Pokémon TCG’s 30th Anniversary Fat Pikachu Revealed
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new illustration of Fat Pikachu by Ken Sugimori, the character’s original designer. Sugimori’s rendition attempts to honor the iconic “chubby” design of Pikachu from three decades ago, when the electric-type mascot was first illustrated with its trademark round proportions.
Over the years, Pikachu’s official design has evolved to become noticeably slimmer than its original baby-faced iteration. Sugimori’s anniversary commission seeks to bridge past and present by reviving classic elements while incorporating contemporary design sensibilities. The new artwork retains a plump silhouette while maintaining more refined, modern proportions—aiming for a middle ground between nostalgia and current aesthetics.
However, the design has proven divisive within the Pokémon community. When compared directly with the original ’90s Fat Pikachu, Sugimori’s 30th-anniversary take doesn’t fully recapture the same level of chubbiness that defined the character in its earliest form. While some distinctive details—such as the pronounced left claw—reference the classic design, the overall body shape is noticeably slimmer than its predecessor. For fans hoping for a faithful recreation of the classic look, the new Fat Pikachu represents a compromise rather than a complete return, landing somewhere between retro charm and modern refinement.