Pikachu parade takes over New York to mark Pokémon's 20th anniversary
As part of its extensive campaign to mark its 20th birthday, Pokémon enlisted an army of one of its best known characters, Pikachu, to mark the occasion in Manhattan.
20 mascots dressed in costume as the fuzzy yellow monster took to Times Square to kick off proceedings, making their way across the city stopping off at locations including Brooklyn Bridge and Penn Station.
Pikachu in Times Square! #Pokemon20 #PikachuNYC pic.twitter.com/PONBJ3gUhA
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 28, 2016
Delighted fans took to social to share their spottings of the character under the hashtag #PikachuNYC.
One more- Pikachu butt shot #pokemon20 #pikachunyc
A photo posted by michelle ceja (@michelleceja) on
#NewYork #pikachunyc #pokemon20 #newyorkpubliclibrary A photo posted by Jay - Life through a lens (@jay_p84) on
A Pikachu crossing was the cutest sight ever. Happy Pokemon Day! #PikachuNYC #Pokemon20 pic.twitter.com/8WgLczzlLV
— LuckyOokami (@LuckyOokami) February 27, 2016
The stunt was the latest celebration from the brand to mark the 20-year milestone. Back in January it released a Super Bowl ad to celebrate the Pokémon world which it said had "inspired fans to train hard and have fun," for the past two decades.