard, or the majestic Mewtwo? Perhaps it's the adorable Bulbasaur, or the mysterious Eevee with its many evolutions?

Imagine the Pokemon universe through a different lens. Think about the character's abilities, personality, and the impact they've had on your own Pokemon journey. Consider their evolution lines, their legendary battles, and the pivotal role they've played in saving your skin during those intense gym battles.
The Top Ten
1 Primarina
2 Charizard Charizard, known in Japan as Lizardon, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Charizard first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated... read more

He's the face of the trading card games easily. Anyone remember the high price for the 1st Edition Charizard card from the first set?

He should only be the mascot if Pikachu stops being marketable.

It would be unfair to the other starters to make Charizard the mascot. It might be better if Charizard wasn't a starter Pokemon. In that case, I totally agree.

Charizard is awesome. Pikachu is just overrated and not even that cute or that cool.

3 Eevee Eevee, known in Japan as Eievui, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise first introduced in the games Pokemon Red and Blue. Considered as the evolution Pokemon, it has the most evolutions out of all Pokemon species. Eevee can evolve to Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon,... read more

We need a cute little furry friend that evolves into cool things, not a squealing little yellow rat.

Yes. This Pokemon is cute and cool, so if Pikachu ever retired, then Eevee could do just as well.

4 Pidgeotto
5 Ditto Ditto, known in Japan as Metamon, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.

Super duper weird dude that can transform. Normal form looks like candy.

6 Blastoise Blastoise, known in Japan as Kamex, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
7 Psyduck Psyduck, known in Japan as Koduck, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
8 Mew Mew is a Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon created by Nintendo's and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. Designed by Satoshi Tajiri, it was introduced in Pokémon Red and Blue. Mew is capable of learning every move in the games (except signature moves of certain Pokémon), and can shapeshift into other... read more
9 Togepi Togepi, known in Japan as Togepy, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.

It would be funny to see Ash with a Togepi. It doesn't really fit in the anime though, because Pikachu is a mouse and Meowth is a cat, so an egg versus a cat. The cat will win.

10 Vulpix Vulpix, known in Japan as Rokon, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.

Cute, strong, and energetic! I would really like to see how the story would change if this little sexy creature was Ash's partner.

The Contenders
11 Arceus Arceus is a legendary Pokémon from the Pokémon series. It first appeared in the 18th Pokémon movie alongside other Legendary Pokémon. In the Pokémon universe, Arceus is widely known as "The Original One", as it's believed to be the creator of the entire pokemon universe. According to mythology,... read more

Arceus is the god of Pokemon. That should surely be the face of the Pokemon franchise, right?

The god of Pokemon. Enough said.

I believe in Lord Helix, but Arceus is the most deserving of this role.

12 Clefairy Clefairy, known in Japan as Pippi, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.

They should have gone with the first thought. I mean, it'd be hilarious to see Ash with a Clefairy.

13 Zigzagoon Zigzagoon, known in Japan as Jiguzaguma, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
14 Magneton Magneton, known in Japan as Rarecoil, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
15 Rhydon

First-ever Pokemon designed, so why not?

16 Bulbasaur Bulbasaur, known in Japan as Fushigidane, is the first Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.

He IS technically recorded as the first Pokemon in the Pokedex. At least he's the mascot of Bulbapedia.

17 Nosepass Nosepass, known in Japan as the same name, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
18 Lucario Lucario is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Lucario first appeared as a central character in the film Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, and later appeared in the video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and subsequent sequels, also appearing... read more

Should be #3 or #4 (but not as an outright Pikachu replacement, but as the official secondary mascot for the latter generations!).

Lucario is pretty much the de-facto mascot for Gen IV, which is why he's been in Smash for three games now (same goes for Charizard and Mewtwo).

If we were to go by ranking mascots by generation:

Pikachu (worldwide mascot, basically the Mario of the series. Nothing can ever replace him, except for more Pika clones).

Jigglypuff (was originally intended to be the secondary mascot in the anime and the games before being phased out in favor of Meowth (in the anime at least, due to being an annoying pest) and Charizard).

Charizard (is pretty much the secondary mascot in the series, very popular worldwide. If Pikachu stops being Pokemon's mascot, Charizard should take his place, but that's only if Pokemon stops being marketable).

Mewtwo (pretty much the Bowser/Ganondorf of the Pokemon world. Despite not owning up to that legacy, he's basically everything Shadow the Hedgehog from Sonic should have been).

Lucario (de-facto face of Gen IV and a very popular character, easily the third most popular Pokemon worldwide).

Greninja (de-facto face of Gen VI in the same way that Lucario is for Gen IV).

Incineroar (face of Gen VII easily due to how popular he is in Japan. No doubt that Ash will be getting one real soon in the anime!).

19 Arbok A fictional creature from the Pokémon series, Arbok is a Poison-type Pokémon that evolves from Ekans. It is most recognizable for its hood, which displays a pattern resembling a face to intimidate foes. In the Pokémon universe, Arbok is often associated with the villainous Team Rocket.
20 Meowth Meowth, known in Japan as Nyarth, is a Normal-type Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori, it was first introduced in the Pokemon Red and Blue, and is also known as the mascot of Team Rocket in the anime. At level 28, it evolves into Persian... read more

Meowth already looks like he could be the number one Pokemon and great for Pokemon pictures.

21 Abomasnow
22 Celebi Celebi, known in Japan as the same name, is a Mythical Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
23 Ursaring
24 Magikarp Magikarp, known in Japan as Koiking, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. It resembles an orange fish with whiskers. It was created by Ken Sugimori, Magikarp first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels. It is a water type that evolves... read more
25 Jigglypuff Jigglypuff, known in Japan as Purin, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise.
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