Memes come in all shapes and sizes, and you might be just as surprised as Pikachu when you discover where they originated from. Pokemon's mascot is already iconic due to its adorable design and electric personality, but the Surprised Pikachu meme has made it almost impossible to go a day without seeing the creature's wide-eyed reaction.
Pikachu's shocked expression is relatable to anyone that's been surprised by the inevitable. If you've ever wondered where it originally came from or are just looking for some examples, we've got you covered.
What Pokemon Episode Is Surprised Pikachu From?
The Surprised Pikachu meme is from the original Pokemon anime that aired between 1997 and 1999. The cartoon was an essential pillar in Pokemon's success during this time, and followed Ash Ketchum on his journey to become the best that ever was. Between the video games and the trading cards, the television show and its subsequent movies provided even more ways to escape into the world of Pokemon.
Throughout the original 82 episodes of the anime, you get to watch Ash Ketchum start his journey as a Pokemon Trainer alongside his partner, Pikachu. During the adventure, he teams up with other characters like Misty, Brock, and Todd Snap to travel across Kanto and the Orange Islands, defeat Gym Leaders, and stop Team Rocket from global domination.
In the tenth episode of the Pokemon anime - Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village - Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Misty stumble upon an Oddish drinking from a pond. Misty tries to catch it after knocking it down with her Starmie, but a Bulbasaur knocks her Poke Ball out of the air.
Ash then tries to defeat the Grass-type with Butterfree, but Bulbasaur easily deflects its attacks and knocks it out. The camera then cuts to our heroes' shocked reactions, and in the lower right-hand corner, you can see Surprised Pikachu.
Surprised Pikachu Examples
The Surprised Pikachu meme is most commonly used to express the feeling of being amazed by an inescapable truth, or feigning surprise at something that should have otherwise been obvious. Here are some examples of the meme in action:
As you can see, Surprised Pikachu is an incredibly versatile meme often used to convey harsh realities and inevitable consequences. Pikachu's expression is universally relatable, which is why it's become one of the most popular memes on the internet.