As the largest franchise in the entire world,Pokemon its cultural footprint is enormous. With millions of fans across games, anime, and even dedicated merch collectors, it's no wonder other pieces of media slip in subtle nods or outright parodies. Including cartoons.
Sometimes the references are very blink and you miss it, and other times they are too on the nose. Either way, they are proof that Pikachu and friends are as iconic as Saturday morning classics.
What Are The Best Pokemon References In Cartoons?
The answer spans multiple shows and genres. Steven Universe dropped a clever Easter egg with a toy. Drawn Together introduced a not-so-subtle character called Ling-Ling who looks and acts suspiciously like our favorite electric rodent. Adventure Time even teased a Poke Ball hidden in a dungeon.
These moments are not only fun nods but also showcase Pokemon’s place as a pop culture legend. Let’s look at some of the best examples!
Steven & Pokemon In The Same Universe?
Steven Universe is full of nods to pop culture but one in particular stands out. In an episode, Steven’s shelf displays action figures, and among them sits an alien-like figure resembling Pikachu. It is small, round, and instantly recognizable to fans.
The shelf also featured toys that resembled Sonic and even Gitaroo Man, but seeing something so Pikachu-like really sparks the imagination. Could Steven’s universe and Pokemon’s be connected? Probably not, but it is a brilliant Easter egg!
Pikachu? No. Ling-Ling!
Drawn Together made no effort to conceal its Pikachu reference with Ling-Ling. This battle-hungry creature speaks in fake Japanese, loves to fight, and even uses its tail as a weapon. Iron Tail much?
The parody is so obvious it goes beyond homage into full-on satire. Ling-Ling is chaotic, funny, and yet still manages to highlight how recognizable Pokemon’s DNA is.
Jake The Dog and Finn The Trainer
Adventure Time has always been playful with references and one of the more subtle ones appeared in the episode “Joshua and Margaret Investigations.” During a hidden dungeon scene, fans noticed a Poke Ball hidden among the weapons.
It was quick but it was there. A bright red and white capsule sitting as if waiting for Jake to pick it up. It makes you wonder, what Pokemon would Jake and Finn use as partners? Jake with a Mabostiff seems too perfect and Finn might rock a Aegislash!
Grojband Pika-Cosplay... Sorta
In one episode of Grojband, the group needs a gimmick to appeal to kids so they dress up in costumes for a performance. Corey Riffin, the frontman, chooses to wear a purple outfit with long ears and a tail.
The design is unmistakably inspired by Pikachu, even if it is stylized to match the show’s look. It is one of those winks to the audience that reminds you Pokemon is globally famous.
Jiggly Puff Girls
The classic Powerpuff Girls did not shy away from slipping Pokemon love into Townsville. In one episode, the mayor is seen rocking a Jigglypuff watch. Another episode showed Blossom with a Pikachu doll sitting in her room, a reference so quick you might miss it on first viewing.
These little touches feel like the animators having fun and they also show how Pokemon seamlessly fits into different cartoon universes or art styles.
Codename: Trainer Next Door
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Codename: Kids Next Door and Pokemon got its turn to share the spotlight. In the episode “Operation Archive,” a shot of the audience reveals a kid dressed exactly like Ash Ketchum.
From the cap to the gloves and especially the color scheme, it is a dead ringer for the Pokemon protagonist. It makes you laugh to think Ash moonlights in Sector V’s world, trading Poke Balls for espionage items.
A Pikachu A Day Keeps The... You Get It
Osmosis Jones might be more remembered for its hybrid animation but it has a hidden gem for Pokemon fans. During one of the movie’s darkest moments, as the heroes are about to be banished, a germ in line is casually seen with a Pikachu perched on its shoulder.
It is blatant, hilarious, and kinda surreal. Imagine a virus rocking a Pikachu like a pirate’s parrot. Epic but weird.
South Park League
Of course, we cannot forget South Park’s Chinpokomon episode. Instead of subtle nods, the show went all in with an entire parody of Pokemon. Chinpokomon was an over-the-top satire of the craze, with kids obsessing over bizarre creatures and nonsensical merchandise.
The episode not only mocked the fad but also cemented just how big Pokemon was at the time. Chinpokomon remains one of the funniest and most exaggerated homages to Pokemon in cartoon history.
Pokemon references in cartoons remind us how powerful and wide-reaching the franchise has become. From subtle Easter eggs in Steven Universe to full-on parodies like Ling-Ling and Chinpokomon, these nods are proof that Pokemon is not just a game but a cultural force.
Whether it is a toy on a shelf, a costume, or a blatant character ripoff, these references make Poke-fans smile and connect the worlds of 2D in a fun, nostalgic way.