Pikachu outbreak happens again, this time in New York! 【Photos/Videos】

21:09 cherishe 0 Comments

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The beloved Pokémon continue to unstoppably, and adorably, expand their territory.

Last weekend was a pretty exciting time for Pokémon fans. Not only was it the franchise’s 20th birthday, we also got to find out the titles for the next two games in the long-running Nintendo series.

But while those developments were met with equal joy by fans around the world, people in New York got an extra-special treat, as a pack of Pikachus appeared in the Big Apple!

These Pikachu look excited for Pokémon Day! #Pokemon20 #PikachuNYC https://t.co/8QjRHFRrKi
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Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 27, 2016

Spotted: Wild Pikachu on the streets of Brooklyn! #Pokemon20 #PikachuNYC https://t.co/bBnoMJRQrT
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Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 27, 2016

Nintendo dubbed February 28 “Pokémon Day,” and of course had events lined up for visitors to its Nintendo NY store in New York’s Rockefeller Center.

Pokémon: Bringing Trainers together since 1996! #Pokemon20 http://ift.tt/1TgSoXB
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Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 27, 2016

But you didn’t actually have to be inside the store to get in on the fun, as the same Pikachus that spend their summers touring and dancing around Yokohama in Japan hit the streets of America’s biggest city.

▼ Pikachu used CROSSWALK! It’s super safe!

A Pikachu crossing was the cutest sight ever. Happy Pokemon Day! #PikachuNYC #Pokemon20 https://t.co/8WgLczzlLV
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(@LuckyOokami) February 27, 2016

▼ Being so close to Broadway seems to have inspired them to strike a chorus line-style pose.

Pikachu in Times Square! #Pokemon20 #PikachuNYC https://t.co/PONBJ3gUhA
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Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 28, 2016

▼ If the Beatles’ Abbey Road cover photo had been shot in New York (and with Pokémon)

Pikachu marching through Midtown! #Pokemon20 #PikachuNYC https://t.co/kWyEAPfpr2
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Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 27, 2016

When the Pokemon come for you... #PikachuNYC #Pokemon20 https://t.co/1w3KjGrL2X
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Chelsea Stark (@chelseabot) February 27, 2016

With two decades’ worth of games and anime, Pokémon occupies a big place in a lot of grown-up hearts…

Good news! I caught one! https://t.co/MhxCNuRTlh
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Chelsea Stark (@chelseabot) February 27, 2016

…but at the same time, the franchise has the same level of pure-hearted energy and whimsy it’s always had, which means it can still put a smile of absolute joy on a little kid’s face.