
Well, I guess it’s not too far out of the realm of possibility…
I’m excited. You’re excited. We’re all excited about Pokémon Sun and Moon. Our childhood favorites are going through some dramatic changes in their Alola forms. Some look completely different, while others look a whole lot cuter.
Raichu is one of the cute ones. Raichu’s Alola form looks like an ultra-kawaii, tanned version of the original.
▼ Just look at those sparkling blue eyes. Those rounded ears. That chocolaty coat. That…surf board tail?
Alola forms are often the result of adapting to different climates. But, does this apply to Alolan Raichu? If you take a look at the official site, you’ll find that researchers don’t really know why Raichu changed form. If you ask a local Alolan, though, they’ll suggest, offhand, “Maybe he ate too many fluffy pancakes?”
Well, I guess that’s one super adorable way to adjust to a new climate (like a kitchen), and many Japanese netizens have declared it a hilarious reason to change. Many of them are also exclaiming, “Joshiryoku takai!” or “That’s a lot of girl power!” It’s a phrase most often used to describe someone who’s particularly good at cooking or cleaning.
If you ask me, though, just because you eat a lot of pancakes doesn’t mean you’re the one making them…
In any case, perhaps you, too, will become a tanner and cuter version of yourself if you eat a ton of pancakes. Just make sure they’re fluffy!
Sources: Cupo, Pokémon Sun and Moon
Image Sources: Pokémon Sun and Moon, Wikimedia Commons/Michael Stern


Old-school Pokémon Champions Red and Blue return in latest new Pokémon Sun & Moon trailer 【Video】
Giant life-size Alolan Exeggutor Pokémon appears at Pokémon World Championships in Japan【Photos】
Pokémon Sun and Moon Meets Parkour in Real Life 【Video】
Pokémon manhole covers spreading with eight new Pokéfuta in Miyazaki
Pokémon memes go viral as Japan pokes fun at Exeggutor’s new long-necked Alola form
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Hilarious Pokémon cosplay at Comiket 90 includes PokéStops and Exeggutor Alola form【Pics】
Is Pokémon’s main human character about to leave the anime franchise behind?
Pokémon’s Ash FINALLY wins a Pokémon tournament championship!
New starter Pokémon and setting for upcoming Pokémon Sun and Moon games revealed 【Video】
New Pokémon games coming to Nintendo Switch and 3DS this fall!【Videos】
Could the long-awaited Nintendo Switch Pokémon RPG be coming out this year?
Exeggutor airplanes taking off from Solaseed Air in Miyazaki Prefecture, other Pokémon tag along
Crazy-huge Pokémon figure will dominate your interior, boost your fan cred to towering heights
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon revealed to be the last Pokémon RPGs for the Nintendo 3DS
Insane Japanese Twitter user does the unthinkable: beats Pokémon Sun/Moon only using Magikarp
New Pokémon Mimikyu gets social media campaign, official song to help it make friends 【Video】
Tokyo Pokémon Cafe has a new Tropical Sweets line, so we head back to try it for ourselves【Pics】
TV audiences in Japan surprised to see “Pikachu,” “Raichu” as members of U.S. Olympic team
A couple of costumed Pokémon are the newest additions to Pokémon Sun and Moon!
Ash is going to look very different in the new Pokémon anime arc【Video】