For nearly ten years, Niantic’s hit augmented reality mobile gamePokemon GOhas continuously evolved and expanded to increasingly entice new and old players. A variety of new cosmetic items have been added for players' trainers to don, including some of their favorite Pokemon or holiday-related gear. Research tasks added more gameplay options with various kinds of objectives often resulting in alluring rewards, including berries, Poke Balls, and even hard-to-find Pokemon. Of course, the most celebrated additions were the introduction of dozens of new Pokemon from Generation 2 all the way to Generation 9. However, not every Pokémon has been added toPokemon GO,including one that would have been perfect for the Halloween 2024 event: the disguise Pokemon Mimikyu.
Pokemon Sun and Moon’s Mimikyu Explained
Ever since Pikachu exploded in popularity in Generation 1,Game Freak has created Pikachu clonesfor every subsequent generation to build on Pikachu’s popularity and feature each region’s unique form of electric rodents. This initially began with Generation 2’s Pichu, which was the baby form of Pikachu. Starting with Generation 3’s Minun and Plusle, Game Freak introduced new Pikachu-like rodents that were unrelated to the series’ mascot beyond being electric rodents that often feature circular cheek pouches. These Pikachu clones include Pachirisu, Emolga, Dedenne, Togedemaru, Morpeko, and Pawmi. Most of these Pikachu clones were simply other types of electric rodents meant to elicit the imagery of Pikachu and play similarly to the mascot.
This trend was upended, however, with the release of the Seventh Generation gamesPokemon SunandMoonandPokemon Ultra SunandUltra Moon. Within the Alola Region, players could encounter several unique forms of electric rodents. Pikachus can be found throughout the Alola islands, but if players were to evolve Pikachu in this region, they would evolve into the floating electric psychic type Alolan Raichu. If players traveled to Blush Mountain, they would find the Ryukyu spiny rat-inspired electric Steel-Type Togedemaru. Once players reach Ula’ula Island, they’ll encounter a creepy yet charming Pikachu variant in the form of the ghost Fairy-Type Pokemon Mimikyu.
Mimikyu’s Instant Popularity
As soon as Mimikyu was first unveiled in 2016 ahead ofSunandMoon’s release, fans became attached to the disguise Pokémon, ushering in a wave of memes and fan art of the Pikachu lookalike. Mimikyu isn’t actually a rodent, but a tiny fairy with such a frightening appearance that it’s said to kill people with just its looks alone. According to the Pokedex, this caused Mimikyu to don a rag that looks like Pikachu so that it could get closer to people and other critters. This caused many fans to become sympathetic to Mimikyu and even create artwork ofMimikyu wearing rags based on other Pokemon.
Mimikyu was voted as the most popular Generation 7 Pokemon in the 2020 Pokemon of the Year poll held by The Pokemon Company.
Mimikyu’s Potential in Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO’s 2024 Halloween eventswill introduce several new features and Pokemon, including Halloween costumed Froakie and Rowlet, as well as Gigantamax Gengar for six-star Max Battles. Part one of the Halloween event already debutedPokemon SwordandShield’s Morpeko intoGOfor the first time alongside Dynamax Gastly for one-star Max Battles. Based on this precedent with fellow Pikachu clone Morpeko, Niantic should strive to add Mimikyu toPokemon GOfor Halloween 2025. This could finally completePokemon GO’s roster featuring all ofSunandMoon’s Pikachu variants, since Alolan Raichu and Togedemaru are already in the game.
Mimikyu could be the star ofPokemon GO’s 2025 Halloween event, potentially featuring it as the event’s Dynamax boss battle. To play with Mimikyu’s sad but creepy nature, Niantic could have Mimikyu appear only near stores, schools, or abandoned places, since Mimikyu appears in the abandoned Thrifty Megamart inPokemon SunandMoonand is said to be lonely. Niantic can further add multiple Mimikyu-themed cosmetics for both trainers and the disguise Pokemon itself.Trainers could purchase Mimikyu rag costumes, while Mimikyu could wear fun Halloween-themed hats or different rags based on other popular Pokemon, such as Charmander, Eevee, Riolu, Meowth, and more.
WHERE TO PLAY
Now you can battle other Pokémon GO trainers online! Try the GO Battle League today. Join Trainers across the globe who are discovering Pokémon as they explore the world around them. Pokémon GO is the global gaming sensation that has been downloaded over 1 billion times and named “Best Mobile Game” by the Game Developers Choice Awards and “Best App of the Year” by TechCrunch
UNCOVER THE WORLD OF POKÉMON: Explore and discover Pokémon wherever you are! CATCH more Pokémon to complete your Pokédex! JOURNEY alongside your Buddy Pokémon to help make your Pokémon stronger and earn rewards! COMPETE in epic Gym battles and… TEAM UP and UNITE with other Trainers to catch powerful Pokémon during Raid Battles!It’s time to get moving—your real-life adventures await! Let’s GO
