30 years ago, illustrator Ken Sugimori delighted the world with his chubby rendition of Pokémon’s iconic mascot. Over the years, Pikachu’s design has shed its baby fat in favor of a more svelte look. For the Pokémon trading card game’s 30th anniversary, Sugimori has offered a new take on the electric rodent’s classic design. The new Fat Pikachu silhouette just isn’t landing for some fans, though.
The new Pikachu, pictured above, looks fine at first. Some aspects of its design, like the freakish left claw present in the original ’90s version, are arguably an improvement. The problem only becomes noticeable when you compare both designs side by side. While the new Sugimori art retains its plump shape, Pikachu’s body is slimmer than its predecessor. Nu-Pikachu isn’t fatter, it just has a bizarrely large head that is disproportionate to the rest of its body. Classic Fat Pikachu, on the other hand, maintains a harmonious cherubic ratio.
In social media posts sharing the official artwork, commenters often say the new Pikachu has a whiff of AI to it. People aren’t accusing Sugimori of cutting corners. Fans seem to be using the term AI as a shorthand for Pikachu’s uncanny effect. The mascot looks like it’s supposed to, but it’s also completely wrong.
Ken Sugimori’s updated card is one of 30 Pikachu designs that will be available as a part of the set coming on Sept. 16. As the date approaches, The Pokémon Company is slowly doling out more official artwork for the collection — and the variety is fantastic. Shimari Yukichi’s gluttonous Pikachu picks up on the spirit of Fat Pikachu in a card where the yellow mouse can be seen gorging on a variety of berries. Appropriately, the 28th card of the Pikachu collection has a move called Satisfied Spark.
The standout of the bunch has to be sowsow’s deceptively cute Pikachu card. This Pikachu is frowning while clutching a pillow resembling a Friend Ball. In the background, there’s a picture of a Pichu holding the hand of a young trainer who is just out of frame. The sad Pikachu has one ear tilted downward, and it comes packed with a move called Lonely Gaze. Pitifully, the depressed Pikachu’s single move only hits for 20 health points. Tacitly acknowledging that only a total monster would attack this poor baby, sowsow’s card has an ability that reduces enemy attacks by 20 damage as well.
You can check out some more new Pikachu artwork for the 30th anniversary set here.