While it is generally known that Pikachu has always been the face of Pokémon, the yellow electric mouse, apparently, is not the most favored.
In a recent poll concluded by the Pokémon Company in which Japanese fans were asked who among the 721 Pokémon was their favorite, Greninja claimed the No. 1 spot. The water-dark type Pokémon from the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y series reportedly garnered 15 percent of the total votes from more than about 500,000 voters.
Greninja is a large frog-like Pokémon that evolves from Frogadier and is the third and final evolution of Froakie. Reports suggest that the Pokémon’s victory above the other 721 Pokémon, most especially Pikachu, may be attributed to Greninja’s recent appearances in various media.
Greninja has been seen in the Pokémon anime series as one of Ash’s own and has a special transformation called Ash-Greninja. The Pokémon has been added to the Super Smash Bros. as one of the playable and formidable characters and has even been dubbed as a rare Amiibo character. These combined allegedly boosted Greninja’s popularity among Japanese fans.
Pikachu, on the other hand, didn't even place in the top three, landing in the fourth spot right after psychic Pokémon Mew, and the legendary Pokémon God, Arceus, in third and second places, respectively. Coming in after Pikachu up to the 10th spot in order are Sylveon, Genesect, Rayquaza, Zygarde in its 50 percent form, Charizard, and Meloetta in its Aria form.
Series originals Charmander and Squirtle didn’t make it to the list. Bulbasaur, however, landed on the 89th spot.
The Pokémon General Election 720 voting event is a marketing campaign for the company’s upcoming new movie release, Pokémon X Y & Z. People attending the movie will be able to download Greninja into their Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Greninja will also be receiving special marketing distributions this summer.
In related Pokémon news, upcoming titles Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon will be receiving the same QR scanning feature present in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Players won’t be able to obtain the scanned Pokémon, though, and will only receive an entry on their Pokédex instead. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are set for a release this coming Nov. 18.
The complete list of Pokémon making it to the top 100 may be viewed on the Pokémon General Election 720 webpage while the top 25 names have been listed below:
1. Greninja
2. Arceus
3. Mew
4. Pikachu
5. Sylveon
6. Genesect
7. Rayquaza
8. Zygarde
9. Charizard
10. Meloetta
11. Mewtwo
12. Eevee
13. Jirachi
14. Darkrai
15. Lucario
16. Diancie
17. Hoopa
18. Keldeo
19. Victini
20. Manaphy
21. Reshiram
22. Kyogre
23. Kyurem
24. Magnemite
25. Shaymin
