# Real Life Cartoon Pets $925 Million Living Pokemon Pikachu By Cowbag | Published 2008-09-15 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/925-real-life-pickachu-buying-a-real-pokemon References: [weirdasianews](http://www.weirdasianews.com/2008/09/10/real-life-pikachus-auctioned-for-925-million/) & [yahooauctionwatch.livedoor.biz](http://yahooauctionwatch.livedoor.biz/archives/51126539.html) [Pikachu](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baskinrobbins-japan-pokmon), the main character from the [popular anime cartoon Pokemon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-pokmon-company), 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yahoo-x-graza)! 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.4/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Virtual Reality Pets:** Using virtual reality technology to simulate having cartoon pets, creating a new market for innovative and interactive virtual pet experiences. - **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. - **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. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Entertainment:** Integrating virtual reality technology and anime-inspired collectibles into the entertainment industry to offer immersive and engaging experiences for fans and consumers. - **E-commerce:** Creating online marketplaces and auction platforms to sell limited edition collectibles, allowing consumers to easily access and purchase unique anime-inspired items. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Anime Character Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mister-donut-pikachu-donut.md) - [Anime Creature-Inspired Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pikachu-aceman.md) - [Cartoon Card Qsr Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pikachu-promo-cards.md) - [Anime-Themed Home Decor Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokemon-and-karimoku.md) - [Anime-Inspired Mouse Peripherals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brando-pokemon-pikachu-wireless-mouse.md) - [Anime Creature-Inspired Crystalized Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anime-creatureinspired-crystalized-sculpture.md) - [Cartoon Design Debuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peakychu.md) - [Anime-Themed Virtual Pet Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokenade-monster-ball.md) - [Anime Creature-Inspired Exhibition](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pokmon-crafts-exhibition.md)