Pikachu, the main character from the popular anime cartoon Pokemon, has been discovered to be real.
OK, he is not real, but a man claims to have discovered a Pikachu forest (what, inside his photoshop program?) and is offering to catch live Pikachus for $925 million each.
The whole stunt is being done through a Yahoo! Japan Auction, so yet again, my lack of Japanese understanding foils me in being able to tell you the details.
To avoid decimating the population, there is a license to only catch 20 of them. What is more, each comes with three months of Pikachu food and a 60-minute training video to help teach new owners how to properly raise a young Pikachu.
The Pickachu in being held in the hand is the image being used for the auction. The rat in a fancy dress was an image mocked up for someone’s blog and it is pretty cool too.
Real Life Cartoon Pets
$925 Million Living Pokemon Pikachu
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Reality Pets - Using virtual reality technology to simulate having cartoon pets, creating a new market for innovative and interactive virtual pet experiences.
2. Anime-inspired Collectibles - The popularity of anime characters like Pikachu has created a demand for unique and limited edition collectibles, presenting opportunities for niche markets and exclusive merchandise.
3. Gamification in Pet Care - Incorporating game elements into pet care, such as interactive training videos and virtual pet food rewards, to enhance the engagement and development of real-life pets.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - Integrating virtual reality technology and anime-inspired collectibles into the entertainment industry to offer immersive and engaging experiences for fans and consumers.
2. E-commerce - Creating online marketplaces and auction platforms to sell limited edition collectibles, allowing consumers to easily access and purchase unique anime-inspired items.
3. Pet Care - Innovating pet care products and services by incorporating gamification techniques, such as interactive training videos and specialized pet food, to enhance the well-being and training of real-life pets.