If you haven’t played Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 2 yet, it’s time to meet the newest look our beloved Pikachu is “flaunting” these days. Fair warning: it may not be as adorable as you’d expect, unlike the cheerful yellow furball fans have known for decades.
Meet Peakychu, a pale, droopy-eared version of the franchise’s most recognizable character. Peakychu is part of Pokémon Pokopia, a Switch 2 exclusive, and has an interesting but sad origin story to share. But in case you aren’t playing the game or want to know more about how the design came to life, The Pokémon Company has shared some concept artwork, revealing more about the character’s design, including details that set it apart from the original Pikachu.
As you can see, the concept artwork offers a closer look at Peakychu through different poses, showcasing six different emotions—Default, Small Joy, Large Joy, Surprise, Anger, and Sadness—along with accompanying artist notes.
You’d probably notice its tail before anything else. Unlike Pikachu’s familiar lightning-bolt-shaped tail, Peakychu has a smaller, drooping tail that drags along the ground as it moves. The artwork also notes that the character glows when it produces light, giving Peakychu a distinct appearance instead...
