sports

Japan chooses Pikachu as its official mascot for World Cup

18 Comments
By Michelle Lynn Dinh

The Blue Samurai, Japan’s national soccer team, will be fighting their way through this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament with the help of one of the world’s most recognizable characters. Adidas announced that Pikachu, everyone’s favorite electrifying mouse-like creature, will be joined by 10 other Pokemon to cheer on the boys in blue.

The official promotional image features Captain Pikachu surrounded by Chespin, Bulbasaur, Pancham, Froakie, Meowth, Fennekin, Charmander, Helioptile, Litleo, and Squirtle . All Pokemon are dressed in Team Japan’s offiical kit for the matches.

The always adorable Pokemon will be right at home with Brazil’s official mascot for the games, an equally cute blue and yellow armadillo named Fuelco. It’s unclear how much of an advantage choosing Pikachu and friends will be, but it’s certain that come June, Japan will have the cutest team in the world.

Sources: Soccerly via Joystiq

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Konami confirms autumn release for Winning Eleven 2014, releases new trailer -- Catch a Pokemon by the Tail with the Newest Lineup of Limited Edition Pokemon Goods -- Super cute Pikachu-plastered blanket, canvas bag to accompany fan mags

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18 Comments
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Well someone's certainly going to make a bundle off of this...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The Blue Samurai, Japan’s national soccer team,

Enough already with the samurai thing. Not meeting expectations by Japan's teams is hardly a fitting "honoring" of the wonderful samurai tradition.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Oh FFS!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Noooooooo.......who comes up with this sh*t, if you are gonna choose a mascot, choose kumamon or something at least.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

chinpokomon didn't make it to the final, what a shame

8 ( +10 / -2 )

"everyone's favorite"? Never heard of it, never seen it — never want to! By the way, The Blue Samurai sounds like good title for a bad movie.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

They could have chosen Goku or Madara Uchiha, or Naruto or Ichigo Kurosaki or Haruhi Suzumiya or Ruroni Kenshin.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Not Oddish? or Snorlax? or Weezing? or Wailord?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I guess they didn't want to put effort into promoting a new yuruchara. Pikachu is already famous enough.

BTW, I thought they were called the "Samurai Blue", Janglish style.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It could have been worse...they could have went with 'domo'.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Team Pikachu!! lol

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@AiserX: Seriously? You had to suggest Naruto? If you're going to suggest an anime character, at least make it one from a good anime. I'd have gone with Class SSS from Angel Beats! since they featured football (soccer) in that. But at least Pikachu is quite recognisable. Pokemon is still surprisingly popular, after almost twenty years.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

lol, so many haters xD

1 ( +1 / -0 )

To capture lots of attention, choosing Pikachu makes a lot of sense to me-- you probably will not find many, if anybody that live today and do not know about Pikachu. I feel like it will draw in people (perhaps primarily children, but still) who were not previously interested to support the Blue Samurai team. Given that this was likely their intention, I would say they succeeded in that. Not sure if people will take them as seriously though that is another concern...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pikapika piiiiiiiii pika pipi Pika! Did you understand that? I can speak pikachu language. It means "I'm qualified enough for a sport's mascot", I mean pikachu is,not me.

Why pikachu?

Very popular around the world. Good for "world" cup. For good recognition and publicity. ;-)

,2. Pikachu never gives up. Pikachu has so much fighting spirit in every battle he encounters.

,3. Pikachu is not selfish. Pikachu cares so much about his friends and his team mates especially in tournaments with Ash.

,4. Pikachu is very sport courteous. He make friends with his opponents.

,5. And of course, Pikachu is kawaii cute!

Pikachu I love you! I want to hug pika. I want pika to lick me. I want pikaaaaaaaaa.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I can see it now...

"Striker Pikachu has the ball and... HE USES FLASH!" (opens trenchcoat) "It's not very effective and the ball is stolen by Team Rocket!"

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Agree with titaniumdioxide, besides you guys don't know how successful Pokemon was in Brazil and Latinamerica... certainly they could have used Goku but Goku doesn't play football (sorry U.S. guys, "soccer") and Pikachu is adorable, although i'm rooting for "La Roja" (Chile), since I have high hopes for Sampaoli (the coach)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While the "Old Men" are running the Japanese Olympics, they have 13 year old boys running the National Soceer Team.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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