Pikachu is actually based on squirrels and the pikas are up in arms

Pokemon Designers Come Clean, Admit Pikachu is a Squirrel

Thoughts on Pawmi? : r/MandJTV

What animal is Pikachu? - Quora

What animal is Pikachu? - Quora

Haha you don't know what is real : r/memes

Pikachu to Sonic - Meet the video game characters inspired by animals - BBC Newsround

Pikachu Isn't a Mouse After All—He's a Squirrel! - Nerdist

Pikachu Was Originally Based on a Squirrel - Niche Gamer

Pikachu (Pokémon) - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia

Chris Seavor 👀 on X: Fact ! 😌 / X

Pokémon Reveals Pikachu's 'Terrifying' Final Form