Over the course of the last two and a half decades, Pikachu has become a Japanese Mickey Mouse of sorts, capturing the hearts and minds of people of all ages and nationalities and becoming an unmistakable icon among icons. The adorable electric rodent’s roaring success is thanks in no small part to the massive popularity of the Pokemon anime that will soon bring the story of Ash and Pikachu to a close after almost 1300 episodes, 15 specials, and nearly 30 movies spanning around 25 years.a